Abstract: An air compressor utilizing an electronic control system. A pneumatically controlled regulator is provided for controlling output pressure for an air compressor. Digital gauges are provided on the air compressor to replace conventional mechanical gauges. A variable speed motor is used, which in turn varies the speed of the pump. Tools are provided for an air compressor that are capable of transmitting a signal to the air compressor indicating a desired pressure and/or motor speed at which the air compressor is to operate.

Abstract: An automatically activated backflow prevention device for water closets or toilets is provided having a substantially cylindrical support member terminating in one end in a cam shaped end for mating with a hinged flapper valve having a parabolic shaped or upwardly curving upper surface and correspondingly shaped sealing member disposed therebetween for mating with the cam shaped end of the substantially cylindrical support member. An elastomeric hinge member is provided for connecting the closure member or flapper valve to the substantially cylindrical support member so that when closed the flapper valve or closure member conforms to the confronting cam shaped end of the cylindrical support member with the sealing member disposed therebetween. A backflow water pressure responsive assist member is optionally provided on the lower surface of the closure member to assist in the closure of the closure member in response to backflow water pressure from waste pipes.

Abstract: A metering valve assembly is provided for metering a fluid. The metering valve assembly includes a position sensor, metering valve, and a thermal compensation mechanism. The metering valve includes a valve housing having a flow passage therethrough, and a valve element movably mounted within the valve housing. The thermal compensation mechanism is coupled between the position sensor and the valve element and configured to adjust the displacement of the position sensor relative to the valve element as a function of fluid temperature.

Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airflow control mechanism comprising a conduit for air having an inlet located at a first end thereof and an outlet located at a second end thereof; a first opening formed in a side of said conduit and able to provide a secondary inlet thereto; a movable collar at least partially surrounding said conduit at a location alignable with said first opening, such that said collar is able to at least partially occlude said first opening; further comprising a second opening beside the first opening as part of the secondary inlet, wherein the collar is also alignable with the second opening, such that the collar is able to at least partially occlude the second opening at the same time as the first opening.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly for retaining a fluid includes a body having a base and external side walls defining a cavity. A baffle has a top surface spanning the cavity and includes a peripheral wall substantially conforming to the external side walls and extending to the base. A lid is connected to the body. The cavity is divided into a first, second and third compartment by a cooperation between the top surface of the baffle, a plurality of walls of the baffle, the base of the body and the external side walls of the body. The first and second compartments are in fluid communication with each other through the third compartment. An inlet port and an outlet port for allowing fluid to enter and exit the cavity are fluidly connected to the body and are fluidly connected to each other by the first compartment to direct a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: Process and equipment for rapid and reliable infusion of treatment substances into a liquid mainstream. The equipment includes diversion of some of the liquid, boosting its pressure into an aspirating injector, which adds treatment substance and in turn discharges to a pair of opposed nozzles that inject the diversion stream with treatment substances back into the mainstream flow.

Abstract: A hot water system includes a hot water source; a hot water delivery line connected between the hot water source and at least one plumbing fixture along with a cold water delivery line connection between said plumbing fixture, a cold water source and said hot water source; a pump, interconnected between the hot and cold water delivery lines, enables circulation of water from the hot water delivery line through the cold water delivery line and into the hot water source, thus eliminating the need for a separate recirculation line. A thermostatic valve is disposed in a serial arrangement with the pump between the hot and cold water lines for blocking flow of water from the hot water line into the cold water line when the pump is not operating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system includes a plurality of gas input and output lines having inlet and outlet ports. Connecting lines couple respective pairs of the gas input and gas output lines. Connecting valves are arranged to control flow through the respective connecting lines. Mass gas flow controllers are arranged to control flow into respective inlet ports. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a manifold having at least a plurality of inlet that may be selectively coupled to at least one of a plurality of outlets, flowing one or more gases through the manifold to a vacuum environment by-passing the processing chamber prior to processing or to a calibration circuit, and flowing the one or more gases into the processing chamber during substrate processing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a constant-flow valve assembly is provided that comprises a first fluid passageway carrying fluid at a first fluid pressure, a piston chamber, and a second fluid passageway connected to the chamber and carrying fluid at the second fluid pressure. A third fluid passageway is configured to carry fluid at a third fluid pressure. An adjustable valve member is provided between the chamber and the third passageway to provide constant fluid flow to the third passageway. An adjustable restrictor assembly is positioned between the first and second fluid passageways. An inlet portion of the restrictor assembly receives fluid at the first fluid pressure and directs the fluid to a restrictor. An outlet portion receives fluid from the restrictor and directs the fluid to the second fluid passageway at the second fluid pressure.

