Abstract: A valve allows for drainage of gases while preventing backflow of gases from a drainage system through the valve. A drain can have a first, sealed position in which a component of the valve seals an opening through the valve and a second, open position in which the component of the valve is separated from the opening to allow a fluid to drain through the valve. When the fluid has drained through, the component of the valve can return to the closed position. The valve can include a pressure relief conduit to help equalize pressure across the valve and permit unrestrained draining of fluid through the valve. The valve can be positioned in a roof vent and can include a guard.

Abstract: An improved floor drain valve for buildings, basements, exterior paved areas, and the like. The invention provides floor drain assemblies and check valves providing improved drainage performance, particularly where drainage is an irregular occurrence, and having unprecedented simplicity and reliability. Floor drains according to the invention comprise check valves having elastomeric hinge structures mounting relatively rigid flapper structures biased upwardly against sealing surfaces adapted for disposition within floor drains. Water entering the valve structure opens the flapper valves by gravitational forces downwardly against the relatively rigid flapper, and after passage of the water, the valve is elastomerically urged into the sealed position restricting back flow of gases from the downstream area of the drain conduit and permitting pressure testing of the downstream conduit.

Abstract: A control system to selectively control the operation of the compressor of a mini-split air conditioning system including at least one remote evaporator operatively coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant therethrough, a sensor to monitor the operation of the evaporator and to generate an operating control signal to turn-off the compressor when a predetermined operating condition is sensed at the evaporator and a condensate drain pan to receive or catch condensate from the evaporator, the control system comprising a condensate sensor disposed to sense condensate in the condensate drain pan at a predetermined level and to generate a condensate level signal fed to a battery powered control device including an isolated solid state relay coupled to the sensor by a control coupling device to generate a condensate level control signal fed to the sensor causing the sensor to generate the operating control signal fed to turn off the compressor when condensate within the condensate drain pan reaches the prede

Abstract: A drain valve allows for drainage of fluids while preventing backflow of gases from a drainage system through the drain valve. A drain valve can have a first, sealed position in which a component of the valve seals an opening through the valve and a second, open position in which the component of the valve is separated from the opening to allow a fluid to drain through the valve. When the fluid has drained through, the component of the valve can return to the closed position. The valve can include a pressure relief conduit to help equalize pressure across the valve and permit unrestrained draining of fluid through the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for connecting a drain pan overflow sensor to the evaporator assembly of a ductless mini-split HVAC system includes at least one carrier extending upwardly from the overflow sensor and at least one connector releasably engageable with the carrier and at least one fin and/or evaporator coil tube of the evaporator assembly.

Abstract: A cap lock system for limiting access to an access port of a gaseous system includes an outer cap including first and second key insertion passages, an inner lock having first and second key receivers and a rotatable key having first and second engagement fingers each engageable with an aligned set of key insertion passages and key receivers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may be cleaned by introducing compressed nitrogen and a flushing composition through an injection device.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for allowing the flow of liquid down through a pluming fixture to a destination below it and limiting or preventing the backflow of gas from the destination up into the pluming fixture includes a frame and a disc pivotably connected thereto. The disc is biased in a closed position and pivotably moveable into an open position upon the application of sufficient forces acting on the upper surface thereof caused by fluid from the plumbing fixture.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a locking cap system useful for controlling access to a gaseous system includes an outer cap, an inner lock, a metallic key and a magnetic opener. The inner lock rotates freely relative to the outer cap and is releasably engaged with the gaseous system. The metallic key is configured to be at least partially axially movable within the inner lock and the outer cap. The magnetic opener is useful to bias the metallic key so that the metallic key engages the inner lock and the outer cap simultaneously to allow the inner lock to rotate concurrently with rotation of the outer cap and engage or disengage from the gaseous system.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may be cleaned by introducing compressed nitrogen and a flushing composition through an injection device.

Abstract: A non-polarized electronic condensate overflow switch uses microprocessor-controlled low-resistance MOSFETs to connect and disconnect power to an HVAC system. The condensate overflow switch derives operational power directly from an AC main and does not need an external power supply or a separate, reference ground line, and therefore does not require configuration in a particular polarity. The microprocessor controls the turning on and off of the power MOSFETs as needed when condensate overflow is detected and also provides more efficient sensing of condensate overflow and other operations, thus minimizing the power needed by the condensate overflow switch. Such a non-polarized electronic condensate overflow switch may be installed within a drain pan, in line with an outlet of the drain pan, or at a remote location away from the drain pan.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item(s) through at least one space includes a body and at least three gripping members associated with the body. The gripping members are moveable relative to the body and capable of engaging at least one elongated item.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item(s) through at least one space includes a body and at least three gripping members associated with the body. The gripping members are moveable relative to the body and capable of engaging at least one elongated item.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus for releasably gripping at least one elongated item and being used in pulling the elongated item(s) through at least one space includes a body and a plurality of gripping members associated with the body. The gripping members are moveable relative to the body and capable of engaging at least one elongated item.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a process for manufacturing a diaphragm for an air admittance valve includes disposing a first center disk into a first cavity of a first mold, the first center disk includes a hollow stem. A material is provided into the first mold, through the hollow stem and laterally outwardly beyond a perimeter of the first center disk. The material is allowed to harden to form a lateral membrane coupled to the first center disk and extending laterally beyond a perimeter of the first center disk.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an air admittance valve includes a base, a screen plate and a diaphragm engageable with the screen plate. The diaphragm may include a first center disk having a stem and a membrane coupled to the first center disk. The membrane may have a continuous material sized to extend beyond a perimeter of the first center disk, be formed of a material more pliable than the first center disk and be adapted to be coupled to the first center disk through the center disk stem.

Abstract: The present invention provides method, apparatus, and system to assist in partially or fully reestablishing the fire rating of a barrier that has been compromised by the installation of an electrical box(es) in the barrier. The electrical box includes a faceplate having a fire retardant material, such as an intumescent material, coupled to the faceplate and/or coupled between the box and the faceplate. The fire retardant material enhances the fire resistance of the compromised area of the barrier. In one embodiment, the fire retardant material can be in the form of a gasket that can be used cooperatively with the faceplate and the electrical box. In another embodiment, the fire retardant material can be established on one or more surfaces of the faceplate by molding, spraying, dipping, coating or any other methods of application of the material to a surface.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves a method for engaging an elongated item, such as a wire or cable, to allow it to be pulled through a path, such as in a conduit, and includes gripping the elongated item with multiple teeth.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves a device for clamping and pulling an elongated item, such as a wire or cable, through a path, such as in a conduit, and includes a main body having a bore and multiple teeth capable of gripping the elongated item.

Abstract: A composition which, when subjected to heat, expands to form heat-insulating barriers comprises an expandable graphite, a fire retardant, and an inorganic intumescent filler such as clay dispersed in a resinous emulsion. Particularly desirable results are obtained with a fire retardant which is a C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate.