Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing a rinse solution on a substrate in which the rinse solution is dispensed through one nozzle array substantially near a center of a substrate and is dispensed through a second nozzle array across a radial span of the substrate. Accordingly, the apparatus includes a first nozzle array including at least one nozzle and configured to dispense the rinse solution substantially near a center of the substrate, a first control valve coupled to the first nozzle array and configured to actuate a first flow rate of the rinse solution through the first nozzle array, a second nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles and configured to dispense the rinse solution across a radial span of the substrate, and a second control valve coupled to the second nozzle array and configured to actuate a second flow rate of said rinse solution through the second nozzle array.

Abstract: Improved methods of rinsing and drying microelectronic devices by way of an immersion processing apparatus are provided for effectively cleaning microelectronic devices. Methods and arrangements control the separation of one or more microelectronic devices from a liquid environment as part of a replacement of the liquid environment with a gas environment. Cleaning enhancement substance, such as IPA, is introduced into the gas environment according to a controlled profile while the separation step is conducted. The controlled profile being directed to the timing of introduction of cleaning enhancement substance, the concentration of cleaning enhancement substance and/or flow rates thereof into the vessel. Controlled timing of gas and cleaning enhancement substance delivery can also improve effectiveness of separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of processing an object with a processing fluid. The apparatus comprises a processing chamber formed within a chamber housing and a fluid circulation loop integrally formed in the chamber housing. The method includes the step of circulating a fluid stream within a fluid circulation loop integrally formed in a chamber housing. The method also includes the step of generating a high-velocity fluid stream within a processing chamber.

Abstract: A luminous umbrella includes a power source, a switch, an electric wire, light emission objects, connectors and light permeable rods adapted to the umbrella comprised of a handle, a shank, ribs, spreaders, and a canopy with the power source and the switch contained in the handle. The power source is connected to the electric wire via the switch. The electric wire is placed inside the shank and the ribs and connected to the light emission objects. Each of the ribs has a U-shaped profile with its U-shape opening side attached flush on the canopy for the canopy to conceal the electric wire put inside the rib. Another end of each of the light permeable rods is exposed out of the canopy.

Abstract: A walker and tray combination, together with a method of providing the same, is shown and described. The combination includes a first pair of spaced-apart legs connected to one another by a first upper connecting bar extending between respective points adjacent an upper end of each of the first pair of legs. The combination also includes a second pair of spaced-apart legs connected to one another by a second upper connecting bar extending between respective points adjacent an upper end of each of the second pair of legs. At least one strut connects the first pair of legs to the second pair of legs, and a connector is configured to selectively retain the tray in one of a primary position or a secondary position. The method includes the steps of configuring the tray to be selectively connectable to the walker in one of a primary position or a secondary position.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic power generator for generating electricity within or in the vicinity of a gas transportation conduit, such as a production tubing in a gas production well, having an acoustic resonance cavity having an inlet formed by an orifice in the wall of the conduit or of equipment arranged within the conduit to create a standing acoustic wave in the resonance cavity in response to the gas flow in the conduit, and a permeable body in the resonance cavity in which body cold and/or hot spots are formed as a result of adiabatic expansion or compression. A thermoelectric device, such as a Peltier element, is connected to the cold and/or hot spots formed in the permeable body to generate electrical power in response to the resulting temperature decrease or increase of the permeable body, which may exceed 50° C.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to various aspects of the use of one or more wires in conjunction with an adhesive strip to serve as an electrically conductive connector between the photoactive layers of a photovoltaic cell or module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible photovoltaic element and a method of manufacturing the same. The photovoltaic element (100b, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 1100) comprises at least two covering layers (101b, 106b, 722a, 722b) and a semi-material consisting of at least two electrode layers (102b, 105b, 2012, 2063, 3011, 3062, 4062) and at least one electrolyte carrier layer (104b, 208, 308, 408, 1003). The element is composed of laminated and/or extrusion coated assembly of said at least two covering layers and said semi-material, and that said covering layers encapsulate said semi-material.

