Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a needle. The needle is adapted to penetrate a container without tearing out a portion of the container. The portion of the container is near a point of penetration on the container. The liquid dispensing device includes a motion control system. The motion control system is configured to rotate the needle while the needle penetrates the container.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for controlling a fluid flow. The system includes a valve body including a bore extending along an axis, an inlet, and an outlet, wherein a flow passage extends transverse the axis from the inlet to the outlet, a stem extending through the bore along the axis, and a valve member coupled to the stem. The valve member is movable along the axis, via the stem, between a closed position where the valve member blocks the flow passage to an open position where the valve member does not block the flow passage. The system also includes a balancing system coupled to the valve member, the balancing system comprising a tether and a balance member, wherein an opening force unseating the valve member is translated to the balance member.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and an opening extending through the valve body along a longitudinal axis. The valve assembly also includes a valve member arranged within the opening, the valve member being movable, along the longitudinal axis, between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly includes an upper seal positioned to seal against at least a first portion of the valve body. The valve assembly includes a lower seal positioned to seal against at least a second portion of the valve body, wherein both the upper seal and the lower seal travel with the valve member as the valve member moves between the open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating an end-member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a spring within the housing, and a spring plate forming a restriction for the spring within the housing. A brake member is associated with the spring plate for retaining the spring plate in one or more positions. A drive rod is associated with a motor to enable a first movement of the drive rod and to enable a second movement of spring plate. The first movement or the second movement enables the actuating of the end-member in one or more different positions for the end-member. The brake member may be engaged or disengaged to control or decouple spring compression forces in the actuator when the spring is compressed.

Abstract: A pre-mix burner apparatus includes a burner having a generally cylindrical burner surface, the burner having a generally circular burner inlet at one end of the burner, the burner inlet having an inlet diameter. A flow distribution member is arranged to distribute flow of fuel and air mixture into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a closed axially central portion configured to block flow of fuel and air mixture axially centrally into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the closed axially central portion. The vanes are configured to generate a swirling flow of fuel and air mixture flowing past the vanes into the burner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for controlling a fluid flow. The system includes a valve body including a bore extending along an axis, an inlet, and an outlet, wherein a flow passage extends transverse the axis from the inlet to the outlet, a stem extending through the bore along the axis, and a valve member coupled to the stem. The valve member is movable along the axis, via the stem, between a closed position where the valve member blocks the flow passage to an open position where the valve member does not block the flow passage. The system also includes a balancing system coupled to the valve member, the balancing system comprising a tether and a balance member, wherein an opening force unseating the valve member is translated to the balance member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for determining a valve member position. The system includes a valve having a flow passage extending therethrough. The system also includes a valve member positioned in a cavity that intersects the flow passage, the valve member coupled to a valve stem that axially translates the valve member between an open position and a closed position. The system includes an actuator coupled to the valve stem, the actuator providing a motive force to drive the axial movement of the valve member via the valve stem. The system includes a closure cap coupled to the actuator, the closure cap comprising a sensor feature arranged within an interior portion of the closure cap, the sensor feature arranged to react to an input from an actuator piston indicative of an actuator piston position within the interior portion of the closure cap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of replacing valve operation methods during fracturing operations including installing a first operator on a first valve of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes installing a second operator on a second valve of a second fracturing tree, the second fracturing tree being adjacent the first fracturing tree. The method also includes removing the first operator from the first valve, the first valve maintaining a position on the first fracturing tree after the first operator is removed. The method further includes removing the second operator from the second valve, the second valve maintaining a position on the second fracturing tree after the second operator is removed. The method also includes installing the first operator on the second valve after the first operator is removed from the first valve and after the second operator is removed from the second valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve assembly including a supply housing with a first bore and an injectable housing coupled to the supply housing with a second bore. The valve assembly further includes a piston extending through at least a portion of the first and second bores, the piston being reciprocable axially along a longitudinal axis. The valve assembly also includes a first inlet at a first end of the supply housing for directing a working fluid toward a first end of the piston. The valve assembly includes a second inlet extending through the injectable housing toward a cavity that receives an injectable material. The valve assembly also includes a second outlet at a second end of the injectable housing that directs the injectable material out of the injectable housing as the piston moves axially along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A work-piece securing apparatus for metal or wood working equipment, for example a miter saw, involves a support element mounted on the equipment and an elongated work-piece securing element movably supported by the support element. The support element is configured to receive and support the securing element such that the securing element retains mobility while supported on the support element to permit manual manipulation of the securing element to position the work-piece on the equipment and/or to position a work-piece engaging portion of the securing element at a desired contact point on a work-piece when the work-piece is positioned to be worked by a tool of the equipment.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus includes an elongated radial burner extending along a longitudinal central axis of the apparatus. First and second concentric rows of longitudinally extending fin tubes around the radial burner. The fin tubes may have multiple wiped circumferentially laterally portions allowing close packing of the fin tubes for improved efficiency and reduced footprint.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for determining a valve member position. The system includes a valve having a flow passage extending therethrough. The system also includes a valve member positioned in a cavity that intersects the flow passage, the valve member coupled to a valve stem that axially translates the valve member between an open position and a closed position. The system includes an actuator coupled to the valve stem, the actuator providing a motive force to drive the axial movement of the valve member via the valve stem. The system includes a closure cap coupled to the actuator, the closure cap comprising a sensor feature arranged within an interior portion of the closure cap, the sensor feature arranged to react to an input from an actuator piston indicative of an actuator piston position within the interior portion of the closure cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for overriding a valve actuator to move a valve stem to a second position includes an override body with a central axis. A piston is located within the override body. A bushing is non-rotatably carried within the override body. An override shaft is in threaded engagement with the bushing and extends through a sealed orifice in the override body. Fluid pressure applied to the piston causes the bushing to engage the valve actuator and push the valve stem, and alternatively, rotation applied to the override shaft causes the bushing to move linearly to engage the valve actuator and push the valve stem.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for graph data modeling. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by at least one processor. The operations of the method include receiving raw data and determining a model for the raw data, wherein the model defines the graph structure for the raw data. The method also includes converting the raw data to fit the model, and generating at least a portion of a graph based on the raw data and the model, wherein the graph produces modeled data. The method also includes archiving the graph.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for coupling objects in a wellbore includes a unidirectional valve having a body. The body includes two or more body lugs extending radially outward, each body lug of the two or more body lugs extending at least a portion of a circumferential distance of the body. The system also includes a tubing hanger having a bore that receives the unidirectional valve. The bore includes an axial restraint system that receives the two or more body lugs and blocks axial movement of the unidirectional valve in a first position and enables axial movement of the unidirectional valve in a section position, the unidirectional valve being non-threadingly coupled to the tubing hanger.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for graph data modeling. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by at least one processor. The operations of the method include receiving raw data and determining a model for the raw data, wherein the model defines the graph structure for the raw data. The method also includes converting the raw data to fit the model, and generating at least a portion of a graph based on the raw data and the model, wherein the graph produces modeled data. The method also includes archiving the graph.

