Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve including a diaphragm. The valve is configured such that when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The oscillating valve may further include an actuator that can cause the valve to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position depending on a state of the actuator. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pneumatic inflator for automatically inflating inflatable articles, such as dunnage bags, to a desired pressure. Generally, once activated, the pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure inflates an inflatable article via a compressed air source until the air pressure inside the inflatable article reaches an operator-selected desired pressure. Thereafter, the pneumatic inflator automatically stops inflating the inflatable article. In various embodiments, the pneumatic inflator also includes a manual shut-off that, when activated while the pneumatic inflator is inflating the inflatable article, causes the pneumatic inflator to stop inflating the inflatable article. The pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure thus enables automatic inflation of inflatable articles to particular, operated-selected desired pressures with limited operator input.

A vent valve comprises a valve housing defining a vent port and a valve member mounted within the housing so as to define a fluid system chamber and an activation chamber with the housing. The valve member is biased towards a closed position, in which fluid communication between the fluid system chamber and the vent port is prevented, by fluid pressure within the fluid system chamber acting on the valve member. The valve member is biased towards an open position, in which there is fluid communication between the fluid system chamber and the vent port, by fluid pressure within the activation chamber acting on the valve member. The vent valve further comprises a pressure limiting arrangement associated with the activation chamber to limit pressure therein to a predetermined pressure value.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pneumatic inflator for automatically inflating inflatable articles, such as dunnage bags, to a desired pressure. Generally, once activated, the pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure inflates an inflatable article via a compressed air source until the air pressure inside the inflatable article reaches an operator-selected desired pressure. Thereafter, the pneumatic inflator automatically stops inflating the inflatable article. In various embodiments, the pneumatic inflator also includes a manual shut-off that, when activated while the pneumatic inflator is inflating the inflatable article, causes the pneumatic inflator to stop inflating the inflatable article. The pneumatic inflator of the present disclosure thus enables automatic inflation of inflatable articles to particular, operated-selected desired pressures with limited operator input.

Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve that uses a battery. The valve is configured such that when a diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. An actuator causes the diaphragm to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.

A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.

An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.

A regulating device may include a housing that defines an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, with a flow restriction seat between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. A flow restriction valve is movable relative to the flow restriction seat to adjust the flow between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber of the regulating device. A servo valve having a servo chamber may be used to adjust the position of the flow restriction valve. The servo chamber may be fluidly coupled to the inlet chamber though a fixed flow restriction and to the outlet chamber though an adjustable flow restriction. A stepper motor may be used to adjust the servo valve to adjust the adjustable flow restriction between the servo chamber and the outlet chamber. This causes a change of the servo pressure, which moves the flow restriction valve and adjusts the flow of the regulating device.

A pipeline-waste-gas reducer apparatus to reduce the amount of gas wasted by existing high-pressure pipelines having existing pipeline controllers and existing actuator-based control valves, by reducing the pressure of gas sent to existing pipeline controllers by a determined factor, consequently reducing the amount of gas wasted by the controllers, and then increasing control pressure returned by the controllers by the same factor, ensuring that the proper control pressure is sent to the existing actuator-based control valves.