Abstract: A flow control valve controls a flow of water through a passage to a brine tank of a water treatment apparatus. A valve seat is between first and second sections of the passage. The valve seat has a first end with a concave surface facing the first section and an aperture extending from the concave surface to a second end that faces the second section. A groove in the concave surface extends from the first end to the aperture. A valve element moves within the first section in response to pressure of the water in the first section thereby varying the size of a path through the passage by an amount that varies as a function of the water pressure. The action of the valve element maintains a substantially constant flow rate through the flow control valve regardless of water pressure variation.

Abstract: A sealed wire entry port for a housing (10) having a base (12) and a top (11), and a body of sealing material (16) joining the top (11) to the base (12) and a pair of insulated wires (21) in which the insulation (31) is removed where the wires (21) run through the body of sealing material (16), a plug (22) disposed in an opening in the base (12), wherein the two wires (21) run through the plug (22) into the sealing material (16) and a vent (23) that runs through the plug (22) into the housing (10), wherein the vent (23) is adapted to be closed after a gas has been either evacuated or introduced into the interior of the housing (10) to reduce moisture within the housing before final sealing. A method of assembling and sealing the unit (10) is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a metering pulse generator, a metering element engages a spring member to effect a gradual bending movement in one direction followed by a rapid return movement during which a pulse signal is developed by a piezoelectric material on the spring member . Energy is absorbed during each such rapid return movement of the spring member to provide damping, inhibit oscillations and effect reliable generation of a single pulse signal which is applied to an amplifier for transmission to a monitoring station.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer for use in precision remote movement of an object in an ultra-high vacuum environment is disclosed which includes an elongated central shaft with proximal end and distal end, a distal stop fixed to the distal end of the shaft with connection means for connecting the distal stop to the object to be moved, a plurality of piezoelectric disks entrained on the shaft, a plurality of electrically conductive plates entrained on the shaft and arranged interspersed alternately with the piezoelectric disks, each plate including an annular portion entrained on the shaft and an arm extending radially outward from the annular portion. The plates are arranged into two groups with each alternate plate being in the alternate group, so that all of the plates of each group have their arms extending radially in parallel.