Abstract: Heat transfer from the inside of a fan duct to the air is very good because the air in this region has a high velocity and is turbulent due to the rotation of the fan blades. Devices mounted on the outside of the fan duct can thus be cooled effectively. The inside surface of the duct can be modified to enhance the heat transfer as by grooving it deeply. The fan blade also can be modified to increase the air velocity and the turbulence. External fins can be added to the fan duct, and it can be shrouded so that a portion of the exit air passes through the fins back to the inlet. This decreases the mass of the exit air, for quieter operation.

Abstract: A push-to-connect type coupler has an intermediate venting position for the nipple. The coupler includes a coupler socket having an inner sleeve, an intermediate coupler body, and an outer sleeve formed from tubular or cylindrical components which are axially movable with respect to one another. A valve member is disposed axially within the coupler and is normally biased into a closed position. The inner sleeve of the coupler is spring-biased toward the opening of the coupler, and includes an inner set of captive coupling balls. The coupler body also has an outer set of captive coupling balls, and a locking mechanism is disposed between the coupler body and the outer sleeve. When the nipple is inserted into the coupler, the nipple is retained by the interaction of the outer set of coupling balls with a deep groove in the inner sleeve, and the inner set of coupling balls with a channel formed in the nipple.

Abstract: A gate valve [10] is disclosed having a primary [300, 302] and secondary [316] seal on the upstream and downstream sides of the gate [15], wherein the gate [15] forms a seal with the seat [300] which is activated mechanically [320] and is fluid powered, and wherein a resilient seal [316a] is moved toward the gate [15] by mechanical actuation [31 ] to form a fluid powered secondary fluid-tight seal with the gate [15].

Abstract: A bag valve coupling member for a soft drink syrup bag-in-box container having a back-flow preventing one-way valve therein, preferably in addition to the standard self-sealing poppet valve that is biased closed and that is opened when a hose connector coupling member is attached to the bag valve coupling member. The one-way valve prevents back-filling (reuse) of the bag and syrup substitution.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided with a set of oppositely disposed header pipes into which a plurality of parallel cross flow tubes are inserted and joined to provide fluid communication between the header pipes. Fluid enters the header pipes and flows through the tubes, wherein it is cooled by air passing over the tubes. The tubes are constructed from two separate plates, each plate having a plurality of non-continuous ridges, which are joined together to form a single substantially flat tube having an upper wall and a lower wall. The ridges are oriented along each wall of the tube in substantially oblique configurations, relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, so that upstream ends of the ridges in each configuration are aligned in a substantially oblique line which extends across the width of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing water consumption and preventing damage to a fluid supply system in a house or structure is disclosed. The water management system includes a water management device coupled between provided fluid flow, pressure, and temperature sensors, and a shut-off valve and a drain valve. The device includes flow control means for opening the shut-off valve when flow is detected at any flow sensor and closing the shut-off valve when flow is undetected. The device also includes flow timers which have a selected operational period for each flow sensor and which close the shut-off valve if the operational period of a flow sensor is exceeded. The device also includes temperature timers for closing the shut-off valve and opening the drain valve when a temperature at or below a minimum temperature is detected by the temperature sensor for a selected maximum temperature detection time period.

Abstract: There is provided a valve for use in regulating flow of fluid through a conduit having a deformably resilient valve sleeve, in which the valve includes a housing, and at least first and second opposing jaw members disposed transversely to the conduit for deforming the valve sleeve with the conduit sandwiched between the first and second opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable between an open position, with the first and second jaw members spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit flow of liquid through the conduit, and a closed position, with the jaw members pinched together sufficiently to restrict or shut off the flow of fluid through the conduit. Inflatable diaphragms are provided to control movement of the jaw members between the open position, when the diaphragms are in a deflated configuration, and the closed position, when the diaphragms are in an inflated configuration.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly provides for a hydro-injected venturi release of an erodible solid into a liquid. This dispenser assembly regulates the flow of a fluid direction and pressure through an activation chamber which contains a chemical capsule, and provides adequate levels of solution concentration. The dispenser assembly consists of a lower body member, an upper body member which contains the activation chamber, and an hydro-injector venturi assembly. The hydro-injector venturi assembly controls the rate of pressure of a fluid entering the upper body member into the activation chamber as well as the flow out of the chamber by means of a venturi plate.

Abstract: A thermally conductive feedthrough has a conductive member extending through a fiber-reinforced plastic plate. The feedthrough is sealed against leakage from one side of the plate to the other by placing the plate in local compression to seal it against the plate and/or by using small individual conductive members that minimize the effects of thermal expansion differences. The feedthrough can be used between vacuum and cryogenic liquids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling a wash tub of an automatic clothes washer wherein a controller uses a thermistor embedded in the mixing valve to generate and store historical averages of the cold and warm water temperatures. From these, the hot water temperature is calculated under the assumption that the warm water is 50/50 hot and cold. The controller also uses a timer and a pressure sensitive switch to generate and store a historical average of the flow rate. A flow washer helps justify the assumption that the flow rate is always constant. Based on the hot and cold water temperatures and the anticipated flow rate, the controller calculates the ratio of hot and cold water, and how long each must be turned on to provide the selected water level. Then, each water valve is individually controlled for a single extended on cycle to satisfy the final requirements of temperature and level.

