Abstract: Systems and methods of securing an integrated circuit assembly includes: arranging a plurality of securing elements within a plurality of orifices fabricated within one or more layer components of a plurality of layer components of an integrated circuit assembly; applying a mechanical compression load against the integrated circuit assembly that uniformly compresses together the plurality of layer components of the integrated circuit assembly; after applying the mechanical compression load to the integrated circuit assembly, fastening the plurality of securing elements while the integrated circuit assembly is in a compressed state based on the mechanical compression load; and terminating the application of the mechanical compression load against the integrated circuit assembly based on the fastening of the plurality of securing elements.

Abstract: A baffle for a main valve assembly of a fire hydrant includes an annular body, which further includes a cone-shaped portion, a first ring portion, and a second ring portion. The cone-shaped portion includes a first end with a first outer diameter and a second end with a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter, and the cone-shaped portion defining a hollow. The first ring portion is connected to the cone-shaped portion at the first end of the cone-shaped portion, the first ring portion defining a center hole continuous with the hollow. The second ring portion is connected to the cone-shaped portion at the second end of the cone-shaped portion.

Abstract: A fire hydrant drain includes an elongated, hollow body having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is configured to protrude a first length radially through an outer wall of a fire hydrant. The second portion is continuous with and between the first portion and the third portion. The second portion includes a first bend having a first curvature degree and a first curvature direction, and a second bend having a second curvature degree and a second curvature direction. The first curvature degree is larger than the second curvature degree, and a direction of the first curvature is opposite a direction of the second curvature. The first bend is between the first portion and the second bend. The third portion extends a second length, and an angle between the first length and the third length is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to update virtual machine templates are disclosed. A disclosed example method to update a virtual machine template (105) includes updating a management policy (110), starting a virtual machine (116) based on the virtual machine template (105) in a network cordoned sandbox (170), triggering the virtual machine (116) to update per the updated management policy (110), and saving the virtual machine (116) as an updated virtual machine template (106).

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing an integrated circuit assembly includes: arranging a plurality of securing elements within a plurality of orifices fabricated within one or more layer components of a plurality of layer components of an integrated circuit assembly; applying a mechanical compression load against the integrated circuit assembly that uniformly compresses together the plurality of layer components of the integrated circuit assembly; after applying the mechanical compression load to the integrated circuit assembly, fastening the plurality of securing elements while the integrated circuit assembly is in a compressed state based on the mechanical compression load; and terminating the application of the mechanical compression load against the integrated circuit assembly based on the fastening of the plurality of securing elements.

Abstract: A fire hydrant nozzle includes an annular sleeve, which has an annular wall, an inlet end, and an outlet end. The inlet end has a fire hydrant connection element extending from the inlet end and configured to couple with a fire hydrant outlet. The fire hydrant connection element has a portion protruding radially inward, the portion protruding radially inward configured to be moved with respect to the outlet end to connect with the fire hydrant outlet. Another embodiment includes an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end configured to couple with a fire hose, the inlet end having a fire hydrant connection element and a first portion with a wall thickness less than a wall thickness of the outlet end. The first portion of the inlet end is configured to be bent to facilitate movement of the fire hydrant connection element into connection with a fire hydrant.

Abstract: A wrench for securing, actuating and preventing tampering with a fire hydrant is disclosed. In useful embodiments, the wrench can be a two-ended wrench having a loop that encloses a pentagonal opening at either end of an elongated handle, where the handle can include in a nonterminal portion a slot. In a locking mode, the wrench can accept at a first end an actuating nut of the fire hydrant and can be locked in place by inserting a locking arm of a padlock through an eye bolt that is secured to a side of the fire hydrant and inserted through the slot. The wrench can be unlocked and removed, whereupon a second end can be used to turn the actuating nut as well as to remove water outlet caps and adjust nozzles.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly for a rising-stem valve includes an operating lever actuator element mounted to an outer end of an actuator arm. An electrical switch mounted adjacent the outer end has an operating lever. When the actuator arm is in an outward position, the operating lever actuator element retains the operating lever in a first position wherein the electrical switch is in a first state, and when the actuator arm is in an inward position the operating lever is in a second position wherein the electrical switch is in a second state. An adjustment nut is mounted to the outer end adjacent the operating lever actuator element, and the operating lever actuator element and the adjustment nut are configured to be adjusted along a longitude of the actuator arm to change a distance the operating lever actuator element must travel to move the operating lever into the first position.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a solid wedge-shaped disc integrated with a cartridge at opposite ends thereof. Each cartridge includes rollers, guides and scrapers therein to roll along respective internal ribs while cleaning the ribs. The disc moves back and forth within the gate valve via the cartridges along ribs to open and close a water passage way formed in the gate.

