2643results about "Preventing unauthorised/accidental actuation" patented technology

A valve apparatus (100) for use in sterile fluid transfer or isolator systems has open entry (10) and exit (11) sides and a passageway (9) for fluid between the entry (10) and the exit (11) sides. The entry side (10) is connectable to an opening (4c) of a vessel or pipe (4) and the exit side (11) is connectable to downstream processing by means such as tubing, a vessel or a pipe. The entry side (10) includes a rupturable seal (2a) blocking the open entry side (10). Valve (100) also includes an actuator (5) attached to a piston (1) which moves within the valve (100), the piston being connected to the seal so that on movement of the piston, the seal is torn free from the entry side thereby allowing fluid gain entry to the valve (100) and to pass along the passageway (9) between the open entry (10) and exit (11) sides to downstream processing.

A clamp apparatus for selectively occluding a resilient tube to prevent free flow of fluid in the tube. The device comprises a base member to which the resilient IV tube is attached or through which it passes, and a slide clamp that slides relative to the base member and relative to the tube. The aperture in the slide clamp has a relatively open hole at one end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is an open position, allowing fluid to flow through the tube. The aperture also has a relatively constricted slot at the other end, through which the tube passes when the slide clamp is in the occluding position, preventing fluid flow through the tube. A deflectable cantilevered locking arm on the base interlocks with a detent on the slide clamp to lock the slide clamp at the occluding position to avoid inadvertent free flow. A release tab that is used to release the locking arm from the slide clamp is located off center to avoid inadvertent activation. The deflectable arm is unstressed when the slide clamp is in either the occluding or the open positions. A stop device prevents over-stressing the release tab when it is moved. In one embodiment, the clamp apparatus may be slid along the IV tube to a desired location.

A method for monitoring consumable performance in a processing tool comprises storing a performance model of the processing tool; receiving a consumable item characteristic of a consumable item in the processing tool; determining a predicted processing rate for the processing tool based on the consumable item characteristic and the performance model; determining an actual processing rate of the processing tool; and determining a replacement interval for the consumable item based on at least the actual processing rate. A processing system includes a processing tool and an automatic process controller. The processing tool is adapted to process wafers and includes a consumable item.

A sealable access stopcock includes a valve body having a switching part formed in a valve shaft thereof for switching from one flow passage to another; and a main body having an internal chamber in which the valve shaft of the valve body is rotatably fitted, and a plurality of tributary tubes each having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen opening on a side wall of the internal chamber; the valve body being rotated to selectively bring the lumens into communication with one another through the switching part and thereby switch flow of an infusion fluid from one flow passage to another. A switching channel is provided in the form of an arcuate groove in the switching part of the valve shaft to extend along the circumferential surface thereof.

A readily adjustable flow rate control device having a movable flow control member which includes a plurality of spaced-apart flow restrictors which are adapted to be selectively positioned intermediate a fluid flow path extending between a fluid supply line and a fluid delivery line. The flow restrictors can take the form of porous rate control frits which can be selectively moved into index with the fluid flow path or microbores formed in a rotatable member which can be rotated to selectively move the microbores into index with the fluid flow path.

A valve includes a body; a liquid flow passage defined in the body and including a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a vent passage defined in the body and including an air inlet and an air outlet; a valve seat defined in the liquid flow passage; a liquid seal located adjacent the valve seat; a stem connected to the liquid seal and extending in the liquid flow passage away from the liquid seal through an aperture defined in the body. The stem includes a distal end located external to the body. The stem is movable to and from a first position where the liquid seal is mated with the valve seat and a second position where the liquid seal is unseated from the valve seat. An actuator is connected to the distal end of the stem. The actuator is selectively movable to move the stem from the first position to the second position. A check-valve is adapted to block flow of liquid from the air outlet to the air inlet in the vent passage, and to allow flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet in said vent passage. The valve optionally further includes a surge control device and / or a keeper for the check-valve seal.

A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Apparatus and method for fail-safe high-speed-pneumatic valve is disclosed. Fail-safe dependability is provided by a spring-loaded normally-closed pneumatic actuator. When the spring-loaded actuator is pressurized, the normally closed mechanism is actuated to the valve active position. Concurrently, the pressure is directly applied to deflect a diaphragm or a bellow-assembly back to sealing position. Ultra high purity embodiments with standard dome shaped diaphragms are disclosed. Additional high conductance diaphragms and bellows embodiments are employed for higher conductance valves. Novel flow path layouts are disclosed. The valves are applicable for fast gas and fluid switching and are particularly suitable for high productivity Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) applications. Additional embodiments cover improved diaphragm and seal reliability, externally adjustable valve conductance, improved valve safety and high temperature valve seals.

