Abstract: A hose reel includes a hose reel frame, a hose reel spool rotatably mounted on the hose reel frame for rotation about a rotational axis, a drive coupling attached to the hose reel spool and aligned with the rotational axis, a drive mount attached to the hose reel frame, and a drive module mounted on the drive mount that has a drive shaft connected to the drive coupling.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other without the use of separate connectors or mounting brackets. In particular, plumbing outlet boxes are described that include receiving features and mounting tabs extending outwardly from the side walls. The receiving features and mounting tabs are arranged such that the plumbing outlet box has rotational symmetry. In this way, receiving features may be engaged with mounting tabs of an adjacent plumbing outlet box regardless of the relative orientation of the mating plumbing outlet boxes.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other without the use of separate connectors or mounting brackets. In particular, plumbing outlet boxes are described that include receiving features and mounting tabs extending outwardly from the side walls. The receiving features and mounting tabs are arranged such that the plumbing outlet box has rotational symmetry. In this way, receiving features may be engaged with mounting tabs of an adjacent plumbing outlet box regardless of the relative orientation of the mating plumbing outlet boxes.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid control valve assembly including: a main valve body having a first flow passage that is mounted on an inlet of a high-pressure vessel and through which a charging source gas passes, a second flow passage through which a feeding source gas passes, and a third flow passage to which the first flow passage and the second flow passage are connected; a manual valve that is mounted on the main valve body and that opens and closes the third flow passage; a solenoid valve that is mounted on the main valve body and that opens and closes the second flow passage by an electrical signal; a first check valve that is provided on the first flow passage to thus block a reverse flow of the charging source gas; and a second check valve that is provided on the second flow passage to thus block a reverse flow of the feeding source gas, and block the charging source gas from flowing in the second flow passage, to thereby prevent the charging source gas from flowing in the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: A flow path insert for a fluid control assembly includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion integral with the upstream portion. The upstream portion includes an upstream peripheral surface and the downstream portion includes a downstream peripheral surface. The upstream portion and the downstream portion cooperate to define an inlet passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The inlet passage defines a first axis and the outlet passage defines a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. When the flow path insert is positioned within a body of a fluid control assembly, the upstream peripheral surface is in contacting engagement with the body and the downstream peripheral surface is spaced from the body. At least the downstream portion of the flow path insert and the body cooperate to define an annular passage in fluid communication with the outlet passage. Fluid control assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes an article. The article includes a substrate and a coating disposed on the substrate, wherein the coating includes a plurality of cermet particles bonded along their prior particle boundaries. The plurality of cermet particles have a median particle size less than about 5 microns and less than 25 percent of the plurality of cermet particles include melted and re-solidified particles. Gate valves are also presented.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: A device for a valve actuator is described, the valve actuator being provided with a spindle nut surrounding a portion of an actuator spindle and engaging an external threaded portion arranged on the actuator spindle, the spindle nut being axially fixed relative to the actuator spindle, and the actuator spindle being in rotation-preventing engagement with an end cap or an actuator housing, and the spindle nut being connected via transmission means to a first driving motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluid actuator for influencing the flow along a flow surface through ejection of a fluid. By means of a like fluid actuator, a continuous flow is distributed to at least two outlet openings in order to generate fluid pulses out of these outlet openings. Control of this distribution takes place inside an interaction chamber which is supplied with fluid flow via a feed line. Into this interaction chamber there merge at least two control lines via control openings to which a respective different pressure may be applied. Depending on the pressure difference at the control openings, the flow in the interaction chamber is distributed to the individual outlet openings.

Abstract: A valve monitoring system includes a latching valve, a travel sensor, and a processor. The latching valve has a snap spring, a valve piston, and an inlet port. The travel sensor is for measuring travel of the valve piston between an activation pressure and a zero pressure. The processor is connected to the travel sensor for calculating a rate of travel of the valve piston and determining a latched state of the valve. In some example embodiments, the activation pressure is greater than a normal operating pressure. In some example embodiments, determining a latched state of the valve includes calculating a derivative of the rate of travel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid path extending between the inlet and outlet ports, one or more valves situated about the fluid path, one or more valve actuators for selectively moving respective valves, one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters within the fluid path, and a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the one or more sensors for determining one or more valve assembly conditions based on the one or more sensed parameters. Illustratively, the controller may be configured to communicate information from the valve assembly to a combustion appliance controller that is located remotely from the valve assembly through a communications interface of the controller and across a communications bus.

