A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

A discrete step, maximum flow-rate-selectable valve includes: (a) an entry tube with: (i) an exit with a single, off-center hole that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” that is centered on the centerpoint of the exit, and (ii) an exterior surface having a portion with rotational symmetry, (b) a selector tube with: (i) an exit with a plurality of holes, each having a differing diameter and a center point that lies on the circumference of a circle of radius “r” which is centered on the centerpoint of the selector tube exit, and (ii) an interior surface configured to lie proximate said entry tube, exterior surface portion having rotational symmetry so as to assist in providing a water-tight seal between said tubes, and (c) a means to enable the selector tube to rotate in discrete steps around the entry tube.

A choke valve including a valve body defining an inlet defining a centrally disposed axis extending through the inlet, an outlet, and a chamber in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a flow trim disposed within the chamber and having a side wall that defines a generally cylindrical shape, the flow trim defining a passage through the flow trim, a pair of diametrically opposing windows extending through the side wall, each window permitting fluid communication between the chamber and the passage in a direction orthogonal to the centrally disposed axis defined by the inlet, and a slot extending through the side wall, the slot being disposed substantially equidistantly between the pair of diametrically opposing windows orthogonal to the centrally disposed axis defined by the inlet and on a side of the flow trim opposite the inlet, the slot permitting containment of turbulence created by interaction of fluid flow through the windows.

A thermostatic valve including a closed hollow body, a first opening and a second opening in the body, a stopper separating the first opening from the second opening, a thermostatic actuator capable of opening the stopper and a biasing member capable of closing the stopper, wherein the stopper includes a movable cage capable of sliding in relation to a fixed cage along an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the thermostatic actuator, the movable cage or the fixed cage having at least one port, and the relative movement of the movable cage in relation to the fixed cage allowing the at least one port (8, 80) to be selectively closed or opened, and in that the movable cage is made of plastics.

The invention relates to a valve (1, 1a), in particular an expansion valve, for controlling fluid flow, having a valve central housing (10, 10a) having a first and a second opening (12, 12a, 14, 14a) and a valve element (20, 20a) which has a rotationally symmetrical outline and is arranged rotatably within the valve element housing (10, 10a). According to the invention, the valve element (20, 20a) has a cut-out, wherein the cut-out (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) has a variable dimension, and a sub region (32, 32a) of the cutout (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) is formed continuously through the valve element (20, 20a).

A valve for controlling the water flow in a sanitary line has a housing with a housing lower part in which a water supply channel portion, a control channel, and a water discharge channel portion are arranged in the flow direction. The control valve has a valve upper part with a head piece, which is arranged in a housing bore coaxially to the bore axis and to which a stator disc with a first ceramic surface is secured, and with a spindle, with which a rotor disc with a second ceramic surface is in engagement. The control valve also has an electric drive which is arranged in the housing upper part and which is in engagement with the spindle. Two seals which rest against the head piece and the spindle seal the control channel of the control valve from a housing upper part.

A valve for controlling the water flow in a sanitary line has a housing with a housing lower part in which a water supply channel portion, a control channel, and a water discharge channel portion are arranged in the flow direction. The control valve has a valve upper part with a head piece, which is arranged in a housing bore coaxially to the bore axis and to which a stator disc with a first ceramic surface is secured, and with a spindle, with which a rotor disc with a second ceramic surface is in engagement. The control valve also has an electric drive which is arranged in the housing upper part and which is in engagement with the spindle. Two seals which rest against the head piece and the spindle seal the control channel of the control valve from a housing upper part.

The invention relates to a valve for controlling a fluid flow, comprising at least one valve housing having at least one inlet and one outlet side, and a valve insert for regulating the fluid flow between the inlet side and the outlet side, which valve is arranged within the valve housing. The valve insert comprises at least one first element, designed as a hollow body, and a second element, wherein the second element is arranged within the first hollow-body-shaped element. Furthermore, the valve insert is arranged within the valve housing in such a way that the first element is axially fixed in the valve housing, and the second element is arranged so as to be rotationally fixed in the valve housing. The first element has at least one opening along the circumference of the first element for passing the fluid flow through and is designed to be rotatable relative to the second element; the second element is designed to be axially movable relative to the first element.

A solenoid valve includes a main poppet configured to control a flow rate of working fluid flowing in a valve passage according to a pilot pressure, an auxiliary poppet configured to adjust the pilot pressure according to the electromagnetic force, and a first seat portion and a second seat portion provided in the valve passage. The main poppet includes a poppet valve seated on the first seat portion and a spool valve slidable in the second seat portion. The spool valve includes an outer peripheral surface slidable relative to the second seat portion and through holes open on the outer surface and configured such that areas thereof exposed from the second seat portion change in accordance with a movement of the spool valve.

A solenoid valve includes: a cylindrical spool that has an annular groove in an outer surface and moves along an axial direction under a driving force generated by a current being applied to a solenoid part; a cylindrical sleeve that has a through-hole capable of communicating with the annular groove and houses the spool; and an urging member that urges the spool by an urging force acting in a direction opposite from a direction in which the driving force is generated. When no current is applied to the solenoid part, a part of the through-hole communicates with the annular groove. When a current is applied to the solenoid part, an area of communication between the through-hole and the annular groove increases as the spool moves under the driving force acting against the urging force.