Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.

Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine includes a mechanical drive; a seed meter including a driven shaft; and a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set includes an input shaft connected with the drive, an output shaft connected with the driven shaft, a ring gear, and a motor coupled with a ring gear.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved grain drill and a method retrofitting a previously manufactured grain drill to provide accurate weight determination of seed in a seed hopper of the grain drill. A grain drill in accordance with the invention includes a frame having a plurality of wheels for supporting the grain drill during rolling over a surface of ground to be planted with seed grain; a hopper for containing the seed grain to be planted in the ground; a support which is joined to opposed sides of the frame and to spaced apart locations of the hopper to transfer weight of the hopper to the frame, the support including at least one weight sensing device which senses a weight of seed grain in the hopper transferred through the support to the frame and provides an output of the sensed weight of the seed grain in the hopper; and a display, coupled to the output, for displaying the weight of the seed grain contained in the hopper.

Abstract: A modular floating dock system utilizing steel frame modules that are interconnected to form the dock system desired, the modules preferably having a concrete deck and pontoons or floats with the modules being interconnected with high strength bolts with a primary shock pad being interposed between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A multi-use, multi-level structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a ballast system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. The ballast system includes an array of hydraulically interconnected ballast tanks that are vented to the atmosphere. A valve may be opened to admit water to the ballast tanks to flood the tanks. A pump is used to pump water out of the ballast tanks when desired.

Abstract: A two-way feeder for use in an aquarium. The feeder has a base that can be buried in sand or crushed coral in an aquarium. One or more fittings on the underside of the base provides a user of the feeder with the option of applying one or more suction cups to the feeder. The suction cups are used to attach the feeder in different surfaces of the aquarium, including the bottom surface and the side walls. The feeder can be used as to attach food in at least two ways. First, buoyant foods such as cucumber can be secured to the top of the device by screwing the cucumber over the head of the threaded receiver. Second, leafy foods such as lettuce or seaweed can be secured by a spring clip associated with an adapter that is compatible with and screwed onto the threaded receiver.

Abstract: A wild bird game feeder, having a cylindrical shell with a closed flat bottom and a lid which is removable or which has a bung, through which game bird feed may be introduced. Within the interior of the cylindrical shell is a partition and partition top which defines and encloses a smaller subspace within the interior space of the cylindrical shell. An opening in the partition allows feed to flow into the smaller space. An access opening is defined in the sidewall of the cylindrical shell, giving external access to the smaller space within the partition and partition top. A curvilinear hood is positioned medially above the access opening. A perch or ledge is provided along the bottom edge of the access opening for the benefit of smaller game birds.

Abstract: This invention produces a variable compression ratio in internal combustion engines, based on a sliding concentric piston which moves up by an internal spring and down by the different changing pressures over the concentric piston head, within the combustion chamber. This invention changes the compression ratio in an instantaneous and continuous way, depending directly on the pressure of the fuel mixture load in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A steam enhanced dual piston cycle engine utilizes a unique dual piston apparatus that includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston therein, wherein the first piston performs only intake and compression strokes; a second cylinder housing an inner power piston that forms an inner internal chamber of the second cylinder, and either a ring-shaped outer power piston surrounding the inner power piston, wherein the outer power piston forms an outer internal chamber of the second cylinder and is configured to convert engine heat into additional work, and/or an outer boiler which is configured to produce steam to be converted into additional work.

Abstract: An engine is described having two camshafts 14, 16 each of which carries two groups of cams and comprises an inner shaft coupled for rotation with a first group of cams and an outer tube rotatably supported by the inner shaft and coupled for rotation with the second group of cams. A phaser 12 is provided to enable the phase of at least one of the two groups of cams on one of the SAP camshafts 14, 16 to be varied with reference to the phase of the engine crankshaft. Drive links in the form of meshing gear wheels, drive chains or belts, couple the two corresponding groups of cams on the respective camshafts for rotation in unison with one another.