Abstract: Sunlight is localized at a solar cell by means of a lens in conjunction with a solar energy trap with very low losses. The lens is a standard magnifying lens which concentrates the sunlight to a spot which is a small percentage of the total area of the lens. The lens is fixed at a tilt angle which is in accordance with the latitude of the site of the solar collection. The daily arc of the sun across the face of the lens produces a smooth arc path of the spot in three dimensional spaces. At or near the smooth arc in space, a guide which may be a secondary mirror surface or an opening guides the light into a solar trap. The solar trap is a fully mirrored enclosed space which permits light to enter but not leave the trap. The light in the trap is guided to a solar cell within the trap with reflected and scattered light being absorbed by the solar cell.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell which has high conversion efficiency and excellent endurance. A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other. A buffer layer and a porous layer are sequentially formed on the first electrode and a dye is adsorbed on the porous layer. An electrolyte is impregnated between the first electrode and the second electrode. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes an anti-reflection film formed on the outer surface of the first electrode.

Abstract: A safety pressure relief device comprises an annular flange portion (22), a concave/convex dome portion (24) and a transition portion (26) between the flange portion (22) and the dome portion (24), the transition portion (26) comprising a linear extent (28) extending from the annular flange portion (22) at a first acute angle (?1) to the plane of the flange portion (22), a tangent to the dome portion (24) at its junction with the transition portion (26) making a second acute angle (?2) with the plane of the flange portion (22) which is greater than said first angle (?1), a line of weakness being formed in and around part at least of the linear extent (28) of the transition portion (26).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature-sensitive safely valve assembly (10). The assembly (10) comprising a first region (16) for a first pressurised fluid, a second region (20) for a second pressurised fluid, a valve (26, 28, 27, 26a and 26b) between the first and second regions (16, 20) designed to be actuated by the pressure of a first pressurised fluid in the first region against biasing means (58) to open an outlet (54), for a first pressurised gas, from the first region, and heat-sensitive sealing means (34) on the second region (20), being de-scalable at high temperature to de-pressurize the second region, thereby actuating the valve (26, 28, 27, 26a, 26b) to close the outlet and seal the first region (16).

Abstract: Liquid raising systems raise liquid from a system inlet to a system outlet without any moving parts below the system outlet. One or more closed cells are disposed at elevations between the system inlet and outlet. A liquid conduit leads from the bottom of each cell to the top of the next downstream cell. Gas pressure-differential between two next-adjacent cells causes liquid to flow through the liquid conduit to the next cell. The pressure-differential need be only enough to move the liquid between adjacent cells. The cells are cyclically filled and emptied by sequentially applying the gas at higher and lower pressures to adjacent cells, thus progressively moving liquid toward the system outlet. A cell can have a variety of shapes and sizes, so long as the cell gas inlet is above the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet is below both the liquid inlet and the gas inlet.

Abstract: A system of equipment allowing addition of solid materials to a pressurized pipeline wherein said solid material is conveyed in such a way as to be readily dissolved by the liquid in said pipeline. The system includes a solid material transfer device that is used to transfer solid material to the point of intake in a pressurized pipeline, without allowing liquid from the process pipeline to access the solid material in the solid material feeder. The system of equipment has been found to be particularly useful in feeding pellets containing resazurin.

Abstract: A fire hydrant protective cover and visibility marker comprising a hollow body having an interior space, a cap portion, middle portion and bottom portion, the bottom portion having an opening for accessing the interior space.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically flushing hydrants. The device is installed externally to an existing hydrant. The device comprises a nipple having an internally threaded collar for attaching the device to a hydrant outlet, a valve, a control for automatically operating the valve, and a lockable box containing at least the valve, the box having an outlet for allowing water from the hydrant to pass from the valve to the exterior of the box. The box functions as an enclosure and may be of any desired configuration.

