US PATENT CLASS 137
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 137/
This is the residual class for fluid material handling, and
takes processes, systems, combinations, subcombinations and certain elements pertaining thereto not otherwise classified.
Fluid materials include gas and liquids primarily, but the handling of other flowable materials, as fluent granular solids, is also found.
Handling for this class comprises the transfer of fluent material by flow, as by confining, directing, causing and/or controlling the flow, and includes making the material available for flow or separating a smaller from a larger body of fluid material, as by tanks, containers, receivers, traps, etc., or pipes or conduits, with or without siphons, pumps, pressure or displacing fluids or other flow imparting means.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
The class is divided into two groups, subclasses 1+ for processes, and subclasses 38 to 616 for automatic or condition change responsive devices, special types and combinations of the necessary elements of the class with the subject matter of other classes or with features added to perfect the operation of the material handling means, and the more complex devices of the class generally grouped under the title "systems." Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation, provides for valves and valve actuation not otherwise classified. Subclasses 777 to 802 comprise subcombinations and elements pertaining to fluid handling not particularly related to any of the special types and not otherwise classified.
Automatic or condition change responsive systems and devices of this class are discussed more at length in (1) Automatic Control below, (2) Plural Valves, and (3) Valve Actuation.
(1) AUTOMATIC CONTROL
Devices and systems in which the presence or absence of, or a change in, a condition is sensed and control exercised as a result thereof are commonly called automatic, and in this class form the basis of a number of "special type" and general categories. Line condition change response refers to control exercised over the material being handled in the system as a result of a change in the condition of that material, as temperature, quantity, pressure or rate of flow. Condition change response does not include the mere fact of flow or those fluid pressure operated devices where change does not affect the operation of the device, nor those where the flow is changed by external means for the purpose of causing operation of the control means or with that result.
Combinations of an automatic valve with a nonautomatic valve have been excluded for line condition change responsive groupings because the system comprising such combinations is
not primarily automatic.
Fluid actuated or retarded valves which have not been considered automatic even though they depend on the presence of fluid flowing in the line, and have been classified in the following subclasses in Class 251; are (1) fluid actuated valves with compulsory cut-off after a flow period (subclasses 15+), (2) dash-pot or fluid controlled timers and retarders for valves, operating fluid for which is derived from the line controlled (subclasses 50+).
The following groups of subject matter in this class are wholly or partly of automatic or closely related types. In each instance the search notes in the definitions of the particular subclasses referenced in Subclass References of the Current Class, below, should be consulted for related art.
Atmospheric
Boiler (see temperature)
Combustion (see temperature)
Discriminating Valves (see level response).
Failure Responsive and Testing Devices
Freeze (see Temperature).
Heating (see Temperature) Inertia or Position Change
Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, including: (A) By pressure connection at liquid level; (B) By gravitating vessel; and (C) By floats - This class is the generic place for floats, per se, and systems controlled by floats are classified in various appropriate groups, the subclasses in Subclass References to the Current Class provide especially for float control or operation.
Line Condition Change Response - See the definition, second paragraph of this section, and listings under Plural heading below
Periodic or Cyclic
Plural - For a discussion of plural valves as such, see following section (4). In this category, plural flow controllers, valves, or condition responsive means may be (A) plural valves controlling different flows, (B) plural valves controlling the same flow, (C) one valve responding to changes in plural conditions, or (D) plural valves each responding to a different condition change. Subclass References to the Current Class includes subclasses references to the following: (1) Plural Flows; (2) Plural
Condition Responses; (3) Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive -Where the controls are separate valves controlling the same flow and one is not automatic or line condition responsive the patent is excluded from line condition responsive categories. See section 2, definitions. Such patents may appear in the earlier special type groups of subclasses, however:
Pressure Modulating
Pump
Safety cut-offs - For resetting operations see (3) Manual Control, Resetting, and Adjusting Devices, especially the subclass references to Cut-offs With Resetting.
Speed Responsive Control
Temperature. (See Boiler, Combustion)
(2) PLURAL VALVES Control means for plural flow paths comprising a single movable body having plural seats or plural port obstructing positions have been classified as multiway valve units in subclasses 625+. Valves associated with dispensers have been classified in Class 222, Dispensing. See especially the Search Notes in the appropriate subclasses of these classes and in the main class definitions, as well as the Search Notes to the subclasses listed below.
