Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods useful for backflow prevention system that includes an actuated valve, a valve controller, one or more upstream sensors, and one or more downstream sensors. Upon detecting conditions conducive to backflow through the system using either or both the one or more upstream sensors, and the one or more downstream sensors, the valve controller causes the actuated valve to close. The system may be enhanced through the use of a qualifying check valve disposed between the actuated valve and the one or more downstream sensors to slow or impede backflow through the system. The system may be enhanced by inclusion of a run-out length between the actuated valve and the one or more downstream sensors to account for the latency in the actuator causing the valve to transition to the CLOSED position.

Abstract: Fluid detection systems and methods using the same are disclosed. In embodiments the fluid detection systems include a sensor module and an electronics module. The sensor module includes a sensor housing that includes a liquid flow path and a sensor element disposed around at least part of the liquid flow path. The sensor element can detect a capacitance of the liquid flow path and provide a sensor signal to a controller in the electronics module. The electronics module can determine a detected capacitance in the liquid flow path based at least in part on the sensor signal, and can determine whether a wet event has occurred based on a comparison of the detected capacitance to a threshold capacitance. Methods using the fluid detection systems and fluid supply systems including the fluid detection systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A test cock is configured to connect to a test cock port. The test cock includes a body portion defining a flowpath between a distal end and a proximal end. The test cock includes an intake stem at the proximal end that has external threads to connect the test cock to the test cock port. The intake stem defines an intake opening connected to the flowpath, the intake opening having a non-circular shape, such as a hexagonal shape. The test cock also includes an extraction tool having an end forming the non-circular shape of the intake opening, the end being sized to fit within and engage the intake opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens under guidance of ultrasound imaging. The methods include vas-occlusive contraception in which the vas deferens is non-surgically isolated and an occlusive substance is percutaneously administered into the lumen of the vas deferens under ultrasound. Also disclosed are methods of reversal of vas-occlusive contraception and methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for enabling human-to-computer three-dimensional hand gesture-based natural interactions. From depth images provided by a range finding imaging system, the method enables efficient and robust detection of a particular sequence of natural gestures including a beginning (start), and an ending (stop) of a predetermined type of natural gestures for delimiting the period during which a control (interaction) gesture is operating in an environment wherein a user is freely moving his hands. The invention is more particularly, although not exclusively, concerned by detection without any false positives nor delay, of intentionally performed natural gesture subsequent to a starting finger tip or hand tip based natural gesture so as to provide efficient and robust navigation, zooming and scrolling interactions within a graphical user interface up until the ending finger tip or hand tip based natural gesture is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens under guidance of ultrasound imaging. The methods include vas-occlusive contraception in which the vas deferens is non-surgically isolated and an occlusive substance is percutaneously administered into the lumen of the vas deferens under ultrasound. Also disclosed are methods of reversal of vas-occlusive contraception and methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a body forming a bucket having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end along a bucket axis. A first conduit and a second conduit extend from the sidewall, wherein the first and the second conduits extend along a conduit axis that is perpendicular to the bucket axis. A frame inserts into the bucket along the bucket axis and includes a valve seat and a valve member biased against the valve seat. A guide is provided in the bucket between the closed end and the frame and extends along a guide axis between a first opening arranged in a first plane and aligned to receive fluid flow from the first conduit and a second opening arranged in a second plane and aligned to direct fluid flow through the valve seat. The first and second planes are not parallel to one another.

Abstract: A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.

Abstract: An example of a panel for use in collecting fluid in a gas stream includes a fluid collection member comprising one or more collection electrodes. The panel may include an emitter electrode assembly member comprising an emitter electrode frame and one or more emitter electrodes attached to the emitter electrode frame (e.g., disposed in a one- or two-dimensional array). The one or more emitter electrodes may be physically separated from the one or more collection electrodes. The fluid collection member may be physically connected to the emitter electrode assembly member. The one or more collection electrodes may be electrically insulated from the one or more emitter electrodes.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a building includes a pressure regulating valve (PRV) having a PRV inlet and a PRV outlet. The PRV is normally operative in a best operating range mode during flow conditions, and a PRV pressure at a lockup pressure during a no flow condition. An outlet pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the PRV outlet to measure a PRV outlet pressure. A processor is operatively coupled to the outlet pressure sensor. A pressure monitoring process runs on the processor. The pressure monitoring process detects changes in pressure at the PRV outlet when the PRV pressure falls below the lockup pressure while remaining above a setpoint pressure to give an indicia of a building leak condition. A method to give an indicia of a building leak condition is also described.

