Abstract: A faucet having a pressure-sensitive surface for dynamically adjusting the faucet's water flow rate and/or temperature based on an amount of pressure applied to the surface of the faucet is disclosed. A pressure sensor may be electronically connected to one or more electronic valves of the faucet to control the flow of water through either the cold or hot water lines, thereby controlling the flow rate and/or temperature of water coming from the faucet.

Abstract: A faucet is provided that electronically controls the flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a faucet body and a faucet handle. In some embodiments, the faucet may include a faucet body and be voice controlled. The faucet illustratively includes an inertial motion unit sensor mounted in the faucet handle to sense spatial orientation of the faucet handle. The faucet illustratively includes an electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a controller configured to receive signals from the inertial motion unit sensor and control the electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed based upon the position of the faucet handle.

Abstract: A deadbolt lock with an interior assembly having a status light indicator. The deadbolt assembly has a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position. An interior locking assembly includes a turnpiece configured to move the bolt between its extended position and retracted position, a light, and a detection circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect when the bolt is in the extended position and actuate the light responsive to detecting that the bolt being in the extended position.

Abstract: A coupling to connect a primary heat exchanger to a condensing heat exchanger of a furnace includes a coupling box extending between a primary heat exchanger and a condensing heat exchanger. The coupling box defines a flow path for flue gas between a primary heat exchanger outlet and a condensing heat exchanger inlet. A tube sheet is located at a distance from the tube sheet in the coupling box. The liner and the tube sheet define an insulating liner space therebetween reducing condensation on the liner.

Abstract: A deadbolt lock with an interior assembly having a status light indicator. The deadbolt assembly has a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position. An interior locking assembly includes a turnpiece configured to move the bolt between its extended position and retracted position, a light, and a detection circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect when the bolt is in the extended position and actuate the light responsive to detecting that the bolt being in the extended position.

Abstract: An interconnected locking system in which multiple locks may be interconnected to be locked and/or unlocked in a coordinated manner. In one embodiment, the locking system allows a user to lock or unlock a door with multiple locking points with a single activation of one of the locks, such as when a deadbolt or lever is activated. The multiple locking points communicate together wirelessly, for example, to activate all the locking points as desired or set by the user.

Abstract: An inducer fan assembly including an inducer fan housing having a flue vent connection member configured and disposed to be connected to an exhaust gas flue vent. The flue vent connection member includes a flue gas outlet and a flue vent condensate inlet.

Abstract: A coupling to connect a primary heat exchanger to a condensing heat exchanger of a furnace includes a coupling box extending between a primary heat exchanger and a condensing heat exchanger. The coupling box defines a flow path for flue gas between a primary heat exchanger outlet and a condensing heat exchanger inlet. A tube sheet is located at the condensing heat exchanger inlet and a liner is located at a distance from the tube sheet in the coupling box. The liner and the tube sheet define an insulating liner space therebetween reducing condensation on the liner.

Abstract: A furnace includes a cabinet having a top plate and a blower located in the cabinet. A blower shelf is located in the cabinet and has a first side supportive of the blower and a second side including one or more canted slide rails. A heat exchanger is located in the cabinet between the blower and the top plate and is securable to the one or more canted slide rails. The one or more canted slide rails are configured to allow removal of the heat exchanger from the cabinet along the canted slide rails without removal of the top plate from the cabinet.

Abstract: A condensing heat exchanger (100, 100a) is disclosed that includes a pair of opposing half shells (145, 145a) connected together. The half shells (145, 145a) define an inlet (111) at one end and at least one outlet (112, 113) at an opposing end of the heat exchanger. The pair of opposing half shells (145, 145a) also defines a central axis (133). Each half shell (145, 145a) includes a plurality of elongated angled beads (117, 117a, 119) that extend inwardly towards the other half shell. The elongated angled beads (117, 117a, 119) of each half shell (145, 145a) extend traversely across the central axis (133) at an angle ? with respect to the central axis (133). The beads of one half shell (145, 145a) also extend traversely across one or more beads of the other half shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in desalinating water. A desalination processes uses a polymer material to bind sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) ions in salt water. Once the polymer binds to the sodium and chlorine ions, they can be separated from the water. Once separated from the water, the sodium and chlorine molecules can be separated from the polymer, and the polymer reused in subsequent desalination cycles.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening an absorbent undergarment during the initial manufacturing thereof, the undergarment is transported in a transport direction and folded longitudinally by a folding device such that first and second end regions of the undergarment are in generally opposed relationship with each other while transporting the partially assembled garment in the transport direction to fastenably engaged first and second fastening portions of the undergarment. A central region of the absorbent undergarment is held by a holding device, separate from the folding device, against bunching between the end regions of the undergarment during longitudinal folding of the undergarment. In another embodiment, the transverse position of the second fastening portion is adjusted relative to the first fastening portion to facilitate fastening engagement therebetween upon folding the absorbent garment longitudinally.

