Abstract: A single material sheet is picked from a support member. A gripping member is aligned above the support member, where the gripping member includes a pair of spaced apart pinching members movably coupled with a main frame, and each pinching member includes an exposed gripping surface that is substantially planar and that faces an exposed surface of the material sheet. The gripping member is moved a first distance toward the exposed surface of the material sheet such that the gripping surfaces of the pinching members engage a portion of the material sheet. The pinching members for the gripping member are moved toward each other while the pinching members engage the portion of the material sheet so as to pinch the portion of the material sheet between the pinching members and vertically displace the material sheet from the support member.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a stacking portion, a feeding portion, a contact and separation mechanism, a separation conveying portion, a detecting portion, a size acquiring portion, and a controller. In a first mode, in a case that the detecting portion detects passing of a trailing end of the current sheet after the separating operation, the controller causes the contact and separation mechanism to start a contact operation in which the feeding portion is contacted to a sheet stacked on the stacking portion in order to feed a subsequent sheet. In a second mode, before the detecting portion detects passing of a trailing end of the current sheet after the separating operation, the controller causes the contact and separation mechanism to start, on the basis of a distance in which the current sheet is fed by the separation conveying portion, the contact operation to feed the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A switching device (130) for transferring and ejecting a plate element (20) in a sorting unit (100), comprises: transport means (132), capable of transporting (A) the plate element (20) from upstream to downstream; a pivot (134), positioned in an upstream portion of the transport means (132), and allowing the transport means (132) to tilt relative to a horizontal transverse axis (R2); and raising means (135), secured in a downstream portion of the transport means (132), for tilting the downstream portion of the transport means (132) between a high first position and a low second position, and vice versa, so as to switch the plate element (20), respectively upward and downward.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes a paper feed to feed print media a single sheet at a time, a plurality of rotating discs, wherein each one of the plurality of rotating discs comprises an elastomer ring to secure a leading edge of the single sheet against a registration wall and initiate a flipping process, a curved baffle positioned above the plurality of rotating discs and the single sheet, an air duct located above the plurality of rotating discs and the single sheet to force an air flow towards the curved baffle, wherein the air flow follows a shape of the curved baffle to create a low pressure zone above the single sheet to keep a trailing edge of the single sheet levitated during completion of the flipping process, and a movable platform to hold a stack of the print media.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance member to convey a sheet, a pair of alignment members to move relatively in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet by the conveyance member, so as to align a position of the sheet in the width direction, and a lower portion to support a lower surface of the sheet between the pair of alignment members in the width direction. In addition, a pair of upper portions are arranged on one side and the other side of the lower portion in the width direction and each hold an upper surface of the sheet, wherein the pair of upper portions is positioned lower than the lower portion in a plane vertical to the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A hold down finger for a finisher process tray contacts the top sheet of paper on a paper tray to prevent subsequently printed pages from disturbing pages disposed on the paper tray. The hold down finger includes gears that move a portion of the hold down finger that contacts the top sheet of paper from a retracted position to a forward hold down position along a substantially elliptical path. After each sheet is printed and placed on top of other pages in the paper tray, the paper tray lowers and the hold down finger continues along the substantially elliptical path back to the retracted position. A rack gear associated with the paper tray engages a cylindrical gear of the hold down finger to return the hold down finger to the retracted position if the paper tray is forced upwards while the hold down finger is in the forward position.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a first tray for stacking sheets, and a sheet bundle forming unit that forms a sheet bundle on the first tray. The sheet bundle forming unit forms a first sheet bundle on the first tray, and forms a second sheet bundle on the first sheet bundle to be offset from the first sheet bundle. When forming each of the first sheet bundle and the second sheet bundle on the first tray, the sheet bundle forming unit divides sheets constituting each of the sheet bundles into a plurality of sets and discharges the sheets in a plurality of times for each sheet bundle. A number of sheets included in a first sheet set of the first sheet bundle is set smaller than a number of sheets included in a first sheet set of the second sheet bundle.

Abstract: A variable sized coiled tubing counter is described herein. The variable sized coiled tubing counter includes a plurality of rollers. At least one roller is a floating roller which is allowed to travel and may be connected to a tension assembly. The variable sized tubing counter typically includes a counter which is rotationally connected to a floating counting roller using a somewhat flexible axle. As coiled tubing passes through the tubing counter, the length of tubing is determined based on the number of rotations of the counting roller. The use of floating, tensioned rollers allows the disclosed tubing counter to be utilized with multiple diameters of coiled tubing without significant adjustment to the tubing counter or changing components of the tubing counter.