Abstract: Camshaft adjusters which work in accordance with the operating principle of a hydraulic oscillating motor comprise at least two components arranged parallel to one another. Frequently, the two components are a covering plate and a stator. The two components are connected by fasteners which penetrate through one of the two components. At least one of the fasteners is equipped with a central, deformable pin which, in the obstructed state, impedes the nondestructive separation of the two components arranged parallel to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

Abstract: If it is determined that the present engine startup is a high-temperature startup, immediately fuel injection in concert with start of cranking is prohibited. After a delay time elapses following the start of cranking, or when THC<THCh is satisfied, fuel injection is started. Therefore, the cranking during the delay time cools interior of the combustion chambers. Since fuel injection starts after the cooling, pre-ignition can be prevented.

Abstract: A noise suppressing mechanism for balance gear system of an engine crankshaft is disclosed. The balance gear system includes a primary gear, a secondary gear, and a torsional spring and is fit on a balance shaft. The noise suppressing mechanism includes a circular flange formed on the primary gear and the secondary gear forms a central bore rotatably fit over the circular flange for free rotation about the circular flange with respect to the primary gear. The torsional spring is arranged between the primary and secondary gears. The primary gear forming a securing hole in which a stem section of a limiting pin is received and fixed. The secondary gear forms a through hole in which a head section of the limiting pin is accommodated with a gap formed between the head section and an inside diameter of the through hole. The gap allows for a limited angular shift of the secondary gear with respect to the primary gear.

Abstract: A cast iron cylinder liner of the present invention includes a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the cylinder liner. Each of the grooves extends in a circumferential direction of the cylinder liner in a ring or spiral shape, and the grooves divide the outer surface of the cylinder liner into a plurality of ring or spiral sections. The outer surfaces of the ring sections have a uniform distance from the central axis of the cylinder liner over the entire area of the outer surfaces, and the grooves being arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the cylinder liner in an axial direction thereof. Each of the grooves has a J-shaped longitudinal cross-section including a first inclination part and a groove bottom part. The first inclination part extends from the outer surface of one of the ring sections or of one turn of the spiral sections toward the center of the cylinder liner in an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A crankshaft support structure of an internal combustion engine, comprising a crankshaft having journal portions a saddle-shaped bearing caps respectively mounted on an undersurfaces of the journal support bases formed in a lower portion of the cylinder block in such a manner as to straddle the journal portions being accommodated in the bearing portions, whereby the journal portions are rotatably supported wherein, of the undersurface of each of the journal support bases, an undersurface portion overlapping with an edge portion of each of end faces on both sides of each of the bearing caps is formed to be a thick portion thicker than other portions, and a mount surface to be positioned on the undersurface overlapping with the thick portion of each of the bearing caps is formed along the thick portion.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for a direct-injection engine is provided. The cylinder head assembly includes a cylinder head at least partially defining a combustion chamber. The cylinder head is sufficiently configured to receive a fuel injector operable to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber in a spray pattern. An ignition source, such as a spark plug, is spaced from the fuel injector and operable to initiate ignition of the fuel. A fuel mixture diffuser tab is mounted with respect to the cylinder head and extends into the combustion chamber. The fuel mixture diffuser tab is positioned between the fuel injector and the ignition source and is operable to direct a portion of the fuel toward the ignition source. An internal combustion incorporating the disclosed cylinder head assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An induction system for a multi valve engine that facilitates operation in a lean burn mode over a large range of speeds and loads by employing a smaller cross sectional branch passages in several induction passages serving a common combustion chamber and a valve arrangement that progressively opens flow first through the branch passages and finally through both the main and branch passages so that maximum power can also be obtained.

Abstract: An engine control device can be capable of suppressing a rise in engine speed at starting. The engine speed can be detected by a speed sensor and a determination can be made whether the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode. If the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode, the difference between the engine speed and a predetermined target engine speed is calculated, and the ignition timing is controlled based on the calculated difference. The control of ignition timing can be performed when the detected value of the rotational sensor is larger than the target engine speed.