A valve gear includes a valve (30), which controls a flow rate of a fluid and an opening of which is determined according to a rotational position of a valve element, an actuator (20) for providing a rotational force to a rotary valve shaft that changes the opening of the valve (30), and attaching / detaching means. The attaching / detaching means includes a locking element (32) formed at its prescribed positions with locking concave / convex portions and an engaging element (22) formed at its prescribed positions with engaging concave / convex portions. The locking element (32) and the engaging element (22) are relatively rotatable around the rotary valve shaft up to a prescribed angle, and prevent the actuator (20) from coming off the valve (30) at an engaging position where the engaging concave / convex portions and the locking concave / convex portions are engaged with one another, and allow the actuator (20) and the valve (30) to be detached from each other at a disengaging position.

A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve actuator which is releasably engageable with the valve body. The valve body has an internal cavity within which a valve member is located, and a valve stem is interconnected with the valve body and is accessible from the exterior of the valve body. The valve body further includes a mounting member, and the valve actuator is selectively engageable with the mounting member. The valve actuator includes a latch member which is movable between a latching position and a release position. The mounting member includes a slot, and the latch member has a blocking member that is received within the slot when the latch member is in its latching position, to prevent removal of the valve actuator from the valve body. The latch member is manually movable to a release position, in which the blocking member is removed from the slot in the mounting member to enable the valve actuator to be disengaged from the mounting member. The valve actuator includes a motor which drives a gear assembly for selectively imparting rotation to the valve member. The motor is secured to a mounting member such as a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes one or more walls that are exposed to the exterior of the valve actuator, such that heat from operation of the motor is conducted via the mounting plate away from the motor to the one or more walls for dissipation into the surrounding environment.

This invention provides a fire hydrant security system with an inner cap having means for attaching an outlet port of a fire hydrant in a fixed position which includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap and having means for retracting and retaining the position of the member in the inner cap, wherein said outer cap includes means for attaching the outer cap to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and a key wrench having means for fitting the key wrench over the outer cap and for aligning the outer cap and key wrench in a fixed position wherein the key wrench has a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench that becomes aligned with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap.

A pressure sensitive valve device for use with respiratory equipment of the type that produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device combines the exhalation and entrainment functions in one valve with a single air path. The valve device provides an exhaust valve function during normal operation and provides a less restricted access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction. The valve device includes a valve element that moves between at least two positions. During normal operation, when the pressure generating system is generating a flow of gas, the valve element is in a “closed” or “exhaust valve” position. When in the exhaust valve position, the gas flow to the atmosphere is restricted without being completely blocked off. When the flow of gas is decreased or interrupted, the valve element moves to the “entrainment valve” or “open” position that allows a greater, i.e., less restricted flow, of gas between the user and the ambient atmosphere.

A valve unit capable of being implanted in a patient and having adjustable performance settings, such as pressure settings and / or flow control, to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. A casing defines a port for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of arcuate, radially flat cam surfaces. Each cam surface occupies an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit is disposed at a second location in the casing having a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and having a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the movable valve member to establish a performance setting for the valve unit. Sufficient rotation of the rotor to change the cam surface in contact with the cam follower alters the closing effect with which the valve member moves relative to the port and thereby alters the performance setting of the valve unit.

Disclosed is a valve / seal assembly that is adapted for use in a variety of applications, such as for example, medical, consumer beverage, pharmaceutical containers, automobile, household appliance and marine. The disclosed valve includes, inter alia, a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion and a generally spherical valve member. The upper and lower body portions of the housing define an internal chamber for accommodating the valve member and a central axis for the valve. The generally spherical valve member is seated within the internal chamber of the valve housing and has an axial bore extending therethrough. The valve member is mounted for movement between an open position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is axially aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing, and a closed position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is out of alignment with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing. The valve assembly further includes a camming mechanism that is operatively associated with the valve housing and the valve member for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position.

Cap for a container, including a body having an inlet, a spout and a passageway therebetween. The cap also includes a valve movable between a first position wherein the passageway is blocked and a second position wherein the passageway is at least partly unblocked, the valve being biased towards the first position. Furthermore, the cap includes an actuator mounted to the body and engaging the valve. Selective control of the state of the valve is associated with movement of the actuator in a different direction than for securing the valve in the open position. The combination of movements required to lock the valve in the open position is sufficiently complex to reduce its probability of opening unintentionally. Meanwhile, the combination of movements is simple enough to be performed by a single finger.

A valve for controlling the flow of a gas or mixture of gases through a passageway in a coating material dispensing device includes first and second valve portions. The first valve portion is adjustable with respect to the second valve portion selectively to adjust the flow through the passageway. One of the first and second valve portions includes a first engagement member and the other of the first and second valve portions includes a second engagement member. Engagement of the first and second engagement members indicates the relative orientation of the first and second valve portions.