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator may comprise a bidirectional pump that controls up and down motion of an elevator car. A VVVF drive may cause the bidirectional pump to provide working fluid in a controlled manner to a hydraulic jack that supports the elevator car. A control valve may be disposed between the bidirectional pump and the hydraulic jack so that the control valve can be closed when the elevator car needs to be held in place. To avoid pressure waves that propagate when the control valve is opened with disparate pressures on the pump and jack sides of the control valve, the bidirectional pump may adjust the pressure on the pump side of the closed control valve to the pressure on the jack side of the control valve before the control valve is opened.

Abstract: A method of measuring braking deceleration of an elevator based on a video of a motion of a hoisting machine taken by a mobile device, the motion of the hoisting machine including a motion of a brake and a motion of a traction sheave, the method including capturing the video, processing the video, and calculating a braking deceleration of the elevator based on the processed video.

Abstract: A method for deploying a controller to an elevator system includes generating a request to at least one other controller for obtaining at least one parameter relating to a deployment of the controller to the elevator system, receiving a response, and in response to detection that the at least one parameter in the response comprises a set of operational parameters, initiating a configuration procedure, and in response to detection that the at least one parameter in the response does not comprise the set of operational parameters, deriving an identifier of the elevator system included as the at least one parameter in the response and generating a request including the identifier of the elevator system for obtaining the set of operational parameters. An elevator system is configured to perform the method.

Abstract: A counterweight slack detection switch including a body, a first belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage a first side of a tension member, a second belt guide mounted to the body and configured to engage the first side of the tension member, a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally mounted to the body, a deflectable member biasing the lever arm relative to the body, a third belt guide mounted to the second end of the lever arm and configured to bias the tension member from a tension position to a slack position, and a switch mounted to the body and configured to contact the tension member when the tension member is in at least one of the tension position and the slack position.

Abstract: An illustrative example elevator system includes a hoistway that establishes a vertical pathway. The hoistway has an interior border established by a plurality of stationary boundaries. The interior border defines a first area. An elevator car is within the hoistway and has an exterior border that defines a second area that is smaller than the first area. At least one hoistway liner assembly is situated in the hoistway. The hoistway liner assembly includes a plurality of bumpers that collectively establish a protected area that is smaller than the first area and larger than the second area such that the elevator car can move through the protected area. The protected area prevents contact between the load bearing assembly and the interior border of the hoistway.

Abstract: A hoisting member for an elevator system includes a core having strength components embedded in a matrix material. A coating can surround the core to protect the core and control the coefficient of friction of the outer surface based on a range of desired friction properties to prevent or inhibit slippage of the hoisting member when used in a traction elevator system. The strength components may be made from carbon nanotube material with the matrix material made from a polymer material. The hoisting member may also include other conductive material or fiber optic material. The hoisting member may also serve as the trailing cable in an elevator system. In doing so the hosting member transmits power and data between the elevator car and the elevator controller thereby eliminating the need for a traditional trailing cable.

Abstract: Depth cameras may be placed within an elevator car hoistway to capture depth images of the elevator rope. 3D sensing software may be used to identify the rope within the depth images and assign tracking points to locations along the rope. Tracked images are saved over time and compared to prior tracked images to determine the movement of tracked points between images. Movement of tracked points may be used to determine the velocity, acceleration, frequency of wave motion, and other characteristics of the rope during a period of time. When measured characteristics exceed specified thresholds, the system may take one or more actions to mitigate the undesirable behavior or provide notification of the undesirable behavior.

Abstract: A stairlift may include a rail, a chair with an armrest, a carrier that has a drive motor and is drivable along the rail, a control unit, and a first input device located at the at least one armrest and configured to provide a signal to the control unit to transport a user in a first driving direction. The control unit may start or stop a movement of the carrier in the first direction based at least on the signal of the first input device. The stairlift may also include a second input device that is separate from the first input device, and configured to provide a signal to the control unit to transport the user in the first driving direction. Further, the control unit may be adapted to start or stop the movement of the carrier based on the signal of the second input device.

