Disclosed is an inflation valve enabling a user to quickly inflate and deflate an inflatable object. The inflation valve can include an inflation chamber that is an adequate size to capture a breath of air blown by a user from a distance away from an outside opening of the inflation chamber. This allows surrounding air into the area of low pressure created by the moving air, thereby greatly increasing the amount of air entering the inflatable object. To prevent air from escaping the inflatable object, the inflation valve can include a non-invertible one-way valve and/or an invertible one-way valve. Each valve can prevent air from escaping the inflation chamber until adequate pressure is applied from the outside opening of the inflation chamber, for example, as a result of a user blowing air into the inflation chamber. The invertible one-way valve can be inverted to reverse the properties of the valve.

The present invention relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods that manage the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water, through pipes. Specifically, the apparatuses of the present invention creates a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe when the fluid meets a spring loaded poppet valve, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid. The pressure in front of the poppet valve builds and moves the poppet valve away from a seat allowing the fluid with compressed gas bubbles to flow therefrom, which provides more accurate water meter measurements because less gas is being considered in said measurements. Moreover, the apparatuses of the present invention provide backflow prevention. Systems and methods for managing fluids are further provided.

Apparatuses manage the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water, through pipes. Specifically, the apparatuses of the present invention creates a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatuses comprise conically tapered openings to more efficiently pass fluids therethrough. Moreover, the apparatuses comprise bleed channels to allow for the flow of fluids during times of low fluid flow.

A check valve supplies fluid to a system and includes a fluid barrier protects the sealing elements and surfaces of the check valve preventing degradation from any backflow of gas and debris from the system to which fluid is supplied.

A backflow preventer that includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet adapted to be mounted in a liquid flow configuration in a liquid supply circuit. An upstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream of the inlet, and includes an upstream check plate supporting a downstream diaphragm. An upstream check disc is positioned downstream of the diaphragm and integrally formed with an upstream stem mounted in an aperture in a central hub formed in the check plate for movement between an normally open, flow position and a closed position preventing backflow of liquid through the inlet. A downstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream from the upstream check disc assembly. A vent discharges liquid to atmosphere upstream of the downstream check disc assembly.

A system for limiting the flow from a dispensing valve when a dispensing cartridge is replaced with the system including a dispenser cartridge with a cam and a water socket with a flow limiter therein that is activeable in response to the position of the dispenser cartridge in the dispensing valve and operable in response to an upstream fluid pressure in the dispensing valve.

A pressure relief valve (PRV) assembly may include a housing having an opening therein, an interior cavity, a passageway extending between the opening and the interior cavity, and a flange extending within the passageway adjacent the opening. The PRV assembly may also include a first stage valve carried within the interior cavity, and a second stage valve fluidly coupled in series with the first stage valve. The second stage valve may include an enlarged head carried within the opening and a shaft extending from the enlarged head through the passageway to the interior cavity. The shaft may have a proximal end coupled to the enlarged head and an opposing enlarged distal end adjacent the interior cavity. A biasing member may be between the enlarged distal end and the flange. The biasing member may be configured to bias the first and second stage valves to a closed position.

A valve apparatus [11] for connection to a tank or pipe, the valve apparatus[11] comprises a housing [12], a first opening [176a] and a second opening [177a] communicating with respective first conduit [16] and second conduit [17] each for providing ingress and egress of fluid into and out of the housing [11] through the first opening [176a] and the second opening [177a], and discrete first and second valve means or valves [14; 15] which are spaced apart from one another, the first and second valve means or valves [14; 15] selectively controlling fluid flow between the first and second conduits [16; 17], wherein, in use, the principal flow axes along the first conduit [16] and second conduit [17] are parallel and opposed, the first valve means or valve [14] is configured to open when the pressure in the first conduit [16] is greater than a first pressure and the second valve means or valve [14; 15] is configured to open when the pressure in the first conduit [16] is less than the first pressure.

A method of manufacturing a fluid end of a reciprocating pump, the fluid end having a main body and a flange extending from the main body, includes positioning a cutting tool between a distal surface of the flange and the main body of the fluid end so that the cutting tool can form an access area in the flange, forming, with the cutting tool, a first arcuate cutout of the access area, and forming, with the cutting tool, a second arcuate cutout of the access area, the second arcuate cutout being discontinuous with the first arcuate cutout so that the access area includes multiple radii.