Abstract: A flowmeter in which a flow rate can be measured over a wide flow-rate range while an increase in the cost of manufacture thereof is minimized, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a flowmeter are provided.

Abstract: There is described a microchip inspection system, which makes it possible not only to correct the influence of the viscosity change of the liquid, but also to accurately conduct the liquid conveyance controlling operation. The microchip inspection system includes: a micro pump to inject a driving liquid from a liquid flow path into a microchip; a liquid temperature adjusting section to adjust a liquid temperature of the driving liquid; a driving liquid detecting section to detect presence or absence of the driving liquid at two predetermined positions located in the liquid flow path, so as to output detection signals; a fluid velocity calculating section to calculate a fluid velocity based on the detection signals outputted by the driving liquid detecting section; and a liquid temperature controlling section to control the liquid temperature adjusting section, based on the fluid velocity calculated by the fluid velocity calculating section.

Abstract: A high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipe downstream of a wellhead includes an inlet connected to the wellhead; outlet connected to the downstream pipe; two sets of two series-connected surface safety valves (SSVs) in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, the sets being in parallel fluid flow relation to each other, either one or both of the sets of SSVs operable as a flowpath for fluids entering the inlet and passing through the outlet to the downstream pipe; two vent control valves (VCVs), each connected to piping intermediate one set of series-connected SSVs, the VCVs being in fluid communication with a vent line, whereby, upon opening of a VCV, process pressure between the two SSVs is vented; a signal-generating safety logic solver, in accordance with preprogrammed safety and operational protocols; and pressure sensing transmitters attached to piping upstream of the HIPS outlet.

Abstract: A system that provides for the remote control shutoff of the main water supply to a structure in an unattended manner is herein disclosed. The system comprises a solenoid activated shutoff valve typically mounted immediately downstream of a main water shutoff valve and a locking enclosure containing a remote control switch and audible alarm unit. A manual bypass valve is provided as an override should it be required. Because the system requires electricity to operate, a general power failure will automatically shut off of the water supply. Further, activation of the system is accomplished using a remote control to control the system from a distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a tub and shower valve in a desired position during construction of a bathroom prior to the tub and shower being ready to be trimmed out. The apparatus includes a base in the form of a planar plate having an opening for receiving a portion of the valve and an aperture for receiving a fastener; and a flange for handling the apparatus attached to the base. The method includes roughing in a tub and shower valve, securing the valve in place with a special fitting, removing the special fitting, and installing the trim package to finish the tub and shower.

Abstract: A faucet incorporating vandal resistant features is provided to limit the possibility of tampering by limiting access to the valve cartridges of the faucet. The faucet includes a valve cartridge and a handle bat operatively attached to the valve cartridge. A hub covering the valve cartridge is freely rotatable about the valve cartridge, and a mechanical fastener attaching the handle bat to the valve cartridge includes a specially-configured driver pattern.

Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve comprises a casing and a float mechanism having a float and a seat portion. An upper vent hole is formed in the upper wall portion of the float, and a side portion communication hole is formed in the side wall portion. The passage area of the side portion communication hole is set so as to allow a large volume of vapors entering the float chamber to escape into the valve chamber. The passage area of the upper vent hole is set so that vapor entering the float chamber when the vehicle inclines escapes into the valve chamber, and the float chamber fills with fuel lifting the float, whereas when the vehicle turns sharply, the float is lifted without the float chamber filling with fuel.

Abstract: A direct drive servovalve device includes (i) a servovalve motor having a stator and a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the stator, (ii) a valve member coupled to the rotor assembly, and (iii) a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes an interface configured to couple to a controller that controls the servovalve motor, a set of programmable Hall sensors coupled to the interface, and a support. The support (e.g., a ring-shaped collar or sleeve) supports the set of Hall sensors at an installation location which is (i) adjacent to the rotor assembly and (ii) fixed relative to the stator. The set of programmable Hall sensors is configured to provide a set of position signals to the controller through the interface. The set of position signals identifies a rotational position of the rotor assembly relative to the stator.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary feed-through for supplying a fluid to a rotating machine part with a hollow shaft (3) that is rotatably supported in a housing (1, 2) and has a first sliding surface (29), with a sealing bushing (31) that is arranged in a rotationally fixed fashion within the housing (1, 2) coaxial to the shaft (3) and has a second sliding surface (30) for contacting the first sliding surface (29), and with a collecting chamber (27) that is arranged within the housing (1, 2) and serves for collecting the leakage fluid escaping between the two sliding surfaces (29, 30). The leakage fluid collected within the rotary feed-through can be monitored with the aid of a detection channel (26, 33, 34, 37, 39, 47) in the housing (1, 2) that is connected to the collecting chamber (27) and contains a leakage sensor (41).

