Abstract: The present invention provides a method for replacing seals in recreational vehicles gate valves without removing valve housing from plumbing. The method for replacing blade seals in a gate valve features coupling a valve housing of the gate valve to suitable plumbing, the valve housing having a removable blade seal cartridge slidably arranged and latched therein in order to receive a movable blade of a drive unit of the valve gate to control the flow of the medium through the valve gate and to prevent the medium from entering the drive unit; and unlatching the removable blade seal cartridge from the valve housing so as to enable replacement of the blade seal cartridge without having to remove the valve housing from the suitable plumbing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters a first chamber of a system; passing the fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber via a first device; passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber via a second device so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and discharging the new fluid out of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gate valve for controlling the flow of a medium through suitable plumbing, featuring a valve housing for coupling the gate valve to the suitable plumbing; a detachable drive unit having a movable blade arranged therein; detachable blade seals for slidably arranging in the valve housing in order to receive the movable blade to control the flow of the medium through the gate valve and to prevent the medium from entering the drive unit; and a latching mechanism for detachably coupling both the drive unit and blade seals to and from the valve housing so as to replace either the drive unit, the blade seals, or both, without having to remove the gate valve from the suitable plumbing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multichannel active sensing and switching device featuring a multiple sensing and switching module configured to respond to operational conditions of different load types and provide load type sensor signals containing information about the operational conditions of the different load types, and also configured to respond to controller signals for controlling the operation of the different load types in two or more different protection configurations; and a controller module configured to respond to the load type sensor signals and provide the controller signals in order to control the operation of the different load types in the two or more different protection configurations. The controller module may be programmable and configured to provide a default circuit breaker configuration and a device specific configuration using active intelligence (AI).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system featuring a dispenser for providing fluid from multiple reservoirs to an appliance or other suitable device; and a multiple tubing arrangement coupled between the dispenser and the multiple reservoirs of fluid, the multiple tubing arrangement being responsive to a vacuum provided from the dispenser, for drawing the fluid from the multiple reservoirs so as to deplete the multiple reservoirs at relatively equal amounts based on the Venturi effect. The multiple tubing arrangement comprises a primary inlet tube for arranging in a primary reservoir, an auxiliary inlet tube for arranging in an auxiliary reservoir, and a feed connector tube arranged between the primary inlet tube and auxiliary inlet tube. The primary inlet tube is coupled to the auxiliary inlet tube so as to provide a proportional vacuum and siphoning effect. The multiple tubing arrangement siphons and depletes the fluid from the primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir based on the Venturi effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for coupling a pump head (1) and a motor housing (4) of a pump together so that a rotational positioning ring (2) of the pump head (1) frictionally engages a snap ring (5) of the motor housing (4) so as to allow for 360° rotation of the pump head (1) in relation to the motor housing (4), where the orientation of the pump head (1) and the motor housing (4) are adjustable in relation to one another so as to allow an end user to set the orientation of the pump in any configuration. The positioning ring (2) has a plurality of members separated by slots for radially flexing when the rotational positioning ring (2) is axially coupled over the snap ring (5) of the motor housing (4). Each of the plurality of members has a rim so as to form a raised edge for frictionally engaging a corresponding raised edge of the snap ring (5) of the motor housing (4).

Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable sprayer, mister or fogger system for dispensing media in a uniform and controlled manner, featuring a tubular member having two semi-tubular molded parts with an open front end, and having a living hinge for flexibly coupling together the two semi-tubular molded parts for opening for ease of assembling components of the portable sprayer, mister or fogger system therein, and for securely closing once assembled; a fluid line assembled and arranged on the inside thereof for providing the media in the form of chemical, water of other suitable fluid; a nozzle assembled and arranged in a open front end and coupled to the fluid line for providing the media; a blower for blowing the media being provided from the nozzle; a pump and power line for coupling to a pump and power source for providing a supply of electrical power; a device for simultaneously controlling the operation of the fluid provided to the nozzle and the power provided to the blower; and an on/off switch coupl