Abstract: In a throttle control apparatus, one end of a throttle valve shaft supported rotatably on a throttle body is protruded from one side outer wall of the throttle body, the throttle lever mechanism comprising a drive lever, a link lever and a throttle lever is attached to the one end, and is surrounded by a lever accommodation wall formed on the one side outer wall, a cover closes an outer opening portion of the lever accommodation wall, and an opening sensor is mounted on the cover and engaged to the one end, whereby throttle body assembling workability and throttle valve shaft machining workability are improved, and the throttle control apparatus advantageous for a motorcycle can be provided.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine where an in-cylinder injector and an intake manifold injector can both be used, initial setting of a fuel injection ratio (DI ratio) in accordance with a condition of the engine is basically carried out in response to power-up of an engine ECU. Further, it is sensed that an engine start request is made after a prescribed period has elapsed since the power-up. In such a case, an initial setting value of the fuel injection ratio is updated in accordance with the condition of the engine at that time point. Thus, the fuel injection ratio between both injectors can appropriately be set in starting the engine, so that the engine is smoothly started.

Abstract: A high-pressure a radial piston fuel pump in which the intake valves are embodied as ball valves, which has an advantageous effect on the efficiency of the high-pressure fuel pump. Moreover, the production and assembly of the high-pressure fuel pump of the invention are simplified by the use of ball valves.

Abstract: Wire harness mounting structure for fuel distributor pipe comprises at least one pair of first and second guide claws provided on an outer periphery of the fuel distributor pipe with having a space along the longitudinal axis thereof, the first guide claw has a first wire harness support groove opened to one side, and the second guide claw has a second wire harness support groove opened to opposite side, the wire harness extending from the female type connector is inserted and retained in the first and second wire harness support grooves of the first and second guide claws, respectively, whereby additional mounting members for assembling is not required, and the assembling operation can be performed readily.

Abstract: In order to perform accurate fuel injection control in response to fuel injection requests from the engine side without being affected by variations in power supply voltage and in coil temperature of a fuel injection solenoid and by other external factors, driving of the fuel injection solenoid is controlled based on the actual current integral of the coil current flowing through the solenoid after starting driving the solenoid.

Abstract: In a case where fuel injection system abnormality is detected, and fuel supply stop processing is carried out against the abnormality, since a judgment is made using a misfire judgment, in a case where the misfire judgment is carried out in a periodic measurement system, the reliability is low at the time of a periodic variation or in a low rotation region, and in a case where it is carried out in an ion detection system, the cost increases, and the calculation load of an internal combustion engine control apparatus by the misfire judgment processing increases. A control apparatus for a vehicular internal combustion engine of the invention includes an injector drive abnormality judgment unit to judge, based on an injector drive confirmation signal, drive abnormality of an injector corresponding to the injector drive confirmation signal, and the injector drive abnormality judgment unit judges abnormality of the injector drive confirmation signal based on a state of the injector drive confirmation signal.

Abstract: At the time of start-up, fuel supply is made excessive. When air-fuel ratio feedback control is started while the fuel is excessive, the control is put into a state of overshoot or hunting, and it takes a long time to converge to the target air-fuel ratio. In an air-fuel ratio control apparatus, a selection switch is provided at the output of an integration calculation circuit to perform air-fuel ratio feedback control, and immediately after start-up of the engine, an upper/lower limit clip value for use immediately after start-up, which is smaller than a normal one, is selected to perform the air-fuel ratio feedback control. Even if the air-fuel ratio feedback control is started immediately after the start-up in a state where the fuel is excessive, the actual air-fuel ratio does not overshoot with respect to the target air-fuel ratio and is quickly converged to the target air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination valve (15) for pressure control and venting in a fuel system for delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine. The valve comprises a primary valve cone (25), which is supported so that it is displaceable between two limit positions in a cylinder bore (24) in a valve housing (23), against the action of a first spring element (26). The displacement of the valve cone from an inoperative limit position into an operative limit position leads to the opening of a connection between an inlet duct (32) and an outlet duct (33) in the valve housing. The valve cone (25) is provided with an inner passage (27), which is designed to accommodate a secondary valve cone (28). This is displaceable between a support surface (29) and a valve seat (30) against the action of a second spring element (31) having a lower spring constant than the first spring element.

