Abstract: A valve operating apparatus with controls may include a speed control engageable by a hand of an operator of the apparatus to control a speed characteristic for operating the valve. The speed control may have a zero position corresponding to a zero speed of rotation of a shaft for connecting to the valve, with the speed control being movable out of the zero position to a nonzero position corresponding to a nonzero speed of rotation. A degree of movement of the speed control from the zero position may correspond to a speed of rotation of the shaft such that further movement of the control away from the zero position increases the speed of rotation. Movement of the speed control from the zero position may be characterized by the speed control maintaining the position of the speed control when engagement of the control by the hand of the operator is discontinued.

Abstract: A pneumatic control device includes a base seat unit, a cylinder unit and a time-delay unit. The cylinder unit is mounted the base seat unit, and is able to drive rotational movement. The time-delay unit is mounted to the base seat unit, and includes sequentially interconnected delay switch, flow-limiting valve, pressure accumulator and a control valve. The delay switch is operable to move between an action position whereat the cylinder unit drives the rotational movement, and a non-action position. When the delay switch is moved to the non-action position, the cylinder unit keeps driving the rotational movement for a period of time and then stops.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method including: monitoring a current flow to a valve actuator; determining a previous position of the valve actuator; and determining a direction of movement of the valve actuator from the current flow and the determined previous position. Another aspect of the invention provides a control system including: memory; one or more processors; and a set of instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the one or processors, cause the control system to perform a computer-implemented method as described herein.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated piston slide valve and an assembly set for such a valve with which an NC valve and an NO valve can be fabricated. Such a valve of the NC construction type comprises a valve housing with corresponding connectors and a fluid passage. A slide coupled with a magnetic armature is provided for regulating a free cross-sectional area of the fluid passage. A first spring urges the slide in an opening direction and a second spring urges the slide in an opposite closing direction, wherein the first and the second spring are adapted such that, in the electrically unenergized state of the coil, the slide adopts a position in which the fluid passage is closed.

Abstract: A fluid transport system has electromagnetic elements spaced along a tubular that are controlled by a controller. A fluid thruster is provided in the tubular and has a thruster body having a downstream end and an upstream end, and a magnetic element carried by the thruster body. A valve member is carried by the thruster body that is actuatable between an open position that permits fluid flow to traverse the thruster body, and a closed position that prevents fluid flow to traverse the thruster body, in response to fluid pressure. The controller sequentially activates the electromagnetic elements to propel the fluid thruster in either the upstream direction or the downstream direction. In the upstream direction, the valve member is moved to the open position, and in the downstream direction, the valve member is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling actuation of a flush apparatus includes the steps of configuring a control module to actuate the flush apparatus for completing a flushing cycle periodically; and after a given unused time period of the flush apparatus, enabling the control module to enter into a sleep mode to stop an actuation of the flush apparatus. Therefore, during the rush hours, the control module is configured to actuate the flush apparatus frequently and during the off rush hours, the control module is configured to actuate the flush apparatus seldom.

Abstract: A device for controlling a flow of fluid from a first side to a second side of a passageway, including: a valve situated within a connection between the first side and the second side; a spring configured to rotate the valve from a first position to a second position; a lever having a first end and a second end; an actuator configured to switch the lever between a first state and a second state by moving the first end; a mechanism for manual operation of the valve between the first position and the second position; and a declutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the mechanism for manual operation with the valve; wherein the second end of the lever is configured to hold the spring from rotating the valve when the lever is in the first state, and to release the spring when the lever is in the second state.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method. The method may include receiving, by a wireless communication device, an instruction to actuate a valve. The method may also include receiving a period of time. The method may also include applying energy from a battery to the valve for the period of time.

Abstract: An electronic faucet has a controller configured to selectively open and close a valve to provide fluid flow through the valve and a passageway of the faucet. The controller is programmed to selectively open and close the valve to generate a fluid flow pattern through the passageway to provide an indication to a user of a condition of the electronic faucet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.

Abstract: For pulsed injection of liquids into the ground, the tool has a rotating cylinder, having through-slots. The tool has an insert, which is pressed against the rotating cylinder. As the cylinder rotates, the slots in the rotor cover/uncover the slots in the insert, creating the required pulses. By suitably shaping the slots, the pulses can have a fast rise-time from closed to open. The insert is shaped to minimize flow interference.

Abstract: An electronic faucet has controller is configured to selectively open and close a valve to provide fluid flow through the valve and a passageway of the faucet. The controller is programmed to monitor a maintenance condition of the electronic faucet and to selectively open and close the valve to generate a fluid flow pattern through the passageway to provide an indication to a user of an existing maintenance condition.

Abstract: A passive cycle skipping valve comprising a pawl and a wheel comprising a first plurality of pins, wherein a distal end of the pawl is configured to engage any of the first plurality of pins where when the second pin is separated from the first pin by at least a threshold pin separation distance, the valve opens and when the second pin is not separated from the first pin by at least the threshold pin separation distance, the valve does not open.

Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.

Abstract: A use condition of gas equipment is monitored. An abnormality determination unit 26 determines whether or not a use flow volume obtained by detecting a flow velocity obtained by measuring a signal transfer time in a medium using a flow velocity detection unit 17 and converting the detected flow velocity into a flow volume using a flow volume calculation unit 25. When the shutoff unit 27 shuts off a fluid path 1 when it is determined that there is abnormality, a return signal is output from a return unit 28 to a shutoff unit 27 in order to use the gas again by opening the fluid path. Simultaneously, when a return time-counting unit 29 starts the time-counting operation, and then, a predetermined time period has been elapsed, the flow volume calculation unit 25 determines whether or not a predetermined flow volume of greater flows in order to identify whether or not all of the gas plugs of the gas equipment connected to the downstream of the gas shutoff apparatus 27 are closed.

Abstract: An intermittent pressure module for controlling the position of a valve between two positions comprising diaphragm means; a plurality of ports associated with said diaphragm means for exposing said diaphragm means to a selected pressure in said first position, and ambient pressure in said second position; swing means associated with said diaphragm means and said valve means for intermittently displacing said valve means when said diaphragm means is exposed to said selected pressure in said first position and ambient pressure in said second position.

Abstract: A pulsating vibration air generation apparatus capable of sharply and quickly controlling air flow in turning on and off operation, thereby generating a pulsating vibration air with sharp and hardly attenuated peak and valley, and capable of operation without occurrence of so much mechanical vibration. The pulsating vibration air generation apparatus is comprised of a main body having a tubular hollow space R2 with which two air communication ports are associated, and a rotary body situated for rotation in the tubular hollow space R2 and which has a peripheral side surface S4c so as to slide on the inner surface S2c forming the tubular hollow space R2.

Abstract: An intermittent pressure module for controlling the position of a valve between two positions comprising diaphragm means; a plurality of ports associated with said diaphragm means for exposing said diaphragm means to a selected pressure in said first position, and ambient pressure in said second position; swing means associated with said diaphragm means and said valve means for intermittently displacing said valve means when said diaphragm means is exposed to said selected pressure in said first position and ambient pressure in said second position.

Abstract: A flow controller and a flow controlling method are adapted to be released from conventional restrictions by using a novel type called a pulse shot type. A pulse shot (opening/closing operation of a first cutoff valve (12) and, after that, opening/closing operation of a second cutoff valve (17)) is repeated. Simultaneously, a volume flow Q of process gas exhausted from the second cutoff valve (17) per unit time on the basis of after-filling pressure and after-exhaust pressure of the process gas in a gas filling capacity (13) measure by a pressure sensor (14). Furthermore, a mode of the pulse shot is changed to control the volume flow Q of the process gas exhausted from the second cutoff valve (17) per unit time.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus for use in a bed including a pressurized air source, an inflatable air sack, and an independently inflatable cell located adjacent the inflatable air sack. A controller is operable to regulate the pressure in the air sack and to independently alternately pressurize and vent the inflatable cell at a selected frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with automatic pool cleaners includes a tube which defines a flow channel for water drawn pump from the pool through a house by a remote pump. The tube includes tubular sections (10A, 10B) joined by a joint (11) which operates to move one tube section between first and second angularly displaced positions. Means are provided for periodically causing the movable tube section to move about the joint with sufficient force to impart movement to the hose to cause a change in direction of the cleaner.

Abstract: A gas appliance such as a gas burner or gas fire, has means to vary the factors producing flames in the appliance in a substantially random or pseudo-random manner. This means can take several forms, including a ‘liquid-bubbling’ device (FIG. 1), fan devices (FIGS. 2 and 3), flapper or governor valve devices (FIGS. 4, 5 or 9), feed back devices (FIG. 6) and other electrically controlled or motorised devices.

Abstract: A system for producing variable amplitude pneumatic pulses, such as may be used to prevent flow separation on airfoil and diffuser surfaces to control stalling, utilizes a source of pressurized air which is regulated and fed to parallel outlet lines. Each outlet line has a control valve therein attached to a controller for activation of the valves. The first parallel line leads to an actuator which supplies the pulsed air to a desired surface. The second parallel line leads to the atmosphere. By cycling the valves at about ninety degrees out of phase, pneumatic pulses of large amplitude are obtained with a simple device capable of being transported on the aircraft.

Abstract: A modular modular control apparatus for a water treatment system which periodically undergoes a regeneration cycle including a backwash phase and a replenishment phase. The modular control apparatus has a modular design which includes interchangeable timer modules, a drive motor module, a drive mechanism, a valve cartridge unit, a brine valve module and interchangeable brine valve levers. The timer modules are rugged and relatively inexpensive but are not adjustable. Thus, to adjust the predetermined interval between regeneration cycles, a different timer module is installed. The drive mechanism includes two camming elements which in cooperation with an interchangeable lever and brine line sealing module draw a brine solution from the brine tank to replenish the treatment media and refill the brine tank with water to form a new brine solution. The use of interchangeable brine valve levers allows the quantity of brine solution used to replenish the treatment media to be easily adjusted.