Abstract: A valve apparatus has a valve (1), an actuator (2) and a leakage sensor (3). A body (4) of the valve has first and second valve chambers (6, 8) connected to respective valve ports (10 & 12, 14 & 16) and joined by an intermediate passage (18). The valve can be set by the actuator to any one of three valve configurations. In an ‘open’ configuration the intermediate passage is open to interconnect the first and second chambers. In a ‘closed’ configuration, the intermediate passage is closed by first and second seals (24, 26) seated at respective locations in the passage to seal respectively between the first and second chambers and a leakage chamber (28) at the portion of the intermediate passage between the two seals. In a ‘cleaning’ configuration one of the seals is unseated to connect a respective one of the first and second chambers to the leakage chamber, while the other seal remains seated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for automating or arranging a group communication among at least two participants includes receiving a user request (e.g., from one of the participants) for the group communication and delegating at least a portion of the user request to at least one service provider for processing. Delegation is based on general strategies for satisfying user requests, as well as knowledge of the capabilities of the available service providers.