Abstract: A windshield heating device includes: a heating wire that heats a first part of a windshield of a vehicle, the first part being located in front of a camera; a glass heating apparatus that heats a second part of the windshield, the second part including the first part; and a control unit that controls energization to the heating wire and the glass heating apparatus. The control unit is configured: to determine whether energization to the glass heating apparatus is performed when heating of the first part is requested; to control so that energization to the heating wire is performed when it is determined that the energization to glass heating apparatus is not performed; and to control energization to the heating wire so that an amount of energization to the heating wire is reduced when it is determined that energization to the glass heating apparatus is performed.

Abstract: A rapid connect coupler can include a housing, a probe configured to translate within the housing, a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing body, a stop assembly configured to selectively arrest the translation of the probe. The stop assembly can include: a pawl configured to occupy both an active position and an inactive position, wherein the inactive position arrests the translation of the probe; a catch fixed to the housing and configured to hold the probe in the inactive position; a lever configured to engage the pawl; a spring fixed to both the housing and the lever and configured to bias the pawl to the inactive position via the lever; and a cam configured to disengage the pawl from the catch and cause the pawl to occupy the active position.

Abstract: A directional control valve includes: a valve body having a bore to receive a spool; a spool mounted in said bore; at least one stopper mounted in the bore that is axially adjustable and fixable at a selected axial position. The provision of an axially adjustable stopper eliminates the need to select a suitably sized stopper from a selection of stoppers or to grind down (resize) a single stopper. It reduces the number of parts in the valve (thus reducing cost) and it also shortens the calibration time for the valve as there is no need to remove the stopper from inside the bore in order to perform an adjustment. As the valve is tested after each adjustment, this also means not removing the stopper and breaking the seal (draining the valve) between each testing phase. The calibration can therefore be performed much more efficiently.

Abstract: The application relates to a connecting element, in particular for connecting vessels and for producing a fluidic connection between vessels or elements joined to the connecting element. The invention also relates to an elastic spring element as a valve element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sewer system cleanouts such as provide increased cross bore safeguard during sewer system cleanouts. A sewer system cleanout safety device includes a housing for placement at a sewer cleanout opening to prevent passage of gas out through the sewer cleanout opening during the sewer system cleanout. The housing includes opposed inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces, and a peripheral surface extending between said inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces. The housing includes a cavity extending between the inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces to permit passage of a sewer system cleanout implement therethrough. The housing further includes a cavity lining surface to seal with the sewer system cleanout implement passing therethrough.

Abstract: A valve module for an irrigation sprinkler can include an upper valve support housing and a lower support basket removably connected to the valve support housing. The module can include a valve member reciprocable within the valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat in the support basket. The valve member can include a piston and valve seal removably attached to the piston and configured to be serviced or replaced separate from the piston when removed from the piston.

Abstract: A quick coupling element with discharge member and coupling member comprising such an element are disclosed. The coupling element comprises a tubular body defining an inner channel for the passage of a pressurized fluid and a longitudinal axis, and a relief member of the inner channel, movable between a first position, closing off a relief passage connecting the inner channel to the outside of the body, and a second forward position where it does not close off this relief passage. The relief member is a ring that is that is movable between two positions around a central member. The relief ring defines, at least in part, the relief passage. In the first position, the relief ring seals the central member over a first sealing circumference, and against the peripheral part over a second sealing circumference. The coupling element further comprises an elastic return member for returning the relief ring toward its first position.

Abstract: A noise reduction diffuser for an electric blower has a motor holder and a rear cover fitted to the motor holder. The motor holder includes a sidewall and a bottom portion at one end of the sidewall. The other end of the sidewall has an opening for mounting an electric motor inside the sidewall. An output shaft of the motor extends through the bottom portion for driving a fan. The motor holder and the rear cover form a Helmholtz resonance cavity.

Abstract: A hand tool that is capable of efficiently, inexpensively, and quickly attaching to a pipe and allows for boring an access hole to be used for accessing the inside of the pipe and unclogging the pipe.

Abstract: A filtration system for a pull-down or pull-out faucet includes a multi-channel hose configured to fluidly couple to a spray head, a water filter configured to provide filtered water, and a diverter-equipped T-connector. The T-connector has a first branch configured to receive unfiltered water from a valve cartridge of the faucet, a second branch configured to receive filtered water from the water filter, and a third branch configured to deliver filtered and unfiltered water from the first and second branches to different channels of the multi-channel hose. The spray head also includes an activation switch configured to allow selective output of filtered and unfiltered water from the spray head.

