Abstract: A strain monitor (1) for attachment to part of a submerged structure (100), the strain monitor comprises: a main body (5), the main body comprising an attachment assembly which is arranged to secure the strain monitor to the submerged structure, a plurality of strain gauge assemblies (3), carried by the main body, arranged in a spaced apart relationship, each strain gauge assembly comprising a strain gauge and a carrier (6), and the strain gauge attached to the carrier, and the strain gauge assembly arranged to selectively adopt a stowed condition and a deployed condition.

Abstract: A multi-chamber wobble plate pump that includes a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of pump chambers. The pump further includes a plurality of inlet valves each located within one of the pump chambers to control fluid flow from the inlet port to the pump chambers. The pump also includes a plurality of outlet valves that control fluid flow from the pump chambers to the outlet port. A wobble plate is coupled to a diaphragm and a plurality of pistons. The diaphragm has at least one flex area with a leading edge and a trailing edge. The diaphragm has a plurality of diaphragm piston openings each with a diaphragm piston opening centerline. The wobble plate has a plurality of wobble plate piston openings, each wobble plate piston opening having a wobble plate piston open centerline that is offset from one of diaphragm piston opening centerlines.

Abstract: A multi-chamber wobble plate pump having a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of pump chambers. A wobble plate is coupled to a diaphragm and a plurality of pistons. Rotation of the wobble plate moves the pistons within the pump chambers to draw in and force fluid out of the chambers. The pump includes a plurality of inlet valves each located within one of the pump chambers to control fluid flow from the inlet port to the pump chambers. Each inlet valve has an asymmetric cross-section, a thin section and a stem along a longitudinal axis. The thin section of the valve has less mechanical strength than the remaining portion of the valve. The valve is configured to open first at the thin section from reduced pressure during outward movement of the piston allowing air to be removed from the chambers.

Abstract: An elongate diffuser (10) comprises a diffuser body (30), and a membrane (20) attached so that introduction of gas at a working pressure into the diffuser displaces part of the membrane (20) from contact with the diffuser body (10) providing an elongate sealed compartment (50) between the membrane (20) and a surface (32) of the diffuser body (30). The gas can pass from the compartment (50) through the membrane (20) for aeration of fluid in which the diffuser (10) is immersed. The diffuser body surface (32) which bounds the compartment (50) is recessed away from the membrane (20) in use, to contribute to the lateral cross sectional area of the compartment (50) and facilitate distribution of gas along the diffuser by the compartment (50). An automatic purge valve for purging water from a gas feed pipe of a diffuser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-chamber wobble plate pump that includes a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of pump chambers. The pump includes inlet valves having an asymmetric cross-section with a thin section and/or a peripheral seal bead. A wobble plate is coupled to a diaphragm and a plurality of pistons. Rotation of the wobble plate moves the pistons within the pump chambers to draw in and force fluid out of the chambers. The diaphragm may have a thin cross-sectional area that creates a hinge. The pump may further have a pulsation damper and a flexible liner located in-line with an outward flow of fluid and which absorb pressure transients and reduce noise. The pulsation dampener may be integrated into the relief valve. An elastomeric sleeve may be located adjacent to the wobble plate to provide both a seal and a noise absorber.

Abstract: A method for electrochemically purifying water which comprises transporting a flow of water to be purified through a bed of metallic particles confined in a reactor and subjected to electrical voltage, the metal of the particles being electrochemically dissolved into the water in order to promote chemical reactions which facilitate the purification of the water and consequently said particles being consumed, the method comprising monitoring the consumption of said particles in the reactor without draining the reactor of water to be purified; and introducing new particles into the reactor if the consumption of particles reaches a predetermined reference threshold value, it being possible to monitor the consumption of the particles by monitoring the mass of the particles in the reactor, preferably by weighing the reactor and the content thereof.

Abstract: A method for the continuous thermal hydrolysis of organic material, which includes at least the stages of: a) pressurizing starting organic material at a pressure setpoint P1; b) inline mixing organic material with steam to obtain a mixture at a controlled temperature setpoint T1, selected below the steam saturation temperature of the mixture; c) continuously introducing the mixture obtained, which is in a liquid phase, into a hydrolysis reactor; d) continuously extracting hydrolyzed mixture from the hydrolysis reactor; and e) suddenly depressurizing the hydrolyzed mixture separating a liquid fraction from a steam fraction, which is recovered. The steam employed to produce the mixture in stage b) includes steam recovered in operation e) which is recompressed.

Abstract: A system for regulating pressure in a fluid supply pipe, including a valve operated by a double acting piston cylinder and in which the chamber of the cylinder, the pressure of which acts on the piston to move the rod in the direction for closing the valve, communicates with the transmission mechanism for transmitting the instantaneous hydraulic pressure at a point of the pipe. The chamber of the cylinder, the pressure of which acts on the piston to move the rod in the direction for opening the valve, is connected to an energy accumulator accumulating energy in the form of pressurized gas at a predetermined pressure P0, which can be regulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for regulating pressure in a fluid supply pipe, comprising a valve operated by a double acting piston cylinder and in which the chamber of the cylinder, the pressure of which acts on the piston to move the rod in the direction for closing the valve, communicates with transmission means for transmitting the instantaneous hydraulic pressure at a point the pipe, whereas the chamber of the cylinder, the pressure of which acts on the piston to move the rod in the direction for opening the valve, is connected to an energy accumulator accumulating energy in the form of pressurized gas at a predetermined pressure P0, which can be regulated.

