Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring consumable gas usage are disclosed. A method includes obtaining, from one or more sensors installed at a property, sensor data that indicates one or more attributes of the property; based on the sensor data, determining an expected amount of gas consumption at the property; obtaining, from a gas meter installed at the property, gas meter data that indicates a gas consumption at the property; determining, based on the gas meter data and the expected amount of gas consumption, that the gas consumption at the property meets criteria for abnormal gas consumption; and based on determining that the gas consumption at the property meets criteria for abnormal gas consumption, performing one or more monitoring system actions. Determining an expected amount of gas consumption at the property comprises determining an operating status of each of a plurality of gas consuming appliances at the property.

Abstract: Techniques for managing delivery of water or other fluids have been disclosed. A central server provides real-time data and cost analysis to a client. In addition, fluid delivery techniques provide alerts or automatic schedule suspensions to reduce risk of loss. The techniques reduce or eliminate the impact of air or gas captured with water or other fluid of a fluid delivery system. The techniques allow a preexisting fluid delivery system to be retrofitted to communicate with a central system and one or more sensors of a fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A flow control module with a thermal mass flow meter is provided. The thermal mass flow meter facilitates measuring both a flow rate and a temperature of a fluid passing through the flow control module. Fluids may experience different flow characteristics at different temperature ranges. The flow control module includes a proportional control valve for selectively adjusting the flow rate of the fluid passing through the flow control module. Upon detecting that the temperature of the fluid is outside of a temperature range for the fluid, a controller is configured to load a different set of calibration parameters for controlling the operation of the proportional control valve to accommodate the different flow characteristics of the fluid at that temperature. Additionally, the controller is configured to detect bubbles using the thermal mass flow meter based upon the difference in thermal conductivity of gasses and liquids.

Abstract: An apparatus including a controllable fluid-contacting surface is provided. In another aspect, the present apparatus includes a flexible membrane and multiple actuators each having an output shaft or activation member coupled to a water-contacting membrane, with the shafts extending in a direction offset from the nominal outer surface of the membrane. A further aspect of the present apparatus includes an underwater vessel including a propulsion source, a flexible membrane having a water-contacting outer surface and an electronic controller including programmable software for actuating the actuators.

Abstract: A micro-pneumatic control unit comprising a plurality of control channels for generating the control pressures in a pneumatically actuated multi-channel coating head for coating components with a coating agent, a control channel being characterized by a valve element comprising a valve bore in a valve plate and a diaphragm layer which is below the valve plate and is configured as a diaphragm closing element in the region of the valve bore, the shape of which diaphragm closing element defined by recesses positioned laterally with respect to the valve bore, by a micro-actuator having a plunger that actuates the diaphragm closing element through the valve bore such that the valve element opens, by a second micro-pneumatic element connected in series with the valve element, the control pressure developing and a cavity located at the connection node thereof, which cavity is connected to at least one pneumatically operated coating agent ejector, and by a pneumatic pressurization of the micro-pneumatic control unit,

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-sealing breakaway valve having a poppet-style design. The breakaway valve may be made from two body portions coupled together by one or more frangible fasteners in order to form a flow path through the breakaway valve. Each body portion may include a valve mechanism responsive to separation of the two body portions from each other to cause closure of the flow path in the respective body portion. The valve mechanisms may be releasably coupled together by a coupling key configured to restrict movement of each valve mechanism, so that the flow path within the breakaway valve remains open. Upon separation of the two body portions from each other, the coupling key may be released from the valve mechanisms allowing for closure of the flow path by the valve mechanisms thereby preventing fluid leakage from the breakaway valve.

Abstract: A valve device capable of precisely adjusting a flow rate includes: an operating member for operating a diaphragm and provided movably between a closed position at which diaphragm closes a flow path and an open position at which diaphragm opens the flow path; a main actuator that receives pressure from a supplied drive fluid and moves the operating member to the open position or the closed position; an adjusting actuator for adjusting the position of the operating member positioned in the open position by using a passive element which expands and contracts in response to a given input signal; a position detecting mechanism for detecting the position of the operating member with respect to a valve body; and an origin position determining unit that uses a valve closed state in which the diaphragm contacts to valve seat to determine an origin position of the position detecting mechanism.

Abstract: The MEMS actuator is formed by a substrate, which surrounds a cavity; by a deformable structure suspended on the cavity; by an actuation structure formed by a first piezoelectric region of a first piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to cause a deformation of the deformable structure; and by a detection structure formed by a second piezoelectric region of a second piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to detect the deformation of the deformable structure.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling a supply of medical gas to a gas delivery system, such as an anesthesia machine, via a medical gas delivery module. In one example, a method includes supplying a medical gas from a pipeline gas supply source to a gas delivery system via a first conduit, measuring a quality of the medical gas in the first conduit, comparing the measured quality to an allowable range, switching to an alternative gas supply source for supplying the medical gas to the gas delivery system and communicating a pipeline gas supply fault in response to the measured quality being outside of the allowable range, and continuing supplying the medical gas to the gas delivery system from the pipeline gas supply source in response to the measured quality being inside of the allowable range.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an electrohydraulic positioning control system that includes a shuttle valve configured to direct fluid flow between a selectable one of a first fluid port and a second fluid port, and a fluid outlet configured to be fluidically connected to a fluid actuator, a first servo valve controllable to selectably permit and block flow between the first fluid port, a fluid source, and a fluid drain, a second servo valve controllable to selectably permit and block flow between the second fluid port, the fluid source, and the fluid drain, a first servo controller configured to provide a first health signal and control the first servo valve based on a second health signal, and a second servo controller configured to provide the second health signal and control the second servo valve based on the first health signal.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.

