Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for of controlling the flow of a fluid. The fluid comprises a liquid phase and a dissolved gas phase. The fluid passes through a valve, the valve comprising a fluid inlet and a movable body located in a flow path through the valve, the movable body being arranged to move freely relative to the opening of the inlet to vary the flow-through area through which the fluid flows by means of the Bernoulli effect. The dimensions of the valve are such that flow of the fluid past the movable body causes a drop in pressure to below the bubble point of the gas phase in the liquid phase, thereby increasing flow of the fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A new and improved waste oil management system is described herein which includes an automated data management system, allowing users to track usage and collection volumes, and other useful data, to help reduce oil use, lower costs and increase profits. The waste oil management system includes an oil monitoring device or integrated control panel linked to one or more computers, more fully described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a flow in a micro conduit system, and particularly a micro conduit system comprising one or more capillary-stop valves (6,6?) wherein the stopping ability of the capillary stop valve is overcome with the help of an acoustic wave source.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a gas distribution apparatus may include: a manifold having a gas inlet to receive a process gas from a fast gas exchange unit and a first gas outlet to provide the process gas to a first gas delivery zone; a plurality of flow restrictors fluidly coupled to one another in parallel and to the gas inlet, wherein each of the plurality of flow restrictors are configured to allow at least a portion of a total flow of a process gas through each of the plurality of flow restrictors; and a plurality of valves each coupled to respective ones of the plurality of flow restrictors, wherein the plurality of valves are configured to be selectively opened to allow the process gas to flow through selective ones of the plurality of flow restrictors to provide a desired percentage of a total flow of the process gas to the outlet.

Abstract: A cooling and reactant removal system includes first and second gate valves. An outlet of the first gate valve is arranged in fluid communication with the process volume of the processing chamber. A filter is arranged in fluid communication with an inlet of the first gate valve. An inlet of the second gate valve is arranged in fluid communication with the process volume of the processing chamber. A gas amplifier has a first inlet, a second inlet, an outlet and at least one Coanda surface. Compressed gas received at the first inlet of the gas amplifier is directed across the Coanda surface. The second inlet of the gas amplifier is in fluid communication with the outlet of the second gate valve. The outlet of the gas amplifier is in fluid communication with a scrubbed exhaust system.

Abstract: An air pipe head having a housing bounding a venting channel and a chamber. The venting channel has an end port opening downwards into the chamber. A float member is arranged in the chamber and guided for guided movement between an uppermost position closing off the end port and a lowermost position spaced below the end port. The chamber communicates with surroundings of the air pipe head via at least one side port. A downwardly facing surface portion of the float member in its lowermost position is shielded in substantially all lateral directions and an upper surface portion of the float member in its lowermost position is left exposed through said side port.

Abstract: A method for reducing performance variation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes providing actuator activation signals to the electromagnetically-activated actuator. The signals include current driven through the electrical coil in a first direction. The method detects unacceptable response variations in the armature to equivalent actuator activation signals. And, subsequent to detection of unacceptable response variations in the armature, current is driven through the electrical coil in a direction opposite that of the first direction following actuator activation signals.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fluid flow within a microchannel includes a fluid circuit comprising a fluid outlet well and one or more fluid inlet wells, all in communication with a microchannel. A negative pressure differential is applied to the outlet well and fluid flow from an inlet well into the microchannel is controlled by opening or closing the inlet well to atmospheric pressure. To stop fluid flow from the inlet well, a negative pressure differential may be applied to the inlet well to equalize pressure between the inlet and outlet wells. By sequentially opening and closing different inlet wells to atmosphere, controlled amounts of different reagents can be serially introduced into the microchannel.