Abstract: A secondary condensing heat exchanger for use in a multi-poised furnace that includes multiple single pass heat transfer stages. Each stage includes a housing having an entrance at one end and a pair of outlets at the other end. The walls of the housing are arranged to conduct condensate formed in the housing through one or both outlets, depending on the orientation of the furnace. Lateral flow restrictors are mounted in the housing to direct flue gas products entering the housing back and forth across the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably moving devices for cleaning or inspection through piping systems, including piping systems with numerous piping bends therein, by using hydrostatic pressure of a working fluid introduced into the piping system. The apparatus comprises a reservoir or other source for supplying the working fluid to the piping system, a launch tube for admitting the device into the launcher and a reversible, positive displacement pump for controlling the direction and flow rate of the working fluid. The device introduced into the piping system moves with the flow of the working fluid through the piping system. The launcher attaches to the valved ends of a piping system so that fluids in the piping system can recirculate in a closed loop.

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting two open-ended, generally aligned conduits comprises a sealing unit movably connected to a toggle mechanism. The connector is lowered by a simple tool between the conduit ends until yokes of the toggle mechanism move inwardly to engage the flanges of the conduit ends to align further the conduits. Clamps interconnected by tension rods pivot downwardly to clamp the conduit ends against the sealing unit. Tubular seals within the sealing unit are then moved outwardly to engage with the conduit ends by further toggle arrangements actuated by downward movement of a bar.

Abstract: A fluid coupling (30) has a male half (32) and a female half (31). Each half has a poppet (35,42) arranged to move toward and way from a seat (34,43). The male half (32) has an outer sleeve (38) which is adapted to guide initial joinder of the female half distal end (46). After the two halves have been initially joined, the male half body (39) is extended relative to the sleeve (38) so as to move both poppets (35,42) off their respective seats and to permit flow through the coupling. The coupling has protrusions (76) provided with sharpened edges which are positioned to scrape ice adhering to facing surfaces when the coupling halves are joined and separated.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical, dual tube and plug device for on-line monitoring of performance losses due to reduced conductivity of a heat exchanger resulting from micro-bio fouling of the surfaces of said heat exchanger/condenser and for detecting change of heat transfer resistance of individual heat transfer tubes. The dual tube and plug assembly includes a first flow assembly tube and a second temperature assembly tube attached to the discharge end of a heat exchanger for providing accurate measurement of temperature and cooling water flow. The first flow assembly tube includes a tube having an inner chamber, including a flow sensor comprising a paddle wheel and a sensor and a temperature sensor for measuring discharge water temperature. The second temperature assembly tube plugs the inlet and the outlet of a heat transfer tube immediately adjacent to the flow assembly tube and includes a plurality of spring loaded temperature sensors in the plugged empty heat transfer tube.

Abstract: A cap for a cylinder of gas comprising a lower portion (2) adapted to be mounted on a gas cylinder (3) and an upper portion (1) defining internally a space (20-19) protecting a gas distribution valve structure (4) secured to the cylinder. The lower portion (2) comprises a portion (8) that projects laterally relative to the cylinder and comprises a downwardly opening cut out (12) permitting the support by hooking of the cap/cylinder assembly on a structural support element. The projecting portion (8) has a transverse external profile which is flat or of large radius of curvature permitting supporting on a flat surface the cap/cylinder assembly. The upper portion (1) comprises a transverse handle (22) in substantially vertical alignment with the laterally projecting portion (8). The upper portion (1) comprises two lateral vertical ribs (23A, 23B) connecting the handle (22) to the projecting portion (8). The cap/cylinder assembly is useful particularly for medical oxygen.

Abstract: A faucet has a housing defining a cold water chamber, a hot water chamber, a first output chamber, a second output chamber, a first passage between the cold and hot water chambers, and a second passage between the hot water chamber and the second output chamber. A stem is disposed in the housing. First, second and third gaskets are mounted on the stem. The diameter of the first gasket is substantially identical to the diameter of the first output chamber and smaller than the diameter of the cold water chamber, the diameter of the second gasket is substantially identical to the diameter of the first passage and smaller than the diameter of the cold and hot water chambers, and the diameter of the third gasket is substantially identical to the diameter of the second passage and smaller than the diameter of the hot water chamber. In a first position, the first gasket is in the first output chamber, the second gasket is in the first passage, and the third gasket is in the second passage, isolating the chambers.

Abstract: A gas lift assembly and gas lift valve positioned in coiled tubing in which the coiled tubing housing and gas lift valve are flexible for allowing the coiled tubing to be spooled. The gas lift valve is wireline retrievable for allowing gas lift valves to be removed for allowing other tools to pass through the coiled tubing. The gas lift valves are selective in that they will seat a selected coiled tubing housing as each valve will match a mating coiled tubing housing.

Abstract: An electrically-operated control valve includes a rotor rotatably mounted to a first position connecting a fluid inlet port to a fluid outlet port, or a second position disconnecting the fluid inlet port from the fluid outlet port; a battery-operated electrical rotary motor for rotating the rotor; and limit switches for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either the first or second positions. The electrical motor is coupled to the rotor by a speed-reducing, torque-increasing transmission such that very little electrical power is required to operate the motor, thereby enabling the control valve to be used as a remotely-controlled pilot valve for controlling a water irrigation system.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for contiguous valve control. This involves the inputting of data for each of a series of valves then comparing that digital valve activation data in a one and one correspondence to the digital valve activation data that was inputted to that same series of valves in the previous machine cycle. If a particular valve was turned on in the previous machine cycle, then this valve will not be applied with voltage for a percentage of the valve's machine cycle time.