Abstract: A stairlift for conveying a load along a staircase includes a stairlift guide (stairlift rail), a carriage carried by the stairlift guide and moveable along the stairlift guide, the carriage comprising a carriage drive to drive the carriage along the stairlift guide. A stairlift carriage with reduced energy consumption comprises a body of revolution mounted hingably about a first axis to a frame of the stairlift carriage, while being able to rotate about an axis of rotation at a distance from said first axis.

Abstract: Elevator systems including an elevator car having a car door sill and car apron assembly movable along an elevator shaft having a pit floor, are provided. The car apron assembly includes a collapsible guard with at least one guard element that is moveable from a deployed state to a compressed state. In the compressed state the at least one guard element is positioned within the car door sill. A guard frame is fixedly connected to the at least one guard element by one or more reinforcement elements, a translating member is arranged at each end of the guard frame, and a guide member fixedly connected to the elevator car. The collapsible guard is urged from the deployed state toward the compressed state as the guard element contacts the pit floor, and when transitioning from the deployed state to the compressed state, the translating member translates along the guide member.

Abstract: An installation tool configured to install a machine of an elevator system, including a base section including two legs, each leg including a laterally extending gusset attached thereto. A clamp assembly is supported by the base section and includes a first bracket attached to and positioned over the two legs and a second bracket attached to and positioned over the gussets. A first tube is movably carried by the first bracket and a second tube is movably carried by the second bracket. The first and second tubes are movable in the brackets between a retracted position that positions the machine over the base section and an extended position that positions the machine in a cantilevered position adjacent the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a crane that can ascertain the state of an area surrounding a hook or a cargo suspended on the hook and that can simultaneously ascertain a braking distance during stopping operations. The invention comprises: drive devices 31-34 that move a boom 7; a control apparatus 20 that controls the operation state of the drive devices 31-34; a camera 41 that photographs, from the distal end portion of the boom 7, an area below said portion; and image display devices 43 and 65 that display the image photographed by the camera 41. For the purpose of stopping the movement of the boom 7, the control apparatus 20 filters basic control signals S for the drive devices 31-34 to create filtered control signals Sf, controls the drive devices 31-34 on the basis of the filtered control signals Sf, estimates the braking distance for the boom 7, and displays the same on the image display devices 43 and 65.

Abstract: Provided is an offshore wind turbine installation arrangement, including a lifting assembly realized to hoist a suspended load between a floating installation vessel and a wind turbine assembly, the lifting assembly including a crane supported by the floating installation vessel; a sensor arrangement realized to sense at least a motion of the floating installation vessel; and a controller realized to control elements of the lifting assembly on the basis of the sensed installation vessel motion to adjust the position of the suspended load relative to the wind turbine assembly. Also provided is a method of hoisting a load between a floating installation vessel and an offshore wind turbine assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle (2) comprising at least one working unit (4) and a vehicle control system (6) comprising control units for controlling the vehicle to work in accordance with one or many working procedures. The vehicle is provided with a plurality of sensor units (12) configured to generate a sensor signal (14). Each control unit (8) is configured to determine control signals (18) to control its working unit (4), and the control unit designated to the vehicle is configured to determine control signals to control the vehicle, and also to determine control signals (18) for controlling at least one of the other working units (4) or the vehicle, and specifically to determine control signals (18) capable of controlling steps of a working procedure.

Abstract: In a vehicle lift device, an undulating link device of each of the raising/lowering devices has each link displaced along the left-right direction orthogonal to an approach direction of a vehicle, and keeps a vehicle support table in a horizontal state to be raised and lowered only in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle frame which is supported by first and second axles. A driver's cab, a lifting arm, and at least one electrical energy store unit are supported on the vehicle frame. The lifting arm is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the work vehicle parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame. The driver's cab is arranged to a first side of the longitudinal axis between the two axles. The at least one energy store unit is arranged between the two axles to a second side of the longitudinal axis, which is situated opposite the first side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pocket-sized corkscrew, bottle opener, and key chain combination apparatus that can be used to open corked and capped bottles, which when stored shields the corkscrew tip, and which can be converted from its storage configuration to its corked-bottle opener configuration with requiring disassembly of the pieces of the apparatus.