Abstract: Membrane valves and latching valve structures for microfluidic devices are provided. A demultiplexer can be used to address the latching valve structures. The membrane valves and latching valve structures may be used to form pneumatic logic circuits, including processors.

Abstract: A high pressure transducer is disclosed. The transducer includes a supply inlet configured to provide a gas supply to the high pressure transducer at a supply pressure and a pressure divider section coupled to the supply inlet. The pressure divider section is configured to reduce the supply pressure to a reduced pressure as a function of a first predetermined ratio. The transducer also includes a low pressure control section coupled to the pressure divider section and configured to receiving the gas supply at the reduced pressure and an amplifying section coupled to the low pressure control section. The low pressure control section varies the reduced pressure to produce a variable control pressure to actuate the amplifying section in response thereto. The amplifying section is also configured to multiply the variable control pressure as a function of a second ratio to obtain an output pressure.

Abstract: A fuel container for a fuel cell, comprises a container body, the container body having a liquid fuel chamber for the storage of liquid fuel and a discharge means accommodating chamber for accommodating means for discharging the liquid fuel, a valve disposed in the container body to discharge or shut off the liquid fuel, and a partition wall member disposed slidably in the interior of the container body, wherein the partition wall member partitions the interior of the container body into the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber, the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber are in communication with each other through the partition wall member, and at least one of sliding surfaces of the container body and the partition wall member contains a material of a low frictional coefficient.

Abstract: A check valve for a fluid handling system is disclosed, the check valve having a main body with a poppet valve disposed therein and a spring urging the poppet valve into abutment with an inner surface of the main body, wherein the check valve facilitates a flow of fluid in one direction and militates against the flow of fluid in an opposite direction.

Abstract: In a hydraulic pressure supplying device for a transmission including a first oil pump adapted to be driven by a main shaft of the transmission, at least one second oil pump adapted to be driven by suitable means, and a check valve provided between the discharge side of the first oil pump and the discharge side of the second oil pump to prevent the flow of oil from the first oil pump to the second oil pump, a first filter is provided between the second oil pump and the check valve.

Abstract: A high-pressure regulator includes body having a pressure inlet and a pressure outlet. A piston is disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the pressure inlet and the pressure outlet. The piston is configured to operate in compression to contact a seat ring for the purpose of controlling the flow of fluid from the pressure inlet to the pressure outlet in response to a pressure applied to a surface of the piston via the pressure outlet. A piston seat circumferentially engages the piston to provide an improved seal at low temperatures.

Abstract: Hydraulic valve having a valve body and housing, which has a first, second and third cutout. A hydraulic medium is fed via the first cutout. The hydraulic medium is fed to a pressure consumer via the second cutout and to a pressure sink via the third cutout. The valve body moves to and fro between two end positions. From a second end position, the hydraulic medium passes from the first to the second cutout. In a first end position, the hydraulic medium passes from the second to the third cutout. Owing to the valve body, a constant flow cross section for the hydraulic medium, released by the first cutout, arises during a switching operation from the first into the second end position in a fixed time span, resulting in a maximum flow cross section being achieved when the valve body is in the second end position.

Abstract: The flow controller is capable of optionally controlling flow volume of controlled flow and reducing weight and a production cost. The flow controller comprises: a main body having a first flow path and a second flow path; a ring packing for sealing the flow paths; a rod-shaped flow control member tightly pierced through the ring packing and capable of moving with respect to the ring packing, the flow control member having a third flow path; operation means for moving the flow control member so as to control the flow volume; a fourth flow path provided outside of the ring packing; and a check valve prohibiting a fluid to flow from the second flow path to the first flow path via the fourth flow path and allowing the fluid to flow from the first flow path to the second flow path via the fourth flow path.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure regulator includes a body having an internal cavity for receiving a pressurized medium and inlet and outlet ports that enable a pressurized medium to enter the internal cavity at a first pressure and exit at a second pressure. The exemplary pressure regulator also includes a control piston disposed within the internal cavity that is configured to move in response to a change in pressure within the internal cavity. The pressure regulator of this embodiment also includes a damping feature within the internal cavity that is configured to oppose the movement of the control piston. Other embodiments of pressure regulators and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female unit and a male unit which is removably connected with the female unit. A valve unit is located in the female unit and includes a core with two flexible disks on two ends thereof. A flange extends radially outward from a lower end of the core and is rested on a support frame in the female unit. The core extends through a through hole in a lower end of sleeve in the female unit. A plurality of paths are defined through the lower end of the sleeve so that by shifting the core to let either of two flexible disks to seal the paths in one direction, the direction of fluid flow can be controlled. The movement of the core is made by moving the sleeve.