A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.

A check valve including a valve body and a flapper assembly, the valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, an interior cavity, and a port in the interior cavity; the flapper assembly movable between an open position, providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position, isolating the inlet from the outlet, the flapper assembly including a resilient body and a spring assembly, the spring assembly configured to bias the flap portion of the resilient body towards the closed position, the spring assembly including a spring and a backing plate mounted on opposite surfaces of the resilient body and configured to increase the stiffness of the intermediate portion of the resilient body.

A fluid controller comprising a self sealing valve is disclosed. The fluid controller includes a rim that defines a fluid passage for a flow of fluid inflation and deflation of an inflatable bladder. A diaphragm is configured to seal the fluid passage, and the self sealing valve also includes at least one extension configured to extend over the diaphragm to limit a deflection of the diaphragm in a direction away from the interior of the inflatable bladder to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal between the diaphragm and the rim under increased pressure within the inflatable bladder.

A check valve including a valve body and a flapper assembly, the valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, an interior cavity, and a port in the interior cavity; the flapper assembly movable between an open position, providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position, isolating the inlet from the outlet, the flapper assembly including a resilient body and a spring assembly, the spring assembly configured to bias the flap portion of the resilient body towards the closed position, the spring assembly including a spring and a backing plate mounted on opposite surfaces of the resilient body and configured to increase the stiffness of the intermediate portion of the resilient body.

A check valve including a valve body and a flapper assembly, the valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, an interior cavity, and a port in the interior cavity; the flapper assembly movable between an open position, providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position, isolating the inlet from the outlet, the flapper assembly including a resilient body and a spring assembly, the spring assembly configured to bias the flap portion of the resilient body towards the closed position, the spring assembly including a spring and a backing plate mounted on opposite surfaces of the resilient body and configured to increase the stiffness of the intermediate portion of the resilient body.

A check valve with a housing and a first flapper rotatable about an axis between open and closed positions includes a first spring mechanism operatively positioned between a static component and the first flapper. When the first flapper is in the closed position there is a distance between the first spring mechanism and either the static component or the first flapper.

An isolation valve including a mechanism for reinforcing closure. The valve includes a seat against which a flap valve member is fitted in a closed position, and a locking finger presents movement defined by a control mechanism configured to press the finger against the valve member in the closed position.

A system including a set rod with a first and second end, and a curved portion, in which the first end is to be placed against a clapper inside a check valve, and a first connecting nipple having a first end to thread into a ball drip outlet of the check valve and a second end to receive a rod locking component. The rod locking component has a first end to attach with the second end of the first connecting nipple, a second end, and a lock mechanism positioned in a center portion to positionally fix the set rod in its position while placed against the clapper inside of the check valve. The set rod traverses through the ball drip outlet into the first connecting nipple, through the first connecting nipple into the rod locking component, and egresses through the second end of the rod locking component.

A hydraulic system for a household appliance which includes a pump that is driven by an electric motor, an outlet conduit in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, a magnetic check valve having a flap and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the speed of the electric motor in a closed loop and to determine whether the flap of the check valve is in an open position or in a closed position based on the torque of the electric motor estimated from the current consumption of the electric motor and/or the voltage in the terminals of the electric motor.