Abstract: The manual gas tap for a cooking appliance is of the type with a conical plug (3) for regulating the outlet gas flow (G), accommodated in a central housing (2a) in the tap body, and has a rotary actuating shaft (4) coupled to the conical regulating plug (3), and a tap cover (5) covering said central housing (2a). The rotary shaft (4) is provided with a transverse pin (6) for rotation thereof from an initial rotation locking position (7) corresponding to the gas supply “OFF”, to two other spaced positions corresponding to the maximum and minimum gas flows. The tap cover (5) is a tubular bushing shaped and comprises a sealing base (5c) with a sliding surface (11) in the form of a circular arc segment (A) provided with a series of indentations (12), which are in friction contact with the transverse pin (6) and produce a tactile and/or acoustic indication of shaft (4) rotation and tap (1) opening.

Abstract: A valve assembly for installation into deck-mounted tubs includes a valve body, a top plate that engages with the valve body, a bottom plate, and an adjustment member that bears against the valve body and engages with the bottom plate. The adjustment member is accessible from above the deck and moves the top plate, valve body, and bottom plate relative to each other. This allows the valve assembly to be tightened completely from above the deck even if the bottom portion of the assembly is inaccessible. The adjustment member is a jack screw or other threaded member that can be adjusted with a conventional screwdriver, eliminating the need for specialized installation tools.

Abstract: Inlet piece for a liquid-injected compressor element, characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (8) which consists of a casing (11), a bottom wall (12) provided with an opening (13) and a top wall (14) which is entirely tight, a pipe (9) opening on the inside of the sleeve (8) and a partition (10) comprising a span part (15) which spans the opening (13) in the aforesaid bottom wall (12) and which transforms into an inclosing part (16) reaching down to the bottom wall (13), whereby the partition (10) leaves a passage (18) on one side of the opening (13) and the pipe (9) opens in the sleeve (8) between the top wall (14) and the span part (15), such that, because of the partition (10), gas flowing from the opening (13) to the pipe (9) has to make among others a revolving movement.

Abstract: A female coupler comprises a valve support accommodated in a hole portion of the injection port and comprising a projecting portion having a axial hole, a cylindrical coupler main body placed around the projecting portion and comprising a locking projecting portion on an inner peripheral surface, a part of the main body being embedded in the injection port so as to have its position fixed, a base valve accommodated in the main body and having an fitting insertion portion inserted into the axial hole and a valve seat portion placed on the projecting portion, the fitting insertion portion and the valve seat portion being connected together, a bar-like portion projected from the valve seat portion and having valve grooves formed on a peripheral surface, and an deformable packing member placed on the valve seat portion and accommodating the bar-like portion, the packing member being fixedly retained in the main body.

Abstract: A method for etching an ultra-shallow channel includes using an etch process that is selective for one material to etch a different material in order to achieve a very precise channel depth in the different material. Channels as shallow as 10 nm can be fabricated in silicon with precision of 5 nm or better using the method. Stepped channels can be fabricated where each segment is a different depth, with the segments being between 10 nm and 1000 nm in depth. The method is applied to create a fluidic channel which includes a channel substrate to which is bonded a lid substrate to confine fluids to the fluidic channels so fabricated.

Abstract: A drinking water fountain includes a control valve seat having an inside formed with a mounting hole, a screw member having a first end secured in the mounting hole of the control valve seat and a second end protruding outward from the mounting hole of the control valve seat, and a retractable positioning member pivotally mounted on the second end of the screw member. Thus, the control valve seat is mounted on the sink easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating a user mounting the drinking water fountain on the sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid distribution unit (10, 20) for dividing a liquid current into a plurality of partial currents. Said unit comprises at least one liquid inlet (13, 23) for the supplied liquid current, a plurality of liquid outlets (14; 24) for the partial currents, and a plurality of channels (15, 25) connecting the liquid inlets (13, 23) to the liquid outlets (14, 24). Said unit is characterised in that the channels (15, 25) symmetrically and respectively branch off (16, 26) into upstream channels (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15c; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25c) and each connection leading from the liquid inlet (13; 23 ) to one of the liquid outlets (14; 24) comprises the same channels (15, 25) and the same branches (16, 26). A liquid distribution device for the divided distributiion of at least two different liquids; comprises a plurality of such liquid distribution units (10, 20) placed flatly on top of each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a microstructure using maskless lithography. A first layer is provided in a spaced relationship to a base layer so as to define a construction cavity therebetween. The first layer has a passageway therethrough that communicates with the construction cavity. The construction cavity is filled with material and a polymerizing agent is directed towards a portion of the material so as to polymerize the same. The polymerized material defines a channel network and the non-polymerized material is flushed from the channel network.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically-opened micro fluid-valve. The inventive valve comprises: at least one planar support (12); at least one afferent microchannel (14); at least one efferent microchannel (16), said microchannels being arranged in the support (12); such that at least one of the ends (141 and 161) thereof touch the inner face (121) of the support close to one another; at least one deposit (18) of a heat-sensitive material which is disposed on the inner face (121) of the support (12); and at least one heating means (20). According to the invention, the aforementioned deposit (18) of heat-sensitive material at least partially seals the space separating the ends (141 and 161) of the microchannels (14 and 16), thereby preventing same from intercommunicating.

