Abstract: An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve that uses a battery. The valve is configured such that when a diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. An actuator causes the diaphragm to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

Abstract: An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve including a diaphragm. The valve is configured such that when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The oscillating valve may further include an actuator that can cause the valve to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position depending on a state of the actuator. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

Abstract: A device and a method are described in which a flow detection service is provided. The service may include use of a piezoelectric flexural element. The piezoelectric flexural element may be disposed in an inlet, an outlet, or a passageway via which a resource may flow. The piezoelectric flexural element may output a signal responsive to a transition from a zero-flow rate to a greater than zero flow rate of the resource traversing the inlet, the passageway, and the outlet. The flow detection service may be implemented in a meter. The flow detection service may enable significant reduction of battery usage and at a low cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly with a transition interface that includes a non-linear taper to minimize head loss. According to one implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear outlet taper. In another implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear inlet taper and a non-liner outlet taper. In still other implementations, the water meter assembly may include a transition interface with different outlet and inlet tapers.

Abstract: A metering system uses an electronics assembly with a single transducer to determine flow rate. The meter assembly emits an ultrasonic beam from the transducer and splits the ultrasonic beam into a first partial beam and a second partial beam. The first partial beam is transmitted over a first path that returns to the electronics assembly, and the second partial beam is transmitted over a second path that returns to the electronics assembly. The first path goes over a first net distance of a measuring channel. The second path goes over a second net distance of the measuring channel. The meter assembly detects the return of the first partial beam and the second partial beam, measures a time difference between the return times, and determines a measurement of a fluid flow through the measuring channel based on the time difference.

Abstract: An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a pilot-operated oscillating valve including a diaphragm. The valve is configured such that when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The oscillating valve may further include an actuator that can cause the valve to be arrested selectively in the open position or the closed position depending on a state of the actuator. The state of the actuator is switchable with a small expenditure of energy, enabling an extended duty cycle for a battery or other power source associated with the actuator. In some implementations, energy from the oscillating movement of the diaphragm may be captured to recharge the battery for the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a water meter assembly with a transition interface that includes a non-linear taper to minimize head loss. According to one implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear outlet taper. In another implementation, the transition interface may include a non-linear inlet taper and a non-liner outlet taper. In still other implementations, the water meter assembly may include a transition interface with different outlet and inlet tapers.

Abstract: A reader suitable for reading data from a printed memory device attached to a curved surface includes a flexible wiring assembly that can be repositioned from a first position having a first profile into a second position having a second profile. In the first position, electrical contacts of the reader do not electrically couple with contact pads of the printed memory device, while in the second position the electrical contacts of the reader electrically couple to the contact pads of the printed memory. In one implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a flexible underlayer that supports the plurality of electrical contacts. In another implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a rigid first portion and a rigid second portion that pivot about a pivot point.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide infrastructure information including subsurface images captured by ground penetrating radar (GPR) carried by vehicles including mobile data processing devices. Computer readable data further includes location information for the subsurface images based on a location of the vehicle and can include GPS, images and video. The computer readable data can be wirelessly transmitted to a remote server for storage in a database and for retrieval by registered users for display of infrastructure information including subsurface images captured by GPR, based on the received and stored computer readable data. The subsurface images and the location information can be provided for infrastructure where changes are detected based on previously stored infrastructure information related to the location where the subsurface images are captured by GPRs and reported to the server.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes a receptacle configured to receive a key, a sensor, a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the sensor to scan the key and detect one or more features of the key, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the key, and apply one or more functions to the first code to yield a second code. The second code includes one or more characters that each character corresponds to one of the plurality of positions. The processor causes the one or more actuators to move the one or more movable locking elements to the positions that correspond to the one or more characters of the second code.

Abstract: A roller electric contact comprises a roller comprising a shaft and a plurality of conductive discs electrically separated by an insulating material. The shaft extends through a rotational axis of the roller. A housing comprises slots in which the shaft of the roller is positioned, the slots configured to direct a non-rotational movement of the roller. A plurality of leaf springs are disposed in the housing. The leaf springs comprise an electrically conductive material. The plurality of conductive discs are spaced on the roller so that at least one of the conductive discs contact each of the plurality of leaf springs. A plurality of conductive wires extend from the roller electric contact, each of the plurality of conductive wires making electrical contact with one of the leaf springs.

Abstract: A reader suitable for reading data from a printed memory device attached to a curved surface includes a flexible wiring assembly that can be repositioned from a first position having a first profile into a second position having a second profile. In the first position, electrical contacts of the reader do not electrically couple with contact pads of the printed memory device, while in the second position the electrical contacts of the reader electrically couple to the contact pads of the printed memory. In one implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a flexible underlayer that supports the plurality of electrical contacts. In another implementation, the flexible wiring assembly includes a rigid first portion and a rigid second portion that pivot about a pivot point.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes an interface configured to receive information from a keycard, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the interface to scan the keycard and detect one or more features of the keycard when the keycard is detected by the interface, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the keycard, apply functions to the first code to yield a second code that represents one of the plurality of positions for each of the one or more moveable locking elements, and cause the actuator to move the one or more movable locking elements to the one or more positions that correspond to the second code.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes an interface configured to receive information from a keycard, a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the interface to scan the keycard and detect one or more features of the keycard when the keycard is detected by the interface, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the keycard, apply functions to the first code to yield a second code that represents one of the plurality of positions for each of the one or more moveable locking elements, and cause the actuator to move the one or more movable locking elements to the one or more positions that correspond to the second code.

Abstract: An electromechanical locking system includes one or more moveable locking elements and one or more actuators configured to move each of the one or more moveable locking elements between positions. The system includes a receptacle configured to receive a key, a sensor, a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor causes the sensor to scan the key and detect one or more features of the key, identify a first code that corresponds to the detected features of the key, and apply one or more functions to the first code to yield a second code. The second code includes one or more characters that each character corresponds to one of the plurality of positions. The processor causes the one or more actuators to move the one or more movable locking elements to the positions that correspond to the one or more characters of the second code.

Abstract: A flexible memory device including a flexible substrate, a plurality of contact pads, a plurality of lines and a first partially weakened portion of the flexible substrate. The plurality of contact pads are disposed on the flexible substrate. At least one contact pad of the plurality of contact pads forms at least one first tamper evident pad. The plurality of lines are disposed on the flexible substrate, each line of the plurality of lines connected to a contact pad of the plurality of contact pads. At least one line of the plurality of lines forms at least one first tamper evident line and is connected to the at least one first tamper evident contact pad. The first partially weakened portion of the flexible substrate is arranged across the at least one tamper evident line.

Abstract: A portable reader for performing an operation on an integrated circuit (IC) such as a printed memory. The portable reader comprises a body and a transparent head. The head is sufficiently transparent that the IC is visible through the transparent head. By detecting the IC through the transparent head, the portable reader may be aligned with the IC, and a contact module on the portable reader may be aligned and electrically coupled with contact pads on the IC.