Abstract: A safety and injection system for adding an additive to fuel in a fuel chamber, includes a portable additive source having a body, an additive chamber, a memory, a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet. The system can also include a fuel inlet valve which is connected to the fuel chamber, and includes a connector for connecting to the fuel inlet; a fuel outlet valve which is connected to the fuel chamber and including a connector for connecting to the fuel outlet. The system can further include a platform having a memory reader/writer that reads the information in memory and is capable of writing information on memory, and on which the portable additive source is placed; and at least one control unit which is connected with the memory reader/writer, which includes a user interface device for receiving control information from the user, and which controls the operation of the safety and injection system.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other in an assembly via a bracket. The plumbing outlet boxes may include one or more connectors. The assembly may further include a bracket having a plurality of engaging portions for engaging the connectors of the plumbing outlet boxes. The bracket may engage the plumbing outlet boxes to each other and/or to a stud within a wall.

Abstract: A nozzle holder for a fuel hose reel including an upstanding support having its lower end positioned on a support surface. A hose reel is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the support and has a fuel hose wound thereon. An upstanding bracket is secured to the support at one side thereof and has a fuel containment assembly secured to the upper end thereof. The fuel containment assembly includes an inclined base tube having an elongated slot formed in the front wall thereof. An inclined fuel containment tube has its lower end selectively removably inserted into the open upper end of the base tube. The containment tube has an elongated opening formed in the front wall thereof. The nozzle of the fuel hose may be inserted into the opening in the containment tube and the hand guard of the nozzle may be inserted into the opening in the base tube.

Abstract: A flow module port fitting to be inserted in port hole in a flow module, which port hole is in communication with flow channel. The port fitting comprises a head, and a shaft with a center axis, attached to the head, wherein the shaft has a first and a second end portion, the port fitting comprises further a fastening element at its first end portion for fastening the port fitting to the flow module or flow plate. The port fitting comprises further a seal arranged either externally on said shaft or seal is arranged at the second end portion facing away from the head, or seal is arranged in the short side of said second end portion, wherein seal is sealing port hole together with port fitting from the fluids flowing in flow channel.

Abstract: A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for protecting from freezing an above-ground conduit outlet on an exterior wall of a building, the freeze protection apparatus comprising a housing including a top wall, a front wall, and a pair of opposed side walls interconnecting the top wall and the front wall. The housing partially defines an enclosed area having a rear aperture and a bottom aperture. Thermal insulating material lines the interior surface of the walls of the housing. Means are provided for mounting the housing to the exterior wall adjacent the conduit outlet. The inner edges of the side walls and the top wall contact the exterior wall and the bottom edges of the side walls and the front wall contact the ground for enclosing the conduit outlet. Heat is retained within the housing to prevent fluid within the conduit from freezing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an overfill prevention system for preventing the overfilling of tanks when filling up large tanks from a fuel distribution truck. The system operates by monitoring and automatically controlling the filling process by use of a power take off switch assembly that is connected electronically to a secondary overfill prevention system that is also connected to a signal probe located in the tank that is being filled. In operation, once fuel contacts the signal probe, a communicator signal is sent from the signal probe to a secondary overfill prevention system, which interrupts a looping electrical current through a fuel shut off sensor assembly to a power take off switch assembly along a connecting cable.

Abstract: A structure including a hollow porous material with an architected fluid interface to the hollow porous material and methods of forming the same. The architected fluid interface may be in the form of a manifold with tapered openings, each providing a gradually narrowing transition to the hollow channels within which fluid may flow through the hollow porous material. The material may be formed by forming an open-celled sacrificial scaffold, immersing one surface of the open-celled sacrificial scaffold in a bonding agent, attaching a face sheet to the surface to form a sacrificial scaffold assembly, coating the assembly with a coating material, and removing the sacrificial scaffold assembly.