Abstract: An air valve assembly for a fire hydrant includes a pressure responsive valve means removably mounted at or near a top of a fire hydrant and more specifically to a fire hydrant bearing housing. The pressure responsive valve means is adapted to open when the fire hydrant is not in use and to close when the fire hydrant is in use.

Abstract: A flush-mount connector system is provided for use in attaching supply line valves and drain elbows to in-wall plumbing lines without a conventional in-wall outlet box. The system desirably includes at least one mounting plate, at least one valve holder or drain elbow, and a removable cover panel. The valve holder and drain elbow are each insertable from the rear into engagement with a hole in the mounting plate and are easily rotatable inside the hole to position an attached valve, valves or drain elbow as needed for connection to the in-wall plumbing lines.

Abstract: The quick coupler anchor includes an anchor body having a pair of vertical plates extending generally at right angles one to the other and spaced from one another. Planes containing the plates, when extended, intersect along a vertical line offset from the center axis of a valve received in a recess in a member connecting upper edges of the vertical extending plates. The recess has a plurality of flats for registration with the flats of the hex nut of the valve body. When the anchor is embedded in the ground with the recess about the hex nut, the anchor restrains rotational movement of the valve relative to the anchor in response to a torque applied to the valve to open or close the valve. The center of vertical support of the anchor lies generally coincident with the vertical axis of the valve to provide stability to the valve and anchor upon vertical loadings.

Abstract: A rigid fastener, for securing to one another adjacent portions of a cover member made of resiliently deformable material, has an end portion with an outward end section of relatively small outside diameter and an axially adjacent inward section of relatively large outside diameter. The end portion of the fastener is engagable in either of two positions in a corresponding recess formed into at least one of the adjacent portions of the cover piece, affording a high level of holding power in its filly inserted position and affording a low level of holding power in a partially inserted position.

Abstract: One embodiment of a thermal relief vent includes a float including a side surface and a top surface, and a seal secured to the surface of the float and extending over the top surface of the float.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, methods and systems to monitor the performance of one or more mass flow controllers that supply gases to deposition, etching, and other manufacturing processes. A bypass loop is provided in fluid connection from either the process line or the vent line. In the bypass loop is a flow detector, such as a digitized mass flow controller. The flow detector takes one or more measurements of flow of gas from a mass flow controller, and data from such one or more measurements is used to provide information about the accuracy and/or precision of the mass flow controller. Also disclosed are ways to correct for back pressure or back vacuum in the process line.

Abstract: A sexless coupling for coupling a fire hose to the externally threaded neck of a fire hydrant. The coupling comprises an internally threaded collar portion for threading onto the neck of the fire hydrant, the internally threaded collar portion having a flapper valve and an externally threaded portion. The coupling further comprises an external ring having an internal thread for threading the external ring onto the externally threaded portion of the collar. The external ring carries hooked lugs for forming a male connection and arcuate grooves for forming a female connection with a complementary coupling of a fire hose. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a flat neoprene rubber seal is disposed between facing surfaces on the internally threaded collar and external ring.

Abstract: A fuel return valve comprises a housing and a closing unit, a first passage, which is line-connected to a fuel pump, a second passage, which is line-connected to an internal combustion engine, and a third passage, which is line-connected to the fuel tank, as well as a pressure chamber, being formed in the housing, which pressure chamber is in communication with the first passage, and, via the closing unit, with the third passage. To make a valve of this type maintenance-free and simple and inexpensive to produce, the closing unit is a piston which is guided in the housing attachment and is pressed by a spring arranged and supported in the housing attachment onto a sealing surface which is formed on the housing and surrounds the pressure chamber, and an annular chamber which is in communication with the third passage and with the space containing the spring is formed outside the sealing surface.

Abstract: A reverse-flow throttle valve and a high-pressure injection system equipped with the reverse-flow throttle valve in which the valve is seated in a through bore of the rail and is thus disposed in the fuel flow between the rail volume and the injector line leading to the fuel injector.