Abstract: A fuel vent valve is not shut improperly by the flow of fuel vapor. The fuel vent valve also prevents fuel from spilling out from filler neck during filling of a fuel tank. The fuel vent valve includes a casing having a vent space, a float and a vent device which can be moved up and down. The vent device includes an upper valve member, which shuts and opens a communication passage. The upper valve member is located above the float. A breathing hole and an outer wall of the valve device form a restricted passage. When the fuel level reaches a first predetermined level and the valve device rises, the restricted passage increases the flow resistance to restrict the flow of fuel vapor from the communication passage to the outside of the fuel tank. When fuel level reaches a second predetermined level and the valve device rises further, the upper valve member closes the communication passage.

Abstract: When an injection sharing ratio r is neither 0 nor 1, an engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating a purge reduction amount of an in-cylinder injector as fpg×r and calculating a purge reduction amount of an intake manifold injector as fpg×(1?r) when performing purge processing according to a current fuel injection sharing ratio of the injectors, and a step of calculating a correction fuel injection amount of the in-cylinder injector by raising the fuel injection amount to a minimum fuel injection amount, and calculating a correction fuel injection amount of the intake manifold injector by subtracting the raised amount from the fuel injection amount of the intake manifold injector when the fuel injection amount of the in-cylinder injector calculated by using the purge reduction amount is lower than the minimum injection amount.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. The engine exhaust may be recycled through the electrolyer where it is converted to hydrogen and oxygen. A water reservoir in fluid communication with the electrolyzer maintains the water level in the elctrolyzer. The hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolyzer may be routed to the internal combustion engine and provide the fuel for the engine. Hydrogen and oxygen not consumed by operation of the engine is stored in separate pressurized storage tanks. Expanders lower the pressure of pressurized hydrogen and oxygen for use to power the engine and provide electric power to the electrolyzer.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.

Abstract: A computer calculates an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount based on outputs from an airflow meter and a throttle position sensor, and then calculates a reference cylinder-intake-air amount based on an air-fuel ratio in an exhaust gas and fuel injection amount. An error of the estimated cylinder-intake-air amount is calculated by comparing the reference cylinder-intake-air amount with an estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value. The error is low-pass filtered. The estimated cylinder-intake-air amount base value is corrected to obtain the final estimated cylinder-intake-air amount.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism used in an air gun is disclosed to include a hammer, a hook member hooked on the hammer for moving the hammer to the striking position, and a movable block supported on said spring member below a slide of the air gun. The movable block is turned to compress the spring member and to force a first stop edge thereof into engagement with a pivot in the air gun, and the hook member is forced to turn the hammer backwardly downwards to a hammering position when the user moved the slide to the rear side of the air gun. The hammer is disengaged from the hook member to strike the movable block, and the spring member returns the movable block to force a second stop edge of the movable into engagement with the pivot when the user triggered the air gun.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting material from a crack that is present in a paved surface. The cutting machine has a circular cutting blade. The cutting blade has an axis of rotation and a mid-axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A wheeled platform is provided having wheels that are configured and oriented to cause the wheeled platform to turn about a predetermined point when the wheeled platform turns. A mounting arbor is supported under the wheeled platform. The mounting arbor retains the circular cutting blade in a position where its mid-axis generally aligns with the predetermined point around which the wheeled platform turns. The mid-axis of the cutting blade therefore remains in a fixed position when the wheeled platform is turned in a new direction. This allows the cutting blade to remain within the paved surface.

