Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing with a valve inlet and valve outlet. A valve member is disposed between the valve inlet and valve outlet. The valve member is movable between an open and closed position. The valve has one or more electronic sensors disposed in the valve housing. The one or more electronic sensors may include an electronic flow meter, a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and/or a position sensor. A wireless RF transmitter is electrically coupled to the one or more electronic sensors. The wireless RF transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate information from the one or more electronic sensors.

Abstract: A water tight valve with sealed flying leads is presented. The sealing is provided by an adhesive heat shrink collar that is affixed to the insulation of the flying leads. An overmolding is used to provide further protection of the terminal/wire contact interface and to seal against the exterior surface of the collar. The profile of the collar also provides a tortuous path that further prevents the ingress of any conductive fluid to the wire/terminal contact area.

Abstract: An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bi-metallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly.

Abstract: An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bi-metallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly.

Abstract: An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bimetallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly.

Abstract: A water tight valve with sealed flying leads is presented. The sealing is provided by an adhesive heat shrink collar that is affixed to the insulation of the flying leads. An overmolding is used to provide further protection of the terminal/wire contact interface and to seal against the exterior surface of the collar. The profile of the collar also provides a tortuous path that further prevents the ingress of any conductive fluid to the wire/terminal contact area.

Abstract: A valve incorporates a device causing turbulents in the water stream just before passing over the turbine fins of the flow sensor. The device actually increases the Reynolds number or turbulence of the water stream increasing the contact of the water on the turbine. This causes the turbine to rotate more efficiently for the given flow volume passing over the flow measuring device. The improved efficiency results in better accuracy and performance over the entire flow range. In one embodiment the turbulent device forces the flow stream to rotate counter clockwise and hit the turbine fins causing higher force which makes the turbine turn more efficiently. The turbine is designed such that the major portion of the fin surface area is perpendicular to the turbulent flow stream. This opposed direction causes more force to be placed on the turbine fin by the water stream.

Abstract: A humidity sensor system and method include a ceramic substrate upon which a heater can be printed. A humidity sensor can be mounted above and in contact with the heater, or the heater can be mounted one side of the substrate and the humidity sensor on the opposite side of the substrate, such that the heater heats the humidity sensor, raising its temperature above the dew point of the ambient air such that moisture does not condense on the humidity sensor, thereby preventing the humidity sensor performance from being affected. The heater can be configured as a resistive heater, and the humidity sensor can be configured from one or more humidity-sensing die. A thin film platinum RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) component can be printed upon the substrate in association with the humidity sensor.

Abstract: An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bimetallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly.

Abstract: A humidity sensing apparatus and method include a substrate and a MEMS structure, wherein the MEMS structure is supported by the substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a humidity-sensitive material in association with a movable member such that when the humidity-sensitive material changes with humidity, the MEMS structure moves the movable member, thereby providing an indication of humidity based on a stress within the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A valve incorporates a device causing turbulents in the water stream just before passing over the turbine fins of the flow sensor. The device actually increases the Reynolds number or turbulence of the water stream increasing the contact of the water on the turbine. This causes the turbine to rotate more efficiently for the given flow volume passing over the flow measuring device. The improved efficiency results in better accuracy and performance over the entire flow range. In one embodiment the turbulent device forces the flow stream to rotate counter clockwise and hit the turbine fins causing higher force which makes the turbine turn more efficiently. The turbine is designed such that the major portion of the fin surface area is perpendicular to the turbulent flow stream. This opposed direction causes more force to be placed on the turbine fin by the water stream.

Abstract: A fluid quality sensor system comprising a light source, a first light sensitive element disposed at a distance from the light source, forming a gap having dimensions suitable for permitting a fluid to flow therebetween, and aligned with the light source to receive light transmitted by the light source through the fluid, a second light sensitive element disposed perpendicular to a midpoint of a light path between the light source and the first light sensitive element, and a third light sensitive element disposed so as to form an acute angle at the midpoint with the light source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetically detecting a temperature change for thermostat control thereof are disclosed. A thermostat control device can be configured to include at least one bi-metallic strip that is configured to experience a change in angular position in response to a temperature change. The thermostat control device is generally associated with a Hall sensor, which includes a plurality of magnets that can experience movement relative to the Hall sensor in response to the change in the angular position of the bi-metallic strip. The temperature change can then be automatically and/or electrically detected in response to the movement of the magnets, wherein the temperature change is utilized for thermostat control thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetically detecting a temperature change for thermostat control thereof are disclosed. A thermostat control device can be configured to include at least one bi-metallic strip that is configured to experience a change in angular position in response to a temperature change. The thermostat control device is generally associated with a Hall sensor, which includes a plurality of magnets that can experience movement relative to the Hall sensor in response to the change in the angular position of the bi-metallic strip. The temperature change can then be automatically and/or electrically detected in response to the movement of the magnets, wherein the temperature change is utilized for thermostat control thereof.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, including a method thereof. The turbidity sensor includes a laser light source for emitting laser light through the particulate content. The turbidity sensor additionally includes at least one light-sensitive detector located proximate to the laser light source for the detection of light scattered from particles of the particulate content that come into contact with laser light emitted from the laser light source, thereby permitting the accurate measurement of the turbidity of the turbid environment. A plurality of light-sensitive detectors may be employed, including a back scatter detector, a side scatter detector, a forward scatter detector, and a direct transmission detector. The light-sensitive detectors may be arranged in a geometric configuration of light-sensitive detectors with respect to the laser light source.

Abstract: A fluid quality sensor system comprising a light source, a first light sensitive element disposed at a distance from the light source, forming a gap having dimensions suitable for permitting a fluid to flow therebetween, and aligned with the light source to receive light transmitted by the light source through the fluid, a second light sensitive element disposed perpendicular to a midpoint of a light path between the light source and the first light sensitive element, and a third light sensitive element disposed so as to form an acute angle at the midpoint with the light source.

Abstract: A fluid quality sensor system comprising a light source, a first light sensitive element disposed at a distance from the light source, forming a gap having dimensions suitable for permitting a fluid to flow therebetween, and aligned with the light source to receive light transmitted by the light source through the fluid, a second light sensitive element disposed perpendicular to a midpoint of a light path between the light source and the first light sensitive element, and a third light sensitive element disposed so as to form an acute angle at the midpoint with the light source.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, including a method thereof. The turbidity sensor includes a laser light source for emitting laser light through the particulate content. The turbidity sensor additionally includes at least one light-sensitive detector located proximate to the laser light source for the detection of light scattered from particles of the particulate content that come into contact with laser light emitted from the laser light source, thereby permitting the accurate measurement of the turbidity of the turbid environment. A plurality of light-sensitive detectors may be employed, including a back scatter detector, a side scatter detector, a forward scatter detector, and a direct transmission detector. The light-sensitive detectors may be arranged in a geometric configuration of light-sensitive detectors with respect to the laser light source.