Abstract: A safety valve for pressurized tanks, particularly for tanks for containing methane or LPG for motor vehicles, comprises an open/close element that is kept by elastic means in a closing position, in which it does not enable communication of the internal cavity of the tank with the external atmosphere. When a pre-set maximum value of the pressure inside the tank is exceeded, sufficient for overcoming the load of said elastic means, the open/close element is displaced from its closing position and enables discharge of the gas contained in the tank into the external atmosphere. The elastic means are arranged in series with a fuse element, which is set between the open/close element and the valve body. In this way, whenever the temperature -exceeds a pre-set maximum value, the fuse element melts, causing unloading of said elastic means, which consequently leaves the open/close element free to open.

Abstract: A position detector for a check valve, including a bracket with a support arm, adjustable securing members adapted to rigidly secure the bracket to a check valve arm, a tilt switch, a connector, a circuit status indicator, a wire connector for both the tilt switch and the circuit status indicator, and a first plug. The connector adjustably connects the tilt switch to the bracket support arm in a selected one of a plurality of secure positions pivoted around an axis fixed to the bracket support arm, the axis being oriented generally horizontally when the securing members secure the bracket to the check valve arm. The first plug is selectively securable to the wire connector whereby a first circuit with the tilt switch and the circuit status indicator is formed when the tilt switch is in a selected position.

Abstract: A fuel-tank fitting includes a cylinder-shaped fitting body including a connecting end to be connected with a pipe and a free end to be disposed freely inside a fuel tank, a flange disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the fitting body, and fastened to an opening periphery of an installation opening opened through the fuel tank, and a check valve disposed in the fitting body, openable only in a direction heading from the connecting end of the fitting body to the free end thereof, and closable for sealing a fuel. The fitting body further includes a first portion sealing the check valve, a second portion fastened to a portion of the flange, a third portion connecting the first and second portions, and a fragile portion fracturing more preferentially than the first and second portions and the flange fracture while securing a fuel-sealing ability inside the fuel tank.

Abstract: A valve device comprises: a valve chamber having an inlet port at one end and a valve seat at the other end; a valve housing containing the valve chamber; the valve chamber accommodating a spherical valve element which performs opening and closing operation to the valve seat, and a valve spring which urges the valve element in a closing direction; and a push rod which penetrates a center hole of the valve seat and pushes the valve element in an opening direction. A cylindrical valve guide member is fit into the valve chamber, the cylindrical valve guide member including a plurality of guide projections on an inner peripheral surface to guide opening and closing operation of the valve element. Grooves between the plurality of guide projections serve as passages providing communication between the inlet port and the valve seat.

Abstract: A method for achieving high flow in valves with small actuation distance is described. A detailed description for a silicon microvalve is provided. An algorithm is described for designing optimized valves.

Abstract: A multiway valve has valve housing and at least one pilot valve arranged in it. The principal valve housing possesses an integral principal housing part wherein at least the control section of a valve spool is arranged. The pilot valve possesses a head piece which is mounted on an assembly interface formed directly on the principal housing part. This assembly interface is furthermore provided with a pilot valve seat, which is an integral component of the principal housing part.

Abstract: A slide spool valve has a valve body formed by synthetic resin injection molding. The valve body includes a bore and an insert integrally coupled with the bore. The insert has a hollow portion penetrated by a port, the hollow portion being connected to the bore and having the same diameter as the bore and penetrated by one of ports. A valve room having a large diameter extends from an inner circumferential surface of the hollow portion to the penetrating portion of the port. The insert is manufactured by die casting and fixed in a metallic pattern of the valve body, so that it is integrally coupled with the valve body by insertion molding.

