Abstract: A device and method for installing yard hydrants which renders the yard hydrant easily installed and replaced. The device includes a buried adapter, a sleeve, and a cap. The buried adapter has an inlet for attachment to a buried water system pipe, an outlet for attachment to a valve body of a yard hydrant, a peripheral wall for attachment to a vertical sleeve, and a drain hole. The sleeve is preferably a pipe sized to receive the valve body of a yard hydrant. The cap illustratively includes an internally threaded collar screwed onto the top of the sleeve and two cover pieces locked to the collar against rotation, each cover piece having an upturned flange with semi-cylindrical recesses which clamp the standpipe of the yard hydrant between them. The device is attached to an underground water pipe, the yard hydrant is then inserted into the sleeve and removably screwed onto the adapter, and the cap is applied to lock the yard hydrant in place.

Abstract: A method of introducing a fiber optic conduit into a pressurized gas pipeline includes the step of introducing a translating member into the pressurized gas pipeline via an entry port in a first drilling fitting (18) (8, 70, 250, 300) attached to the pressurized gas pipeline. Tools are deployed within a first pressure lock housing (30) attached to the first drilling fitting by using a first manipulator (34) located in the first air lock housing. The duct rod is advanced within pressurized gas pipeline by a driving mechanism (60), until a second drilling fitting (80) is reached. The translating member is attached to a fiber optic conduit or cable. The duct rod and fiber optic conduit are then pulled back through the pressurized gas pipeline by the driving mechanism. A conduit or cable is installed in a gas service line, to provide an optical fiber between an optical fiber trunk line or ring and building.

Abstract: A drainage valve tap assembly for connection of a branch line to a main line while simultaneously forming a freeze proof drain comprising a hollow body having a first end and a second end, a cutting tube attached to the first end of the body; a handle having a hollow interior, the handle attached to the second end of the body for rotating the body; and a resilient drain plug extending at least partially in the body for blocking off the flow of water therethrough under a water pressure and for allowing the draining of water therethrough and out of the drainage valve when the water pressure is cut-off.

Abstract: A method for curvature based complex identification and classification comprises sensing a cardiac signal and computing curvatures at sample points on the sensed cardiac signal. Then to extract features from the computed curvatures, and compare the extracted features with a set of predetermined templates, and then to classify the sensed cardiac signal based on the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A compact ball tap with 1 a water level switch which comprises a guide standpipe 5 vertically arranged in a tank T, a float 6 slidably installed on the guide standpipe 5, a valve 3, a lever 4 controlling an open-close action of the valve 3 connected with the float 6, and a water level switch 29 transmitting predetermined control signals when the float 6 shifts to a predetermined water level, wherein one float 6 is shared by the ball tap 1 and the water level switch 29.

Abstract: A valve inspection chamber includes a housing having a vertical inspection and valve retrieval opening. A valve cassette is provided which includes a frame and a valve member movable relative to the frame between an open position and a closed position. A valve cassette receptacle is positioned in the housing. The valve cassette is inserted and retrieved through the vertical inspection and valve retrieval opening of the housing using a retrieval tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a faucet for filling tanks known as silent and/or fast-closing faucets. The faucet comprises a basic structure and functionalities such as those disclosed in Patent 9400095. The device assembly controlling opening and closing of the faucet has important improvements in comparison with other conventional faucets and in comparison with the above-mentioned patent. The faucet also includes a lever system connecting the float and the piston acting upon the opening and closing device. In additional, improvement deals with the telescopic structure of the fluid outlet tubes to the tank in order to regulate the height thereof depending on the depth of the tank so that the fluid is always discharged into the water with the aim of preventing noises.

Abstract: A diverter valve for selectively passing water from a ballcock valve directly to a water storage tank or to the rim of a toilet. It includes a diverter plunger which places a deflector into the path of water from the ballcock, and a float which removes the deflector from the lumen when the ballcock valve is closed and the water level is sufficiently high, and lowers the plunger when the water level is sufficiently low.

Abstract: A flood prevention system includes a double-latching solenoid valve that shuts off a water supply line in response to a moisture sensor detecting a leak in a plumbing system. The double-latching feature provides the solenoid's plunger with two positions of equilibrium. This minimizes electrical power consumption so that the flood prevention system can be battery operated. To minimize a buildup of hard water deposits, the valve includes a flexible diaphragm and is cycled periodically regardless of whether flooding occurs. The sensor includes multiple methods of mounting to a floor.

Abstract: A plug valve is provided that may be lubricated while in service. The invention provides a high-pressure valve having a valve body containing a plug allowing bi-directional flow and moveable between an open and closed flow-through position. The valve permitting lubricating and sealing while in-service and in the closed or open position. The lubricating and/or sealing mechanism includes channels formed through the plug to a lubricant groove or grooves formed on the outside surface of the plug between the ends of the fluid conduit through the plug for directing lubricant to the plug-insert or plug-valve body interface when the plug is in the closed position and lubricant to the relief area formed by the insert when the plug is in the open position.