In Class 137 devices for controlling plural flows have been regarded as comprising a system (1) if additional flow confining means was claimed to a greater extent than as a mere mounting for the valves, (2) if some definite significant relation between fact of flow and/or the direction of flow in the plural flow paths exists, or (3) if one or more conduits or passages have two or more valves or cut-off devices which function to control the flow of the fluid by means of the valves. Some plural flow path controls of various automatic or condition change responsive types are also found in the earlier subclass groups, but on that basis rather than as systems in and of themselves.
Plural valves having a common means for simultaneous or alternating actuation, are for the most part in appropriate subclasses under subclass 561. Some valves, because of motor or complex mechanical actuation, have been classified in Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation, under the type of actuation.
For plural automatic or condition responsive valves, see (1) Automatic Control, "Plural Condition Responses", above and the associated references in Subclass References to the Current Class.
For plural valves, one automatic or condition responsive and
one or more mechanically or manually actuated, see section for Automatic Control, Plural Controls, "One Condition Responsive", above and the associated references in Subclass References to the Current Class.
(3) MANUAL CONTROL, RESETTING AND ADJUSTING DEVICES
See section for Automatic Control, Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive, above for notes on manual control of valves which are also condition responsive and for manual valves combined with automatic or condition responsive valves.
The term "manual" in some instances includes nonautomatic valve actuation of other types, as by mechanical movements or even motors.
The term "control" or "actuation" as applied to the operation of valves does not include the resetting of valves which are either condition responsive or trip actuated to move from a preset position and which do not return to that position when the operating force is removed or reversed, but require intervention of an external independent agency to restore them to their set position. Mere adjustment of bias, spacing, seating or actuator connection of a valve is not included in these terms.
(A) Flow Control or Valve Actuation - See references to (1) Automatic Control, "Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive", for manual and automatic actuation of valves, and also (2) "Plural Valves," for plural valves, including actuation.
(B) Cut-Offs with Resetting - Also see references to (1) Automatic Control, "Safety Cut-offs." (C) Adjustment
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
2+, for processes of controlling a flow by condition or characteristic of a fluid, especially subclasses 3+ for mixture control. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
3+, processes of mixing plural fluids of diverse characteristics or conditions. (Automatic Control - Plural Flows)
6, processes of mixing controlled by heat of combustion of mixture. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
8, processes for producing uniform flow. (Automatic Control - Pump)
13, processes for affecting flow by the addition of energy (Automatic Control - Pump)
11, Processes of regulating boiler feed water level.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
11, processes of regulating boiler water level. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks)
10, processes of flow control by speed of fluid. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control)
13, processes of affecting flow by the addition of heat. (Automatic Control - Temperature) 38+, for change of altitude as reflected by change in air pressure, see subclass 81. (Automatic Control - Inertia or Position Change)
39, control by change of position or inertia of system with second control.. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
39, control by change or position or inertia of system with second control. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
40+, marine governors. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
49, speed responsive valve control with manual control. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
76, and 77, heat destructible or fusible control elements with external closing means. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
80, atmospheric temperature change responsive control with additional diverse control. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
41, float controlled marine governors. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
47+, speed responsive valve control. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control)
43, vent closing in overturned containers. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
50, and 57, excess speed responsive controls.(Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
50, and 51+, speed responsive control with other condition responsive valve control.(Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
50, and 57, excess speed cut-offs. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
52, speed responsive valve control with governor drive failure control. (Automatic Control - Failure Responsive and Testing Devices)
59+, freeze condition responsive safety cut-off. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
65+, combustion failure responsive safety cut-offs for burners. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
65+, combustion failure responsive fuel safety cut-offs for burners. (Automatic Control - Boiler)
65+, combustion failure responsive fuel safety cut-off for burners. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
65+, combustion failure responsive fuel safety cut-offs for burners. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
65+, combustion failure responsive fuel safety cut-off for burners. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
65+, combustion failure responsive cut-off for burner fuel. (Automatic Control - Failure Responsive and Testing Devices)
67+, frangible, soluble, deformable or fusible control elements, the failure of which caused operation of safety means. (Automatic Control - Failure Responsive and Testing Devices)
67+, destructible or deformable element control, especially subclasses 72+, heat destructible or fusible. (Automatic Control - Combustion) 72+, heat destructible or fusible element control. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
73, heat destructible of fusible element control with second sensing means. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
75+, heat destructible or fusible safety cut-offs. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
80, atmospheric temperature change responsive control with additional diverse control. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
82+, pressure modulating relays or followers. (Automatic Control - Pressure Modulating)
98+, self-proportioning flow systems. (Automatic Control -
Plural Condition Responses)
75+, heat destructible or fusible safety cut-off elements. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
78+, for atmospheric condition change responsive controls. (Automatic Control - atmospheric)
79+, atmospheric temperature change responsive control. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
87.01+, plural flows. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
87.01+, self-proportioning or correlating systems. (Automatic Control - Plural Flows) 88+, apparatus for controlling mixtures. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
96+, control of pump-motive fluid by level of pumped liquid. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks)
98+, self-proportioning flow systems. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
90, mixture condition maintaining or sensing by temperature or heat content. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
94, fuel controlled by boiler or water system condition. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
94, fuel controlled by boiler or water system condition.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
94, fuel controlled by boiler or water system condition. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
101.25+, for self-proportioning systems with liquid level sensing means. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks)
103+, vacuum or suction pulsator type systems. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
106, reversing or 4-way valve systems. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
109+, self-controlled branch flow systems. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
115.03+, by-pass or relief responsive to change in rate or main line flow in self-controlled branch systems. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control) 129, 163, 190, 401, and 404, sinking or bucket type floats.
(Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By gravitating vessel)
120, 161, 162+, 189, 402, and 403+, especially subclass 408, gravitating tanks. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By gravitating vessel)
120, and 122, filling successive tanks by float controlled receiver. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
129, sinking float operated siphons. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
129, 163, 190, 401, and 404, for sinking or bucket type floats: see level response. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
131, float controlled discharge from a siphon to a receiver. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
132+, periodic or accumulation responsive siphon discharge. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
133, periodic siphons with manual control. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
135, float operated inlet for siphons. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
137, for float operated vents for trapped air in a siphon. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
154+, diverse fluid containing pressure systems, especially subclass 155, gas lift valves for wells, 180, 183, 199, 204, 213+. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response) 154+, 155, 156+, for diverse fluid containing pressure systems which repeatedly discharge gas and/or liquid upon accumulation thereof. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic);
154+, diverse fluid containing pressure systems, especially subclasses 156+, gas pressure discharge of liquid feed traps to receivers under pressure and 173+, plural discriminating outlets for diverse fluids in pressure systems. (Automatic Control - Plural Flows)
156+, gas pressure discharge of liquid feed traps to boilers.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
158, gas pressure discharge of liquid feed trap controlled by level in boiler or receiver. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By pressure connection at liquid level)
169, manual control of gas pressure in discharging liquid feed traps to boilers. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
171+, fluid separating traps or vents.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
171+, accumulation responsive fluid separating traps and vents. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
163, 165+, 185+, 192+, and 202, for float control in diverse fluid containing pressure systems. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
171+, fluid separating traps and vents. (Automatic Control - Discriminating Valves)
173+, plural discriminating outlets for diverse fluids in pressure systems. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
183+, 199+, for accumulation responsive gas pressure discharge of liquid feed traps to receivers under pressure. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic) 184, plural successively opened discriminating fluid responsive valves for liquid in diverse fluid containing pressure systems. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
185+, for gas collecting floats, e.g., inverted bucket type. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
213+, liquid level responsive gas vent or whistle.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
213+, liquid level responsive gas vent or whistle. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By pressure connection at liquid level)
215+, back flow prevention by vacuum breaking. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
214, high and low level responsive gas vents or whistles for diverse fluid containing pressure systems. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
218, back flow preventing air vent in liquid line with coacting valve in liquid flow path. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
220, line condition change responsive valves of the Larner-Johnson type. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
223+, tire filling chuck and stem type connectors. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
224+, pressure-responsive pressure-control means for tire inflation devices. (Automatic Control - Pump)
226, coaxial inflation and relief valves for tire inflation with pressure-responsive pressure-control means. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses) 229, selectively connected gauge and inflow or relief passages in tire inflation devices. (Plural Valves)
230, stem attached relief valves for tires. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
238+, steam sterilizing. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
255+, plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow. (Plural Valves)
270, and 271, valve units oriented in plural positions or changed between locations. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
274, 286+, 614+, and 616, valve actuators comprising movable flow pipes. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
285, 299 and 300, serial valves in hydrants. (Plural Valves)
289, balanced valves in hydrants. (Plural Valves)
290, 291+, and 298, hydrant valve actuators. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
297, hydrant casing with heater. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
301+, hydrant protection against freezing. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
309+, regenerative furnace type reversing valves. (Automatic Control - Combustion) 309, regenerative furnace type reversing valves. (Plural Valves)
310, regenerative furnace type reversing valves with cooling means. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
315+, repair, holding and assembling means associated with valves. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
334+, heating or cooling of fluid handling systems. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
334+, heating, especially subclasses 335+, burner type. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
345+, locomotive associated systems. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
344+, heating, especially subclasses 335+ burner type.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
