Abstract: An active clearance control valve (ACC Valve) includes a valve housing with a thermal shield provided externally to said housing, wherein said valve housing and said thermal shield have been integrally formed as one component. This may be achieved using additive manufacturing methods. Cooling channels and/or ribs may also be provided on or in the thermal shield.

Abstract: HYDRANT ARMOR is an enclosure that protects fire hydrants from all weather and environmental conditions and has light reflective features incorporated on the exterior of the enclosure to ensure its visibility in darkness. When fitted with a tall reflective post, fire hydrants can be located even when they are covered in snow. Hydrant valves and hose connection caps are protected from natural elements and corrosion while they are within the hollow enclosure. The enclosure is suspended off the ground so as not to become frozen to the ground, and is held in place with an integral bracket that is attached to the hydrant. The open bottom of the enclosure fits over and locks onto the bracket and can be removed from the hydrant without tools. The conical shape of the enclosure, tapered at the bottom, will prevent the enclosure from binding in deep snow.

Abstract: A heating coil for a plumbing vent is provided to melt snow and ice keeping the plumbing vent clear. The heating coil assembly comprises a hollow cylinder with a helicoid heating element, the cylinder configured to fit inside the plumbing vent. The assembly further comprises at least one bracket configured to fasten the cylinder and retain the helicoid heating element inside and above the cylinder. The heating coil is configured to melt snow and ice keeping the plumbing vent clear.

Abstract: A cartridge sealed from ambient air is used to send a liquid without causing the liquid to contact the fluid inside the cartridge. Inside of the cartridge 1 sealed from ambient air are provided chambers that send and receive reagents, and an elastic body membrane 51 is attached to the bottom surface. The cartridge main body 51 does not have a groove or anything else that becomes a channel, and the membrane 51 is not bonded to portions that become channels. A channel, not formed in a normal state, is formed upon deforming the membrane 51 under air pressure in the unbonded portion, and the fluid is moved inside. A valve function is provided at an inlet of each chamber, and the fluid is internally moved in any direction with channel deformation.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration valve having a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passage defined therebetween, an expansion valve in the flow passage, a first hand valve between the inlet and the expansion valve, and a second hand valve between the outlet and the expansion valve. The first and second hand valves are provided at a top of the valve body and are movable in a first direction for preventing fluid flow through the flow passage. By providing the first and second hand valves at the top of the valve body rather than at a bottom of the valve body, valve life is increased and the valves are not prevented from operating due to particulate build up in the valves.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in thawing frozen material in pipes, the apparatus including conduit through which a plurality of wires pass, the conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end including an attachment selected from a heating element, a camera, or a light and wherein the attachment is secured to the conduit through a plug. The heating element includes a plastic outer shell and is controlled by a thermostat which may use a sensor, such as a thermocouple. The heating element, light or camera may be powered by any known source, including a 110 Volt outlet, 220 Volt outlet or by battery.

Abstract: An article with at least two extruded thermoplastic polymer foam pieces that fit together to form a length of foam having a generally annular cross section, each piece having a concave surface such that the concave surfaces adjoin to form an internal edge defining a hole within the generally annular cross section; wherein each piece has a density less than 36 kilograms per cubic meter, a product of density times average cell size that is less than 17 millimeters*kilogram per cubic meter, and a thermal conductivity of 35 milliwatts per meter*Kelvin or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a line connector for media lines, consisting of a connector piece with at least one junction portion for junction connection to a media line or to an assembly and with a transitional portion contiguous to the junction portion and having a flow duct. In this case, at least in the region of the transitional portion, electrical heating means are provided in an arrangement at least partially surrounding the flow duct. Furthermore, the invention relates to a ready-made media line consisting of a pipeline with a heating conductor arranged on the circumference and with a heatable line connector fastened at least to one pipeline end of the media line.

Abstract: Membrane valves and latching valve structures for microfluidic devices are provided. A demultiplexer can be used to address the latching valve structures. The membrane valves and latching valve structures may be used to form pneumatic logic circuits, including processors.

Abstract: A method for liquid phase deposition, including the steps of providing at least two raw materials from at least two supply devices of a saturation reaction system into a mixture trough and stirring until saturation occurs, filtering out unnecessary solid-state particles, and providing saturated and filtered liquid into an over-saturation reaction trough of a steady-flow over-saturation loop reaction system and stopping the saturated and filtered liquid when the over-saturation reaction trough is filled and the saturated and filtered liquid over-flows into a liquid level control trough to a pre-determined level. The method also includes the steps of providing a substrate in the over-saturation reaction trough, providing reactants from at least two supply devices into the over-saturation reaction trough, and depositing a thin film onto the substrate when the saturated liquid becomes over-saturated.

Abstract: A freeze-resistant hydrant (10, 110) extending between a first area having a temperature at least intermittently below freezing and a second area having a temperature constantly above freezing including, a heat-transfer tube (20, 120), a first end (21, 121) of the heat-transfer tube proximate the first area, a second end (22, 122) of the heat-transfer tube extending into the second area, a water line (35, 135) interposed within the heat-transfer tube from a location within the second area to the first end of the heat-transfer tube, a control valve (50, 150) on the, water line in proximity to the heat-transfer tube, and a heat-transfer fluid (R,R) in the heat-transfer tube for transferring heat from the second end of the heat-transfer tube to the control valve.

Abstract: A refrigerator unit provided with a control means comprising a plurality of valves, the control means comprising a unitary valve manifold made as a one piece casting having said valves operatively mounted thereon.

Abstract: A plastic sewer vent line extending through the roof of a building is provided with a defroster for preventing blockage of the vent line by freezing and the consequent back-up sewage gas into the building. The defroster is located above the roof and includes a metal pipe, e.g., of copper, having its bottom end coupled to the plastic sewer vent line and provided with an electric heating coil in contact with a portion of the exterior thereof. An outer shell is spaced outwardly from and surrounds the exterior of the pipe and has a top sealed to the pipe top and a bottom sealed to the roof to provide an annular providing an insulating effect and enhancing the effectiveness of the heating element. A heat limiting switch is provided to prevent overheating.

Abstract: An electrically heated fluid coupling apparatus having an electrical resistance heating element positioned inside a hollow heating conduit which runs along the side of the fluid conduit, which conduit is connected at its lower end to the fluid source. Positioned opposite the hollow heating conduit along the fluid conduit is a power cable conduit carrying the power cable which connects to the heating element at the top of the apparatus and near the bottom of the apparatus travels away therefrom to be connected to a source of electrical energy. A casing is positioned about the apparatus and thermal insulation fills the area between the casing and the internal components.

Abstract: A prefabricated water supply system for supplying water from an underground source to mobile homes or stock tank waterers and the like includes a riser pipe encased within an outer pipe spaced from the riser pipe. A third hollow pipe is located adjacent to the riser pipe and parallel to it. The space between the outer pipe and the riser pipe and third hollow pipe is filled with a rigid polyurethane foam insulation. A heat tape controlled by a thermostatic switch is located within the third pipe and a pair of end caps are used to hold the unit together. The provision of the third hollow pipe for the heat tape permits ready insertion and removal of the heat tape even after the unit has been installed in the ground under a mobile home or a stock tank waterer. An access opening aligned with the upper end of the third pipe is provided in the top end cap for facilitating this replacement and removal.