Abstract: A service sleeve coupled with a frost proof sillcock including a housing having an outer surface and defining an inner chamber for receiving an inner portion of the sillcock, a stem portion, and an area of water pipe that extends radially from the stem portion to the structure's water supply. The service sleeve further includes a cap having an inner surface, a first end having a diameter to receive the outer surface of the housing, and a second end having a diameter sized to slidingly receive the water pipe. The stem portion having a male portion and a female portion. The male and female portions have bores therethrough. The female portion having an inlet end coupled to the water pipe and an opening opposite the inlet end for access to the bore of the female portion. The male portion having an outlet end for connecting to the inner portion of the sillcock and an opening for access to the bore of the male portion.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve has a gasketed main body fastened to a vessel wall adjacent to a vent port, the body having a recess surrounding the port which receives a plastic insert removably coupled to the body by a retaining ring fastened to the main body. The insert defines a passage communicating with the port and a valve seat engageable by a seal assembly for closing the valve. The seal assembly includes an annular retainer for a seal O-ring and a plug receivable through the retainer and into a socket in a valve stem, which is spring-biased against the retainer and is guided in a guide assembly removably mounted on the main body. The insert is formed of plastic and the retainer and plug may also be formed of plastic and can be readily field-removable by simply unbolting the housing from the vessel and unfastening the retaining ring. The guide and bias assemblies need not be disassembled.

Abstract: A ball cock assembly includes a water supply riser with a valve for controlling water flow into a toilet tank. The valve includes an arm extending therefrom for opening and closing the valve. A float container is provided and disposed adjacent to the riser for movement therealong and a float is disposed in the float container for rising within the float container upon water flow into the float container. An actuator is disposed in an operative relationship with the float, float container and valve arm for operating the valve. The actuator includes an outer member attached to the float for moving the valve arm and an inner member for adjusting a level of the float container along the riser independent of movement of the valve arm by the outer member.

Abstract: A fill valve assembly for a toilet tank which reduces the fluid noise associated with filling of the tank. The fill assembly includes a fill tube mounted within the tank for delivering water. A fill housing is mounted to the upper end of the fill tube and includes a fill valve operably connected to a float. The float will open the valve when the water in the tank drops below a predetermined level and shuts off the valve when the fluid reaches the level. The interior of the housing includes structure for forming a laminar fluid flow out of the valve which reduces the fluid noise associated with filling the tank.

Abstract: The invention is system and method for detecting a leak and operating an existing valve in response to the detected leak. In this regard, a receiving unit may be installed on an existing shutoff valve. The valve may control the flow of a fluid into a site. A transmitting unit may be installed in the vicinity of an appliance receiving the fluid. The transmitting unit may include a detector capable of detecting the fluid. In response to the detector detecting the fluid, the transmitting unit may transmit a signal including a unique 32 bit code. A receiver within the receiving unit may be capable of receiving the signal. Additionally, a PIC microprocessor within the receiving unit may be configured to receive the signal from the receiver and determine if the signal contains the code. In response to determining the signal contains the code, the PIC may control a motor to operate (e.g., turn off) the valve. The motor may be configured for attachment to the valve via a coupler.

Abstract: A microvalve, which contains a valve member (7) dividing a valve chamber (13) into two chamber parts (14 and 15). A first chamber part (14) is delimited by a duct layer (3), which has an input flow opening (17) and at least one output flow opening (22 and 23). Fluid transfer between the input flow opening (17) and the output flow opening (22 and 23) may be controlled by the valve member (7). Furthermore pressure relieving means are provided which are effective in the open position of the valve member (7), such means comprising at least one expansion recess (38) provided on the valve member and with at least partial overlap opposite to the output flow opening (22 and 23), same permitting an expansion of the transferring fluid. It is connected through valve member (7) with the second chamber part (15) so that a counter pressure may build up here causing the relief of pressure.

Abstract: Fire hydrants are protected from freezing by including potassium formate, preferably at least 10% by weight, in the water enclosed in them during nonuse.

Abstract: A toilet tank valve having valve workings supported on a riser. The riser incorporates a serpentine ladder-like groove pattern engaged by a tooth, such that the height of the valve workings can be adjusted by a ladder-like relative movements of an inner and outer tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of hot tapping a conduit and inserting a sensor is disclosed wherein the conduit is hot tapped and the sensor inserted in one step. The apparatus includes a first cavity, a propellant disposed in a first end of the first cavity, a plunger, and a second cavity adapted to contain a sensor. The plunger includes a shearing surface and an aperture. The propellant propels the plunger from the first end of the first cavity towards the second end of the first cavity, creating an aperture in the conduit. When the plunger is disposed at the second end of the first cavity, the first and second cavity are in fluid communication with each other and the apertures in the plunger and the conduit are aligned with the second cavity, and the sensor is then automatically propelled through into the conduit by the propellant.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.