Abstract: A monitor configured to be removably coupled to a strut that forms part of a temporary support structure. The monitor may include an electronic monitoring device that includes a load cell. The monitor may be configured to be position in-line with strut and subject to the same forces exerted upon the strut. Further the monitor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the sensor information to a user.

Abstract: A monitor configured to be removably coupled to a strut that forms part of a temporary support structure. The monitor may include an electronic monitoring device that includes a load cell. The monitor may be configured to be position in-line with strut and subject to the same forces exerted upon the strut. Further the monitor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the sensor information to a user.

Abstract: An adjustable strut that includes an outer housing configured to receive an extendable member, and an extending mechanism with a gear system configured to convert rotation motion of an input mechanism into linear translation of the extendable member.

Abstract: An adjustable strut that includes an outer housing configured to receive an extendable member, and an extending mechanism with a gear system configured to convert rotation motion of an input mechanism into linear translation of the extendable member.

Abstract: An adjustable strut that includes an outer housing configured to receive an extendable member, and an extending mechanism with a gear system configured to convert rotation motion of an input mechanism into linear translation of the extendable member.

Abstract: An adjustable strut that includes an outer housing configured to receive an extendable member, and an extending mechanism with a gear system configured to convert rotation motion of an input mechanism into linear translation of the extendable member.

Abstract: An air pressure controller having an inlet and an outlet, the controller may be configured to reduce air pressure between the inlet and the outlet and includes an exhaust port configured to exhaust air if a pressure at the outlet rises above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lifting device including a recessed inlet molded into an envelope structure of the lifting device at a notch section. The notch section, in turn, may include one or more protruding surfaces configured to protect the inlet, or air hose coupling attached to the inlet, from contact (e.g. falls/bumps) that may otherwise damage one or more of the air hose coupling or the recessed inlet while the lifting device is being stored, deployed, or used.

Abstract: A shaft adapter configured to be removably-coupled to shafts of differing diameters. The shaft adapter may have a stepped cylinder cavity with multiple inner diameters. The shaft adapter may further have a spring-loaded adapter ring configured to translate along an inner wall of the stepped cylinder cavity, and may be configured to support an outer wall of a first shaft received into the shaft adapter, or may be configured to be urged into a compressed position when the shaft adapter receives a second shaft.

Abstract: An air pressure controller having an inlet and an outlet, the controller may be configured to reduce air pressure between the inlet and the outlet and includes an exhaust port configured to exhaust air if a pressure at the outlet rises above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lifting device, configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas, may have a continuous surface including a bottom surface, a lower and upper intermediate surfaces and a top surface. A bottom plate may be coupled to at least part of bottom surface and a top plate may be coupled to at least part of the top surface. The continuous surface may include a plurality of surface undulations that provide a low height profile when in the deflated configuration and a higher height profile when in the inflated configuration. The plurality of surface undulations may vary between a first and second height when in the deflated configuration, but in the inflated configuration the variance between the relative heights of any remaining undulations is relatively smaller.

Abstract: An adjustable strut having a locking mechanism configured to removably-secure a pair of telescopic structural members to one another when positioned in a contracted configuration for transport and storage. Further, the locking mechanism allows for fast and intuitive unlocking of the pair of telescopic structural members for adjustment of a length of the strut for structural bracing.

Abstract: A lifting device, configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas, may have a continuous surface including a bottom surface, a lower and upper intermediate surfaces and a top surface. A bottom plate may be coupled to at least part of bottom surface and a top plate may be coupled to at least part of the top surface. The continuous surface may include a plurality of surface undulations that provide a low height profile when in the deflated configuration and a higher height profile when in the inflated configuration. The plurality of surface undulations may vary between a first and second height when in the deflated configuration, but in the inflated configuration the variance between the relative heights of any remaining undulations is relatively smaller.

Abstract: An adjustable strut having a locking mechanism configured to removably-secure a pair of telescopic structural members to one another when positioned in a contracted configuration for transport and storage. Further, the locking mechanism allows for fast and intuitive unlocking of the pair of telescopic structural members for adjustment of a length of the strut for structural bracing.

Abstract: A shaft adapter configured to be removably-coupled to shafts of differing diameters. The shaft adapter may have a stepped cylinder cavity with multiple inner diameters. The shaft adapter may further have a spring-loaded adapter ring configured to translate along an inner wall of the stepped cylinder cavity, and may be configured to support an outer wall of a first shaft received into the shaft adapter, or may be configured to be urged into a compressed position when the shaft adapter receives a second shaft.

Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.