Abstract: A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the integrity of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The system includes an auxiliary drain including a main collection pipe, a heater having a bracket configured to attach the heater to the main collection pipe of the auxiliary drain, the bracket including a deflector configured to direct heat from the heater onto the main collection pipe, and a self-draining apparatus configured to receive excess water from the auxiliary drain.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the integrity of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The system can includes an auxiliary drain including a main collection pipe, a heater having a bracket configured to attach the heater to the main collection pipe of the auxiliary drain, the bracket including a deflector configured to direct heat from the heater onto the main collection pipe, and a self-draining apparatus configured to receive excess water from the auxiliary drain.

Abstract: An integral valve arrangement may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a main valve and a relief valve. The main valve may comprise an inlet and a first outlet. The relief valve may comprise a relief inlet in a side wall of the inlet, a relief outlet in a side wall of the first outlet, and a pressure relief system. The inlet and the first outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The relief inlet and the relief outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The pressure relief system may comprise a body abutting walls of the housing, a relief member disposed within the body, and a lever. The relief member may comprise an interior end and an exterior end. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the exterior end of the relief member by a connecting mechanism.

Abstract: A butterfly check valve is disclosed, which includes a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a control valve configured to control a flow between the inlet and the outlet, the control valve including a valve member movable to an open position in which a flow is permitted between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position in which the flow is blocked between the inlet and the outlet; and a check valve arranged downstream of the control valve, the check valve including a dome-shaped clapper configured to seal against an outer periphery of a clapper seat within the interior chamber of the housing in a reverse flow from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the integrity of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The system can includes an auxiliary drain including a main collection pipe, a heater having a bracket configured to attach the heater to the main collection pipe of the auxiliary drain, the bracket including a deflector configured to direct heat from the heater onto the main collection pipe, and a self-draining apparatus configured to receive excess water from the auxiliary drain.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

Abstract: An integral valve arrangement may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a main valve and a relief valve. The main valve may comprise an inlet and a first outlet. The relief valve may comprise a relief inlet in a side wall of the inlet, a relief outlet in a side wall of the first outlet, and a pressure relief system. The inlet and the first outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The relief inlet and the relief outlet may be substantially axially perpendicular. The pressure relief system may comprise a body abutting walls of the housing, a relief member disposed within the body, and a lever. The relief member may comprise an interior end and an exterior end. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the exterior end of the relief member by a connecting mechanism.

Abstract: Described herein are a valve assembly, an air vent assembly, an air release assembly, and a moisture detection assembly all suitable for use in connection with a wet pipe network. The valve assembly, the air vent assembly, the air release assembly, and moisture detection assembly are each configured to vent gas (e.g., air) remaining in a piping system when the system is filled with a fluid, and in particular, to vent air in a fire sprinkling system.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

Abstract: Described herein are a valve assembly, an air vent assembly, an air release assembly, and a moisture detection assembly all suitable for use in connection with a wet pipe network. The valve assembly, the air vent assembly, the air release assembly, and moisture detection assembly are each configured to vent gas (e.g., air) remaining in a piping system when the system is filled with a fluid, and in particular, to vent air in a fire sprinkling system.

Abstract: An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a supply conduit for supplying a fire suppression fluid to a plurality of sprinklers. A sensor senses a flow of fire suppression fluid through the supply conduit. A drain conduit drains fire suppression fluid when the fire suppression system is tested. A drain valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid is controlled to enter the drain conduit. A fire suppression fluid collection tank collects the fire suppression fluid which has entered the drain conduit for reintroducing the collected fire suppression fluid to the supply conduit. A circulation valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid enters the fire suppression fluid collection tank.

Abstract: An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a supply conduit for supplying a fire suppression fluid to a plurality of sprinklers. A sensor senses a flow of fire suppression fluid through the supply conduit. A drain conduit drains fire suppression fluid when the fire suppression system is tested. A drain valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid is controlled to enter the drain conduit. A fire suppression fluid collection tank collects the fire suppression fluid which has entered the drain conduit for reintroducing the collected fire suppression fluid to the supply conduit. A circulation valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid enters the fire suppression fluid collection tank.

Abstract: An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a conduit for supplying a flow of fire suppression fluid to at least one sprinkler. A sensor is configured to sense the flow of the fire suppression fluid to the at least one sprinkler. The sensor has a first condition indicative of a predetermined volume of flow of the suppression fluid to the at least one sprinkler and a second condition indicative of a volume of flow of the fire suppression fluid to the at least one sprinkler less than the predetermined volume of flow. An actuator causes the sensor to be in the first condition or the second condition. A signaler provides an indication to a user that the sensor is in at least one of the first condition and the second condition.

Abstract: Valve arrangements for use with a tankless water heater include a housing with at least first, second and third ports with a valve member provided within the first port. A valve member is provided for the second port. A cold water valve arrangement may include a strainer provided at the second port and a check valve provided at the first port. The valve arrangement may be used with various pipe connectors including a push pr push-fit connection for the first port.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet with a valve member provided within the housing. The valve member is selectively positioned to control communication between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet with the valve housing having a teeth ring with a plurality of teeth directed generally radially inwardly and generally toward the interior of the valve housing. In a preferred embodiment, an annular sealing member is provided between the teeth ring and the valve member with a first shoulder limiting movement of the teeth ring toward the valve member. An annular ring is provided between the teeth ring and the first shoulder and a second shoulder is provided between the first shoulder and the valve member. A third shoulder is provided between the second shoulder and the valve member with the third shoulder having a diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of a pipe to be received within the teeth ring.

Abstract: A nitrogen doped single crystal silicon carbide boule is grown by the physical vapor transport process by introducing nitrogen gas into the growth furnace. During the growth process the pressure within the furnace is maintained at a constant value, P.sub.o, where P.sub.o .ltoreq.100 Torr. This is accomplished by measuring the pressure within the furnace and providing the pressure measurement to a process controller which regulates the nitrogen introduction as nitrogen gas is incorporated into the crystal structure. The partial pressure of the nitrogen may be selected to be at a value between 1 and P.sub.o. If the desired partial pressure is less than P.sub.o, an inert gas is added to make up the difference.

Abstract: A substrate for use in semiconductor devices, fabricated of silicon carbide and having a resistivity of greater than 1500 Ohm-cm. The substrate being characterized as having deep level impurities incorporated therein, wherein the deep level elemental impurity comprises one of a selected heavy metal, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine. The selected heavy metal being a metal found in periodic groups IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, IB and IIB.

Abstract: Crystals formed of Tl.sub.3 AsS.sub.3 provide very good materials for the nonlinear optical conversion efficiency. The crystals are useful in nonlinear optical devices such as harmonic generators and optical parametric oscillators, and in linear applications such as acousto-optical devices. The method of preparing such crystals is also disclosed.