Abstract: A check valve comprises a valve housing defining a valve opening. A pair of mounting posts is arranged on opposite sides of the opening. A pair of flapper elements is pivotably mounted for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The flapper elements are mounted to hinge pins mounted to respective mounting posts. A base portion of the hinge pins is formed with a sleeve having a bore which is slidably mounted on a hinge pin mounting portion of a respective mounting post.

Abstract: Described is a fan assembly comprising a body comprising an inlet, an outlet, and means for generating an air flow. The fan assembly also comprises a nozzle mountable on the body for receiving the air flow from the body and for emitting the air flow and a nozzle retaining means for releasably retaining the nozzle on the body. The nozzle retaining means has a first configuration in which the nozzle is retained on the body and a second configuration in which the nozzle is released for removal from the body. The fan assembly also comprises a manually actuable member located on the nozzle for effecting movement of the nozzle retaining means from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a wireless LAN may comprise the steps of: receiving a non-target clear to send (CTS) frame from a second station (STA) by a first STA; transmitting a request to send (RTS) frame to a first access point (AP) coupled with the first STA within a network allocation vector (NAV) interval configured on the basis of the non-target CTS frame by the first STA; receiving a CTS frame in response to the RTS frame from the first AP by the first STA; and transmitting a first data frame to the first AP by the first STA.

Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan engine includes a fan case, an inner barrel and a nose lip generally concentrically disposed about an axis. The inner barrel projects forward from and is engaged to the fan case at a first split line. The nose lip is engaged to the inner barrel at a second split line, and extends substantially radially outward directly from the second split line, then substantially axially rearward to the fan cowl as one unitary piece.

Abstract: A coolant control valve device may include a plurality of coolant passages through which a coolant passes; a valve including a plurality of valve wings, wherein each of the valve wings is disposed at an inlet of each of the coolant passages, respectively and has different heights from each other; and a driver moving the valve in a vertical direction thereof, wherein the valve opens and closes some or all of a plurality of inlets with a difference in time, depending on a movement range of the valve.

Abstract: A subsea connection system for connecting to a hub has a body with an interior passageway, a collet having a plurality of collet segments, an outer sleeve overlying the collet, and a poppet valve assembly positioned within the interior passageway of the body. The plurality of collet segments are movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The poppet valve assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the open position allows a fluid to flow through the interior passageway and the closed position blocks a flow of fluid through the interior passageway. The outer sleeve is movable so as to cause the plurality of collet segments to join to a hub.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling having a female coupler and a corresponding male coupler. The female coupler has a non-spill configuration and includes a housing and a valve body slidably movable in the housing. A valve member is slidably movable in the valve body toward and away from a valve seat, the valve member being configured to engage the male coupler. A piston is interposed between a main cavity and a trap chamber of the female coupler. The piston may be fixed to the valve member for common movement, and may include an internal flow passage for enabling fluid connection between the main cavity and trap chamber. A check valve may allow fluid flow from the trap chamber to the main cavity when the trap chamber pressure is greater than the main cavity pressure. A locking collar may be independently movable of the valve body to reduce the force required to connect the couplers.

Abstract: An automated water purging apparatus prevents dispensing of contaminated water by volumetrically flushing a standing volume of water between a tap and an exterior inlet as required. Volumetric control of flushing and usage monitoring between flushing events minimize water waste and delivery delays. Embodiments operate in demand and/or periodic modes, and switch therebetween according to a user-specified schedule. A controller and valve can be powered by a battery that is recharged by energy derived from water flow through the apparatus. Wireless and/or network connectivity can enable remote communication with the controller via a remote console and/or other wired and wireless devices. Embodiments take partial purge usage volumes into account when determining if standing water is contaminated. Partial purge volumes can include volumes shared with other taps. Embodiments can alert users to potential leaks. Embodiments include a volumetric flow sensor at the external inlet shared among a plurality of taps.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the production of fluidic droplets. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for creating droplets by flowing a fluid from a first channel to a second channel through a plurality of side channels. The fluid exiting the side channels into the second channel may form a plurality of droplets, and in some embodiments, at very high droplet production rates. In addition, in some aspects, double or higher-order multiple emulsions may also be formed. In some embodiments, this may be achieved by forming multiple emulsions through a direct, synchronized production method and/or through the formation of a single emulsion that is collected and re-injected into a second microfluidic device to form double emulsions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for regulating water flow in a pipe. A water flow regulator includes a valve configured to regulate water flow, a power source, a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to receive instructions pertaining to water flow regulation over a wireless network and to send instructions to the processor. The instructions are based at least in part on weather data and on the physical location of the water flow regulator. The processor is coupled to the communication module, and is configured to send a control signal to the valve to regulate the water flow in accordance with a received instruction from the communication module.