Abstract: A contamination control apparatus for controlling contamination in an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes an air mover located in the image forming device; a first duct, a first end of the first duct receiving non-contaminated air, and a second end of the first duct being fluidly connected to an air input of the air mover such that the air input receives the non-contaminated air from the first duct; an exhaust duct, a first end of the exhaust duct being fluidly connected to an air output of the air mover such that the exhaust duct receives the non-contaminated air from the air output; and a second duct, a first end of the second duct being positioned such that contaminated air is drawn into the second duct, and a second end of the second duct being fluidly connected to the exhaust duct at a position downstream of the air output of the air mover and upstream of the second end of the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A drive unit for an irrigation system comprising, a pair of vertical tower members, a base beam, a pair of drive wheels, a sensor, a hydraulic unit and a pair of connecting rods. A pair of drive wheels each is pivotally connected to the front end and the back end of the base beam. Each of the pair of drive wheels are operably connected to a gearbox and a motor. An electrically controlled hydraulic unit is coupled with the sensor and includes a pair of pistons for pulling or pushing the connecting rods. The sensor mounted on the pipeline detects the stress on the pipeline and activates the hydraulic unit. When a change in stress is detected in the pipeline of the irrigation system, the sensor triggers the hydraulic unit that pulls or pushes the connecting rods to turn the drive wheels and to reduce the stress on the span of the irrigation system.

Abstract: A food product heat treatment apparatus for heat-sensitive fluid food products, including an inlet for supplying the food product, an outlet for discharging the heat treated food product, a holding device downstream the inlet for holding the food product a specific time at a specific temperature, and a back pressure device downstream the holding device, wherein the holding device is a positive displacement holding device and/or a self cleaning holding device. A method for heat treating a heat-sensitive fluid food product, including supplying the food product to an inlet, heat treating the food product by holding the food product a specific time at a specific temperature in a holding device, providing a back pressure device downstream the holding device, and discharging the heat treated food product through an outlet, wherein the back pressure device includes a cooled valve and/or the food product is positively displaced through the holding device.

Abstract: A female connector has a body with an internal cavity having a port and an internal surface. A collapsible valve is disposed within the internal cavity. The valve has a head with an external surface, wherein the head is in sealing contact with the internal surface of the internal cavity at a first location separated from the port so as to create a primary seal and at a second location proximate to the port so as to form a secondary seal when the female connector is not mated with a compatible male connector. The valve also has a neck coupled to the head proximal to the primary seal. The neck has a smiley cut. The valve also has a base portion coupled to the neck proximal to the smiley cut.

Abstract: Fluid-leakage detection system (14) for a domestic fluid distribution installation (1), comprising: a main fluid feed pipe (9) connected to at least one item of fluid consuming equipment (13) through a corresponding secondary pipe (11), a cutoff valve (15) for cutting off the main feed pipe (9) in the event of the detection of any leak, a small-leak detection device (16) activated in the case of zero global consumption, a flow meter (25) on the secondary pipe of each item of consuming equipment (13) for establishing the state of the global consumption.

Abstract: An integrated circuit compensates for parasitic capacitance in a capacitive measuring apparatus wherein a capacitance measurement is done by repeatedly transferring charge from a capacitor to be measured to a reference capacitor.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluid drainage control system to drain a fluid from a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes determining a first ambient air temperature, determining if the first ambient air temperature is less than a predetermined drain set point temperature, isolating the fluid dispensation system from a fluid supply source by closing a supply valve located inside a temperature controlled area in response to the first ambient air temperature being less than the predetermined drain set point temperature, and draining the fluid from the fluid dispensation system by opening a drain valve subsequent to closing the supply valve.

Abstract: A system for supplying a gaseous fuel to a gas turbine includes a liquefied fuel source for supplying a liquefied fuel to a liquid fuel pump that is disposed downstream from the liquefied fuel source. The liquid fuel pump is sufficient to raise the pressure of the liquefied fuel to a substantially supercritical pressure. A supercritical liquefied fuel vaporizer is disposed downstream from the liquid fuel pump. A heat recovery system is in thermal communication with the liquefied fuel. The heat recovery system is positioned between the liquid fuel source and the supercritical liquefied fuel vaporizer.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a detection portion in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a movable member that is disposed in the detection portion, and a sensor that outputs a signal relative to a position of the movable member.

Abstract: A plasma processing system and method includes a processing chamber, and a plasma processing volume included therein. The plasma processing volume having a volume less than the processing chamber. The plasma processing volume being defined by a top electrode, a substrate support surface opposing the surface of the top electrode and a plasma confinement structure including at least one outlet port. A conductance control structure is movably disposed proximate to the at least one outlet port and capable of restricting an outlet flow through the at least one outlet port to a first flow rate and capable of increasing the outlet flow through the at least one outlet port to a second flow rate, wherein the conductance control structure restricts the outlet flow rate moves between the first flow rate and the second flow rate corresponding to a selected processing state set by the controller during a plasma process.

