Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A crown seal for sealing between the body of a female hydraulic coupling member and the probe section of male hydraulic coupling member has sealing projections on or near its outer diameter to provide enhanced sealing effectiveness between the crown seal and the body of the female member and obviate the need for circumferential O-ring seals. In a first embodiment, the sealing projections have a substantially circular cross section and project both axially and radially from the body of the crown seal. In a second embodiment, the sealing projections have a semicircular cross section and project in an axial direction from certain outside edges of the crown seal. Crown seals according to the invention may be retrofitted to female hydraulic couplings of the prior art. Alternatively, the body of the female coupling or a seal retainer or seal cartridge fitted therein may be provided with grooves or contoured surfaces to fit the sealing projections on the crown seal.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: Systems to monitor and methods for monitoring the wellness and security of residents in a living community, wherein the living community has a plurality of living units each having a controller and associated sensors. Each controller is configured to receive sensor data from the associated sensors, receive input data from an access device, and send this sensor data and input data to a management platform. The management platform is configured to arrange this data, extrapolate conclusions based on this data, monitor residents in the living community, track progress of residents in the living community, and establish periodic goals for the residents in the living community.

Abstract: A control program for a positive displacement metering system measures the time required for the travel of a free piston in a cylinder of known volume to determine an average flow rate during a full stroke of the piston. The system may also measure and record the inlet and outlet pressures or the differential pressure between the fluid inlet and outlet. The control program positions a four-way valve which may function as an adjustable metering orifice in response to the measured average flow rate and/or changes in the inlet and outlet pressures to achieve the desired flow rate. At the end of each stroke, the four-way valve is repositioned to reverse fluid flow through the metering cylinder. The system may revise the valve position settings for both forward and reverse strokes based on the measured time required for a full stroke at a certain valve position. In this way, the system automatically and iteratively compensates for changes in fluid properties and fluid pressure.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispenser for an irrigation system comprises a removable supply container for the chemical which, in a first embodiment, comprises a valve for preventing spillage of the chemical during attachment of the container to the dispenser. This feature allows the container to be mounted in an inverted position on the dispenser without loss of its contents. In a second embodiment, the chemical container comprises a membrane which is pierced by a dip tube when the container is attached to the dispenser. A section of the dip tube produces an annular vent passage in the membrane around the dip tube to provide vacuum relief. The configuration of the containers substantially reduces the chance of inadvertent contact with the contents and the simple design permits the containers to be disposable.

Abstract: An in situ method for deriving the thermal properties of a layered structure represents physical layers by effective thermal layers. The method requires access to only one side of a structure and performs a series of tests wherein a periodic heat flux is applied to the surface of the structure. Each test employs a unique frequency, which is associated with an effective thermal layer of the structure. During the tests the temperature of the surface is monitored and a record of transient temperature is kept. A thermal model of effective layers is created based on the number of tests/frequencies available. The values of the applied heat fluxes are incorporated into this thermal model of effective layers. An optimization technique is used to find the thermal capacity and thermal resistance of the effective layers by best matching the predicted response to that of the measured transient temperature response.

Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.

Abstract: A control program for a positive displacement metering system measures the time required for the travel of a free piston in a cylinder of known volume to determine an average flow rate during a full stroke of the piston. The system may also measure and record the inlet and outlet pressures or the differential pressure between the fluid inlet and outlet. The control program positions a four-way valve which may function as an adjustable metering orifice in response to the measured average flow rate and/or changes in the inlet and outlet pressures to achieve the desired flow rate. At the end of each stroke, the four-way valve is repositioned to reverse fluid flow through the metering cylinder. The system may revise the valve position settings for both forward and reverse strokes based on the measured time required for a full stroke at a certain valve position. In this way, the system automatically and iteratively compensates for changes in fluid properties and fluid pressure.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control program for a positive displacement metering system measures the time required for the travel of a free piston in a cylinder of known volume to determine an average flow rate during a full stroke of the piston. The system may also measure and record the inlet and outlet pressures or the differential pressure between the fluid inlet and outlet. The control program positions a four-way valve which may function as an adjustable metering orifice in response to the measured average flow rate and/or changes in the inlet and outlet pressures to achieve the desired flow rate. At the end of each stroke, the four-way valve is repositioned to reverse fluid flow through the metering cylinder. The system may revise the valve position settings for both forward and reverse strokes based on the measured time required for a full stroke at a certain valve position. In this way, the system automatically and iteratively compensates for changes in fluid properties and fluid pressure.

Abstract: A dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member protects an opposing undersea hydraulic coupling member when the hydraulic lines are not operating. The dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member has a water displacement expansion chamber with a piston in the chamber that allows trapped water and/or air to move from the receiving chamber into the water displacement expansion chamber during connection of the dummy coupling member to the opposing coupling member. The piston has both a primary seal and a secondary, hydrostatic seal for preventing seawater from entering the portion of the water displacement expansion chamber that is contacted by the primary seal.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices having features that prevent contaminants from infiltrating the housing of the device while providing a mechanism to provide clear auditory sounds to aid a rescuer in providing care to a patient. In one example, a medical device includes a housing having a transmission area associated with an enclosed voice coil. An exterior diaphragm formed integrally with the housing surrounds the transmission area and provides a watertight seal of the transmission area. In addition, the diaphragm is structured to generate a sound that can be heard by the rescuer from the voice coil.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes performing a capture threshold assessment using a bipolar electrode configuration, deciding if capture occurred for a maximum energy value of the capture threshold assessment and, if capture did not occur, then performing a lead impedance test for the lead associated with the bipolar electrode configuration. Such a test may aim to detect an insulation defect and/or a conductor defect. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid chemical dispenser for an irrigation system comprises a removable supply container for the chemical which, in a first embodiment, comprises a valve for preventing spillage of the chemical during attachment of the container to the dispenser. This feature allows the container to be mounted in an inverted position on the dispenser without loss of its contents. In a second embodiment, the chemical container comprises a membrane which is pierced by a dip tube when the container is attached to the dispenser. A section of the dip tube produces an annular vent passage in the membrane around the dip tube to provide vacuum relief. The configuration of the containers substantially reduces the chance of inadvertent contact with the contents and the simple design permits the containers to be disposable.