Abstract: A small and compact boiler for providing hot water for indoor heating and domestic hot water and method of operation are provided. The boiler includes a three way valve configured to circulate boiler water through a heating circuit when indoor heat is required, and bypass the heating circuit and circulate the boiler water through the heat exchanger to enable production of domestic hot water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a cord having mating structures at either or both of the female and male adapter ends. The mating structures allow the cord to be lengthened and or attached to a piece of equipment.

Abstract: A dock leveler for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. The dock leveler is configured for installation on the top of the dock and is designed to rotate from a vertically-stored raised position to at least one lowered, operative position. In some embodiments, the dock leveler can be lowered either for normal operation so that the deck rests on the bed of the vehicle or it can be lowered to accommodate an end-loading condition.

Abstract: A dock leveler and installation thereof having a bumper assembly to protect the deck and the lip of the leveler. In one embodiment the dock leveler comprises a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the deck and moveable with the deck. The bumper is selectively moveable to protrude beyond the end of the deck to protect the dock leveler from impact. In another embodiment a dock leveler installation comprises a loading dock having a front face. A dock leveler is mounted at the loading dock and has a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the front face beneath the dock leveler and projecting in front of the lip when the lip is in a pendent position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a discontinuity such as a hole in a work piece is provided. The apparatus includes a probe having a shaft attached to a handle for locating a discontinuity in relation to a coordinate system. The probe includes an end unit attached to an end of the shaft opposite an end of the shaft to which the handle is attached. The end unit is configured to contact a surface associated with the discontinuity and move in relation to the coordinate system to align the end unit to an axis associated with the discontinuity. At least one position sensor is located entirely within the shaft and configured to sense the position of the end unit in relation to the coordinate system. The shaft includes a plurality of bores and the sensor is located within at least one of the bores.

Abstract: A rotary lobe pump includes two geared-together, counter-rotating shafts, to which are affixed rotors with interdigital lobes. Adjustment of the angular relationship of the rotors uses a clamping device within each rotor. The clamping device consists of a tapered, slotted bushing that is forced between a mating taper on the rotor and a locking device on the shaft by means of a flanged fastener mated to each pump shaft's threads.

Abstract: A unified docking apparatus is provided. It includes a single set of controls to operate a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a barrier device, a dock seal, and a loading light. Some optional embodiments include selector switch to select which apparatus the single set of controls will control. Other optional embodiments automatically select the apparatus to be controlled by the single set of controls. A method of operating a docking apparatus using a single set of controls is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a combustion intake for a boiler from inside air is provided. A method and apparatus for providing a transition piece for venting fresh air to and combusted air away from a boiler is also provided. A method of connecting a transition piece to PVC, ABS OR CPVC ductwork is also provided.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a frame and a deck pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the frame. A lip is pivotably mounted to the deck at another end thereof. A lip latch and lip extension mechanism are mounted to the leveler and comprises a lip latch pivotably connected to the deck by a crank mechanism and a latch bar pivotably connected to the crank mechanism. The latch bar has one end selectively engaging a latch bracket mounted to the deck. A bar is connected at one end to the crank mechanism and another end is operably connected to the lip. A first spring is operably connected to the crank mechanism and the frame. A second spring is operably connected to the bar and the frame. A third spring operably couples another end of the latch bar to the second spring.

Abstract: A small and compact boiler for providing hot water for indoor heating and domestic hot water and method of operation are provided. The boiler includes a three way valve configured to circulate boiler water through a heating circuit when indoor heat is required, and bypass the heating circuit and circulate the boiler water through the heat exchanger to enable production of domestic hot water.

Abstract: A valve stem and gasket apparatus and method includes a gasket that may be made of PEEK. A tool block set can be used to install the gasket over a flange on the stem.

Abstract: A dock leveler and installation thereof having a bumper assembly to protect the deck and the lip of the leveler. In one embodiment the dock leveler comprises a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the deck and moveable with the deck. The bumper is selectively moveable to protrude beyond the end of the deck to protect the dock leveler from impact. In another embodiment a dock leveler installation comprises a loading dock having a front face. A dock leveler is mounted at the loading dock and has a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the front face beneath the dock leveler and projecting in front of the lip when the lip is in a pendent position.

Abstract: A small and compact boiler for providing hot water for indoor heating and domestic hot water and method of operation are provided. The boiler includes a three way valve configured to circulate boiler water through a heating circuit when indoor heat is required, and bypass the heating circuit and circulate the boiler water through the heat exchanger to enable production of domestic hot water.

Abstract: A unified docking apparatus is provided. It includes a single set of controls to operate a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a barrier device, a dock seal, and a loading light. Some optional embodiments include selector switch to select which apparatus the single set of controls will control. Other optional embodiments automatically select the apparatus to be controlled by the single set of controls. A method of operating a docking apparatus using a single set of controls is also provided.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected. There is a control circuit which can selectively activate any of the lips.

Abstract: A double check valve reduced pressure backflow preventor assembly is configured to have a relatively small length, volume and/or weight. The assembly defines parallel, preferably coaxial, inlet and outlet directions. In one aspect, first and second check valves are at an angle, preferably of 90°, to the in-line axis and preferably intersect the in-line axis. In one aspect, a relief valve is positioned spaced from the in-line axis. First and second shutoff valves are enclosed in the same integral, unitary housing which encloses the check valves and, preferably, some or all of the relief valve. The shutoff valves are preferably positioned along the in-line axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a discontinuity such as a hole in a work piece is provided. The apparatus includes a probe having a shaft attached to a handle for locating a discontinuity in relation to a coordinate system. The probe includes an end unit attached to an end of the shaft opposite an end of the shaft to which the handle is attached. The end unit is configured to contact a surface associated with the discontinuity and move in relation to the coordinate system to align the end unit to an axis associated with the discontinuity. At least one position sensor is located entirely within the shaft and configured to sense the position of the end unit in relation to the coordinate system. The shaft includes a plurality of bores and the sensor is located within at least one of the bores.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a frame and a deck pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the frame. A lip is pivotably mounted to the deck at another end thereof. A lip latch and lip extension mechanism are mounted to the leveler and comprises a lip latch pivotably connected to the deck by a crank mechanism and a latch bar pivotably connected to the crank mechanism. The latch bar has one end selectively engaging a latch bracket mounted to the deck. A bar is connected at one end to the crank mechanism and another end is operably connected to the lip. A first spring is operably connected to the crank mechanism and the frame. A second spring is operably connected to the bar and the frame. A third spring operably couples another end of the latch bar to the second spring.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected.