Abstract: A valve and method for flow control of dry materials comprising large hard particles. Providing clearance at the valve seat of at least slightly greater than the nominal diameter of the hard particles prevents capture of the hard particles between closing parts of the valve, which can damage the valve due to the hardness of the particle material. Clearance space as defined unexpectedly does not allow the particles to pass through when the valve closure member is positioned across the valve seat in a closed position.

Abstract: A cover plate for access to the thermostat of an electric water heater associated with a resistive heating element to control the operation thereof is described. The cover plate has mounted on a rear face thereof a remotely controllable switching circuit to control the power being fed to the thermostat and thereby remotely controlling the load. The cover plate with the remotely controllable switching circuit is also provided as a retrofit to convert existing electric water heaters to intelligent remotely controllable water heaters. The remote controller may be a utility, a utility provider or a remote control device. The remote controlled switching circuit is mounted concealed in the access cavity behind the cover plate.

Abstract: A flap-gate valve having a replaceable wear surface, methods of replacing a wear surface with a replacement wear surface, and methods of retrofitting an existing flap-gate valve with components adapted to work in conjunction with a replaceable wear surface.

Abstract: A cover plate for access to the thermostat of an electric water heater associated with a resistive heating element to control the operation thereof is described. The cover plate has mounted on a rear face thereof a remotely controllable switching circuit to control the power being fed to the thermostat and thereby remotely controlling the load. The cover plate with the remotely controllable switching circuit is also provided as a retrofit to convert existing electric water heaters to intelligent remotely controllable water heaters. The remote controller may be a utility, a utility provider or a remote control device. The remote controlled switching circuit is mounted concealed in the access cavity behind the cover plate.

Abstract: A flap-gate valve having a replaceable wear surface, methods of replacing a wear surface with a replacement wear surface, and methods of retrofitting an existing flap-gate valve with components adapted to work in conjunction with a replaceable wear surface.