Abstract: A bath tub lifter for seniors or disabled persons comprises a frame to rest on a portion of a bath tub, a seat plate and a backrest in connection therewith, a lifting means for adjusting the height of the seat plate and the backrest between a lowermost and an uppermost end position, the lifting means comprising a driving means mounted to the backrest and a telescopic lifting tube to be actuated by the driving means, a spindle base in connection with the lifting tube for providing support against the frame, and an automatic lock-release device coupling the backrest and the seat plate above the lowermost end position and releasing the backrest and the seat plate in the lowermost end position, the lock-release device comprising at least one lock bolt movably held at the backrest for coupling the backrest and the seat plate above the lowermost end position, and at least one sliding guide formed at the seat plate for actuating the at least one lock bolt.

Abstract: A footrest for wheelchairs or the like comprises a foot plate (37) for the foot of a wheelchair patient, a supporting element for connection of the foot plate (37) to a wheelchair, and a bearing unit for supporting the foot plate (37) on the supporting element. The bearing unit, in turn, comprises a bearing body (36) that is in contact with the foot plate (37) and with the supporting element, a first bearing element (76) that pivotably connects the foot plate (37) to the bearing body (36), and a second bearing element (47) that pivotably connects the bearing body (36) to the supporting element.

Abstract: A footrest for wheelchairs or the like comprises a foot plate (37) for the foot of a wheelchair patient, a supporting element for connection of the foot plate (37) to a wheelchair, and a bearing unit for supporting the foot plate (37) on the supporting element. The bearing unit, in turn, comprises a bearing body (36) that is in contact with the foot plate (37) and with the supporting element, a first bearing element (76) that pivotably connects the foot plate (37) to the bearing body (36), and a second bearing element (47) that pivotably connects the bearing body (36) to the supporting element.

Abstract: A pump that has a flexible liner located adjacent to a diaphragm. The liner provides structural support for the diaphragm. The flexible liner can slide relative to the diaphragm. This relative movement reduces the stiffness of the diaphragm/liner assembly. The diaphragm/liner assembly is therefore both flexible and strong. Additionally, the liner provides a thermal insulator for the diaphragm. The flexible liner may be constructed from a low friction material to lower the friction between the liner and a wobble plate of the pump. Lowering the friction reduces the heat generated within the pump. The structural reinforcement, thermal insulation and lower friction features of the liner increase the life of the diaphragm and the pump.

Abstract: A pump assembly that has a control circuit and a pressure switch which control the operation of a pump motor. The motor drives a positive displacement pump that is coupled to a fluid system. The control circuit includes a pulse width modulator circuit. The control circuit is activated when a pressure switch senses that a line pressure of the fluid system is below a threshold value. The control circuit can either operate in a continuous mode to provide a constant signal to the motor, or a pulse regulating mode to provide a series of pulses to the motor. The pulses begin with a minimum width and gradually increase until a predetermined current limit has been attained, or the motor reaches a full speed with the control circuit in a continuous on state. The speed of the motor will then correspond to the flow demanded by the fluid system. The energy provided by the pulses is varied as a function of changes in peak current drawn by the motor. The peak current is sensed and used to determine the pulse width.

Abstract: A diffuser for aerating a fluid, and particularly for aeration in waste water treatment tanks, is formed in an elongate configuration by manufacturing a base plate from an extrusion cut to the desired length. A perforated elastomeric membrane is secured to the base plate by pressing sealing strips along the elongate edges of the membrane into corresponding grooves formed in the base plate extrusion. The ends of the membrane are sealed to the base plate by end strips or clamps. Air is introduced through apertures in the base plate causing the membrane to inflate away from the base plate forming an interior compartment for the passage of air along the diffuser. Apparatus for securing the diffuser to a horizontal header pipe is also described.

Abstract: A pump that has an inlet manifold passage with a varying cross-sectional area. The manifold passage provides fluid communication between an inlet port and a plurality of pump chambers within the pump. The varying cross-sectional area may reduce the likelihood of air being entrapped in the pump chambers. Each pump chamber may have a corresponding piston that moves in a reciprocating manner within the chamber. The pistons may be moved by a motor driven wobble plate. Movement of the pistons may pull fluid into the pump chambers through corresponding inlet valves and into an outlet port through corresponding outlet valves. The valves may cooperate with valve seats that each have an outer radius smaller than an inner radius. The pump may have an in-line check valve that controls fluid flow from an outlet manifold passage to the outlet port, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the outlet port. The motor may have a leak detector integrated into the metal shell and fasteners of the motor assembly.

Abstract: A water conductivity monitor that is controlled by a microcontroller which provides a pair of probe driving signals that are 180° out of phase. The monitor is connected to a feed water probe that is located within the unfiltered water of a water purification system and a filter water probe that is located within the filtered water of the system. The driving signals are provided to the probes to create a probe test signal. The filtered water test signal is a ratio of the voltage across the feed water probe and the voltage across the filter water probe. The driving signals are also provided to a resistor circuit which provides a threshold test signal. The test signals are integrated by an integrator circuit which is controlled by the microcontroller. The integrated test signals are compared by a comparator. The comparator provides an output signal to the microcontroller if the voltage level of the probe test signal is below the threshold test signal.