Abstract: A gas charged fluid flow line of a dry pipe sprinkler system is continuously monitored to detect rate of loss of pressure (dp/dt). The rate of pressure loss is used to detect whether there is an open sprinkler head in a sprinkler grid of the system. Detection of an open sprinkler head and opening of a dry valve may occur in a matter of a few seconds, allowing for a quick response to a fire condition and accurate discrimination of a pressurized gas leak condition. The system may operate at charge pressures in the range of about 7 psig to about 15 psig.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating edema by applying pressure to a patient's limb includes a sleeve that is surroundingly engageable with the limb, and the sleeve includes a plurality of flexible open-ended cells for holding respective individually inflatable replaceable bladders. Also, a fluid pump is in fluid communication with each of the bladders. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrically-operated bladder valves, and each valve is disposed between the pump and a respective one of the bladders for selectively establishing a respective pathway for fluid communication between the pump and the associated bladder. A computer individually controls each valve to variably pressurize the bladders in a variable sequence. The computer also includes means for determining the girth of the limb being treated, and to periodically monitor the apparatus for fluid leaks.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating edema by applying pressure to a patient's limb includes a sleeve that is surroundingly engageable with the limb, and the sleeve includes a plurality of flexible open-ended cells for holding respective individually inflatable replaceable bladders. Also, a fluid pump is in fluid communication with each of the bladders. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrically-operated bladder valves, and each valve is disposed between the pump and a respective one of the bladders for selectively establishing a respective pathway for fluid communication between the pump and the associated bladder. A computer individually controls each valve to variably pressurize the bladders in a variable sequence. The computer also includes means for determining the girth of the limb being treated, and to periodically monitor the apparatus for fluid leaks.

Abstract: A purge gas pressure monitoring system has a piezometer tube running from a pressure measuring instrument into a medium to be monitored. A temperature detector device extends the length of the piezometer tube. Outputs from the pressure measuring instrument and the temperature detector device are coupled to a central processing device or microcomputer for monitoring the outputs and using the outputs along with stored data to calculate a corrected pressure signal which is corrected for errors including errors arising as a result of variations of the average temperature along the piezometer line from a reference value.

Abstract: A temperature compensating device is provided for a purge gas pressure monitoring system in which a piezometer line has an outlet end for submerging in a medium to be monitored and an opposite end for connection to a suitable pressure responsive instrument, with a purge gas supply connected to the line so as to supply purge gas as bubbles from the outlet end of the tube. A temperature detector device runs the length of the piezometer line to produce an output signal proportional to an average of the temperature along the length of the line. This may be a resistance temperature detector in the form of a U-shaped conductive wire with opposite legs of the U wound spirally in opposite directions along the length of the line with the connected end of the U being located at the outlet end of the tube. This provides a variable resistance which varies as a function of the average temperature, and which can be connected to conditioning circuitry for producing a desired temperature dependent output.