Abstract: A water monitoring system that is operable to measure and detect water flows and leaks within an entire building and further provide reporting on water consumption patterns so as to provide improved water management for buildings such as multi-unit high rise residential buildings. The present invention includes a plurality of first sensor assemblies wherein the first sensor assembly is operable in two modes and measures temperature and vibration of water pipes. A plurality of second sensor assemblies are included wherein the second sensor assemblies are configured at installation to be operable in one of three modes. The second sensor assembly further includes an environmental sensor and a tamper switch. A water meter monitor is further included and the elements of the system are all communicably coupled via wireless communication protocols. The data collected is transferred to a server wherein software thereon provides operation of the invention.

Abstract: A water management system having an integrated independent power supply that is configured to be operably coupled to a water meter wherein the invention is operable to provide continuous monitoring of water flow into a structure by measuring magnetic field data generated by a water meter. The invention includes a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly that are configured to be operably coupled to a water meter. The second sensor assembly facilitates the ability to capture data from single or compound water meter. The first sensor assembly includes a magnetometer operable to measure a magnetic field produced by a rotating magnet in the water meter. The magnetic field data is converted into a square wave which is wirelessly transmitted to an external computing device. The second sensor assembly functions identically as the first sensor assembly wherein the data therefrom is transmitted to the first sensor assembly for transmission.

Abstract: A method for welding components includes the following steps: providing a first component and a second component; bringing together the two components; welding the two components by use of a laser beam, wherein a plurality of welding impulses are generated through the repeated activation and deactivation of the laser beam, with each welding pulse being interrupted by welding-free rest intervals in which the laser beam is deactivated, wherein a local welding area is generated by each welding pulse, in which material of the two components is melted and fused in a locally limited manner, wherein individual welding areas of those generated by the welding pulses overlap.

Abstract: A method of connecting a first component having a first hole with a second component having a second hole includes the acts of placing together the two components so that the holes are situated above one another, and fixing the two components on one another. The fixing occurs by pushing a connection element projecting beyond the two components through the two components, the connection element having at least one clamping head which projects beyond a side of the first component facing away from the second component, and clipping a clamping element onto the clamping head, so that the clamping element is supported on a side of the first component facing away from the second component and exercises a clamping force onto the connection element which clamps together the two components.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a combination of components. The method includes the following steps: manufacturing a functional element by providing a plate-type base element and integrally bonding a ball or a ball-shaped element to the plate-type base element, in particular by welding a ball or a ball-shaped element onto a flat plate-type element, and joining the functional element to a first component.

Abstract: A tool for laser beam processing is provided. The tool includes an upper tool and a lower tool, which are able to be advanced toward one another by way of a press, such that at least one component is able to be fixed in a predefined position between the upper tool and the lower tool. At least one laser beam exit surface, which is part of an inner surface of the upper tool or lower tool, and at least one laser beam guide, into which laser radiation is able to be coupled and is able to be directed through the laser beam exit surface onto a processing location on the component are provided. A control device, which enables and/or disables the coupling of laser radiation into the at least one laser beam guide depending on the advancing movement between upper tool and lower tool is provided. Furthermore, a laser beam processing apparatus and a method for laser beam processing are also provided.

Abstract: A method for welding two components is provided. The method includes providing a first component, which has a convex elevation, and providing a second component, which has a through-hole. The method also includes placing the two components one against the other such that the convex elevation of the first component protrudes into the through-hole in an interlocking manner, and welding the two components along the rim of the through-hole by way of a laser welding device. The welding is performed without the use of a welding filler and the laser welding device is repeatedly switched on and off in a pulsed manner during the welding of the two components along the rim of the through-hole.

Abstract: A component connection is provided, having a first component in which a first hole is provided, a second component in which a second hole is provided, and a connecting element which has two interconnected spheres or two interconnected spherical elements. Centers of the two spheres or spherical elements are located on a straight line which extends perpendicular to a first equatorial plane of the first sphere or of the first spherical element. Perpendicular to a second equatorial plane of the second sphere or the second spherical element, an edge of the first hole and an edge of the second hole both extend into an undercut area situated between the two equatorial planes such that an interlocking and/or frictional connection is produced in the undercut area. The connection resists pulling-apart forces acting on the two components.

