Abstract: A gripper has a frame with a plurality of guide rods secured to the frame. At least one jaw is slidably secured with the plurality of guide rods. The at least one jaw includes a housing surrounding a portion of at least one of the guide rods. A locking device is positioned in the jaw housing. The locking device is adjacent the at least one guide rod. The locking device removably applies a force onto the at least one guide rod. The locking device locks the jaw in position when the force is applied and enables the jaw to slide on the guide rods when the force is removed.

Abstract: Arrays of resonator sensors include an active wafer array comprising a plurality of active wafers, a first end cap array coupled to a first side of the active wafer array, and a second end cap array coupled to a second side of the active wafer array. Thickness shear mode resonator sensors may include an active wafer coupled to a first end cap and a second end cap. Methods of forming a plurality of resonator sensors include forming a plurality of active wafer locations and separating the active wafer locations to form a plurality of discrete resonator sensors. Thickness shear mode resonator sensors may be produced by such methods.

Abstract: An electrical gripper has a housing and a solenoid plunger. A pair of jaws are movably mounted with the housing. The jaws are movable towards and away from each other. The jaws are coupled with the solenoid plunger to provide movement to the jaws. A first mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a first position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. A second mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a second position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. Thus, the jaws are actively locked in an open or close position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle system including a spout configured to dispense fuel flowing therethrough, and a flow shaper positioned in the spout such that fuel flowing through the spout passes through the flow shaper. The flow shaper includes a central cavity and a plurality of outer cavities positioned about the central cavity. The central cavity and the plurality of outer cavities each have a L/D ratio, wherein the L/D ratio of the central cavity is less than the L/D ratio of each of the outer cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a leak in a conduit line includes a housing in fluid communication with the line, a valve including a valve seat and a valve element movable relative to the seat between opened and closed positions, a bypass line around the valve, a flow detector coupled to the bypass line for detecting fluid flow therethrough, and a mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position and to maintain the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop is reached. The mechanism may operate on the principle of magnetism.

Abstract: A method for improved handling of a blended fuel includes obtaining a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; cooling the same until the sample separates into phases; and determining a risk that the fuel in the storage tank will separate based on the cooling step. An apparatus for assessing the risk of phase separation of a blended fuel includes a test cavity for holding a sample of the blended fuel from a storage tank; a heat transfer device for cooling the sample in the test cavity; and at least one sensor for indicating when the sample in the test cavity has separated into phases.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: An electrical gripper has a housing and a solenoid plunger. A pair of jaws are movably mounted with the housing. The jaws are movable towards and away from each other. The jaws are coupled with the solenoid plunger to provide movement to the jaws. A first mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a first position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. A second mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a second position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. Thus, the jaws are actively locked in an open or close position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: A flushable filter for use in filtering water in a chemical dispensing system has a screen selectively placed in a water flow passage with water flowing from one side of the screen therethrough to a separate side and then to a filtered water outlet. In a flush mode, water is directed along and past the one side of the screen to flush filtrates therefrom and to a flush water discharge outlet.

Abstract: A nozzle including a dispensing path configured such that fluid is dispensable therethrough and into a vessel, and a sensing path in which a negative pressure is generated when fluid flows through the dispensing path. The nozzle further includes an attitude sensing device configured to sense an attitude of the nozzle. The attitude sensing device is in fluid communication with the sensing path and includes a ball received in a track. The track includes a generally spherical portion configured to receive the ball therein to generally block the sensing path when the nozzle is raised to a sufficient angle. The spherical portion has a radius generally corresponding to a radius of the ball.

Abstract: A clamp has a housing with a piston assembly positioned in the housing. A piston rod lock assembly is coupled with the piston rod and is positioned in the housing. A clamping arm is coupled with the piston rod and moves from a position parallel to the piston rod, when in an unclamped position, to a position substantially perpendicular to the piston rod, when in a clamping position.

Abstract: A clamp has a powered actuator that includes an arm moving between a first and a second position. A linkage mechanism has a link and a base. The link and base are pivotally connected with one another. The link couples with the arm of the cylinder. The bracket couples with the actuator and the base. The bracket is movable along the base for adjusting the angle opening between the link and the base.

