Abstract: A water pressure sensor assembly includes a water connection fitting attached to a housing, where the water connection fitting is configured to attach to a point of use in a plumbing system. A pressure sensor and an optional temperature sensor are disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system. Another temperature sensor measures the surrounding air temperature. An electronic microprocessor is disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the pressure sensor and the temperature sensors. A power source is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor. A data transmission path is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor. A control device is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor through the data transmission path, the control device including a visual display and at least one user control configured to control the water pressure sensor assembly.

Abstract: A cleaner for the inside of a water tank utilizing a siphoning action is provided, in which the interior of a water passage (24) between an upstream-side one-way valve (Vu) and a downstream-side one-way valve (Vd) is pressurized or depressurized by a pressing operation of a suction operation tool (A) provided in a bent connecting part between a main body portion (1) and a grip portion (2) of a suction pipe (P), and water-tank water of the main body portion (1) is sucked into the suction pipe (P). This enables waste material such as leftover food within water-tank water to be sucked up together with dirty water by a very simple operation.

Abstract: A metabolite monitoring system comprising a microdialysis probe including a semi-permeable membrane and a probe flow path passing from an inlet through a sensing volume adjacent to said semi-permeable membrane to an outlet, a fluid delivery device for delivering dialysate to said inlet; and a metabolite monitoring system associated with said outlet for monitoring a concentration of at least one metabolite in said dialysate from said microdialysis probe, wherein said fluid delivery device is configured to deliver a pulsed flow of said dialysate to said inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for the transfer of fluid or fuel, from a reservoir to a container, which may be a tank from which the liquid will be used or a tank in which the liquid will be temporarily stored. The apparatus includes a compliant base element, preferably having a tapered outer diameter and two holes therethrough. The first hole is adapted to sealingly receive one end of a length of tubing whereas the second hole is adapted to receive the intake end of a hand-operated vacuum pump. Upon insertion of the opposite end of the length of tubing into a liquid-filled reservoir, and insertion into and sealing of the compliant base with a container or tank, the pump may be operated to negatively pressurize the tank or container and initiate the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the tank or container.

Abstract: A siphon assembly for a flushing cistern, said assembly including an inverted generally U shaped duct having an up leg and a down leg the up leg being provided with an enlarged chamber having a lower end open to the interior of the cistern in use and the down leg forming an outlet from the cistern in use for delivery of flushing water; and a vertically displaceable piston incorporating a flexible diaphragm acting as a one way valve, said piston being movable in said chamber to initiate a siphonic flushing action operatively discharging water through said duct from the cistern; a side wall of the chamber defining a venting aperture intermediate the top of the chamber and said lower open end, the assembly further including a first closure element secured in engagement with the venting aperture, the first closure element being shaped so as to define at least a first predetermined flush level lower than a top edge of the venting aperture when so secured.

Abstract: A decorative pipe protector that can be positioned around a copper water supply pipe to both provide a decorative appearance and protect the copper water supply pipe from corrosion. The pipe protector includes a trim tube extending axially between a first end and a second end. The trim tube includes an inner surface having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water supply pipe such that the trim tube can be slid onto the water supply pipe. The second end of the trim tube includes an attachment portion formed along its inner surface having a reduced diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe. The attachment portion of the trim tube is sweat soldered to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe to provide a liquid-tight seal between the two components. The second end of the trim tube includes external threads that receive a water shut-off valve.

Abstract: A drawing and dispensing device includes a container for receiving a liquid and having an opening coupled to a pipe for drawing a liquid into the container. A check valve is attached to the port. A pump device is attached to the check valve for pumping the liquid into the container. The check valve includes a plate having one or more orifices, and a resilient panel attached to the plate for blocking the-orifice and for allowing air to be drawn out of the container only and for preventing the air from flowing into the container via the check valve. A balancing valve is attached to the container for balancing the pressure in the container and for preventing the container from being deformed.

Abstract: An apparatus for priming a non self-priming fluid pump or siphon device includes three components: an outlet valve, priming pump and inlet check valve. All three components are integrated into the casting of the fluid pump or are attached separately to an already existing fluid pump or siphon device. Upon placement of the inlet check valve in a fluid, closing of the outlet valve and activation of the priming pump, positive air pressure and alternately negative air pressure are formed in the fluid pump. This action displaces air through the outlet valve and alternately draws fluid into the fluid pump from the inlet check valve. This action is repeated until the fluid pump is filled. The outlet valve is then opened and the fluid pump activated for use. The inlet check valve retains the fluid within the system regardless of whether the fluid source is depleted or the fluid pump deactivated.

Abstract: A pressure coupling for facilitating connection of an air pump with a water faucet to expel water from water lines connected with the faucet by operation of the air pump. In a preferred embodiment the pressure coupling includes a valve stem threadably seated in a metal cap which threads on the spout of the faucet. The hose of a manual or automatic air pump is threaded on the valve stem to pump air from the air pump into the faucet and through the water pipes connected to the faucet to clear the pipes of water and prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting in freezing weather.

Abstract: Siphon assembly for a flushing cistern is in two parts; the first including the down leg of the siphon duct the lower end of which is mounted in the cistern base and the second including the up leg and the inlet chamber in which the flushing piston is received. The parts are releasably connected by a push fit spigot and socket joint secured by a removable pin received transversely through locating formations on each part near the tops of the legs, further formations near the bottoms of the legs being received in vertical sliding relationship.

Abstract: A siphon is formed of a long transparent main siphon tube having a distal end for insertion in a tank from which fluid is to be siphoned and having a proximal end. A smaller diameter transparent connection tube fits tightly within the main siphon tube at a proximal end but slides freely from the main siphon tube. An evacuating pump has a nipple connected to the inlet end, and the nipple fits tightly within a proximal end of the connection tube. After the distal end of the main siphon tube is placed in a tank, one pulls once or more on the plunger of the pump while gripping the proximal end of the main siphon tube and thus holding the connection of the main siphon tube and the connection tube.

Abstract: A siphon tube starter comprising a cylinder and piston, the base of the cylinder having a tubular inlet extension to which is fastened a soft flexible cone for abutting the end of a siphon tube. Retraction of the piston creates a negative pressure in the cylinder, extension tube and siphon, thereby priming the siphon. The negative pressure causes a temporary, abutting, air tight connection between the flexible cone and the siphon which disappears once the siphon is primed. A guide tube is also provided.

Abstract: A siphon includes an inverted U-shaped tube providing a passage between a main and an auxiliary container of water. A longer leg of the tube is connected to the upper end of a first section of an enclosed chamber which extends deeply into the main container. The chamber is partitioned into two adjacent longitudinal sections by a common wall having an opening at the lower end. The bottom of the second section is spaced above the base of the first section. The second section includes a flat plunger having a long movable vertical rod which extends out of the top. Water enters through inlets in the bottom of the first section and top of the second section until the chamber is full. A pivotable flapper valve controls the opening in the wall between the two sections. The rod and plunger are raised to the upper position and rapidly moved down to the edge of the bottom opening. This causes the valve to pivot away from the opening while blocking the inlet holes in the first section.