Abstract: There is provided an electric solenoid for a building fire suppression system that provides a supervisory or warning signal when the solenoid is removed from its service location. The primary coil winding of the solenoid extends through a base that is detachable from the solenoid. The base remains fixed in place at the service location for the solenoid. When the solenoid is properly installed on the base, a conductor in the base provides the connection to complete the solenoid coil circuit, making it operational. When the solenoid is removed from the base, the coil circuit is interrupted. Connected circuitry that interfaces with the solenoid coil circuit provides a supervisory signal to a remote location, a local location, or both, when the coil circuit is interrupted. When the solenoid is properly installed on the base, a coil spring urges and biases the base firmly against the solenoid to maintain electrical contact between the base and the solenoid.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus and method for operating the apparatus are disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a main supply line, a first valve, a first pressure transducer, a rotary meter, a control line, an intermediate valve, a second pressure transducer, a second valve, and a digital controller. The digital controller executes the program for operating the flow control apparatus. The program permits monitoring and regulating the amount of fluid passing through the flow control apparatus. Additionally, leaks in the flow control apparatus can be detected by the program, prompting automatic shut down of the apparatus if desired. Further, the apparatus may terminate flow through predetermined set points, such as volume and time maximums.

Abstract: A skylight for a standing seam roof having a skylight panel housed in a frame with a vertically extending curb along two longitudinal and two lateral sides. The frame curb integrates on the longitudinal sides with U-shaped curbs formed into modified roof panels selected from the construction project. On the lateral sides, the frame curb integrates with curbs formed in two end pieces painted with the other roof panels in the project. Standing seams, which are raised above the surface of the roof, interconnect the regular roof panels. The modified roof panels interconnect with the standing seams of the regular roof panels. The lateral sides of the skylight assembly traverse at least one standing seam when integrated with the regular roof panels.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced concrete has thin steel wire of diameter between 0.05 and 0.3 mm such as cut from recycled vehicle tires. To avoid the problem of balling when mixing, two alternatives are suggested. The first consists of strands of fiber, which demonstrate excellent bond characteristics. The second consists of a mixture of fiber lengths and thicknesses, giving a wide distribution of l/d ratios not exceeding 250, which has the effect of reducing balling tendency so that significant densities can be achieved.

Abstract: A lock with an improved configuration comprises a housing and a cylindrical member mounted in the housing. A lock core is mounted in the cylindrical member. The lock is characterized in that the cylindrical member comprises either nine or eleven pin recesses at the front end, a disc and an engaging post having a dodecagonal section are mounted at the front end of the lock core, and the disc comprises nine through passages and three openings of different depths. Based on the configuration of the lock, the key to be inserted into the lock must have a dodecagonal inner passage to match the dodecagonal section of the engaging post of the lock. Because of the three openings of different depths, a thief cannot use specialized tools to explore the lock and unlock the lock. The number of codes of the lock is increased to keep the lock from being easily unlocked. The owner's property and privacy of are thus protected.