Abstract: A valve having an over-travel spring that does not necessarily need an excessively additional force to further close the valve once its valve seal comes into contact with a valve seat. The feature may be achieved by inserting an over-travel spring between a plate or stop attached to a valve stem, and a valve seal. The valve seal may come in contact with a valve seat when the valve is closed with movement of the valve stem. The valve stem may continue to travel after contact between the valve seal and the valve seat without additional force, other than that added by compressing the over-travel spring, and with a proof-of-closure sensor indicating valve closure. The valve stem may be moved in either direction for closing and opening the valve with an assist, such as a solenoid or other mechanism.

Abstract: A burner control system for improving burner performance and efficiency. The system may determine fuel and air channel or manifold parameters. Determination of parameters may be performed with a sensor connected across the air and fuel channels. A signal from the sensor may control the parameters which in turn affect the amounts of fuel and air to the burner via a controller. Parameter control of the fuel and air in their respective channels may result in more accurate fuel and air ratio control. One or more flow restrictors in fuel and/or air bypass channels may further improve accuracy of the fuel and air ratio. The channels may be interconnected with a pressure or flow divider. Byproducts of combustion in the exhaust, temperatures of gas and air, flame quality and/or other items may be monitored and adjusted with control of the fuel and air ratio for optimum combustion in the burner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: A mobile variable angle vibrating screen with the ability to process aggregate material in a horizontal orientation and at incrementally higher angles of inclination where changes in angles of inclination can be affected without the need to dismantle the vibrating screen and without the use of hand tools. The variable angle screen being configured: to blend output at all of the various operating angles of inclination, be transportable with a detachable bolt on feeder module; have an overhead feed conveyor which operates at a substantially horizontal configuration and at various operating angles of inclination.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: A mobile variable angle vibrating screen with the ability to process aggregate material in a horizontal orientation and at incrementally higher angles of inclination where changes in angles of inclination can be affected without the need to dismantle the vibrating screen and without the use of hand tools. The variable angle screen being configured: to blend output at all of the various operating angles of inclination, be transportable with a detachable bolt on feeder module; have an overhead feed conveyor which operates at a substantially horizontal configuration and at various operating angles of inclination.

Abstract: A valve assembly may be configured to perform a valve proving test as part of an operational cycle of a combustion appliance coupled to the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve body having a fluid path, first and second valve sealing members translatable between an opened position and a closed position, and one or more pressure sensors in fluid communication with an intermediate volume of the fluid path between the first and second valve sealing members. A valve controller may be in communication with the pressure sensor and may monitor a measure related to a pressure change rate in the intermediate volume. The valve controller may then output a signal if the measure related to a pressure change rate in the intermediate volume meets and/or exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.

Abstract: A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with a suspension and dampening system configured to rapidly accommodate variable angles and exhibit acceptable vibration levels; especially during power up and power down surge vibration at the variable angles. The system comprises a group of bi-directional dual pivot leg vibration damper mechanisms, including nesting tubes, one with holes for receiving pins and the other with a semi-circular cutout at the bottom edge.

Abstract: A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.

Abstract: A crusher is provided having improved wear resistance and crushing capacity. Particularly, the crusher provides an improved mechanism for adjusting the closed side setting by acting on an adjustable jaw, rather than the moveable jaw. The crusher includes a moveable jaw, an adjustable jaw, and a frame that supports the adjustable jaw and the moveable jaw such that the adjustable jaw and the moveable jaw define a crushing chamber having an upper opening for receiving a material to be crushed and a lower opening for expelling crushed material from the chamber after crushing. The crusher also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the moveable jaw for directing reciprocating motion of the moveable jaw and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustable jaw for altering an angle of the adjustable jaw and, thereby, altering a closed side setting of the crushing chamber.

Abstract: A fuel valve for regulating a flow of fuel to a combustion appliance includes a control module configured to determine fuel consumption based on a measure related to fuel flow through the fuel valve. The measure related to fuel flow through the valve may be determined using a known relationship between firing rate and the flow rate of fuel through the valve. Measurement accuracy may be enhanced by correcting for the excess air ration (also referred to as lambda).

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a valve leakage test may be performed on a valve assembly including a valve body with a first valve and a second valve, where the valves may be positioned across a fluid path in the valve body with an intermediate volume between the valves. A pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with the intermediate volume and may sense a measure that is related to the pressure in the intermediate volume. The pressure sensor may communicate with a controller to determine a measure that is related to a pressure change in the intermediate volume and compare the measure that is related to a pressure change to a first and/or second threshold value. The controller may output a signal if the measure meets and/or exceeds the first and/or second threshold value.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a flow module for sensing one or more parameters of a gas flowing through the fluid path of the gas valve, and may determine a measure that is related to a gas flow through the fluid path. A measure related to a gas flow may include, but is not limited to, a measure of fuel consumption by a device or appliance attached to an output port of the valve assembly. Illustratively, the flow module may include one or more valve controllers in communication with one or more pressure sensors, one or more flow sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more valve position sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors as desired.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a valve body having an interior and an exterior, a valve or valve sealing member positioned in the valve body, a sensor element (e.g., a magnet and/or a ferrous core) secured relative to the valve sealing member and a sensor (e.g., a magnetic field sensor) positioned outside of the interior of the valve body. The valve sealing member may be movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the sense element may move with the valve sealing member. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the valve sealing member and communicate that position to a valve controller.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly may include an electronic valve controller secured relative to a valve body. The electronic controller may be configured to count each operational cycle of the gas valve and maintain a cumulative count of the number of operational cycles experienced by the gas valve in a memory, such as a non-volatile memory. In some cases, the non-volatile memory may also store one or more operational cycle threshold values that may be retrieved and compared to the cumulative count of the number of operational cycles experienced by the gas valve. In some instances, where the cumulative count of the number of operational cycles experienced by the gas valve meets and/or exceeds the threshold number of operational cycles, the gas valve may be prevented from opening.

Abstract: A water heater system that includes a first water storage tank plumbed in series with a second water storage tank, and methods for controlling such a water heater system. In some instances, and in response to a water draw, a controller may activate both a first heat source associated with a first water storage tank and a second heat source associated for a second water storage tank. This rapid turn-on control may help reduce a drop in water temperature in the first water storage tank that might otherwise occur. The controller may also increase the setpoint temperature of the first water storage tank and/or the second water storage tank in response to a water draw.

Abstract: A water heater system including two or more water storage tanks plumbed in series, parallel or a combination thereof and methods of controlling said water heater systems. The water heater systems may include one or more mixing valves and one or more temperature sensors for providing water at a desired temperature.

Abstract: Devices and related methods for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of particulate materials are provided including a detector chamber configured for insertion into an NMR spectrometer and configured to receive particulate materials in a fluid. A circulation chamber is attached to and in fluid communication with a first end of the detector chamber. A transition region is between the detector chamber and the circulation chamber, and a fluid supply interface is at a second end of the detector chamber that is configured to attach to a fluid source. The detector chamber, the circulation chamber and the transition region are sized and configured such that, when fluid flows from the fluid supply interface into the second end of the detector region, a circulating current is formed in the transition region and/or the circulation chamber such that the particulate matter is contained in the circulation chamber by the circulating current.