Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.

Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A concentric cartridge for fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, a pressure balance unit, a volume control plate rotatably coupled to the pressure balance unit and positioned between the inlet adapter and the pressure balance unit, a temperature control plate, and a mixing plate positioned between the pressure balance unit and the temperature control plate. The pressure balance unit and the volume control plate are rotatable relative to the inlet adapter and the temperature control plate is rotatable relative to the mixing plate. The mixing plate has an irregularly shaped opening configured to mix fluids with different temperatures such that the temperature of the mixed fluid increases linearly as a function of angular rotation of a temperature control handle.

Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.

Abstract: A diverter cartridge for a fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The cartridge further includes a diverter plate having a first inlet channel and a second inlet channel. The diverter plate is rotatable relative to the inlet adapter between a first end position, a second end position, and a neutral position between the first and second end positions. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the first end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the first outlet port. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the second end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the second outlet port.

Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.

Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A pressure balance unit for a valve assembly includes a first shell having a tongue extending therefrom, a second shell having a groove indented therein, and a sliding element having a shaft defining an axis. The groove in the second shell is configured to receive the tongue from the first shell for aligning the shells. The first and second shells are united using a sonic welding process. The first shell defines a first bore and the second shell defines a second bore. The first and second bores include inlet ports in circumferential faces thereof, the ports defining openings transverse to the axis. The sliding element includes a first end movable along the axis within the first bore and a second end movable along the axis within the second bore. The ends of the sliding element open and close the inlet ports by sliding across the ports.

Abstract: A pressure balance unit for a valve assembly includes a first shell having a tongue extending therefrom, a second shell having a groove indented therein, and a sliding element having a shaft defining an axis. The groove in the second shell is configured to receive the tongue from the first shell for aligning the shells. The first and second shells are united using a sonic welding process. The first shell defines a first bore and the second shell defines a second bore. The first and second bores include inlet ports in circumferential faces thereof, the ports defining openings transverse to the axis. The sliding element includes a first end movable along the axis within the first bore and a second end movable along the axis within the second bore. The ends of the sliding element open and close the inlet ports by sliding across the ports.

Abstract: A concentric cartridge for fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, a pressure balance unit, a volume control plate rotatably coupled to the pressure balance unit and positioned between the inlet adapter and the pressure balance unit, a temperature control plate, and a mixing plate positioned between the pressure balance unit and the temperature control plate. The pressure balance unit and the volume control plate are rotatable relative to the inlet adapter and the temperature control plate is rotatable relative to the mixing plate. The mixing plate has an irregularly shaped opening configured to mix fluids with different temperatures such that the temperature of the mixed fluid increases linearly as a function of angular rotation of a temperature control handle.

Abstract: A diverter cartridge for a fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The cartridge further includes a diverter plate having a first inlet channel and a second inlet channel. The diverter plate is rotatable relative to the inlet adapter between a first end position, a second end position, and a neutral position between the first and second end positions. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the first end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the first outlet port. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the second end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the second outlet port.

Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.

Abstract: A sales method provides for the demonstration, performance forecasting, financing, leasing, renting, power purchase agreement, tax-advantages, and group benefits of complete renewable energy systems. Even before a sales call is attempted, a system integrator has arranged a special group of lenders and investors that will fund any project initiated, has engaged credit services to check consumer credit files, has collected operational data from a number of its own systems, has created forecast models of performance, and arranged open-membership groups to which a new user can join immediately to share in collective bargaining with utilities, spread down-time risk and expense, utilize tax incentives, etc.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed for use in a shower mixer valve or the like. It is constructed to reduce the force needed to be applied by the bather to actuate the diversion. There is a diverter stem that is moveable between a non-diverted and diverted position. The diverter stem includes an upstream portion and a reduced cross sectional waist portion downstream of the upstream portion. The reduced portion interacts with the diverted fluid to reduce the force required to move the diverter stem from the non-diverted to the diverted position.

Abstract: A sales method provides for the demonstration, performance forecasting, financing, leasing, renting, power purchase agreement, tax-advantages, and group benefits of complete renewable energy systems. Even before a sales call is attempted, a system integrator has arranged a special group of lenders and investors that will fund any project initiated, has engaged credit services to check consumer credit files, has collected operational data from a number of its own systems, has created forecast models of performance, and arranged open-membership groups to which a new user can join immediately to share in collective bargaining with utilities, spread down-time risk and expense, utilize tax incentives, etc.

Abstract: Valve control assemblies are disclosed which accommodate out of plumb conditions using a flexible set of rings linked to the temperature control, and a projection/axial slot arrangement linked to the volume control. Different wall thicknesses are accommodated using one or more adaptors/extensions between a temperature bonnet control and a portion of the valve cartridge which controls temperature. There is also a combined shroud/tool for protecting the valve during rough-in and permitting it to be tested.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed for use in a shower mixer valve or the like. It is constructed to reduce the force needed to be applied by the bather to actuate the diversion. There is a diverter stem that is moveable between a non-diverted and diverted position. The diverter stem includes an upstream portion and a reduced cross sectional waist portion downstream of the upstream portion. The reduced portion interacts with the diverted fluid to reduce the force required to move the diverter stem from the non-diverted to the diverted position.

Abstract: Valve control assemblies are disclosed which accommodate out of plumb conditions using a flexible set of rings linked to the temperature control, and a projection/axial slot arrangement linked to the volume control. Different wall thicknesses are accommodated using one or more adaptors/extensions between a temperature bonnet control and a portion of the valve cartridge which controls temperature. There is also a combined shroud/tool for protecting the valve during rough-in and permitting it to be tested.

Abstract: A sales method provides for the demonstration, performance forecasting, financing, leasing, renting, power purchase agreement, tax-advantages, and group benefits of complete renewable energy systems. Even before a sales call is attempted, a system integrator has arranged a special group of lenders and investors that will fund any project initiated, has engaged credit services to check consumer credit files, has collected operational data from a number of its own systems, has created forecast models of performance, and arranged open-membership groups to which a new user can join immediately to share in collective bargaining with utilities, spread down-time risk and expense, utilize tax incentives, etc.

Abstract: A wall mounted rail system with movable boards comprises a pair of elongate rails. Each rail has an upwardly opening channel defining an upper track and a downwardly opening channel defining a lower track, the rails being horizontally mounted in parallel spaced apart relationship on a wall surface so that one of the rails defines an upper rail and the other rail defines a lower rail. The board is movably mounting to the rails. An upper bracket is secured to a top of the board and has a guide element received in the upper track of the upper rail. A lower bracket is secured to a bottom of the board and has a guide element received in the lower track of the lower rail.