Abstract: A beverage tap installation includes a tap housing defining an inner cavity and a tap head defining a liquid channel having an inlet, outlet, and a valve receiving slot. The tap head includes a valve actuator and a valve actuator operating mechanism. A removable flexible dispense tube has a beverage inlet and outlet, the flexible dispense tube includes a liquid valve lodged in the valve receiving slot and cooperates with the valve actuator. A locking mechanism allows removably mounting the tap head on the tap housing. The flexible dispense tube includes an abutment surface in proximity of the valve and the tap installation having an engaging member on the tap head or the tap installation and abutting the dispense tube when the valve is lodged in the valve receiving slot. The tap head is mounted on the tap housing and the engaging member is provided on the tap housing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a push-type anti-scalding water dispenser faucet having: a faucet main body; a valve core assembly controlling a water output; a press board mechanism driving the valve core assembly to move; a retaining structure allowing the press board mechanism to switch between a locking position and a release position. The water dispenser faucet comprises a disposable finger stall for mounting onto the press board mechanism or a finger of a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production and delivery of lithium metal of high purity are provided. More particularly, methods and systems for lithium metal purification, delivery and deposition are provided. In at least one aspect, a liquid lithium delivery system is provided. The liquid lithium delivery system comprises a liquid lithium delivery module. The liquid lithium delivery system comprises a lithium storage region operable to store the liquid lithium, a pumping region operable to move liquid lithium through the lithium delivery, and a flow control region. The pumping region comprises an electromagnetic pump operable to move the liquid lithium using electromagnetism. The flow control region operable to control the flow of liquid lithium, comprising one or more valves operable to control the flow of the liquid lithium, wherein the pumping region is positioned downstream from the lithium storage region and upstream from the flow control region.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a capping structure over a device substrate. The device substrate includes a first microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a second MEMS device laterally offset from the first MEMS device. The capping structure includes a first cavity overlying the first MEMS device and a second cavity overlying the second MEMS device. The first cavity has a first gas pressure and the second cavity has a second gas pressure different from the first cavity. An outgas layer abutting the first cavity. The outgas layer includes an outgas material having an outgas species. The outgas material is amorphous.

Abstract: A light absorbing member includes a ceramic composite having a plurality of first ceramic particles exhibiting positive resistance temperature characteristics in a first ceramics having an open porosity of 5% or lower.

Abstract: To provide a metal-based structure or nanoparticles whose homogeneity is not deteriorated and whose sticking formation is easy, and a production method thereof with a high safety. A metal-based structure comprises a hydrogen compound, cluster, or an aggregate thereof, represented by the general formula: MmH. The M is a metal-based atom. The m is an integer of 3 or more and 300 or less. H is a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing diluted hydrofluoric acid using an electrode arrangement (1), which has an anode chamber (2) with an anode (4) and a cathode chamber (6) with a cathode (8), which are separated from one another by an anion exchange membrane (10), wherein in the method—pure water is guided through the anode chamber (2), —pure water, which includes at least one electrolyte which forms fluoride ions (F?), is guided through the cathode chamber (6), —and an electrical voltage is applied between the anode (4) and the cathode (8) such that the fluoride ions (F?) are moved through the anion exchange membrane (10) into the anode chamber (2), and an electrical current flows.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for making carrier for use in single molecule detection. The method includes: providing a rigid substrate; coating a polymer layer on a surface of the rigid substrate, the polymer layer is in semisolid state; transferring a nano-scaled pattern of a template on a surface of the polymer layer by pressing the template on the surface of the polymer layer; obtaining a flexible substrate by removing the template; and applying a metal layer on the flexible substrate. The carrier for use in single molecule detection has a relative higher SERS and can enhance the Raman scattering.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a composition of matter nucleated from a homogenous nucleation to form a self-assembled binder-less mesoporous carbon-based particle. In some implementations, the composition includes: a plurality of electrically conductive 3D aggregates formed of graphene sheets and sintered together to define a 3D hierarchical open porous structure comprising mesoscale structuring with micron-scale fractal structuring and configured to provide an electrical conduction between contact points of the graphene sheets. A porous arrangement is formed in the 3D hierarchical open porous structure and is arranged to contain a liquid electrolyte configured to provide ion transport through a plurality of interconnected porous channels in the 3D hierarchical open porous structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing graphene having a wrinkle pattern is provided. The method includes forming a wrinkle providing layer having a first thermal expansion coefficient on one surface of a graphene layer, forming a substrate having a second thermal expansion coefficient on one surface of the wrinkle providing layer, and performing a heat treatment to form wrinkles on the wrinkle providing layer by a difference between the first and second thermal expansion coefficients, thereby forming wrinkle patterns on the graphene layer.