346, locomotive boiler or steam dome associated systems.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
386+, liquid level responsive or maintaining systems.(Automatic Control - Boiler)
389, liquid level responsive systems with a second diverse control. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
390, liquid level responsive systems with manual control. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive) 391, control of both inflow and outflow of a tank by liquid level responsive means. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
393, liquid level control or maintenance. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By pressure connection at liquid level)
396+, for self-emptying tanks responsive to level of accumulated liquid. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
397, 398+, 401, 404, and 409+, for float control in liquid level responsive or maintaining systems. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
399, low level safety cut-off of tank outflow. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
399, float operated low level safety cut-offs. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
405, oil burner fuel overflow preventing safety cut-offs operated by accumulated fluid weight. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
405, oil burner fuel overflow preventing safety cut-offs
operated by weight of accumulated fuel. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
436+, float arm operated valves with restrictors, e.g., silencers. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
456+, line condition change responsive safety cut-offs requiring resetting. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
475+, pop valve with adjustable choke (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive) 481, combustion engine induction type governor with manual modifier. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
495, line condition responsive valves with a separate connected fluid reactor surface and manual or external control for the valve. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
479+, combustion engine induction type governors. (Automatic Control - Combustion)
457, safety cut-offs responding to thermal conditions and requiring resetting. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
458, and 459+, line condition change responsive valves of the safety cut-off type responding to velocity or rate of flow. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control)
458, safety cut-offs responsive to both high and low pressure or velocity. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
482, combustion engine induction type. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
493, line condition change responsive valves of the bidirectional type governor with suction compensator. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
456+, line condition change responsive safety cut-off valves requiring resetting. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
455+, line condition change responsive valves, especially 469+, pop valves. (Automatic Control - Boiler)
486+, for pilot or servo-controlled valves responsive to change in rate of fluid flow. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control)
497+, for valves with separate connected fluid reactor surface responsive to change in rate of fluid flow. (Automatic Control - Speed Responsive Control)
468, line condition thermal change responsive valves. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
482, combustion engine induction type governor with suction compensator. (Automatic Control - atmospheric)
455+, line condition change responsive valves. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
506, and 512+, plural line condition change responsive valves. (Automatic Control - Plural Condition Responses)
522+, for safety valves with testing means. (Automatic Control - Failure Responsive and Testing Devices)
524, bias adjustment indicator for direct acting check valves. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
530, cam means for fixing and adjusting the bias of reciprocating check valves. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
531, varying effective lever arm for reciprocating check valves. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
533+, position or extent of motion indicators for fluid handling apparatus. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
571+, plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow. (Plural Valves)
583, systems with plural openings, one a gas vent or access opening. (Plural Valves) 586, access opening interlock with outlet valve actuator. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
595, 601, 607, 609, 888+, and 896+, plural valves with common operator in plural flow paths, either separate or branching. (Plural Valves)
596, stop and waste systems. (Plural Valves)
598, hill holders for hydraulic brake lines. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
606, and 861+, flow control means for plural flows in distribution systems. (Plural Valves)
613+, distribution systems comprising a single flow path with plural serial valves and/or closures. (Plural Valves)
622+, multiple valve type fluid distributors for plural chamber servo motors. (Plural Valves)
624.11+, for timer controlled flow. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
624.22, for time cam-operated trips. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
625+, multiway valve units. (Plural Valves)
624.14, for self-cycling flows. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response) 624.27, for line condition change responsive release of valve. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
625.61+, for variable orifice modulator for pilot valve of supply and exhaust valve. (Automatic Control - Plural Controls, One Condition Responsive)
624.13+, for repeating cyclic control. (Automatic Control - Periodic or Cyclic)
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
11, for heat motor actuators for valves. (Automatic Control - Temperature)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
16+, for main line cut-off after flow period reset by operation of serial main valve. (Automatic Control - Safety cut-offs)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