Abstract: A kitchen range hood for exhausting gases comprises an outer hood body within which a motor housing is mounted. The motor housing has top, bottom and perimeter side surfaces defining a pair of substantially similar air chambers, a motor and fan being housed in each chamber. An opening in the bottom surface of the housing is aligned below each of the fans. A tray is located in abutment with the housing below the opening in the bottom surface. The tray has a wall and a floor, with at least one air inlet opening in the wall. A bottom panel is connected to the bottom of the hood body about the tray. Air is drawn into the range hood through the air inlet in the tray wall. The range hood is also equipped with an automatic cleaning system, comprising a spray nozzle and hose seated above the floor of the tray.

Abstract: An endotracheal device includes a unit with a pair of tubes and a beveled distal end. One tube is used for jet ventilation, while a monitoring catheter is provided inside the second, larger tube. The device is useful for otherwise difficult intubations.

Abstract: Oxygen generation system having a portable oxygen generator unit including a portable air separation device for the generation of an oxygen-rich gas, a primary gas pump including means to supply air to the portable air separation device, a primary motor to drive the gas pump, a rechargeable power supply to drive the motor, connector means adapted to deliver power to the rechargeable power supply, flow coupling means to transfer the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and a first oxygen-rich gas product discharge port. The system also includes a stationary base unit adapted to couple with the portable oxygen generator unit, wherein the stationary base unit has a stationary power supply system including connector means adapted to recharge the rechargeable power supply in the portable oxygen generator unit, flow coupling means to receive the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and an optional second oxygen-rich gas product discharge port.

Abstract: A pneumatic sealing system for a gas mask, which seals the mask to the face of the user by using a pump that employs air from inside the gas mask to variably inflate a mask seal during the breathing cycle. A double diaphragm pump, which has a driving diaphragm and a driven diaphragm, is connected to the inflatable mask seal via a hose duct. The double diaphragm pump is driven by the pressure difference inside the gas mask. During inhalation, the driving diaphragm fills with ambient air and the driven diaphragm fills with filtered air. During exhalation, the driving diaphragm and the driven diaphragm compress, releasing and trapping air in the mask seal.

Abstract: A reversibly operable motor is mechanically connected to automatically position the piston of an air syringe that is pneumatically connected to the inflatable/deflatable seal ring or cuff of a laryngeal mask airway device (LMA) that is installed in a patient, who is being ventilated and/or anaesthetized via the airway of the LMA device. Air pressure in the cuff corrected as necessary to conform to a predetermined pressure level. The system continuously monitors for abnormal patterns of response, with audibly and visually reported warnings to the anaesthetist; these warnings include system detection of a patient's incipient sign of premature awareness while still under surgery, system detection and warning of a system or LMA malfunction, and continual microprocessor survey and integration of historical data to determine decremental recovery from administered anaesthesia.

Abstract: A wound therapy device comprising a head and a surgical drape. The head comprises a planar flange portion and a tubular connector piece on a first face that communicates with an aperture extending to a second face. The second face is formed with projections that define flow channels for facilitating flow of liquids to and from the aperture. The device may provide medicated fluid to the wound evenly while withdrawing wound exudates.

Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.

Abstract: Light from a small laser diode is inserted in a distal end of a catheter and passed through an optical fiber that is either included in the lumen or incorporated into the wall of an invasive catheter tube during manufacture. The light is selected to be of a wavelength that is minimally absorbed by tissue, preferably in the range from about 620 nm to 1100 nm. 780 nm is preferably used as this is where the tissue absorption is near a minimum. The light passes out the end of the fiber (at the proximal end of the catheter) and through the tissue to the outside of the patient's skin where it is measured. The light pattern is observed by night vision goggles that filter out other frequencies of light. The detected light permits location of the end of the fiber, the positional accuracy depending on the thickness of tissue between the fiber tip and the exterior of the body. The method is highly accurate for small children and for catheters within a few centimeters of the skin surface of adults.