Abstract: A curb box lock that includes a body portion and a plurality of slidably extendable claws within the body portion. The claws being extendable from the body portion to selectively engage side walls of a curb box. The lock also includes an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the claws and the body portion. The adjustment mechanism selectively extends the claws such that the claws can be maintained in engagement with the side walls at all times when the lock is deployed within a curb box to prevent removal of the lock.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure regulator for a fuel supply unit of a motor vehicle comprising a valve for joining a connection to an outlet above a designated pressure in the connection, a valve body and a valve seat, and a spring element for prestressing the valve body against the valve seat, characterized in that the valve body is designed as a sheet-metal part.

Abstract: A flow controller including a unitary controller body with a chemically inert fluid conduit having an insertable constriction or orifice disposed within the conduit having a reduced cross-sectional area to thereby restrict the flow of fluid within the conduit allowing for reliable flow measurement. An integrated circuit or controller may be coupled to the control valve and also coupled to the pressure sensors by a lead structure including signal conductors surrounded by a Faraday cage, and a chemically inert housing coupled to the unitary controller body enclosing the control valve and the pressure sensors.

Abstract: A faucet includes a faucet body, a sleeve, a control valve, and a mounting seat. The control valve includes a control shaft, a stop gasket, a retaining member, a leakproof gasket, a sealing gasket, a first leakproof cap, a second leakproof cap, a control knob, and a restoring member. Thus, the sealing gasket, the leakproof gasket, the first leakproof cap and the second leakproof cap of the control valve are tightly and closely located between the control shaft and the through hole of the faucet body to seal the through hole so as to prevent the water from leaking from the through hole and to stabilize the water pressure in the faucet body.

Abstract: The water hammerless opening device comprises an actuator operating type valve installed on the fluid passage, an electro-pneumatic conversion device to supply the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa to the afore-mentioned actuator operating type valve, a vibration sensor removably fixed to the pipe passage on the upstream side of the actuator operating type valve, and a tuning box to which the vibration detecting signal Pr detected by the vibration sensor is inputted, through which the control signal Sc to control the step operating pressure Ps? of the afore-mentioned 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa is outputted to the electro-pneumatic conversion device, and with which the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa, of the step operating pressure Ps? which makes the vibration detecting signal Pr nearly zero, is outputted from the electro-pneumatic conversion by adjusting the control signal Sc.

Abstract: A vent apparatus is adapted to be mounted in an aperture formed in a fuel tank. The vent apparatus includes a vent controller sized to extend through the fuel tank aperture and an outer cover coupled to the vent controller and welded to the fuel tank to support the vent controller in the fuel tank aperture.

Abstract: A check valve assembly with an extended operational life. The check valve assembly includes a poppet with conically shaped arms and planar seating surfaces. The planar seating surfaces conform to seating surfaces in the valve assembly. The poppet moves back and forth between two operative positions. In each operative position, a planar seating surface on the poppet sealingly conforms to another planar sealing surface in the check valve assembly. The use of planar seating surfaces extends the operational life of the check valve assembly. The aerodynamic shape of the conically shaped arms facilitates fluid flow over the poppet and, when fluid flows over the poppet, generates forces that function to minimize movement of the poppet and to maintain the poppet in a desired orientation when the poppet moves from one operative position to another operative position.

Abstract: A pressure regulator which includes a body. The body has inner walls defining an inlet port. Slidably moving within the inlet port is a hollow stem of a valve and piston assembly. The hollow stem is in slidable gas sealing contact with the inlet port. The valve and piston assembly includes a piston having a piston head with a valved opening therethrough. In the opening in the piston head is the arm of a plug. A body of the plug lies within the sliding piston held in place by a keeper spring, the keeper spring for maintaining a removed end of the plug arm against inner walls of the body. With such a structure, movement of the piston and valve assembly will be capable of unseating the plug from the valved opening in the piston allowing gas to flow from the hollow stem at the inlet port through an inner volume of the piston, through the valved opening of the piston head and into a regulated gas chamber defined in part by the inner walls of the body and an outer surface of the piston head.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve element; a valve seat; a coil spring; and a spring bearing portion. The coil spring, provided between the valve element and the spring bearing portion, presses the valve element toward the valve seat. An effective upper winding end of the coil spring and an effective lower winding end of the coil spring are offset from each other by 180 degrees in a plan view.

Abstract: A method, system and device for making hot water available in a water-supply system is disclosed. The water-supply system includes a source of hot water, a hot-water line and one or more tap connections for hot water connected to the hot-water line. The method includes transporting water from the source of hot water through the hot-water line during at least a portion of periods of non-withdrawal through the one or more tap connections such that a temperature profile of water in the hot water line is at least one of substantially temporally constant and varying spatially monotonically along the hot-water line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure regulator for a fuel supply unit of a motor vehicle and method for production of a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator comprises a valve for producing a joining of a connection to an outlet above a designated pressure in the connection, a movable piston and a membrane, which is held on a fixed annular element, for sealing the piston in relation to the annular element, characterized in that the membrane is welded to the annular element.