Abstract: A method of supplying multiple chemicals in a supply line. The method includes: supplying a first chemical to the supply line; and supplying a second chemical, different from the first chemical, to the supply line. The first and second chemicals are sequentially supplied as discrete slugs.

Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a first vessel having a generally constant volume and a second vessel having a variable volume. Thermal energy is supplied to an ideal gas within the first vessel in order to raise its temperature and pressure. The thermally compressed gas is then released into, and expands the volume of, the second vessel. The expanding volume of the second vessel expands raises a mass and/or strains an elastic member, thus storing gravitational and/or elastic potential energy. This stored potential energy can be released on demand by evacuating the second vessel, typically into a third vessel, and used to power a generator. Preferably, the potential energy is used to coupled to the generator using a planetary gear drive, such that a relatively small number of input rotations yields a relatively large number of output rotations.

Abstract: A shock sensor includes: a supporting body; a bistable mechanism, configured to switch from a first stable mechanical configuration to a second stable mechanical configuration in response to an impact force applied along a detection axis and such as to supply to the bistable mechanism an amount of energy higher than a transition energy; and a detection device, coupled to the bistable mechanism and having a first state, when the bistable mechanism is in an initial stable mechanical configuration and a second state, after the bistable mechanism has made a transition from the initial stable mechanical configuration to a final stable mechanical configuration. The bistable mechanism includes at least one elastic element, constrained to the supporting body in at least two opposite peripheral regions and defining a first concavity in the first stable mechanical configuration and a second concavity, opposite to the first concavity, in the second stable mechanical configuration.

Abstract: A process and device for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition which uses Steam Injection Emulsification (SIE) are disclosed, including a steam injection nozzle system, where the nozzle has one or more holes for releasing steam into an emulsion, which induces turbulence in the emulsion to facilitate emulsification, solvent distillation or both to produce latex emulsions for making toner.

Abstract: A compact, easily manufactured, axisymmetric mechanism can be configured to change the magnitude of a short-movement linear motion, or also reverse the movement direction, of an actuator for control of movable elements. The mechanism is bidirectional and reversible, functioning symmetrically, and does not contain any gears nor lead screw threads. It is constantly loaded, so that force change is achieved without mechanical backlash, introducing hysteresis. The movement conversion is generally proportional and suitable for use in actuating a fluid control valve intended for modulating the control of fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a housing (11) having a housing chamber (20) therein, a support plate (35) within the housing chamber that includes a plurality of support plate apertures (44), and a plurality of nozzles (69, 72) that each have a distributor head (78) that extends up through the support plate. Each distributor head distributes a feed liquid horizontally above the upper surface (38) of the support plate. The chemical feeder, with some embodiments, further includes a diverter plate (122) that extends upward from the support plate at an angle (125) of less than 90°. The diverter plate divides an upper housing chamber (146) into a first upper housing chamber (152) that includes solid chemical material, and a second upper housing chamber (155) that is free of solid chemical material.

Abstract: A fluid conveyed thruster for use in combination with a bottom hole assembly connected to a drill string during drilling operations. The fluid conveyed thruster comprises a continuous passage comprising a narrowed portion and an intersection. Fluid passing through the continuous passage of the fluid conveyed thruster accelerates as it passes through the narrowed portion and the intersection. The acceleration of fluid exiting the fluid conveyed thruster urges the tool forward and in turn urges the bottom hole assembly forward within a wellbore. The fluid conveyed thruster extends the reach of the bottom hole assembly and the drill string within the wellbore.

Abstract: A chemical feeder includes a support plate that is positioned within the housing chamber of the chemical feeder is described. The support plate includes a base plate having an upper surface that has one or more extensions that extend upward from the upper surface. The extensions can, with some embodiments, be in the form of arcuate extensions that can together define an impeller pattern or a spiral extension that defines a spiral channel. The upper surface of the base plate and/or the one or more extensions are adapted to support a solid chemical material thereon. The support plate further includes a plurality of arcuate channel apertures or spiral channel apertures that extend through the base plate. A feed liquid introduced into the housing chamber flows through at least one of the plurality of arcuate/spiral channel apertures and contacts the solid chemical material to form a treated liquid.