Abstract: Persuasive technologies aim to influence user's behaviors. In order to be effective, many of the persuasive technologies developed so far relies on user's motivation and ability, which is highly variable and often the reason behind the failure of such technology. Mindless Computing, a new approach to persuasive technology design, is presented. Mindless Computing leverages theories and concepts from psychology and behavioral economics into the design of technologies for behavior change. Most of the current persuasive technologies do not utilize the fast and automatic mental processes for behavioral change and there is an opportunity for persuasive technology designers to develop systems that are less reliant on user's motivation and ability.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus includes an elongated radial burner extending along a longitudinal central axis of the apparatus. First and second concentric rows of longitudinally extending fin tubes around the radial burner. The fin tubes may have multiple wiped circumferentially laterally portions allowing close packing of the fin tubes for improved efficiency and reduced footprint.

Abstract: A work-piece securing apparatus for metal or wood working equipment, for example a miter saw, involves a support element mounted on the equipment and an elongated work-piece securing element movably supported by the support element. The support element is configured to receive and support the securing element such that the securing element retains mobility while supported on the support element to permit manual manipulation of the securing element to position the work-piece on the equipment and/or to position a work-piece engaging portion of the securing element at a desired contact point on a work-piece when the work-piece is positioned to be worked by a tool of the equipment.

Abstract: A pre-mix burner apparatus includes a burner having a generally cylindrical burner surface, the burner having a generally circular burner inlet at one end of the burner, the burner inlet having an inlet diameter. A flow distribution member is arranged to distribute flow of fuel and air mixture into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a closed axially central portion configured to block flow of fuel and air mixture axially centrally into the burner. The flow distribution member includes a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the closed axially central portion. The vanes are configured to generate a swirling flow of fuel and air mixture flowing past the vanes into the burner.