A multi-way valve has an upper part, a lower part and a central part connected to the upper part via an interposing first membrane and the lower part via an interposing second membrane, wherein the upper and lower parts contain recesses on the upper and lower part faces facing the membranes, where a control fluid is introducible into the recesses, the central part contains a pair of openings in regions opposite the recesses on the central part faces lying adjacent to the membranes, where while introducing the control fluid into a recess, the membrane closes respective opposite openings in the central part, and where the membrane otherwise recedes into the recess, thereby releasing the opposite openings, where valve connections are mounted on the upper or lower part such that the central part can have a very thin design while preventing dead regions in the channel systems.

A gas control device includes a pump, a valve, a cuff, and a controller. The valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole and a first vent hole, a channel forming plate having an exhaust hole and an exhaust channel, a second plate having a second vent hole, and an edge separation plate. A manchette rubber tube in the cuff is joined to the periphery of the second vent hole in the second plate by an adhesive, and thus the valve is connected to the cuff. The exhaust hole is opened to the atmosphere. The pump includes a pump housing having a discharge hole and a discharge hole. The upper surface of the pump housing is joined to the bottom surface of the edge separation plate.

A gas control device includes a pump, a valve, a cuff, and a controller. The valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole and a first vent hole, a channel forming plate having an exhaust hole and an exhaust channel, a second plate having a second vent hole, and an edge separation plate. A manchette rubber tube in the cuff is joined to the periphery of the second vent hole in the second plate by an adhesive, and thus the valve is connected to the cuff. The exhaust hole is opened to the atmosphere. The pump includes a pump housing having a discharge hole and a discharge hole. The upper surface of the pump housing is joined to the bottom surface of the edge separation plate.

A damper assembly for minimizing heat loss through an exhaust stack includes a housing mountable within the stack and an umbrella received within the housing. The umbrella is selectively movable between a first position in which the umbrella is received within the housing, and second position in which the umbrella is extended from the housing such that a peripheral edge of the umbrella is in close association with an interior sidewall of the exhaust stack to minimize a flow of fluid past the umbrella and out of the stack.

A damper assembly for minimizing heat loss through an exhaust stack includes a housing mountable within the stack and an umbrella received within the housing. The umbrella is selectively movable between a first position in which the umbrella is received within the housing, and second position in which the umbrella is extended from the housing such that a peripheral edge of the umbrella is in close association with an interior sidewall of the exhaust stack to minimize a flow of fluid past the umbrella and out of the stack.

A gripping device for an endoscope insertion tube utilizing first and second arms that are hingedly attached to one another. Each arm includes an opening to accommodate the insertion tube of an endoscope such that the endoscope insertion tube spans both arms. First and second jaws are associated with first and second arms and are positioned in opposition to one another. The movement of the arms toward one anther causes the jaws to engage the insertion tube which is guided through the arms by the apertures found in the arms.

A gripping device for an endoscope insertion tube utilizing first and second arms that are hingedly attached to one another. Each arm includes an opening to accommodate the insertion tube of an endoscope such that the endoscope insertion tube spans both arms. First and second jaws are associated with first and second arms and are positioned in opposition to one another. The movement of the arms toward one anther causes the jaws to engage the insertion tube which is guided through the arms by the apertures found in the arms.

A fluid filter comprising a housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element separating a raw side and a clean side from one another, and a valve unit. The valve unit comprises a valve plate arranged concentrically in the housing and having the shape of a circular ring disc, having valve openings and a flexible circular-ring-disc-shaped valve membrane arranged on the valve plate. The filter element comprises an axially protruding pressure-exerting ring shaped as a circumferential annular collar on the end face thereof facing the valve unit when installed. When installed in the housing, the filter element, with an end face of the pressure-exerting ring, presses the valve membrane axially onto the valve plate. The valve membrane, with the membrane region thereof pressed by the pressure-exerting ring onto the valve plate, forms a seal separating the raw side from the clean side of the fluid filter.

A fluid filter comprising a housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element separating a raw side and a clean side from one another, and a valve unit. The valve unit comprises a valve plate arranged concentrically in the housing and having the shape of a circular ring disc, having valve openings and a flexible circular-ring-disc-shaped valve membrane arranged on the valve plate. The filter element comprises an axially protruding pressure-exerting ring shaped as a circumferential annular collar on the end face thereof facing the valve unit when installed. When installed in the housing, the filter element, with an end face of the pressure-exerting ring, presses the valve membrane axially onto the valve plate. The valve membrane, with the membrane region thereof pressed by the pressure-exerting ring onto the valve plate, forms a seal separating the raw side from the clean side of the fluid filter.

Valves for maintaining brake cylinder pressure in freight car brake equipment are provided. A valve includes a first diaphragm defining a first side and a second side, and a second diaphragm defining a first side and a second side. The valve further includes a first port for receiving pressure from one of an emergency reservoir or a control volume, the first port in fluid communication with the first side of the first diaphragm; a second port for receiving pressure from a brake pipe, the second port in fluid communication with the second side of the first diaphragm; and a third port for receiving pressure from a brake cylinder, the third port in fluid communication with the second side of the second diaphragm.