Abstract: A valve (100) comprises a barrel (104) having a central bore (110), an inlet (112), and an outlet (114, 116), and a spool (120) disposed for motion within the central bore, including a ball tip (128), a metering edge (130), and a bore (132). The spool is moveable between a closed position, wherein the ball tip engages a seat (142) to prevent fluid flow through the inlet and the metering edge is disposed in a lower chamber (148) of the central bore to prevent the fluid flow through the outlet, and an opened position, wherein the tip is spaced apart from the seat to permit fluid flow through the inlet and the spool bore into an upper chamber (154) of the central bore to equalize pressure on the spool, and the metering edge is disposed in a flow path of the outlet to permit fluid flow through the outlet.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to an arrangement for thermocyclization of a substance. At least one embodiment of the invention also relates to a method for the thermocyclization of a substance, including: the controllable valves automatically close the PCR chamber after the test fluid has been introduced into the PCR-chamber, and the properties for the memory metal or bimetal elements are used for closing the valves when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded. As a result, the mechanical actuator, which is used to actuate the valves, is thermally coupled to the heating/cooling element in order to carry out the thermocyclization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a vehicular fluid to a component of the vehicle. A reductant delivery system of a selective catalytic reduction system delivers the vehicular fluid to the component of the vehicle. The reductant delivery system includes a compressed air source, a tank in fluid communication with the compressed air source, a dosing module in fluid communication with the tank, and a control module electrically coupled to the compressed air source. The tank may contain a diesel exhaust fluid and the dosing module is in fluid communication with the component that receives the diesel exhaust fluid. The control module regulates an amount of air pressure in the tank to deliver the vehicular fluid to the dosing module. The system omits a vehicular fluid pump such that the compressed air from the compressed air source pressurizes the dosing module with the vehicular fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a support plate that is positioned within the housing chamber of the chemical feeder. The support plate includes a base plate that has one or more extensions that extend upward from an upper surface of the base plate. The extensions can, with some embodiments, be in the form of peg extensions, arcuate extensions that can together define an impeller pattern, or a spiral extension. The support plate also includes a deflection plate that is positioned vertically above at least one support plate aperture that extends through the base plate. The deflection plate also includes at least one deflection plate hole therethrough. A first portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture is horizontally deflected by the deflection plate and interacts with the extensions. A second portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture passes vertically up through the deflection plate hole(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a support plate that is positioned within the housing chamber of the chemical feeder, in which one or more extensions extend upward from an upper surface of the base plate of the support plate. The extensions can, with some embodiments, be in the form of peg extensions, arcuate extensions that can together define an impeller pattern, or a spiral extension. A distributor head having a plurality of distributor head apertures and at least one dome hole extends up through a support plate aperture in the base plate of the support plate, and distributes liquid horizontally and vertically relative to the base plate. The horizontally and vertically distributed liquid contacts a solid chemical material that is supported above the support plate, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material.

Abstract: A mixed gas supply device includes a plurality of gas supply lines arranged in parallel that include flow rate control devices and outlet side switching valves, wherein gas outlets of respective outlet side switching valves communicate with a manifold, and another gas supply line at a position close to a mixed gas outlet of the manifold supplies a low flow rate gas, wherein an outlet side of the flow rate control device and an inlet side of the outlet side switching valve are hermetically connected via an outlet side connecting fitting of the flow rate control device and a mounting table having a gas passage, wherein a small hole portion is provided at a part of a flow passage at the outlet side connecting fitting and/or a flow passage, which makes the outlet side switching valve and a mixed gas flow passage in the manifold communicate with one another.