Abstract: A tube joint that can be used as a volume control valve, air sprayer or/and a T-tube. The multifunction tube joint mainly contains: an elongated body, a revolving valve, a stem, a branch, a piston valve rod, a button and a spring. The elongated body contains: a main channel longitudinally therethrough, a protrusion thereon and a tunnel vertically therethrough. The protrusion has a receptacle therein communicated with the main channel. The revolving valve is rotably received through the tunnel. The revolving valve has a controlling channel vertically therethrough. The controlling channel is communicable to the main channel. The stem is connected to the receptacle. The stem has a stem channel therein, communicable with the main channel. The branch is connected to the stem. The branch has a branch channel therein communicated with the stem channel of the stem. The piston valve rod is slidably received in the stem channel of the stem with a first end extended out thereof.

Abstract: Liners useful as piping elbow liners comprising a body liner, a tangential inlet liner, and a tangential outlet liner. The tangential inlet liner and the tangential outlet liner can be removably inserted into a cavity in the body liner. The body liner can comprise two substantially-identical body section liners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid conduit (1) suitable for use in the transportation of working fluids to a wellhead or the like from a topside location or the like. The fluid conduit (1) is suitable for use in a multi-conduit umbilical. The conduit comprises an inner flexible collapse resistant hose (2) surrounded by a hose liner (4), and at least one pair of helically contra-wound high tensile wires (6a, 6b). Each turn of each wire (6a, 6b) is in substantially close contact with adjacent turns thereof. A multi-conduit umbilical comprising a plurality of the fluid conduits bundled together and provided with an outer sheath is also described.

Abstract: An automotive fuel hose having a three-layer structure excellent in sour-gasoline resistance and impact resistance. The automotive fuel hose includes a tubular inner layer in which fuel is adapted to flow; a low fuel permeability layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inner layer; and an outer layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the low fuel permeability layer. The inner layer and the outer layer each including at least one of a polyolefin resin having a functional group and a polyamide resin and the low fuel permeability layer including a polyphenylene sulfide resin.

Abstract: A rubber hose material for providing a rubber hose excellent in mechanical strength and with an intrinsic property (elongation) of rubber retained. The rubber hose material is formed by blending an ethylene-olefin resin (component (B)) as an organic filler into an ethylene-propylene rubber (component (A)).

Abstract: A composite collapse riser especially useful for deep water mineral, oil and gas exploration and production. The riser has a core with a metal liner and metal composite interfaces at each end. A reinforcing layer of dry fiber laminate, composite material or combination thereof is placed over the metal liner. Over the reinforcing layer is a shear ply layer, and over the shear ply layer is an outer main layer of composite material.

Abstract: There are provided a heat insulating tool kit for piping, which can easily be attached to and detached from a piping in a limited space repeatedly and fixed in a stable form, can be attached so that a heating surface is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of piping so that heat is conducted efficiently, which results in no overheating of heated portion, can be subjected to temperature control stably, and can be used in a clean room etc. because dust particles scarcely occur, and a heat insulating construction using the heat insulating tool kit.

Abstract: A multi-layer tissue forming fabric constructed so that the top forming surface has topographical differences measured as a plane difference between at least two top weft yarns. The plane difference—the difference in height between the two weft yarns—must be greater than zero. Using at least two different diameter, size, or shape weft yarns positioned at the same contour in the forming surface creates this plane difference and defines pocket areas in the forming surface of the tissue forming fabric. The pocket areas act to generate bulk, cross directional tensile, absorbency, and softness in a formed sheet of tissue, napkin, or towel paper.

Abstract: A composite papermaking fabric having an upper support fabric including upper warp and weft yarns and a lower contact fabric including lower warp and weft yarns. The upper fabric is woven in a first weave pattern which forms a support surface and the lower fabric is woven in a broken twill weave pattern which forms the contact surface. The composite fabric includes paired binder yarns which weave in alternating sequences with the upper and lower fabrics binding them together. The broken twill weave pattern provides plural floats of cross-machine direction yarns passing outwardly of a plurality of adjacent lower warp yarns forming a plurality of adjacent cross-machine direction floats. Certain of the paired floats comprise a lower weft yarn and a binder yarn while others may comprise two lower weft yarns. The lower weft yarn floats are positioned to shield and protect the binder yarn floats along their entire length.