Abstract: A refueling system including a nozzle configured to dispense fuel through a fuel path thereof into a vehicle tank. The nozzle includes a vapor path configured such that vapor recovered from the vehicle tank during refueling is passable therethrough. The system further includes a sensing valve disposed in the vapor path, wherein the sensing valve is configured to generally block the associated part of the vapor path when a sufficient vacuum from the vehicle tank is applied to the sensing valve during refueling. The system also includes a regulator valve disposed in the vapor path and arranged in series with the sensing valve, the regulator valve being configured to regulate the level of vacuum applied by a vapor pump to the sensing valve.

Abstract: A communications network is provided for a water treatment system. A controller is in communication with a plurality of network elements using digital communications. The network elements have a connection configured to connect the network element to the controller or another network element. The controller sends a message to the network elements to configure the network elements for communication with the controller. The controller receives a response from the network elements including a network address and a header. If the network address is a default address, configuration information is sent to the network element for communication on the network. If the network address is not a default address, communication is established with the network element. Messages sent from the controller to a network element having a network address not matching the network address of the network element are sent over the network to a next network element.

Abstract: A water treatment sensor includes a housing having a bottom with an exterior surface in contact with a flow path of a fluid and an interior surface. First and second probes spaced from one another extend from the exterior surface and into the flow path. A first circuit electrically connects the first and second probes and determines a conductivity from a measured resistivity between the probes. First and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another and are coupled to the interior surface. The first sensor determines a temperature of the fluid. A temperature elevated by a heat source and determined by the second sensor is maintained above the temperature of the fluid. A second circuit determines a flow rate of the fluid based on adjustments to the heat source. Communication circuitry communicates the conductivity, the temperature, and the flow rate of the fluid to a controller.

Abstract: A controller for water treatment in a cooling system includes a processor, a user interface, a plurality of relays, at least one network port, and at least one communication port. The processor is configured to monitor cooling fluid in the cooling system and cause the system to drain fluid when an amount of dissolved solid in the fluid exceeds a predetermined threshold. The plurality of relays are configured for both wet operation and dry operation. The controller is accessed using a web server on the controller through a communication port. The controller is controller and control parameters are modified via the web server. A relay of the plurality of relays in the controller is configured for either wet operation or dry operation. The configuration of the relay of the plurality of relays is dynamically changed to the other of wet operation or dry operation.

Abstract: A modular chemical dispensing system includes a plurality of rail members combining to define a wall-mounted grid for supporting dispensing and chemical source modules. The grid is easily secured to a wall and the modules moved laterally onto the grid with rotatable locks securing the modules to the rails. Chemical source modules have lockable doors preventing unauthorized access to chemicals therein and preventing unauthorized module removal. A variety of module configurations are provided, reducing inventories of custom parts. Methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A centering and clamping device has a movable clamping hook (2) situated on a housing (1). The clamping hook (2) extends through a housing wall so that it is operably connected with a drive mechanism inside the housing (1). The clamping hook (2) executes a lifting and pivoting movement. The drive mechanism has a lever element (3) operationally linked to the clamping hook (2). The lever element (3) is rotatably mounted around an axis element (4) situated in the housing (1). The axis element (4) of the lever element (3) is mounted on the housing so that it is elastically movable in the housing (1) in a lifting direction.

Abstract: An actuating device has a drive element with a cylinder (1) and a piston (2) having a piston rod (3). A toothed rack (4) is provided outside the cylinder (1) on the piston rod (3). The toothed rack (4) is implemented to cooperate with a gear element (5). An actuating element (6), pivotable in relation to the drive element, is situated in a rotationally-fixed manner with the gear element (5). An intermediate gear element (7) is situated between the cylinder (1) and the gear element (5). The intermediate gear element (7) cooperates, on one side, with the toothed rack (4) and, on the other side, with the gear element (5).

Abstract: A centering and clamping device has a housing (1) with a drive mechanism (2) situated in its interior for actuating a clamping hook (5). The clamping hook (5) is active outside the housing (1). The clamping hook (5) engages a seal element (3) that is positioned in an opening (4) on the housing (1). The seal element (3) has a passage opening (6) for receiving the clamping hook (5). The passage opening (6) fits exactly with the clamping hook (5) in every position. The seal element (3) is mounted so that it is rotatable in the opening (4) of the housing (1). A portion of the sealing element projects, at all times, outside of the housing (1) so that the opening (4) of the housing (1) is completely closed in every rotation position of the seal element (3).