Abstract: A manifold system is provided herein. The manifold is operative to automatically switch between an In-Use supply of compressed gas to a Reserve supply of compressed gas. The manifold system is constructed so that after it has been installed, it may be converted for use in other applications such as between compressed gas cylinders and portable bulk liquefied gas. The system may include low wattage electric heater which are mechanically held in direct contact with the valve seat body housing of the primary regulators. The direct contact of the heaters with the valve seat is operative to prevent the primary regulator valve seat from freezing up. The manifold system may include transducers at a plurality of points in the system. A processor is operative to control one or more solenoids to switch supplies of compressed gas and to trigger alarms responsive to the outputs of the transducers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of microfluidic channel structures. The invention discloses a microfluidic channel system with a high aspect ratio as well as a process for producing the microfluidic system. The process according to the invention enables the production of channel structures with aspect ratios of any magnitude without the process being limited by the manufacturing conditions to certain materials for the channel system. The channel system can thus be optimally adapted to a desired field of application.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of controlling the flow of fluids through a microfluidic circuit and, more particularly, to methods of controlling the movement of fluid through a microfluidic circuit using one or more triggerable passive valves. In one embodiment of a method of controlling the flow of fluids through a microfluidic circuit according to the present invention, the microfluidic circuit includes a triggerable valve in series with a passive valve. In a further embodiment of a method of controlling the flow of fluids through a microfluidic circuit according to the present invention, the microfluidic circuit includes first and second triggerable valves in parallel.

Abstract: A valve system includes a valve assembly, and an actuator for operating the valve assembly. The actuator includes a housing and a shaft extending through the housing. The shaft is moveable within a range of motion during operation of the valve assembly. The valve system also includes a valve position monitor for monitoring the position of the valve assembly. The valve position monitor includes at least one trigger and a corresponding stationary stop. The trigger is moveable with respect to the stationary stop within a range of motion. The range of motion of the trigger corresponds to at least a portion of the range of motion of the shaft. At least a portion of the range of motion of the trigger extends into the housing of the actuator.

Abstract: A control valve assembly and for a gas delivery system is disclosed comprising a valve housing and piping combination adapted to mate with a gas meter outlet, the valve including a main inlet and an auxiliary inlet for bypassing the main inlet, and a poppet disposed within the housing for selectively opening the respective inlets and for closing both inlets. The poppet is controlled by a valve stem extending into the valve housing and coupled to the poppet, such that rotation of the valve stem orients the poppet in the predetermined positions to selectively open the respective inlets. The valve stem is rotated using a lever arm extending radially from the valve stem, where the lever arm is adapted to carry a locking member at a distal end. When the locking member is carried by the lever arm, rotation of the lever arm may be denied due to interference of the locking member with the valve housing, and the poppet in such case prevents flow through either of the inlets.

Abstract: A flow control valve for cylinders of liquefied gases having a gauge for indicating the status of the fluid, comprises a body in which there is a region provided with a shank that is adapted to be connected to a cylinder, a region for connection to user devices, a safety valve, and a movable actuation member, the actuation of which blocks the passage for the fluid from the cylinder toward the user device or clears the passage, a pressure gauge being accommodated inside the actuation member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing a fluid process within a machine having a fluid system including at least two reservoirs of different types of fluids. The method includes the steps of identifying a first reservoir for use in performing a fluid process; (a) adjusting a configuration of a valve system operatively coupled to the fluid system to permit a fluid evacuation process to be performed for the reservoir, (b) subsequently performing the fluid evacuation process for the reservoir, (c) subsequently adjusting the configuration of the valve system to permit a fluid refill process to be performed for the reservoir, (d) subsequently performing the fluid refill process for the reservoir; and, subsequently identifying an additional reservoir and performing at least one of the steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) for the additional reservoir, wherein the first reservoir includes a fluid of a type which is different from a type of a fluid of the additional reservoir.

Abstract: A unitary concrete structure pumping station useful in pumping waste fluids and the like during the passing of such materials from one part of a gravity flow waste system to another. This concrete structure is simple to install and use and many of the problems associated with conventional pumping stations are alleviated. The structure is comprised of several parts that can be made pre-assembled at the factory or assembled in the field prior to installation. By being a unitary structure this pumping station is resistant to movements within the earth and therefore less likely to incur line breaks.

Abstract: A covering device for a drain includes a first cover and a second cover. The first cover defines a plurality of openings. The second cover defines a plurality of openings corresponding to the openings of the first cover. The second cover is rotationally connected to the first cover. In a position, the openings of the second cover are aligned with the openings of the first cover in order to open the drain. In another position, the first cover blocks the openings of the second cover while the second cover blocks the openings of the first cover in order to close the drain.

Abstract: A multi-function fluid flow control device is disclosed. A body houses a filter screen, a check valve and an orifice plate mounted on a frame which is removable from the body as a unit through an opening in the body sealed by a removable plug. The orifice plate is removable from the frame to permit different sized orifices to be fitted. An inlet in the body conducts pressurized fluid through the filter screen, through the check valve and then out through an outlet in the body, both the inlet and outlet being adapted for convenient connection to a piping network. An opening in the body in fluid communication with the inlet and sealable by a removable plug allows the screen to be flushed for removal of debris.

Abstract: A fluid delivering hydrant providing a valve actuated assembly with enclosing shroud and water resistive doom handle assembly to protect the assembly from exposure to the weather while preventing entry of rainwater into a building structure upon the roof of which the device has been installed.