Abstract: A fluid control system for pulse delivery of a fluid include a flow channel, an isolation valve to initiate and terminate a pulse of fluid from the flow channel, and a pulse mass flow controller (MFC). The MFC includes a control valve to control flow of fluid in the flow channel, a flow sensor to measure flow rate in the flow channel, and a controller to control flow of fluid through the control valve and switching of the isolation valve, to control a mass of fluid delivered during the pulse of fluid. Controlling the flow of fluid through the control valve can be based on feedback from the flow sensor during the pulse initiated and terminated by the isolation valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that comprises a vacuum valve including a body and an electrically grounded surface on at least a surface of the body and an electrode extending substantially parallel to the electrically grounded surface and adjacent to the vacuum valve. The vacuum valve assembly also includes a barrier dielectric, a least a portion of which is located between the electrode and the electrically grounded surface. The vacuum valve assembly further includes a dielectric barrier discharge structure formed from the electrically grounded surface, the electrode, and the barrier dielectric. The dielectric barrier discharge structure is adapted to generate a plasma on the electrically grounded surface to clean at least a portion of the vacuum valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve housing, the valve housing defining a passageway. A flapper valve arranged within the passageway is coupled to a rotatable valve shaft. A flexible wall, sealed along opposed edges to the valve housing, is controllable to at least two positions. The first position seals against the flapper valve and the second position releases the flapper valve allowing for ready movement of the valve.

Abstract: Calibration of a valve in a vacuum system and providing a diagnostic indication in the vacuum system using the calibration includes measuring conductance of the valve as a function of angular valve position and generating a conductance calibration map or function for use during operation of the valve. An actual angular valve position is set based on the received set point angular valve position and a difference between the measured valve conductance and a predefined metric of conductance versus angular valve position. An actual system conductance and a difference between the actual system conductance and a reference system conductance for the system are determined. The diagnostic indication of a fault in the system is generated based on the actual angular valve position of the valve and the difference between the actual system conductance and the reference system conductance for the system.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to mediums, methods, and systems for providing a data aggregator and reporting engine for utilities data. Exemplary embodiments provide procedures for aggregating and reporting data. According to exemplary embodiments, a base configuration for a data aggregator is provided. A variety of characteristics and functionality are built into the base configuration of the aggregator. Each characteristic may include a plurality of built-in options. By selecting one or more relevant options for each characteristic, a utility provider can build an aggregator that applies a custom profile to aggregate and report utilities data. The options may be selected prior to run-time, or may be selected at run-time. A dynamic reporting framework is also provided. The dynamic reporting framework allows for data aggregations to be calculated during the aggregation process without requiring that either the aggregator or the reporting framework be rebuilt or redesigned.

Abstract: A cooled isolation valve includes a valve body, a stationary element coupled to the valve body, and a movable closure element movable with respect to the stationary element between a closed position in which the movable closure element and the stationary element are brought together and an open position. One of the movable closure element and the stationary element includes a sealing element. In the closed position of the movable closure element, the sealing element provides a seal between the movable closure element and the stationary element. A fluid channel is formed in contact with the movable closure element and movable with the movable closure element with respect to the stationary element, such that a fluid in the fluid channel effects heat transfer in the movable closure element. A bellows of the isolation valve can include a metallic substrate with a ceramic coating.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping line plasma source is provided. The plasma source includes a body defining a generally cylindrical interior volume extending along a central longitudinal axis. The body has an input port for coupling to an input pumping line, an output port for coupling to an output pumping line, and an interior surface disposed about the generally cylindrical interior volume. The plasma source also includes a supply electrode disposed adjacent to a return electrode, and a barrier dielectric member, a least a portion of which is positioned between the supply electrode and the return electrode. The plasma source further includes a dielectric barrier discharge structure formed from the supply electrode, the return electrode, and the barrier dielectric member. The dielectric barrier discharge structure is adapted to generate a plasma in the generally cylindrical interior volume.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that comprises a vacuum valve including a body and an electrically grounded surface on at least a surface of the body and an electrode extending substantially parallel to the electrically grounded surface and adjacent to the vacuum valve. The vacuum valve assembly also includes a barrier dielectric, a least a portion of which is located between the electrode and the electrically grounded surface. The vacuum valve assembly further includes a dielectric barrier discharge structure formed from the electrically grounded surface, the electrode, and the barrier dielectric. The dielectric barrier discharge structure is adapted to generate a plasma on the electrically grounded surface to clean at least a portion of the vacuum valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve housing, the valve housing defining a passageway. A flapper valve arranged within the passageway is coupled to a rotatable valve shaft. A flexible wall, sealed along opposed edges to the valve housing, is controllable to at least two positions. The first position seals against the flapper valve and the second position releases the flapper valve allowing for ready movement of the valve.

Abstract: A system (10) for managing the addition of a fuel additive to an engine (202) which receives a conventional fuel, the system (10) comprising, a storage means (12) for storing the fuel additive, a supply line (15) communicating the storage means (12) to the engine (202), and a control valve (26) for controlling the rate of addition of the fuel additive from the storage means (12) to the engine (202).

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises: a valve body including a passageway through which a first gas can be transmitted through the valve assembly; a valve flow control element movable relative to the valve body between an opened position wherein flow through the passageway is at a maximum flow, and a closed position wherein flow through the passageway is at a minimum flow, the valve flow control element is shaped so that a control gap is provided between the valve body and valve flow control element through which the first gas can flow, and the dimensions of the control gap vary depending on the position of the valve flow control element relative to the valve body; and a gas injector arrangement for selectively injecting a second gas into the control gap when the valve assembly is used to control the flow of the first gas through the passageway.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises: a valve body including a passageway through which a first gas can be transmitted through the valve assembly; a valve flow control element movable relative to the valve body between an opened position wherein flow through the passageway is at a maximum flow, and a closed position wherein flow through the passageway is at a minimum flow, the valve flow control element is shaped so that a control gap is provided between the valve body and valve flow control element through which the first gas can flow, and the dimensions of the control gap vary depending on the position of the valve flow control element relative to the valve body; and a gas injector arrangement for selectively injecting a second gas into the control gap when the valve assembly is used to control the flow of the first gas through the passageway.

Abstract: A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.

Abstract: A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for killing spores from a surface or a material, comprising applying an effective amount of a biocidal composition which comprises one or more biguanide polymers, and one or more further active agents on said surface or material, characterised in that the or each further active agent is, when taken alone, sporicidally inactive. Compositions comprising polymeric biguanides and one or more further biocidal agents and, optionally, a polyorganosiloxane, have been found to be effective as a sporicidal agent and are particularly effective against the spores of C. difficile. The compositions may be used in industry, in domestic applications and are particularly suitable for use in hospital due to their low toxicity. Furthermore, the method may comprise impregnating a fabric to thereby provide long lasting sporicidal activity thereto.

Abstract: A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to mediums, methods, and systems for providing a data aggregator and reporting engine for utilities data. Exemplary embodiments provide procedures for aggregating and reporting data. According to exemplary embodiments, a base configuration for a data aggregator is provided. A variety of characteristics and functionality are built into the base configuration of the aggregator. Each characteristic may include a plurality of built-in options. By selecting one or more relevant options for each characteristic, a utility provider can build an aggregator that applies a custom profile to aggregate and report utilities data. The options may be selected prior to run-time, or may be selected at run-time. A dynamic reporting framework is also provided. The dynamic reporting framework allows for data aggregations to be calculated during the aggregation process without requiring that either the aggregator or the reporting framework be rebuilt or redesigned.