Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a selective position locking capability may include a base, a first support arm movable with respect to the base, and a first movable joint movably mounting the first support arm to the base that includes a first component and a second component. A first position locking assembly may lock a selected position of the support arm with respect to the base, and may include a drum structure of one of the first and second components of the first movable joint and a shoe structure of another one of the first and second components of the first movable joint. The shoe structure may be movable to selectively move outwardly against the drum structure to resist rotation of the drum structure with respect to the shoe structure and thereby resist movement of the first support arm with respect to the base.

Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a selective position locking capability may comprise a base, a first support arm movable with respect to the base, a first pivot joint pivotally mounting the first support arm to the base, and a first position locking assembly configured to lock a selected position of the first support arm with respect to the base. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first hydraulic motor mounted on the first pivot joint and having a fluid input and a fluid output with a fluid path defined therebetween such that fluid movement on the fluid path between the fluid input and the fluid output operates the first hydraulic motor. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first lock valve in communication with the first hydraulic motor and configured to selectively block fluid movement through the fluid path of the motor.

Abstract: A pivoting support assembly with a selective position locking capability may comprise a base, a first support arm movable with respect to the base, a first pivot joint pivotally mounting the first support arm to the base, and a first position locking assembly configured to lock a selected position of the first support arm with respect to the base. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first hydraulic motor mounted on the first pivot joint and having a fluid input and a fluid output with a fluid path defined therebetween such that fluid movement on the fluid path between the fluid input and the fluid output operates the first hydraulic motor. The first position locking assembly may comprise a first lock valve in communication with the first hydraulic motor and configured to selectively block fluid movement through the fluid path of the motor.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and kit for testing fluid flow and pressure is provided. The apparatus, system, method and kit include or include the use of a flow unit which is configured to measure flow rate and/or flow velocity when interfaced with a flow valve or hydrant and a pressure unit configured to measure at least residual pressure when interfaced with a test valve or hydrant. At least one of the units is configured to wirelessly send data transmissions to the other unit which is configured to receive such transmissions.

Abstract: A flow testing system comprises a flow unit for interfacing with a flow hydrant, a pressure unit for interfacing with a test hydrant, a transmitter in a first one of the units to transmit data to a second one of the units, a receiver in the second unit to receive data from the transmitter, and a data storage medium in the second unit to record data. A method includes providing flow and pressure units, interfacing the pressure unit to a test hydrant and the flow unit to a flow hydrant, measuring static pressure by the pressure unit, initiating water flow through the flow hydrant, measuring pitot pressure in the flow, measuring residual pressure in the test hydrant, transmitting the residual pressure measurement from the pressure to the flow unit, and recording the pitot and residual pressure measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and kit for testing fluid flow and pressure is provided. The apparatus, system, method and kit include or include the use of a flow unit which is configured to measure flow rate and/or flow velocity when interfaced with a flow valve or hydrant and a pressure unit configured to measure at least residual pressure when interfaced with a test valve or hydrant. At least one of the units is configured to wirelessly send data transmissions to the other unit which is configured to receive such transmissions.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A flow testing system comprises a flow unit for interfacing with a flow hydrant, a pressure unit for interfacing with a test hydrant, a transmitter in a first one of the units to transmit data to a second one of the units, a receiver in the second unit to receive data from the transmitter, and a data storage medium in the second unit to record data. A method includes providing flow and pressure units, interfacing the pressure unit to a test hydrant and the flow unit to a flow hydrant, measuring static pressure by the pressure unit, initiating water flow through the flow hydrant, measuring pitot pressure in the flow, measuring residual pressure in the test hydrant, transmitting the residual pressure measurement from the pressure to the flow unit, and recording the pitot and residual pressure measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and kit for testing fluid flow and pressure is provided. The apparatus, system, method and kit include or include the use of a flow unit which is configured to measure flow rate and/or flow velocity when interfaced with a flow valve or hydrant and a pressure unit configured to measure at least residual pressure when interfaced with a test valve or hydrant. At least one of the units is configured to wirelessly send data transmissions to the other unit which is configured to receive such transmissions.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester assembly is disclosed that includes an articulated arm assembly having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the articulated arm assembly being movable away from and toward the first end such that when the first end of the articulated arm assembly is connected to a vehicle, the second end of the articulated arm assembly is movable away from and toward the vehicle. The assembly includes a rotation mechanism that is mounted on the articulated arm assembly toward the second end of the articulated arm for rotating a shaft for exercising a valve. The assembly further includes a moving mechanism that is mountable on a vehicle for moving the first end of the articulated arm assembly away from and towards the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of preloading a valve tester control assembly circuit includes a valve testing control apparatus comprising a fluid supply, a motor, and a fluid control assembly controlling working fluid flow from the fluid supply to the motor. The fluid control assembly comprises an operation valve fluidly connected to the fluid supply, an adjustable pressure-responsive valve fluidly connected to the operation valve, and a preload valve fluidly connected between the pressure-responsive valve and the motor. The method includes closing the preload valve so that fluid does not pass through the motor, opening the operation valve so that the fluid supply is in fluid communication with the pressure-responsive valve, operating the fluid supply to supply fluid to the pressure-responsive valve, and adjusting the pressure-responsive valve so that a pressure-sensing gauge in fluid communication with the pressure-responsive valve senses a desired maximum pressure for the fluid during testing of a valve.

Abstract: The system for suspending a valve exerciser from a support comprises a base element for mounting on the support, a first support element pivotally mounted on the base element, a second support element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a linking element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a first stabilizing element linking the base element and the linking element, a mounting element pivotally mounted on the second support element, a second stabilizing element linking the linking element and the mounting element, and a multiple stage assistance assembly for applying multiple degrees of assistance to movement of the first support element with respect to the base element.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: A valve tester suspension assembly for allowing one person to perform the tasks necessary to test underground valves includes an articulated arm attached to a mobile base such as a vehicle. The articulated arm may be biased such that the biasing assists in supporting the weight of a rotating assembly positioned at a distal end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm is pivoted to permit positioning of the rotating device in a substantially horizontal orientation at a desired position within a three dimensional space adjacent to the base to which the articulated arm is attached. A method of use is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and kit for testing fluid flow and pressure is provided. The apparatus, system, method and kit include or include the use of a flow unit which is configured to measure flow rate and/or flow velocity when interfaced with a flow valve or hydrant and a pressure unit configured to measure at least residual pressure when interfaced with a test valve or hydrant. At least one of the units is configured to wirelessly send data transmissions to the other unit which is configured to receive such transmissions.