Abstract: Generally unusable or difficultly useable dusts of ultrahigh purity silicon can be used to produce chlorosilanes under reasonable reaction conditions by employing a catalyst containing one or more of Co, Mo, W. The process may be incorporated into an integral plant for the production of polycrystalline silicon.

Abstract: A system, method, and articles of manufacture for a surface-modified transition metal cyanide coordination compound (TMCCC) composition, an improved electrode including the composition, and a manufacturing method for the composition according to Formula III—An electrochemical cell including a system having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte wherein the anode includes a material, including the material including at least one composition represented by Formula III: AxMny[Mn(CN)(6)]z(Vac)(1-z).n(H2O)m(Che) wherein, in Formula III, A includes one or more alkali metals including Na; and wherein 0<j?4, 0?k?0.1, 1.2<x?4, 0<y?1, 0.8<z?1, 0<n?4; 0?m?0.2 and wherein x+2y?4z=0.

Abstract: A method of pretreatment and bromine recovery of PCB Incineration ash is disclosed that relates to the field of comprehensive recovery of valuable metals by full wet method, especially relates to a method of valuable metals and bromine recovery, precious metals enrichment in pretreatment process of PCB Incineration ash. The major steps includes alkali leaching, Cu extraction back-extraction, neutralization-precipitation to separate, Bromine evaporative crystallization, regeneration, acid pickling, Zn evaporative crystallization, removal of Zn and Cu. Compared with the traditional comprehensive recovery process of ash, the invention can separate bromine from ash and recover valuable metals such as copper, zinc and lead with the maximum extent, at the same time, the enrichment of silver and other precious metals is beneficial to the subsequent recovery of precious metals. It has high added recovery value and no tailless discharge.

Abstract: Zirconium and yttrium oxide-based composition with a specific surface area of at least 12 m 2/g following calcination at 1000° C. for 10 hours. This composition is obtained via a method wherein a mixture of zirconium and yttrium compounds is precipitated with a base; the resulting precipitate-containing medium is heated; a compound selected from anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, polyethylene glycols, carboxylic acids and the salts thereof and carboxymethylated fatty alcohol ethoxylate-type surfactants is then added to said precipitate, and, finally, the precipitate is calcined. Said composition can be used as a catalyst.

Abstract: In an amorphous complex metal oxide and a method for producing the same of the present disclosure, the amorphous complex metal oxide is a three-components metal oxide containing titanium (Ti), cerium (Ce), and zirconium (Zr), wherein the amorphous complex metal oxide is amorphous.

Abstract: A stable rhodochrosite comprising manganese carbonate (MnCO3) and 0.03-0.3 wt % of an anion or ligand of phosphoric acid (H3PO4), pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7), an organic acid, or a salt of such acids, or 0.03-0.3 wt % of a mixture of such anions and/or ligands. Also, a method of producing stable rhodochrosite comprising manganese carbonate (MnCO3) in which a rhodochrosite comprising manganese carbonate (MnCO3) is treated by applying an aqueous treatment solution of phosphoric acid (H3PO4), pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), an organic acid, or a salt of such acids, or a mixture thereof and the treated rhodochrosite is dried to produce stable rhodochrosite.

Abstract: A method for efficiently preparing ferrate based on nascent state interfacial activity. The method is as follows: (a) preparing nascent iron solution; (b) adding an oxidizing agent to the iron solution of step (a); (c) adding alkali solution or alkali particles to the mixed solution of step (b), mixing by stirring, and carrying out solid-liquid separation; (d) adding a stabilizing agent to the liquid separated out in step (c), and thus obtaining ferrate solution. The yield is 78-98%. The prepared ferrate solution is stable and can be stored for 3-15 days.

Abstract: A method of forming an inorganic nano-material by thermally treating metal-infused organic polymers to remove the organics to leave an inorganic nano-material where the metal-infused organic polymer precursor may be formed by a polymer synthesis reaction of organic monomers with a metal-containing precursor and by combining a metal containing precursor with at least one organic monomer to obtain a mixture and initiating a polymerization reaction of the mixture to form a metal-infused organic polymer precursor.