Abstract: A component connection has a first component, a second component with a through hole, and a connecting element, by which the two components are connected to each other. The connecting element has at least two balls connected to each other, of which a first ball extends, at least over part of the diameter thereof, through the through-hole. A second ball of the connecting element is pressed into the material of the first component such that the second ball is connected to the first component in a positive-locking manner.

Abstract: A form-fitting, detachable component connection includes a first component and a male securing element that has at least two spheres which are arranged coaxially to one another and interconnected, or two spherical sections which are arranged coaxially to one another and interconnected. The male element protrudes from the first component. A second component is arranged such that the male securing element projects into a recess of the second component. The second component includes at least one blocking recess through which or into which a blocking element extends which bears against the male securing element from outside and form-fittingly engages between the spheres or the spherical sections thus opposing removal of the second component from the male securing element.

Abstract: A component connection includes a first component, which is made of a material attractable by a magnet, and a second component which lies directly or indirectly adjacent to the first component and which has a hole. A magnetic element is provided which covers the hole and attracts the first component such that both components are clamped together.

Abstract: A method is provided for plastic forming of a ball which forms a connecting element or part of a connecting element intended for connecting at least two components. At least some of the energy required for the plastic forming of the ball is introduced into the ball by way of ultrasound.

Abstract: A method for producing a component connection includes the steps of: providing a metal sheet; producing a through-hole in the metal sheet, wherein at least one rim portion or the entire peripheral rim of the through-hole is bent towards a side of the metal sheet, as a result of which at least one clamping collar-like element is created; providing an additional component, from which a spherical or spheroidal element projects; inserting the spherical or spheroidal element from the side of the metal sheet located opposite the at least one clamping collar-like element into the through-hole such that the spherical or spheroidal element at least partially projects from the through-hole on the side of the at least one clamping collarlike element.

Abstract: A plastic component has a connecting element that includes an attachment portion protruding at least in part from the plastic component as well as an anchoring portion, by which the connecting element is releasably connected to the plastic component and which has a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the attachment portion.

Abstract: A component connection has a first component, which consists of a metal material, a ball likewise consisting of a metal material, which is welded to the first component, and a second component which has a through-hole and a collar which projects from a top side of the second component, is bent upwards and extends circumferentially around the through-hole. The two components are joined to each other such that the ball projecting from the first component projects into the through-hole provided in the second component or even partially through the through-hole. The second component is arranged so that the collar protrudes from the first component. The second component is a sandwich component which has a middle layer of a plastic material, the middle layer being located between an upper metal layer and a lower metal layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a weld seam on or at a first component, or in the region of a first component, from which at least one spherical or sphere-like element projects. The position of the at least one spherical or sphere-like element is detected using an optoelectronic detection device and corresponding position data are generated. The weld seam is produced contact free using an electronically-controlled laser welding device that is arranged at a distance from the first component and said at least one spherical or sphere-like element. The laser welding device is controlled on the basis of, or using, the position data of the spherical or sphere-like element.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a component connection.

Abstract: A method is provided for positioning a component, in particular a sheet metal component, which has a first hole or a first recess. The component with the first hole or the first recess is placed on a first support which is spherical-shaped or shaped as a spherical cap.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a component connection, which has a first component and a male connecting element with at least one sphere or at least one spherical element. The at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is pressed into the material of the first component in such a way that a positive-locking connection results between the first component and the connecting element, by which positive-locking connection the connecting element is connected to the first component in a translationally fixed and rotationally fixed manner.

Abstract: A component connection has a first component, from which a fixing element protrudes, and a clamping element, which in a tightened rotating position is directly supported relative to the first component directly by way of the fixing element or is indirectly supported relative to the first component by way of a further component. The clamping element has a recess into which the fixing element protrudes from a lower side of the clamping element, wherein a seat portion of the recess is designed in the form of an ascending spiral staircase or thread and at least one free end of the fixing element reaches behind this seat portion in an interlocking manner, such that the at least one free end is seated on the seat portion and when the clamping element is in the tightened rotating position, presses against the seat portion.