Abstract: An appliance controller is provided featuring one or more modules configured for providing power to an appliance that receives fluid from a fluid supply system, for receiving a fluid supply system signal indicating that the fluid is not being provided to the appliance and for disconnecting the power to the appliance. The one or more modules may take the form of an appliance controller circuit having a first circuit part configured for providing power to an appliance that receives fluid from a fluid supply system; and a second circuit part configured for receiving a fluid supply system signal indicating that the fluid is not being provided to the appliance and disconnecting the power to the appliance. The appliance controller may form part of an appliance controller system having appliances, appliance controllers and the fluid supply system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for replacing seals in recreational vehicles gate valves without removing valve housing from plumbing. The method for replacing blade seals in a gate valve features coupling a valve housing of the gate valve to suitable plumbing, the valve housing having a removable blade seal cartridge slidably arranged and latched therein in order to receive a movable blade of a drive unit of the valve gate to control the flow of the medium through the valve gate and to prevent the medium from entering the drive unit; and unlatching the removable blade seal cartridge from the valve housing so as to enable replacement of the blade seal cartridge without having to remove the valve housing from the suitable plumbing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gate valve for controlling the flow of a medium through suitable plumbing, featuring a valve housing for coupling the gate valve to the suitable plumbing; a detachable drive unit having a movable blade arranged therein; detachable blade seals for slidably arranging in the valve housing in order to receive the movable blade to control the flow of the medium through the gate valve and to prevent the medium from entering the drive unit; and a latching mechanism for detachably coupling both the drive unit and blade seals to and from the valve housing so as to replace either the drive unit, the blade seals, or both, without having to remove the gate valve from the suitable plumbing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for warning a user or operator about a malfunction in a pump and/or engine of a marine vessel or another suitable device or equipment, featuring steps of: comparing a sensed pressure differential at a sensed RPM when the pump/engine is running to a learned database having a pressure differential versus RPM curve; and providing an indication to the operator when there is a change in the relationship that exceeds a predetermined relationship. The apparatus may include an active intelligence unit or module for making the comparison and providing the indication according to the invention.

Abstract: A radiation curing apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that cures a first material. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The curing apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

Abstract: A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

Abstract: A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

Abstract: A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

Abstract: A continuous gravity flow apparatus for heating and/or drying of particulate material is vertically disposed and is provided with an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The apparatus includes a flow passage for the particulate material which is defined between an outer housing and an inner housing. Each of the outer and inner housing defines perforated wall sections allowing for the flow of hot gas through the wall of one housing, into contact with the particulate material, and then out through the wall of the other housing. Manifolds are associated with the outer and inner housings to provide for uniform flow of the gas through the material. The perforated wall sections are positioned and designed to enhance particle-to-particle movement of the material to thereby avoid particle sticking and bridging problems.

Abstract: An active sensing and switching device for use in controlling current to a load, comprising a controller means (U1) for disconnecting the load from a power source by providing a switch-open control signal based on a signal indicating a sensed value of electrical current to the load, characterized in that the controller means (U1) determines a nominal value for the electrical current to the load based on monitoring the signal indicating the sensed value of electrical current to the load. A load control system is also provided, including a single ASSD adapted to receive signals indicating sensed values of electrical current to a plurality of respective loads, and further comprising a plurality of load control modules adapted so as to be disposed in proximity to respective loads or a main power line, wherein the load control modules provide respective signals indicating sensed values of electrical currents to the respective loads.

Abstract: The present invention provide a new and unique macerator assembly or device for coupling and decoupling to a waste disposal port of a holding tank of a recreational vehicle, train, airplane, bus, boat or other portable toilet application for emptying the same. The macerator assembly includes a pump head adaptor and a macerator pump subassembly. The pump head adaptor has means for coupling the macerator device to the waste disposal port of the holding tank, and has a pump head inlet adapter with a garden hose adapter arranged therein for receiving water from a garden hose for flushing the holding tank. The macerator pump subassembly is coupled to the pump head adapter, has an in-take port for receiving waste from the holding tank through the pump head adaptor, has a rotary blade for chopping the waste, and has a discharge port for discharging the waste to a suitable discharge waste repository.

Abstract: A leak sensor apparatus (10) and flow control equipment (16) for sensing a leak from a machine using a supply of water (or other fluid) or from connecting hoses supplying the water, and for turning off the supply when a leak is detected, with the leak sensor (10) itself including in particular two conductors (10a–b) held in spaced apart relation in a fluid-permeable insulating material (10c), and the flow control equipment (16) for providing a voltage difference between the two conductors (10a–b) and for sensing the presence of a fluid based on the fluid providing an electrical path between the two conductors (10a–b) and so allowing current to flow between the two conductors (10a–b) under the urging of the voltage difference provided by the flow control equipment (16). In some embodiments, the two conductors (10a–b) are configured so as to wrap about one or more of the connecting hoses.