Abstract: A lithium-rich layered oxide material with a phase structure gradient and method for making the same are disclosed, used as cathode material for lithium ion battery. The invention has the following technical features: the spherical granule-shaped lithium-rich layered oxide material contains two types of structural units whose ratio gradually changes from the center to the surface of the spherical granule, wherein the monoclinic Li2MnO3 structural unit is gradually reduced, and the rhombohedral LiTMO2 structural unit is gradually increased from the center to the surface of the spherical granule. By controlling the ratio of the monoclinic Li2MnO3 structural unit versus the rhombohedral LiTMO2 structural unit along from the center to the surface the spherical granule, the performance of the Lithium-rich layered oxide materials as cathode for lithium ion battery, such as cyclic stability, specific discharge capacity, safety and other properties, is improved.

Abstract: A water purification system, a water dispenser and a washing basin applying the same for purifying a raw water to be treated without filtering to a usable fresh water. The water purification system includes a water filtering device coupled to a water intake to filter a raw water to be treated; a first water storage tank coupled to the water filtering device for storing the raw water after being filtered; a nebulization device coupled to the first water storage tank for nebulizing the raw water after being filtered into a water fog; a condensation device coupled to the nebulization device for condensing the water fog; and a second water storage tank coupled to the condensation device for storing a recycled water generated by condensing the water fog.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid container having a hollow handle located adjacent to the center of mass of a container filled with liquid. With the hollow handle located adjacent to the center of mass, the total bending moment exerted on a user's wrist is drastically reduced. The container may contain a reservoir tank to retain any type of liquid. Further, the handle is hollow such that liquid may flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber through the handle. In some embodiments, the handle is structured to house a filtration system. In some embodiments, the reservoir is structured to house a filtration system. A liquid may pass through the filtration system to become treated before being stored in the lower chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment and/or purification of water, in particular wastewater or drinking water, preferably for the adsorptive removal of inorganically or organically-based, impurities, such as trace substances and/or micropollutants, wherein, in a counterflow filter device, e.g. a counterflow adsorption filter column, the water that is to be treated and/or that is to be purified firstly, and, secondly, an, in particular particulate, adsorption material are conducted in a counterflow direction. In particular, a procedure is followed in such a manner that the water to be treated and/or purified is passed through a bed of the adsorption material present in the counterflow filter device for the adsorptive removal of impurities and the bed is exchanged and regenerated by preferably continuous removal and supply of the adsorption material in counterflow to the water that is to be treated and/or that is to be purified.

Abstract: A system and method for backwashing a sand filter in a wastewater treatment system. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for backwashing a sand filter comprising: a sand filter configured to remove solids from an untreated wastewater; a container storing chlorine fluidly coupled to the sand filter by a chlorine supply manifold; a flow control mechanism positioned on the chlorine supply manifold between the container and the sand filter, the flow control mechanism alterable between a first position whereby chlorine cannot flow from the container to the sand filter and a second position whereby chlorine flows from the container to the sand filter, the flow control mechanism being biased into the first position; and a processor operably coupled to the flow control mechanism and configured to automatically actuate the flow control mechanism into the second position upon detecting that the sand filter is being backwashed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing conditioned water configured to add a pH adjuster and/or a redox potential regulator to ultrapure water to produce conditioned water, the generator including: a chemical tank configured to store a chemical solution containing the pH adjuster and/or the redox potential regulator; a chemical injection pipe configured to inject the chemical solution in the chemical tank into the ultrapure water; and a degassing device configured to degas the chemical solution injected into the ultrapure water. When producing conditioned water useful as wash water for semiconductor wafers by adding a pH adjuster and/or a redox potential regulator into ultrapure water, the present invention can solve problems such as incorporation of DO from the chemical solution, injection failure and measurement failure of the flow meter due to foaming of the chemical solution, thereby enabling stable production of conditioned water with a low DO concentration and high water quality.

Abstract: A system for generating an aqueous ozone solution employs a mixing assembly disposed within an auxiliary compartment coupled to an external sidewall of an ozone supply unit enclosure. The mixing assembly includes a first flow path for water to flow through and a second flow path in parallel with the first flow path. The first flow path includes one or more ozone intake ports that are fluidically coupled to one or more ozone output ports of the ozone supply unit enclosure. The second flow path includes a control valve that selectively permits a portion of the water to flow through the second flow path to produce a negative pressure in the first flow path so that ozone is drawn into the first flow path through the one or more ozone intake ports and mixed into the water flowing through the first flow path to produce an aqueous ozone solution.