Abstract: A styling device manipulated by a user that includes a hand-held styling comb; a wrist band that is adapted for attachment about the wrist of the user; and a tether line having one end attached to the hand-held styling comb and the other opposite end attached to the wrist band. The tether line enables the hand-held styling comb to be secured to the wrist band for easy access by the user.

Abstract: The method for simultaneously dyeing and permanent shaping of hair includes winding hair strands onto curlers; mixing a dye component (B) containing 1 to 10 percent by weight of one or more dye compound and an amount of a keratin-reducing substance with a shaping component (A) containing from 6 to 15% by weight of the keratin-reducing substance in a weight ratio of from about 1:1 to 1:10 to form a dyeing and shaping composition, which necessarily contains from 5 to 18% by weight of the keratin-reducing substance; then allowing the hair with the dyeing and shaping composition to act on the hair for an acting time sufficient for permanent shaping; after that, allowing a fixing composition to act on the hair for 1 to 40 minutes and then subsequently rinsing the hair. The dye component (B) contains 4,5-diaminopyrazole derivatives and certain aminophenol derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cosmetic powder appliance. The cosmetic powder appliance includes a powder receptacle including a lower powder receptacle and an upper powder receptacle having a cylindrical section and a stepped section formed at an upper portion of the cylindrical section, in which the stepped section is formed at a center portion thereof with a passage hole, the cylindrical section is detachably coupled to an upper portion of the lower powder receptacle in such a manner that the lower powder receptacle is covered with the upper powder receptacle, a puffer including a puffer head provided at an upper surface of the stepped section and formed at a center portion thereof with an exhaust hole communicated with the passage hole and a puffer cover for covering the puffer head, and a valve unit installed in the puffer head in order to selectively open the passage hole only when the puffer touches a predetermined cosmetic area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating a surface of a substrate by foam technology that includes at least one treatment chemical. The invention more particularly relates to the removal of undesired matter from the surface of substrates with small features, where such undesired matter may comprise organic and inorganic compounds such as particles, films from photoresist material, and traces of any other impurities such as metals deposited during planarization or etching. A method according to the present invention for treating a surface of a substrate comprises generating a foam from a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises a gas; a surfactant; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fluoride, a hydroxylamine, an amine and periodic acid; contacting the foam with the surface of a substrate; and, removing the undesired matter from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The waterproof structure of the tent pole-holding tape according to the present invention comprises a waterproof-coated member 111, which is fixed by a sewing line 131 to the corner portion of the tent fabric 101, and in which the front of the sewing line 131 is coated by a front waterproof tape 112, and both ends are attached to the first pole-holding tape 121 and the second pole-holding tape 122; and a side waterproof tape 113, which is attached to the outer surface of a plurality of sewing lines 131 arranged between the back surface of the waterproof-coated member 111 and the inner surface of the tent fabric 101.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for preventing the flow of liquid through a conduit is described herein. The valve includes a valve body which defines a fluid passage, a portion of which can be venturi-shaped. The valve also includes a flow barrier which has a dimension sufficient to block fluid flow through the passage. The flow barrier is movable between an open position which allows fluid flow through the passage, and a closed position which prevents such flow. A target for detecting liquid flow is pivotally attached to the flow barrier, and is exposed to liquid flow and gas flow when the flow barrier is in the open position. When liquid flow hits the target, it swings away from the direction of flow, thereby pivoting the flow barrier to the closed position. Related methods for preventing the flow of liquid through a conduit are also described.

Abstract: Performance of mass flow controller may be vulnerable to pressure transients in a flow path to which the controller is coupled for the purpose of controlling the fluid flow. A system and method are provided for reducing or eliminate performance degradations, instabilities, and/or inaccuracies of a mass flow controller caused by changes in the pressure environment. In particular, a method and system are provided for compensating for pressure transients in the pressure environment of a flow path and mass flow controller.

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).