Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing fluids includes a container body having an upwardly extending annular neck portion defining a container opening and terminating into an annular rim having a generally flat, upwardly facing sealing surface and an inwardly extending flange. A separate spout member includes an annular wall having an inwardly extending portion defining a pour spout and an outwardly extending lip at one end thereof, wherein the lip includes a downwardly facing sealing surface. The annular wall also includes an outwardly extending shoulder below the lip for engaging the rim flange, wherein the annular wall is configured to be received within the container opening and wherein the annular wall shoulder is capable of being snap-fit over the rim flange to create a seal between said rim sealing surface and said lip sealing surface. The container also includes a removable lid that threadedly engages the container neck.

Abstract: An air flow compensator for use with flow meters which includes a main slide element, a secondary slide element and first and second spring elements. The main slide element includes a magnetic insert in one end thereof and is movable toward a proximity sensor that detects the proximity of the magnetic insert. The first spring element biases both the main slide element and the secondary slide element away from the proximity sensor and the second spring element biases only the secondary slide element away from the proximity sensor. The secondary slide element is both movable together with the first slide element and independently movable with respect to the main slide element.

Abstract: Precalibrated flow meters which include electronic modules that contain, in a storage memory thereof, a plurality of calibration factors that correspond to a plurality of different fluids. The calibration factors can be chosen during field operations using a touch pad on the face of the meters. The precalibrated flow meters monitor current and accumulative totals of fluid volumes. The precalibrated flow meters can be used in conjunction with air flow compensators which sense the flow of air through a fluid flow passage.

Abstract: A dosing dispenser for measuring and dispensing specific quantities, by weight, of a solid material, for example a powder or granular material, from bulk packaging to an application apparatus. The dosing dispenser includes a funnel for receiving the solid material, a valve mechanism for regulating the flow of solid material from the funnel, a balance beam, attached at one end to a resistance spring and at the other end to the application apparatus, and an indicator connected to the balance beam. As the solid material is introduced into the application apparatus, the weight of the material displaces the balance beam, which, in turn, displaces the indicator along a scale.

Abstract: A volumetric hand pump having a transparent pump chamber and a fixed full stroke volume. The transparent pump chamber allows visual observation of the amount of fluid being pumped when less than the fixed full stroke volume is used. The transparent pump chamber is surrounded by a housing or shroud which includes one or more windows that allow visual access to the transparent pump chamber. An optional stroke counter can be provided to track the number of full pump strokes, thus allowing accurate dispensing of both large and small quantities of fluids, while providing visual observation of the amount of fluid being pumped and dispensed. The pump is particularly useful for dispensing agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing vessel having an air space above the liquid near the top of the vessel has a fluid pump with a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. The pump is operable in a first mode to pump liquid and in a second mode to pump air. There is a first conduit coupling the suction inlet and liquid near the bottom of the vessel, a second conduit coupling the suction inlet and the air space above the liquid near the top of the vessel, a third conduit coupling the pressure outlet to a dispensing device, and a fourth conduit coupling the pressure outlet to liquid near the bottom of the vessel. A valving arrangement is effective to block both the second and fourth conduits for operating the pump in the first mode, and to open the second and fourth conduits for operating the pump in the second mode. The valving arrangement is preferably formed by valves in the second and fourth conduits and an arrangement which is common to the two valves for contemporaneous opening and closing both valves.