Abstract: A fluid handling device includes: an introduction part configured to introduce liquid; an ejection part configured to eject liquid; a channel including one end connected to the introduction part and another end connected to the ejection part; and a valve disposed at the channel. An inner surface of the introduction part has water-repellency, and an inner surface of the ejection part and at least a part of an inner surface of the channel do not have water-repellency.

Abstract: A controller includes an opening degree control section configured to control a valve element opening degree of the valve main body based on a pressure measurement value of the vacuum chamber measured by a vacuum meter, and an estimation section configured to estimate measurement lag information of pressure measurement value with respect to a pressure of the vacuum chamber based on (a) an exhaust expression including a second-order derivative term of the pressure measurement value and indicating a relationship between an effective exhaust speed of a vacuum pumping system for the vacuum chamber and the pressure measurement value and (b) a pressure measurement value measured during a pressure response when the valve element opening degree is step-changed, and the opening degree control section controls the valve element opening degree based on the measurement lag information estimated by the estimation section.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances and systems is designed for connection between a source of liquid and an appliance or system using the liquid. The hydraulic control device (1) comprises: —a device body (2?, 3?) having a duct for the liquid (30a, 30b) that extends between an inlet connector (2a) and an outlet connector (3 a); —a flow meter (40, 50) associated to the device body (2\ 3?); and—a valve arrangement (31, 33-37) associated to the device body (2?, 3?), including a valve member (31), which is displaceable between an opening position and a closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b), and a control mechanism (33-37) for controlling the valve member (31). The control mechanism (33-37) is switchable on the basis of a detection made by the flow meter (40, 50) in order to displace the valve member (31) from the opening position to the closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A load sense pressure regulating system is provided. The load sense pressure regulating system can be operable between a flow regulation mode and a pressure limiting mode. When the load sense pressure control system is in the flow regulation mode, flow between a load sense inlet and a pilot vent are metered by a main poppet. The load sense pressure regulating system can also include a control valve downstream from the pilot vent that is configured to control a relief setting of a relief valve to regulate the load sense pressure within a desired operating range.

Abstract: A thermally activatable safety valve for a pressure vessel includes i) a pressure relief unit having a valve for pressure relief of the pressure vessel; ii) at least one release line which extends away from the pressure relief unit; and iii) at least one bursting device. The release line, the bursting device and the valve are fluidically connected and form a common fluid system. The valve is designed, for pressure relief, to pass from a first closed position into a second open position if the pressure in the fluid system is less than an actuating limit pressure. The bursting device is designed to bring about pressure relief in the fluid system if the pressure in the fluid system exceeds a release pressure.

Abstract: The valve plate (1) with free micro-balls allows a fluid (2) to flow from an upstream volume (3) to a downstream volume (4) and not in the reverse direction, and comprises a circulation plate (5) crossed through by a circulation orifice (6) terminated by a micro-ball seat (7), a permeable guide plate (9) parallel to said plate (5) being crossed through by a guide cylindrical orifice (10) which houses a micro-ball (8) which rests on said seat (7) so as to close said orifice (6) or rests on a permeable micro-ball stop abutment (11), a spacer (12) being interposed between said plate (9) and said plate (5), a discharge passageway (13) crossing through said plate (9) to allow the fluid (2) to flow when the micro-ball (8) does not rest on said seat (7).

Abstract: A gas separator for separating a multiphase medium containing a gas and a liquid includes a tubular basic unit having a longitudinal axis, an intake for a gaseous medium, a liquid outlet and a gas outlet. The tubular basic unit has an intake region and a discharge region. The gas separator includes, between the intake region and the discharge region, a weir having a guiding surface, over which the medium can flow to form a shallow water region. The gas contained in the medium can escape from the medium in the shallow water region and be led away from the gas separator through the gas outlet. The disclosure is also directed to an apparatus for registering flow of at least one component of a multiphase medium.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor is provided with reduced zero point fluctuation, and a mass flow meter and a mass flow controller using the mass flow sensor, the mass flow sensor comprising a U-shaped flow path passage in which a fluid flows from first end to a second end, having a bottom portion and two straight portions connecting the bottom portion to the ends, a first thermal resistor wound around one of the straight portions, a second thermal resistor wound around the same straight portion as the first thermal resistor and provided away from the first thermal resistor toward the second end, and a heat dissipating portion provided so as to be in contact with the flow path passage on the side opposite to the second thermal resistor across the first thermal resistor.

Abstract: A flush valve includes a valve housing defining a fluid passageway between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid passageway includes a diaphragm valve seat disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The flush valve additionally includes a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm and a disc. The diaphragm includes a primary opening and a bypass opening. The primary opening receives the disc therein and the bypass opening allowing water under pressure supplied to the fluid inlet to pass from a fluid inlet side of the diaphragm into a chamber in the fluid passageway. The flush valve additionally includes a relief valve configured to selectively control fluid flow from the chamber to the fluid outlet. The relief valve comprises a stationary valve element and a rotatable valve element each having at least one opening and being rotationally positionable relative to one another to regulate fluid flow.