Abstract: A Velcro fastener belt includes a fastener belt mainly made up of warp yarns, weft yarns, and sewing threads interwoven synchronically into a belt body wherein the warp yarns are equidistantly interwoven with every two or more than two weft yarns, and the sewing threads are synchronically interwoven with the warp yarns and every one or more than one weft yarns with tying holes and interlaced tying sections equidistantly disposed thereon for the warp yarns to be led and interwoven therewith. A patterned surface of consecutive arcs is figured at one side of the belt body for decorative effect, and a tightly woven lint-like surface brushed with circular hairy pile is disposed at the other side of the belt body for fastening thereof. The fastener belt tightly woven thereby is strengthened in structure, anti-friction, and pulling power, effectively preventing threads from coming or breaking off easily in the napping operation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubbing cloth for use in manufacturing liquid crystal display panels which consists of a velvet fabric having a ground sheet texture comprising warps and wefts, and pile yarns woven to the ground sheet texture in the warp direction, wherein synthetic fibers as the warps were woven with combination of different tensions of the synthetic fibers, or the ground sheet texture comprises warps with combination of different feed lengths, so that the pile yarns are stably inclined.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present technique provides methods and apparatus for inserting coil windings into a stator. Advantageously, the windings may be wound in a vertical configuration to facilitate insertion of the windings into stator slots. Moreover, the exemplary embodiment provides a transfer tool that maintains the stepped and vertical configurations of the coil windings developed during winding upon separation of the wire from the winding form. Advantageously, the present technique may decrease motor fabrication times and improve motor performance.

Abstract: A method for filling a muffler shell with a fibrous material includes providing an outer muffler shell, applying a temporary form to the outer shell to define a muffler chamber within the outer muffler shell, and wetting the fibrous material by forcing moisturized compressed air into contact with the fibrous material. The wetted fibrous material is inserted into the muffler chamber, and the temporary form is removed from the outer muffler shell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for prevention of corrosion with the cooling system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pressurized inert gas source and a fluid delivery system whereby the gas is dispersed within the cooling system to expel corrosion inducing fluids such as oxygen and water vapor. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refilling system for reducing messiness during use includes a container and a refilling container. The container includes a hollow bottle, a pouring spout, and a cap which covers the pouring spout. The pouring spout has an interior surface. The refilling container includes a hollow body a refilling spout and contains a composition therein. The refilling spout has an exterior surface. In the refilling system, the interior surface and the exterior surface are coordinated such that the exterior surface may fit within the interior surface during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automatically venting a fluid from at least a portion of a pressurized system. An interconnection between two devices in the system contains an automatic bleed valve configured to automatically seal a vent hole when the two devices are coupled together and to automatically unseal the vent hole before the two devices are separated. In an embodiment, an adapter includes a ring that both screws a connector onto a device and seals a vent hole. A pin is pushed into the vent hole as the connector is screwed to the device. To remove the adapter from the device, the ring is turned to both unseal the vent hole and to unscrew the connector from the device. Turning the ring releases the pin before the connector is unscrewed.

Abstract: A radiator fluid exchanging apparatus including at least one fluid supply tank and a pressure vessel with a pressure generator, the tank and the vessel each including a multi-directional supply coupling in communication with first and second selectively operable fluid control manifolds, one manifold being in communication with a pump for supplying fluid from the supply tank to an influent port of an engine cooling system to be serviced, the other manifold being interposed between the pressure vessel and an effluent port of the engine cooling system, when coupled thereto, for drawing waste fluid into the vessel and resupplying fluid from the fluid supply tank under negative pressure to the engine cooling system as determined by the selective operation of the control manifolds and actuation of the pump and pressure generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations and to operate an alarm. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more of a number of different sensed parameters.