Abstract: A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is provided. In the hot water supply apparatus, refrigerant flowing through an evaporator and a compressor of a refrigerant cycle may perform a heat-exchange operation with water so that, a hot water supply operation may be substantially continuously performed without performing a defrosting operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a valve having a spring, a pin, and an actuator for actuating the pin. A current having a specified current profile is applied to the actuator, starting from an initial current value at which the pin is in an initial position in which the pin allows the valve to move between open and closed positions. The current profile includes a section or several consecutive sections, wherein each section defines an initial current value and a final current value, a first time interval having a continuously falling current, and a subsequent second time interval having a continuously rising current. For each section, the final current value is less than the initial current value. After the specified current profile has been passed through, the pin is in a final position in which the pin prevents the valve from moving between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first supply channel and a first discharge channel fluidically connected to one another by a first valve. The device also includes a second supply channel and a second discharge channel fluidically connected to one another by a second valve. At least one of the first channels can be fluidically connected to at least one of the second channels by a T-valve. The device also includes a control unit for controlling the valves, the control unit being configured in such a way that a first fluid from one of the first channels and a second fluid in one of the second channels can be laminated in parallel by actuating the valves in one of the first or second channels. A microfluidic system and a method for transporting fluids, and a use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: An offshore well drilling system for drilling a subsea well is presented that includes a floating platform, a surface BOP stack, a riser, and a driveable environmental safe guard system. The safe guard system includes an upper wellhead connector, a lower wellhead connector, a blowout preventer with shearing blind rams, and a subsea pressure control system. The subsea pressure control system can be electric, hydraulic, acoustic, or ROV actuated. More importantly, the environmental safeguard system is moveable, and can be driven around using as ROV. The present invention provides swift disconnect and recovery for emergency situations. The subsea environmental safe guard system is also much lighter in weight than traditional subsea stacks.

Abstract: An electronic faucet including a spout hub and a pullout wand removably coupled to the spout hub. The pullout wand is touch sensitive when docked to the spout hub, and is not touch sensitive when undocked from the spout hub.

Abstract: A return fuel cooling system for LPI vehicle having an engine and a bombe connected to each other through a fuel supply line and a fuel return line in the LPI vehicle using LPG fuel to cool high-temperature LPG fuel returning from the engine to the bombe, may include a heat exchanger mounted on the fuel return line, a bypass line connecting upstream and downstream of the fuel return line, wherein the heat exchanger may be interposed between the upstream and the downstream of the fuel return line to make the LPG fuel returning to the bombe bypass the heat exchanger and supply the LPG fuel to the bombe, and a valve included at a portion in which the fuel return line and the bypass line is connected, and selectively opening or closing the fuel return line connected with the heat exchanger according to a temperature of the bombe.

Abstract: A fluid dispersion assembly comprises a diffusion unit disposed in fluid communication with a fluid container, the assembly being powered by a compressed air source. The diffusion unit at least partially defines a diffusion chamber, and includes a diffusion assembly containing an atomizer assembly which, in combination with the diffusion chamber, generates a fluid dispersion from a mixture of compressed air and an operative fluid, for example, fragrant oils, essential oils, odor neutralizers, disinfectants such as triethylene glycol, air sanitizers, etc. The diffusion unit may include a suppressor assembly and/or a silencer assembly to reduce the amount of noise generated during operation. In one alternate embodiment, a modified diffusion chamber is provided which functions as a suppression chamber, thereby reducing the noise generated during operation of the assembly.

Abstract: A system and methodology facilitate flow control through actuation of valves individually along a plurality of zones. The system and methodology may be used in a variety of applications, including fracturing operations in which the valves are selectively actuated to control flow of fracturing fluid to specific zones of a formation. In fracturing applications, a well string is provided with a plurality of stages positioned sequentially along a plurality of surrounding zones, e.g. well zones. Each stage may be uniquely actuated relative to other stages by dropping a ball or balls down to the desired stage and actuating the valve via application of pressure.

Abstract: A configurable process control device, which includes a field device, such as a valve position controller, that can be configured by a user to emulate any one of a plurality of different types of process control devices, is provided with an electronic display assembly. The electronic display assembly is operatively connected with a control circuit that is arranged to respond to the specific configuration of the field device to cause the electronic display assembly to display information relevant to the specific type of control device the field device has been configured to emulate. The information may include safety certification information specific to each of the different types of process control devices that the field device can be configured to emulate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a valve including a spring, an actuator having an actuator force opposing the spring, and a pin actuatable by the actuator. To open the valve, in a first operating mode a current having a predefined curve is applied to the actuator, starting from a starting value of the current at which the pin is positioned to allow the valve to close, measured values of the current are determined chronologically sequentially, a reference value of the current takes on the current measured value of the current when the measured current deviates from the applied current by a predefined degree. In a second operating mode, a current having a predefined curve is applied to the actuator, starting with the starting value of the current to a final value of the current at which the pin is in a position that prevents the valve from closing.