A nozzle adapter for use in converting a nozzle designed for use with Schrader type valves to a nozzle usable with Presta type valves is provided. The nozzle adapter includes an inner sleeve defining a central opening into which the Schrader nozzle can be inserted at one end. The adapter also includes an opening at the opposite end into which a Presta type valve can be inserted. The adapter includes a locking mechanism selectively operable by an outer sleeve that is slidably mounted to the inner sleeve to effectively retain the Schrader nozzle in alignment with the adapter to allow the Schrader nozzle to be utilized as a Presta nozzle.

A modular ball drop made up of two or more identical ball drop modules that are vertically stacked in a desired number. Each ball drop module can drop one or more frac balls into a fluid stream being pumped into a well.

A locking assembly is provided to simply and effectively prevent any unintentional adjustment of the adjustable valve mechanism in a fluid flow control device, without compromising the function of the device. The locking assembly generally includes at least one gripping arm for frictionally engaging at least a portion of the adjustable valve mechanism, and an actuating mechanism for controlling the deployment and release of the gripping arm. The locking assembly prevents unintentional adjustments that can adversely affect the pressure settings of the fluid flow control device. In particular, the locking assembly prevents unintentional adjustment, such as may be caused by the presence of a strong external magnetic field. The locking assembly can be easily disengaged, such as through the application or removal of an external mechanical force, to allow a clinician to adjust the pressure settings of the fluid flow control device as necessary.

A modular ball drop made up of two or more identical ball drop modules that are vertically stacked in a desired number. Each ball drop module can drop one or more frac balls into a fluid stream being pumped into a well.

A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.

A blowout preventer including, in certain aspects, a main body, a bonnet movably connected to the main body, the bonnet having a bonnet channel with interior threading, a ram shaft with a first portion extending through the main body and a second portion extending through the bonnet, the ram shaft having a ram shaft channel therein and an outer end, a ram connected to the ram shaft for selectively engaging a pipe, a locking assembly for selectively locking the ram shaft, the locking assembly including a torquing shaft with a portion within the ram shaft channel, the torquing shaft having an external end projecting beyond the bonnet, a locking shaft secured to the torquing shaft, the locking shaft having exterior threading for threadedly engaging the interior threading of the bonnet channel, and the locking shaft rotatable within the bonnet channel to abut the outer end of the ram shaft to releasably lock the ram shaft in position.

A blowout preventer including, in certain aspects, a main body, a bonnet movably connected to the main body, the bonnet having a bonnet channel with interior threading, a ram shaft with a first portion extending through the main body and a second portion extending through the bonnet, the ram shaft having a ram shaft channel therein and an outer end, a ram connected to the ram shaft for selectively engaging a pipe, a locking assembly for selectively locking the ram shaft, the locking assembly including a torquing shaft with a portion within the ram shaft channel, the torquing shaft having an external end projecting beyond the bonnet, a locking shaft secured to the torquing shaft, the locking shaft having exterior threading for threadedly engaging the interior threading of the bonnet channel, and the locking shaft rotatable within the bonnet channel to abut the outer end of the ram shaft to releasably lock the ram shaft in position.

A microvalve device includes a semiconductor-based valve housing that defines a flow passage, and a valve face disposed within the valve housing and in fluid communication with the flow passage. The microvalve device further includes a thermal expansion actuator that drives movement of the valve face from a first position to a second position relative to the flow passage, and a capacitor that holds the valve face in the second position. The microvalve may also include an insulating layer disposed on portions of the semiconductor-based valve housing, and a capacitance sensor for monitoring a capacitance level to determine when the valve face reaches the second position. Once the sensor indicates that the second position has been reached, power is no longer applied to the thermal expansion actuator such that power is only substantially consumed during the transition from the first position to the second position. The thermal expansion actuator may include a heating element and a thermal expansion substance for thermopneumatic displacement of the valve face.

A method for removing a substance from at least a portion of a substrate which may be for example, a reactor or a semiconductor material, is disclosed herein. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a reactor having a surface coated with a substance; providing a first and second electrode in proximal to the reactor wherein the first and second electrode reside within a target area; passing a gas mixture comprising a reactive gas into the target area; supplying energy to the first and / or the second electrodes to generate electrons within the target area wherein at least a portion of the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reactive gas thereby forming a negatively charged cleaning gas; contacting the substance with the negatively charged cleaning gas which reacts with the substance and forms a volatile product; and removing the volatile product from the reactor.

A converting mechanism is provided between an EGR control valve driven by an actuator and an intake-air valve for generating negative pressure, so that the intake-air valve is also driven by the actuator. The converting mechanism has a cam plate rotated together with the EGR control valve and an arm rotated together with the intake-air valve. A cam groove formed in the cam plate is engaged with a driving pin of the arm. The intake-air valve is held at its maximum valve opening position, when the EGR control valve is rotated in a first angular range, while the intake-air valve is rotated from the valve opening position to a maximum valve closing position when the EGR control valve is rotated in a second angular range.