12+, for fluid actuated or retarded valves, especially subclasses 15+ for compulsory cut-off after flow period, and subclass 50 for line pressure connected chambers for retarding or timing valves. (Automatic Control - Line Condition Change Response)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation, 11, for buoyancy motor actuators for valves. (Automatic Control - Level Response or Maintenance, Floats, Gravitating Tanks, By floats)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
27, for servo failure responsive control of a fluid servo
operated valve and 69, for electrical trip actuated valves with trip operation on failure of electric power. (Automatic Control - Failure Responsive and Testing Devices)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
16+, for serial main line cut-off and manual valves, the cut-off operating after a predetermined flow and being reset only by closing the serial manual or mechanically operated valve; subclass 117 for valve and restrictors in parallel flow passages; subclasses 118+ for valves and serial restrictors; subclasses 129+ for valve actuators comprising plural solenoids, which may operate separate valves; and 281+ for balanced valves. (Plural Valves)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation;
3, for pattern tracer controlled actuators; subclass 11, for heat or buoyancy motor actuators; subclass 12+, for fluid actuators or retarder.; subclass 64, for nonfluid retarder.; subclass 65, for permanent magnet actuators.; subclass 66, for biased trip actuators; subclass 75, for snap action actuators.; subclass 76, for impact type actuators; subclass 77+, for actuators with lost motion.; subclass 89, for means for holding an actuator in set position; subclass 128and 335, for seals for actuator connecting means; subclass 128and 291+, for detachable actuators; subclass 129+, for electrical actuators; subclass 149+and 149.8, for valves operated by conduit motion; subclass 213+, for mechanical movement actuators; subclass 289, for actuation from plural position.; subclass 290, for plural neutral positions of an actuator; subclass 293, for actuator extensions; subclass 294, for flexible actuators; subclass 295, for pedal actuators; subclass 339, for actuators extending through fluid flow path; subclass 340, for actuators surrounding flow pipes; subclass 341 and 349, for valve actuators wherein part of the valve body is movable. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Flow Control or Valve Actuation)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
15+, for fluid actuated valves with compulsory cut-off after a flow period; 48+, for fluid retarders or timers for valves; subclasses 64+, for nonfluid retarders for valves; 66+, for biased trip valve actuation. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Cut-Offs with Resetting)
251, Valves and Valve Actuation,
35, for choked pressure type servo-motors for valve actuation with choke passage variable according to valve position; subclass 42 and 60 for adjustable limit stops in fluid actuated valves; subclass 84 for valve heads movable connected for accommodation to seat; subclass 120+ for movable restrictors with valves; subclass 233 for valve lever actuators with leverage variable during operation; subclass 234 for valve lever actuators with adjustable leverage. (Manual Control, Resetting And Adjusting Devices - Adjustment)
417, Pumps, for pumps, per se. For distinction of the line between Classes 137 and 417, see the class definition. (Automatic Control - Pump)
GLOSSARY:
SPECIAL TYPE CATEGORIES
Those comprising a group of related patents directed toward solving a problem in one specific field of activity, which have been classified on the basis of and under a title reflecting that activity rather than on a generalized basis. Examples of special type categories are 94, Fuel controlled by boiler or water system condition; 108, Pump unloader type (indented under Self-proportioning or correlating systems).
SYSTEM
A term applied to any apparatus of the class which comprises more than a single flow path and/or a single valve unit. It may include only an unvalved branched flow path or a single flow path having two or more valve units. In some instances subcombinations or elements having special utility in the combination and having no other classification have been included in the group of subclasses pertaining to the system, as subclasses 777-802, Expansible Chamber Devices.
VALVES AND VALVE ACTUATION
The term "valve unit," as used above, is applied to either a single or multiway valve. In the multiway type plural passages are controlled by valve means having plural flow closing areas or points, but the entire means is housed in a single casing or organized as a body or unit. Valve units as such are classified in subclasses 625+. The class also provides for some valve units under the special titles. Radiator vent check valves, Reversing cokes and valves, Flush or water closet valves, Drain valves, Float valves, Temperature operated cut-off valves, Safety valves, and certain analogous types. The class also takes valves combined with other structure, as the tire inflation type combined with or adapted for connection with inflation means and/or the inflatable article. Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation provides for valves combined with certain actuators, particularly the fluid and electric motors and the more complex mechanical movement actuators.
The term "Valves" includes variable restrictors, which frequently cannot be distinguished as claimed, and have been set apart only in certain subclasses having the term restrictor or choke in the title, as subclasses 436+, and 475+, primarily because of their special function as silencers. Closures are also frequently indistinguishable from valves, particularly as used and claimed in fluid
handling systems. In some instances they have been classified with valves, as in subclasses 613+, Single flow path with plural serial valves and/or closures and Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation, provides for restrictors or flow guides in subclasses 118.01+.