Abstract: A fire hydrant barrel includes a body having at least one wall and an anti-rotation pin opening through the at least one wall. The at least one wall defines an internal cavity. The fire hydrant barrel also includes a stem extending through the cavity of the body. The stem has an anti-rotation element, and the anti-rotation pin opening and the anti-rotation element are configured to receive an anti-rotation pin to lock the stem from rotating with respect to the body.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly, for a rising-stem valve having a stem with a diameter and a groove marking a desired stem position, includes an actuator arm having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end of the actuator arm forms a follower. A radius washer is mounted to the outer end of the actuator arm. An electrical switch has an operating lever and is mounted adjacent to the outer end of the actuating arm such that when the actuator arm is in an outward position the radius washer moves the operating lever, operating the electrical switch. When the actuator arm is in an inward position the radius washer does not move the operating lever and the electrical switch is not operated. A bias spring biases the actuating arm toward the inward position.

Abstract: A drain valve to drain water from a dry barrel hydrant includes a drain valve body fixed to a main valve assembly of the hydrant, and a hollow drain hole sleeve positioned in a drain hole of an elbow of the hydrant. The drain valve body includes a drain valve facing configured to align with the drain hole of the elbow as a result of the main valve assembly being in an open position, and to not align with the drain hole of the elbow as a result of the main valve assembly being in a closed position. In another embodiment, an elbow of a fire hydrant includes a hollow body, an upper end defining a drain hole to allow water to drain out, and a hollow drain hole sleeve in the drain hole.

Abstract: A novel hose nozzle has a cup shaped capture nozzle housing with a curved shape similar to the mating O-ring. The cup shaped ends of the nozzle create a 45 degree angle. The novel shape of the ends of the nozzle traps the O-ring at the same radius of the O-ring. Rounding off the end of the nozzle permit the ends to have a radius equivalent to the O-ring. The O-ring is aligned with the nozzle, because there is no longer a round item trying to fit onto a flat surface. This design stabilizes the end of the nozzle, and keeps the nozzle from becoming crooked. The mating surfaces between the nozzle cup and the O-ring are the same. The O-ring mating surface has a complementary shape to the nozzle mating surface and the radius at the end of the nozzle preferably matches the radius of the O-ring.

Abstract: A breaker clamp member includes a curved body shaped to fit around a portion of an upper portion of a fire hydrant and a portion of a lower portion of the fire hydrant at a joint between the upper portion of the fire hydrant and the lower portion of the fire hydrant. The breaker clamp member also includes at least one connection element extending from the body to connect the breaker clamp member with at least one other breaker clamp member. The breaker clamp member also includes an upper rim protruding from the body and a lower rim protruding from the body. The upper protruding rim, the lower protruding rim, and the body define a concavity therebetween, the concavity being configured to receive the first ledge and the second ledge. In another embodiment, a breaker clamp includes two breaker clamp members.

Abstract: A fire hydrant stem includes a shaft having a center axis, a first end portion, a first end, and a second end. The first end portion extends axially a length from the first end, has external threads, and defines an internal cavity open through the first end. The second end is configured to engage a fire hydrant main valve operating assembly. A fire hydrant upper stem assembly includes a fire hydrant stem and a spring element. The fire hydrant stem defines an internal cavity, and the spring element is in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A main valve assembly and a method of forming the same which can contain sensors therein that are in contact with water below the main valve and provide water characteristic signals above ground to a water characteristic monitoring device at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a fire hydrant elbow includes a first portion joined with a second portion, the second portion having a center axis angled from a center axis of the first portion. A main valve seat faces radially inward toward the first center axis from the first annular wall, the main valve seat defining a step from a first radius to a second radius, the first radius being larger than the second radius. A guide rib is adjacent the main valve seat between the first portion and the second portion, the guide rib protruding radially inward toward the first center axis. In another embodiment, a main valve seal guide for a fire hydrant includes an annular body and a plurality of guide ribs coupled to the annular body. Each guide rib has a first surface, and each guide rib extends from the annular body to the first surface.

Abstract: A main valve assembly and a method of forming the same which can contain sensors therein that are in contact with water below the main valve and provide water characteristic signals above ground to a water characteristic monitoring device at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A fire hydrant stem includes a shaft having a center axis, a first end portion, a first end, and a second end. The first end portion extends axially a length from the first end, has external threads, and defines an internal cavity open through the first end. The second end is configured to engage a fire hydrant main valve operating assembly. A fire hydrant upper stem assembly includes a fire hydrant stem and a spring element. The fire hydrant stem defines an internal cavity, and the spring element is in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A fire hydrant stem coupling sleeve includes a first end, a second end, and a medial section between the first end and the second end. The first end has external threads; the second end has external threads; the first end and the second end each have fingers defining slots between the fingers; the medial section includes a breaking element to facilitate breaking a rigid connection between the first end and the second end; and the medial section has a locator element configured to locate the sleeve with respect to a fire hydrant stem.