Abstract: A torque limiting fluid connector system which can be hand screwed to a maximum tightening torque and be hand loosened, including: an outer member having a front opening, a back opening, and a plurality of outwardly flexible portions separated by axially extending slots; an inner member having a front opening, a back opening, an interior threaded surface and a plurality of outwardly extending projections dimensioned to be received within the axially extending slots when the inner member is received within the outer member; a connector having one end received within the inner member and an opposite end extending out of the back end of the inner member; and a washer mounted onto the end of the connector that is received within the inner member.

Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube having a lug, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, at least one latching mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube, and at least one rack configured to have movement controlled by the at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.

Abstract: A torque limiting fluid connector system which can be hand screwed to a maximum tightening torque but can be hand loosened, including: an outer member having a front opening, a back opening, and a plurality of outwardly flexible portions separated by axially extending slots; an inner member having a front opening, a back opening, an interior threaded surface and a plurality of outwardly extending projections dimensioned to be received within the axially extending slots when the inner member is received within the outer member; a connector having one end received within the inner member and an opposite end extending out of the back end of the inner member; and a washer mounted onto the end of the connector that is received within the inner member.

Abstract: A diverter valve including: an inlet port coupled to a refill tube; a first outlet port; a bowl refill tube coupled to the outlet port with its second end adjacent to a toilet tank overflow tube; a second outlet port; a central flow passageway providing a path of fluid communication between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports, the entrance of the first outlet port and the entrance of the second outlet port being directly opposite one another in the central flow passageway; a poppet in the central flow passageway, the poppet having a raised position obstructing the first outlet port and a lowered position obstructing the second outlet port; an actuating arm, float member and rod coupled to the poppet, wherein movement of the float member translates downward motion of the rod into upward motion of the actuating arm and vice versa.

Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.

Abstract: A diverter valve including: an inlet port coupled to a refill tube; a first outlet port; a bowl refill tube coupled to the outlet port with its second end adjacent to a toilet tank overflow tube; a second outlet port; a central flow passageway providing a path of fluid communication between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports, the entrance of the first outlet port and the entrance of the second outlet port being directly opposite one another in the central flow passageway; a poppet in the central flow passageway, the poppet having a raised position obstructing the first outlet port and a lowered position obstructing the second outlet port; an actuating arm, float member and rod coupled to the poppet, wherein movement of the float member translates downward motion of the rod into upward motion of the actuating arm and vice versa.

Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, and at least one timing mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube. The timing mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.

Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube having a lug, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, at least one latching mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube, and at least one rack configured to have movement controlled by the at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flush valve device is provided, including forming a mold for a first half and a second half of the flush valve device, performing injection molding on the mold, upon cooling, removing the first half and the second half from the mold, and forming the flush valve device by joining the first half and the second half.

Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.

Abstract: A toilet fill valve device may function as a restrictor to reduce water flow, or as a regulator to cap water flow beneath a certain limit depending upon its orientation. If composed of a rigid material, the device functions as a restrictor to decrease water flow. If composed of a soft, flexible or compressible/expandable material, the device functions as a regulator as its walls expand to partially block fluid passageways when water pressure fills up a void within the device. The device includes a spiraled outer surface to provide a tortuous path for water to travel so as to reduce noise. The dual functionality of a regulator or restrictor may also be accomplished with the orientation of the device. Methods for manufacturing and using a toilet fill valve control device are also provided.

Abstract: A wide band low noise amplifier for metric waves, including a transistor connected by its emitter to the ground of the amplifier through two secondary windings, connected in series, of a first and second transformer, and coupled between its base and its emitter by the primary winding of the first transformer, one end of the primary winding of the second transformer being connected to the collector of the transistor, the output signal of the amplifier being taken from all or part of the primary of the second transformer and the number of turns of the secondaries of the transformers being very low so as to limit the leak inductance, which amplifier further comprises a first resistor connected in series with the two secondary windings and a second resistor connected between the output of the amplifier and the transistor base.