Abstract: A flip-chip flow sensor has electrical components, such as temperature sensors and a heater, on the top of a substrate and has a channel formed in the bottom of the substrate. The channel is separated from the substrate's top by a membrane of substrate material. A fluid flowing through the channel is separated from a heater, upstream temperature sensor, downstream temperature sensor, bond pads, and wire bonds by the membrane. Heat flows through the membrane easily because the membrane is thin. As such, the electrical elements of the flow sensor, the bond pads and the wires are physically separated from a fluid flowing through the channel but can function properly because they are not thermally isolated.

Abstract: A thermal liquid flow sensor and method of forming same. The sensor has a substrate and one or more sensing elements, disposed on the substrate, for sensing a property of a liquid. The liquid flow sensor, which can be for example a microsensor having a microbrick® structure, has a hydrophilic layer which is disposed on the substrate and covers the sensing element(s). The hydrophilic layer is preferably formed from a spin on glass material, such as for example a silicate or phosphosilicate. A silicon nitride layer can be disposed on the sensing element(s) and interpose the substrate and the hydrophilic layer. The silicon nitride layer can be oxidized, for example, by means of plasma oxidation or oxygen ion implantation so to form the hydrophilic layer thereon. A variety of other hydrophilic compounds can be utilized to form the hydrophilic layer such as, gold, palladium and diamond like carbon.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening an absorbent undergarment during the initial manufacturing thereof, the undergarment is transported in a transport direction and folded longitudinally by a folding device such that first and second end regions of the undergarment are in generally opposed relationship with each other while transporting the partially assembled garment in the transport direction to fastenably engaged first and second fastening portions of the undergarment. A central region of the absorbent undergarment is held by a holding device, separate from the folding device, against bunching between the end regions of the undergarment during longitudinal folding of the undergarment. In another embodiment, the transverse position of the second fastening portion is adjusted relative to the first fastening portion to facilitate fastening engagement therebetween upon folding the absorbent garment longitudinally.

Abstract: A method of making an elastic laminate includes the steps of feeding a first substrate in a machine direction, feeding a second substrate aligned with the first substrate in the machine direction, and feeding an array of elastomeric strand material stretched in the machine direction between the first and second substrates. A hot melt adhesive is applied onto the strand material, and a curable adhesive is applied to one or both of the substrates. The two substrates and the elastomeric strand material are then compressed to form an elastomeric preform web while maintaining the elastomeric strand material in its stretched state. The stretched elastomeric preform web is then heated in line by feeding it over heated rolls, and thereafter allowed to relax and contract in the machine direction as it cools and moves downstream from the heated rolls to form a gathered elastomeric laminate.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes two specially designed components in the form of a drain tee and a drain tee trap which reduce the chance of vent condensate from entering a furnace inducer. The drain tee includes an integral drain reservoir with a tubing connection for connecting a drain tube when the drain tee trap is not used. The drain tee trap consists of a two-piece sealed trap with a water column pressure trapping capacity and is used in combination with the drain tee.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for regenerating a spent aromatics alkylation or transalkylation catalyst comprising a molecular sieve by contacting the spent catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 120 to about 600° C. and then contacting the catalyst with an aqueous medium, such as an ammonium nitrate solution, an ammonium carbonate solution or an acetic acid solution.

Abstract: A procedure and a device for determining yield of usable pieces from a raw material when or before the usable pieces are produced. Determination of the area of raw material is automated, and pieces of raw material are encoded with a marking indicating the area and other pertinent information. The use of proximity sensors in combination with cutting dies permits the automation of yield calculation. The results of the yield calculation can be viewed on a real time basis and provide feedback to the production process, preventing low-yield production and facilitating balanced production of pieces. Indicators permit an operator to be signaled to increase production of underproduced pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for regenerating a spent aromatics alkylation or transalkylation catalyst comprising a molecular sieve by contacting the spent catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 120 to about 600° C. and then contacting the catalyst with an aqueous medium, such as an ammonium nitrate solution, an ammonium carbonate solution or an acetic acid solution.