Abstract: A water purifying apparatus comprises: a filtering unit; a water tank unit for storing water having passed through the filtering unit; an extraction unit for selectively extracting the water stored in the water tank unit; and a cleaning system for sequentially controlling a cleaning process and a rinsing process of the water tank unit. Since cleaning and rinsing processes for the water purifying apparatus are automatically executed by a series of consecutive processes, the user may directly clean the water purifying apparatus if necessary without requiring a Codi's visit. Furthermore, the number of times that the Codi visits the users home for cleaning of the water purifying apparatus is reduced. This may allow the Codi to have an enhanced working efficiency, and to pay less effort to a cleaning process for the water purifying apparatus.

Abstract: An appliance having a housing including a body defining a compartment and a door attached to the body, a water supplier including a first valve actuator configured to cause water to be dispensed by the water supplier, a supply container holder configured to hold a supply container for a liquid supply, at least one user input device including a touch screen configured to enable a user to make an input to request dispensing of the liquid supply from the supply container, a supply dispenser including a second valve actuator and configured to cause the liquid supply in the supply container to be selectively dispensed from the supply container based on the input made by the user using the touch screen, and a dispensing computer configured to receive a dispense signal from the touch screen, in response to receipt of the dispense signal, cause the second valve actuator to cause the liquid supply in the supply container to be dispensed from the supply container for a first period of time to dispense an appropriate am

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a detector having a detecting device that detects a proximity condition and develops a parameter of electric power related thereto and a parameter measuring device coupled to the detecting device. The parameter measuring device comprises a parameter detector, and an analog-to digital converter (ADC) coupled to the parameter detector and operative in one of a plurality of operational ranges to develop a digital representation of the parameter. The parameter measuring device further includes a range selector coupled between the ADC and the parameter detector that is operative to cause the parameter detector to develop an output signal magnitude representative of the parameter of electric power wherein the output signal magnitude is within one of the operational ranges of the ADC. The detector may be used in a control for a spray device to detect motion.

Abstract: Vacuum waste collection system is provided (1a) by successively selecting a number of branches in a sequence for emptying and transport of waste, wherein the intersection (1, 2, 3, 4) of each next branch in the sequence is at the same o shorter transport distance to a central waste collection point (6) compared to the intersection (1, 2, 3, 4) of the previous branch in the sequence, and collectively transporting accumulated waste from the selected branches towards the central waste collection point (6) by successively operating the air inlet valves (av1, av2, av3, av4, av5) of the corresponding branches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process valve (10) comprising a valve seat (14), a flow restrictor (12), a valve rod (16) and a drive unit (18) acting thereon, with a force measuring device (20, 44) being connected between said drive unit (18) and said flow restrictor (12). The invention is characterized in that said force measuring device (49) includes a spring (30, 46), and said force measuring device (29, 44) comprises a travel measuring device (38, 42, 50, 52) so as to allow the force acting on it to be determined based on the change in the deflection of the spring (30, 46) caused by the force acting on it.

Abstract: A valve (100), including a fluid inlet (102) and a fluid outlet (103) formed in a housing (101) is provided. The valve (100) includes a valve seal (209) and a resilient member (207). The resilient member (207) is coupled to the valve seal (209). The valve (100) can also include one or more shape memory alloy component (206) or another electrically actuated component that is coupled to at least a first end (214) of the resilient member (207).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of an assembly comprising: forming an assembly by coupling a first component (150) to a second component (110) in spaced apart relationship therewith by means of coupling means (131); providing thermally activated seal means between the components, the first component, second component and seal means being arranged such that a gap exists between the first and second components allowing fluid flow therethrough; and subjecting the assembly to heat thereby to cause the seal means to expand and bridge the gap between the first and second components thereby to form a fluid tight seal between them.