Abstract: A backflow prevention device includes a main pipe body extending along a first center longitudinal axis, at least one check valve disposed within the main pipe body, an inlet pipe connected to an inlet side of the main pipe body, and an outlet pipe connected to an outlet side of the main pipe body. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe extend along a second center longitudinal axis. The first center longitudinal axis is offset with respect to the second center longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the first and second center longitudinal axes. A center of the valve seat of the at least one check valve is offset with respect to the second center longitudinal axis in the direction perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A valve diaphragm for a relief valve may include: a body having a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the first beaded end having a bottom surface and a bulge extending from the bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to contact a first portion of a corner of a lower valve body, and the bulge is configured to contact a step of an upper valve body, and the engagements of the bottom surface, the first portion of the corner, the bulge, and the step may be configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body.

Abstract: A spring stop arrangement for a check valve may include: a check seat defining a flow path; a clapper assembly connected to the check seat and configured to obstruct the flow path, the clapper assembly including: a clapper; and a seal retainer detachably mounted to the clapper; a cam arm connected to the check seat, the cam arm including a stopper; and a torsion spring operatively connected to the cam arm so as to apply a biasing force to the cam arm against the direction of fluid flow. When the seal retainer is dismounted from the clapper, the stopper may be configured to contact the check seat so as to prevent rotation of the cam arm.

Abstract: A demountable tank, and method of constructing same, having a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a cable tensioning system to form a continuous, preferably circular, wall. The tank can be easily assembled at a site with prefabricated parts and easily deconstructed when no longer needed. The shape of the precast wall panels in conjunction with the cable tensioning system means no additional frame or supports are required.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a process for generating negotiation targets and estimates for new PCS purchase agreements. A process control system (PCS) benchmarking database is generated using a PCS benchmarking tool and historical data from past and ongoing PCS purchase agreements. The PCS benchmarking database is maintained during execution of purchase agreements using information from executed purchase agreements. A new PCS purchase agreement is compared to previous PCS purchase agreements using the PCS benchmarking tool and the PCS benchmarking database. Negotiation targets and estimates for the new PCS purchase agreement are generated using the PCS benchmarking tool based on the comparing.

Abstract: A backflow prevention device includes a main pipe body extending along a first center longitudinal axis, at least one check valve disposed within the main pipe body, an inlet pipe connected to an inlet side of the main pipe body, and an outlet pipe connected to an outlet side of the main pipe body. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe extend along a second center longitudinal axis. The first center longitudinal axis is offset with respect to the second center longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the first and second center longitudinal axes. A center of the valve seat of the at least one check valve is offset with respect to the second center longitudinal axis in the direction perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes.

Abstract: Described are methods for the assembly of monolayer, bilayer, or multi-layer structures composed of homogenous rod-like molecules and particles. Included are methods for tuning physical properties of the mono- or multi-layered structures by changing ionic conditions and the size or concentration of polymer used for self-assembly.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods herein are related to averaging normalized values related to a first plurality of factors to generate a first value related to documented procedures of a procurement process of a project; averaging normalized values related to a second plurality of factors to generate a second value related to lead time of the procurement process; averaging normalized values related to a third plurality of factors to generate a third value related to performance of the procurement process; determining, based on the first, second, and third values, a fourth value related to efficiency of the procurement process; outputting an indication of the fourth value; and outputting an indication of a remedial action to be taken related to one or more of the first value, the second value, and the third value. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.

Abstract: An optical fiber production system is provided which includes a slow-cooling device and a purge device positioned above the slow-cooling device. The purge device includes a tube defining an inlet. An optical fiber extends through the slow-cooling device and the purge device. The purge device is configured to inject a purge gas through the inlet and against the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber production system is provided which includes a slow-cooling device and a purge device positioned above the slow-cooling device. The purge device includes a tube defining an inlet. An optical fiber extends through the slow-cooling device and the purge device. The purge device is configured to inject a purge gas through the inlet and against the optical fiber.

Abstract: Described are methods for the assembly of monolayer, bilayer, or multi-layer structures composed of homogenous rod-like molecules and particles. Included are methods for tuning physical properties of the mono-or multi-layered structures by changing ionic conditions and the size or concentration of polymer used for self-assembly.

Abstract: A storage tank (10) for storing a fluid, such as water, having a wall defined by a plurality of panels (12) which are retained by opposed side edges between adjacent support members (11). The support members have a base portion (13) and a support portion (15) and are free-standing on the base portion (13) on an earthen floor allowing the tank (10) to be constructed at sites without concrete foundations such as a concrete pad or ring. Preferably all that is required prior to construction of the tank (10) is for the site to be graded (if necessary). The tank also has a liner (20) that lines the interior surfaces of the wall and the floor.

Abstract: A triple beam resonator (10) is provided with three beams or tines (12, 14, 16) aligned in parallel alongside each other and joined at a decoupling zone (18) at each end, which is in turn connected to the surrounding material. The central beam (14) is twice the width of the two outer beams (12, 16). The resonating element has a length of 15.5 mm, a thickness of 0.25 mm and beam widths of 2 mm and 1 mm. The distance between the beams is 0.5 mm. Finite element analysis predicts the modal behavior with stress distribution and eigenfrequencies of the resonator (10). Thick-film PZT elements (20, 22) were printed on separate regions at each end of the central beam (14), where maximum stresses exist as the resonator (10) operates in its favored mode of vibration. The PZT element (20) at one end drives the vibrations, while the PZT element (22) at the other end detects them.

Abstract: A bushing for reducing backlash includes a bushing body extending along a central axis, and the bushing body has a central bore extending along the central axis. The bushing body includes a first section, a second section, and a resilient section coupled between the first section and the second section.

Abstract: Current switches are arranged to reduce signal transit-time variations when they switch current signals that have a wide range of current magnitudes. The transit-time variations are reduced by shifting the range of currents that are carried by switching transistors. In particular, a current range is shifted upward to a higher current range in which the variation of the transistors' transition frequency fT is reduced. In general, the switches include a differential pair of transistors, an offset current source that generates an offset current and a current-steering system that steers the offset current along a current path that includes a switched-on transistor but excludes the output port of that transistor.

Abstract: Time-delay circuits are realized with first and second capacitors, a differential amplifier, a programmable current source and a differential pair of transistors. The current source directs first and second currents to the first and second capacitors and the differential pair steers a third current of the current source to either selected one of the capacitors to provide charging and discharging currents to the capacitors. The differential amplifier generates a delayed output pulse in response to voltages of the first and second capacitors. The capacitors are preferably formed by the interconnection system of an integrated circuit, i.e., the metallic circuit paths that are typically carried on an integrated-circuit substrate. N+1 of the delay circuits are combined with a phase comparator to form an interpolator that responds to an input data pulse by generating N output data pulses that span a period between the input data pulse and a successive input data pulse.

Abstract: An airfoil is disclosed that is adapted to be launched into the air using an elastomeric band. The device includes a nose portion that is generally in the shape of an elongate ellipsoid that has a front end and a rear end. An elongate rib depends from the rear end of the nose portion in a dkection generally along the long axis of the nose portion, and a pair of generally planar wings depend from the rib and from the rear of the nose portion. The plane of the first wing portion is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the plane of the second wing portion, and both wing portions have a tapered outer edge. The taper of the outer edge of the first wing portion is oppositely disposed to that of the second wing portion.