Abstract: An example operation includes starting, by a vehicle, a timer when a pairing request is initiated; receiving, by the vehicle, a first response to the pairing request from a first device and a second response to the pairing request from a second device; recording the timer when each of the first response and the second response are received; determining a first connection time, from the recorded timer, for the first device, and determining a second connection time, from the recorded timer, for the second device; and connecting, by the vehicle, to a device having a fastest connection time among the first device and the second device.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include an asymmetric torque magnetic valve actuator effective to generate a first amount of torque when disposed in a first orientation and a second amount of torque when disposed in a second orientation. In some other examples, the valves may include mechanical stops that prevent binding of the valves in a closed or open position.

Abstract: Lethal and Severe Service Magnetically Actuated Valves and Retrofit Kits is disclosed. My invention encapsulates a magnetically permeable, but ordinarily non-magnetic piece of metal such as iron, steel, or ferritic stainless inside the exotic alloys and compatible materials such as Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Alloy 20, PTFE, TFM or PTA that are necessary to construct modern severe and lethal service valves.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a bonnet defining an enclosure. In various examples, a movable valve member may be disposed in the enclosure. A valve stem may be disposed in the enclosure and may be operatively coupled to the movable valve member. A first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be coupled to the valve stem. The first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be disposed in a spaced relationship along the valve stem. In various examples, the valves may include an external actuator slidably engaged to an exterior surface of the valve bonnet. The external actuator may comprise a first magnet magnetically coupled to the first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second magnet magnetically coupled to the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to valve actuation conversion kits are generally described. In various examples, conversion kits may include a bonnet component. In some examples, the conversion kits may include at least one attachment component effective to couple the bonnet component to a body or bonnet of a legacy valve. Coupling the bonnet component to the body or bonnet of the valve may form a cavity enclosed by the bonnet component and the body or bonnet of the valve. A portion of a stem of the valve may be disposed within the cavity when the bonnet component is coupled to the body or bonnet of the valve.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a bonnet defining an enclosure. In various examples, a movable valve member may be disposed in the enclosure. A valve stem may be disposed in the enclosure and may be operatively coupled to the movable valve member. A first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be coupled to the valve stem. The first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member may be disposed in a spaced relationship along the valve stem. In various examples, the valves may include an external actuator slidably engaged to an exterior surface of the valve bonnet. The external actuator may comprise a first magnet magnetically coupled to the first internal ferromagnetic actuation member and a second magnet magnetically coupled to the second internal ferromagnetic actuation member.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to valve actuation conversion kits are generally described. In various examples, conversion kits may include a bonnet component. In some examples, the conversion kits may include at least one attachment component effective to couple the bonnet component to a body or bonnet of a legacy valve. Coupling the bonnet component to the body or bonnet of the valve may form a cavity enclosed by the bonnet component and the body or bonnet of the valve. A portion of a stem of the valve may be disposed within the cavity when the bonnet component is coupled to the body or bonnet of the valve.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. Magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to completely seal the valve during normal operation. However, mechanical access to the internal actuation mechanism may be temporarily provided in the event of a stuck valve. Access to a mechanical non-magnetically coupled portion of the internal actuation member may be provided for emergency access. The access to the internal actuation member is sealed off under normal operating conditions. A sealed port covers the portion of the internal actuation member during normal magnetically-coupled operation, but can be removed for direct mechanical access to the actuator. Furthermore, a backup seal may be sheltered within this port. The backup seal is typically not exposed to the outside environment or degradation, but prevents leaks during emergency actuation when access to the internal actuation member is temporarily provided.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. Magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to completely seal the valve during normal operation. However, mechanical access to the internal actuation mechanism may be temporarily provided in the event of a stuck valve. Access to a mechanical non-magnetically coupled portion of the internal actuation member may be provided for emergency access. The access to the internal actuation member is sealed off under normal operating conditions. A sealed port covers the portion of the internal actuation member during normal magnetically-coupled operation, but can be removed for direct mechanical access to the actuator. Furthermore, a backup seal may be sheltered within this port. The backup seal is typically not exposed to the outside environment or degradation, but prevents leaks during emergency actuation when access to the internal actuation member is temporarily provided.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to provide mechanical advantage such that the torques or forces applied to the valve member are higher than the torques or forces transmitted across the sealed valve enclosure by the magnetic coupling. In some examples, valves may employ mechanisms coupled to the external actuator with inverse mechanical advantage that better match traditional or convenient actuation rates of other valves.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include an asymmetric torque magnetic valve actuator effective to generate a first amount of torque when disposed in a first orientation and a second amount of torque when disposed in a second orientation. In some other examples, the valves may include mechanical stops that prevent binding of the valves in a closed or open position.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, magnetically-actuated valves may include an asymmetric torque magnetic valve actuator effective to generate a first amount of torque when disposed in a first orientation and a second amount of torque when disposed in a second orientation. In some other examples, the valves may include mechanical stops that prevent binding of the valves in a closed or open position.

Abstract: Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a valve body with a cavity. Valves may include a stem at least partially disposed in the cavity. Valves may include a valve member coupled to the stem. Valves may include a ferromagnetic actuation member disposed in the cavity. The ferromagnetic actuation member may be operatively coupled to the stem such that movement of the ferromagnetic actuation member actuates movement of the valve member between an open position and the closed position. Valves may include an actuator exterior to the valve body. The actuator may include a first magnetic pole section and a second magnetic pole section. A magnetic flux may flow from the first magnetic pole section through the ferromagnetic actuation member to the second magnetic pole section in a magnetic flux path through the interior portion of the valves.

Abstract: A leg aid device and method for increasing the stamina of a body-supporting user's leg for repeated flexure and extension at the knee. The device comprises elongated flexibly resilient biasing means for placement in approximate alignment with a user's leg from a level near the ankle area up to at least the level of the mid-thigh area. The biasing means is adapted to bias a user's leg toward a straightened condition without significant torsion or twisting of the leg. Holding means maintains the biasing means approximately aligned upon a user's leg for bending yieldingly therewith into an overall arcuate form during flexure of the leg at the knee.