Abstract: A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

Abstract: A backflow preventer including a body having an inlet for connection to an upstream portion of a plumbing system and an outlet for connection to a downstream portion of the plumbing system, a first check valve and a second check valve located in the body for preventing the reverse flow of water between the outlet and the inlet. An inlet pressure zone is positioned between the inlet and the first check valve, an outlet pressure zone is positioned between the outlet and the second check valve, and an intermediate pressure zone is positioned between the first and the second check valves. Position sensors sense the positions of the check valves, and pressure sensors sense the pressures in the zone. A controller in communication with the position sensors and the pressure sensors calculates the opening and closing pressures of the check valves.

Abstract: An example of a panel for use in collecting fluid in a gas stream includes a fluid collection member comprising one or more collection electrodes. The panel may include an emitter electrode assembly member comprising an emitter electrode frame and one or more emitter electrodes attached to the emitter electrode frame (e.g., disposed in a one- or two-dimensional array). The one or more emitter electrodes may be physically separated from the one or more collection electrodes. The fluid collection member may be physically connected to the emitter electrode assembly member. The one or more collection electrodes may be electrically insulated from the one or more emitter electrodes.

Abstract: A system with an interactive user interface for users to view and interact with sanitized log data received from a plurality of hosts, such as those associated with various services of an organization. The system may receive from hosts log files and/or metadata that have been filtered by agents executing on the respective hosts to remove or anonymize any sensitive or confidential information prior to transmission to the system. In some embodiments the system does further filtering of the sanitized data. Received sanitized data is parsed, indexed, and/or otherwise processed for optimal searching, and stored in a log pipeline. The system causes display of an electronic visualization interface comprising a dynamic electronic search configured to receive an indication of various log search criteria, such as an error or trace identifier, that are used to identify matching log files meeting the provided criteria, such as log files associated with services executed on different hosts.

Abstract: A watch strap with a plurality of quickly interchangeable, decorative plates attached to express a person's characteristic or style. The watch strap allows for the removal of decorative plates on the watch strap via manipulating a “tab” attached to the plates. Another variation of the invention is to depress a button, attached to the plate, beneath the watch strap. The plates may also be removably secured via a plurality of screws.

Abstract: A case management system is configured to generate search templates based on selection of a search type and one or more data sources. As configured, the case management system enables execution of searches using the generated search template on synchronous and asynchronous data sources and provides periodic polling of the asynchronous data sources to generate consolidated search results.

Abstract: A system with an interactive user interface for users to view and interact with sanitized log data received from a plurality of hosts, such as those associated with various services of an organization. The system may receive from hosts log files and/or metadata that have been filtered by agents executing on the respective hosts to remove or anonymize any sensitive or confidential information prior to transmission to the system. In some embodiments the system does further filtering of the sanitized data. Received sanitized data is parsed, indexed, and/or otherwise processed for optimal searching, and stored in a log pipeline. The system causes display of an electronic visualization interface comprising a dynamic electronic search configured to receive an indication of various log search criteria, such as an error or trace identifier, that are used to identify matching log files meeting the provided criteria, such as log files associated with services executed on different hosts.

Abstract: A fluidic actuator comprises a chamber. The chamber is provided using a mass manufacturing technique. The chamber is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis. The chamber allows a volume change by localized bending of a chamber wall.

Abstract: A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of apparatus used in agriculture and irrigation. The existing solutions available with small acreage farmers having access to shallow groundwater are too large or too small in capacity as compared to the size of the farms and have designs which are complicated or unnecessarily expensive. The present disclosure envisages an apparatus (100) which is environment friendly, economical, compact and requires minimum human intervention for operation. The apparatus of the present disclosure (100) has components having dimensions derived from a target specific speed ranging from 600 to 2000 (US units—rpm, gpm, ft) making the apparatus (100) most suitable and efficient for the afore-stated application.