Abstract: A chromatography valve for use in fluid analysis and chromatography applications is provided. The valve includes a first body having passages extending therethrough and opening on a flat face of the first body at respective passage ports. The valve also includes a second body engaged with the first body in a sealed relationship, whereby one of the first and second bodies is movable relative to the other one between two or more positions for controlling fluid circulation through the passages. The second body includes at least one cartridge receiving cavity for receiving at least one cartridge removably provided therein. The cartridge has channel(s) for channeling fluid of pairs of the passage ports, depending on the position of the first body relative to the second body, thereby channeling fluid through selected ones of the passages via the at least one channel. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and devices described herein provide respiration assistance to users who have difficulty breathing on their own, and include a cuirass configured to be coupled to a thorax of the user and a ventilator fluidically coupled to the cuirass. The ventilator includes a housing, a pump including an inlet and outlet, a valve, an actuator, and a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to cause the actuator to: move the valve into a first configuration in which a first flow path of the valve fluidically couples the outlet to the cuirass and a second flow path of the valve fluidically couples the inlet to an external environment during exhalation and move the valve into a second configuration in which the first flow path fluidically couples the inlet to the cuirass and the second flow path fluidically couples the outlet to the internal volume during inhalation.

Abstract: A rotary disc valve includes a valve housing having an inner surface defining an opening, a first housing port, a second housing port, and a third housing port. A rotary disc valve assembly is disposed within the opening and includes a fixed disc configured to remain stationary and a rotary disc configured to rotate relative to the fixed disc. The fixed disc includes a first flow opening providing selective fluid communication between the first housing port and the second housing port and a second flow opening providing selective fluid communication between the first housing port and the third housing port. The rotary disc defines a flow passage for distributing a fluid through the first flow opening and/or the second flow opening. A co-planar arrangement is maintained between engaging faces of the fixed disc and the rotary disc to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

Abstract: A valve arrangement includes a valve module and a base module. The valve module includes a stator and a rotor, which is rotatable relative to the stator such that at least one fluid connection is formable between the stator and the rotor. The base module includes at least a part of a force control mechanism for selectively implementing a force-releasing or force-coupling of the rotor and the stator, whereby the valve module and the base module are selectively coupleable to or decoupleable from each other.

Abstract: A multiport valve used for a water quality analyzer is provided with: a valve head having a plurality of ports for receiving pipings for connections therebetween, the ports being provided on an outer surface of the valve head, the valve head including a connection surface in which ends of flow paths communicating with the respective ports are arranged in the same plane, the valve head being made of a resin material having corrosion resistance against a chemical used in the water quality analyzer; a rotor having a flat surface provided with a groove for switching a connection state between the ends of the flow paths arranged on the connection surface, the flat surface being arranged so as to face the connection surface; and a drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-port multi-mode valve are provided. The multi-port multi-plane valve includes a housing which defines an internal cavity. The housing further includes a plurality of ports, including two inlet ports and four outlet ports. Each of the plurality of ports is in communication with the internal cavity. A shell body is rotatably disposed within the internal cavity and provides selectable fluid communications between the ports. A seal member is also provided which has a plurality of openings and surrounds the shell body. Six modes of operation are provided by rotation of the shell body.

Abstract: A fluid valve device. A first rotary slide valve, a second rotary slide valve, and a servomotor are provided. Each of the rotary valves has a rotary slide arranged in a rotary slide housing and drivable via a drive shaft by the servomotor. The first rotary slide valve is rigidly coupled and the second rotary slide valve is coupled via a freewheel to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotary disc valve is used to control fluid flow within a fluid delivery system. The valve may include a valve body having multiple ports that are connected to the system. In addition, the valve may include a diverter and seal assembly that are disposed in the valve body. The seal assembly includes first and second seal subassemblies. The first subassembly has first through openings that are axially aligned with the diverter through openings. The second subassembly is axially stacked with the first subassembly and includes second through openings that are axially aligned with valve body subchambers associated with the ports. A first static seal is disposed between the diverter and the first subassembly, a second static seal is disposed between the valve body and the second subassembly, and a dynamic seal is disposed between the first subassembly and the second subassembly.

Abstract: A rotary disc valve is used in a fluid delivery system to control flow of fluid between multiple ports. The valve may include a valve body having multiple ports that are connected to the system. In addition, the valve may include a diverter and seal assembly that are disposed in the valve body. The diverter is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and to control fluid flow through the valve body in such a way that fluid enters the diverter in a first direction that is parallel to the rotational axis, fluid exits the diverter in a second direction that is parallel to the rotational axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and between entering and exiting, fluid flows over a portion of the diverter outer surface.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for cleaning a sensor are provided. A sensor can include a housing. The housing can include a curved lens. The sensor can further include an inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid. The sensor can further include a rotatable fluid distributor positioned within the housing. The rotatable fluid distributor can be configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the inlet. The sensor can further include a plurality of nozzles positioned around an exterior of the housing. Each of the plurality of nozzles can be configured to direct a flow of the pressurized fluid onto at least a portion of the curved lens. When the pressurized fluid is provided to the inlet, the rotatable fluid distributor can be configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the inlet and distribute the pressurized fluid to only a subset of the plurality of nozzles at any time.

Abstract: An air distribution plenum for controlling air flow in a vehicle HVAC system includes an air inlet and first and second air outlets. A movable member substantially blocks the first and second air outlets when in a first position, blocks only the first air outlet in a second position, blocks only the second air outlet in a third position, and permits air to flow through both the first and second air outlets when in a fourth position.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (2), with at least one impeller (18) which is driven by the motor and a pump casing (6) which surrounds the impeller (18) and which includes at least one suction connection (20) and at least two delivery connections (22, 24). A rotatable valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is arranged in the pump casing (6). The valve element is movable between at least two switching positions, in which the flow paths through the delivery connections (22, 24) are opened to a different extent. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) includes an annular wall (32) which surrounds the impeller (18) and in which at least one switching opening (48) is formed. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (X), which is centric to the annular wall (32), inside of the pump casing (6).

Abstract: A regulating valve with at least one gas outlet conduit and a housing having at least one outlet hole in fluid communication with the outlet conduit; a rotating disc arranged in the housing; a spring axially retaining the rotating disc in the housing; and sealing means surrounding the at least one outlet hole. The sealing means includes a gasket having a closure member associated with each outlet hole, surrounding the same, and at least one attachment arm attached to the at least one closure member. The attachment arm including at least one protuberance, with the rotating disc being supported on the closure members and on the protuberances when it presses on the gasket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge assembly having a cartridge shell. The cartridge assembly permits flow from a flow source to be regulated by the cartridge assembly to flow along a first flow path or along a second flow path. Flow along the first flow path enters through a first end of the cartridge shell and exits through at least one opening in the cartridge shell. Flow along the second flow path enters through the first end of the cartridge shell and is diverted to exit through the first end of the cartridge shell.

Abstract: A device for preparing a blood sample, including a microfluidic card including: a first chamber for separating and/or extracting proteins to be analyzed that are present in the blood sample; a second chamber used for an operation involving digestion of proteins of different species that are present in the sample, to obtain a second sample containing digested peptides and nondigested proteins; and a third chamber connected to the second chamber to receive the second sample containing the digested peptides and the non-digested proteins, the third chamber being used for an operation involving purification and stabilization of the digested peptides.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a solenoid arranged in the housing, a pin movable by the solenoid, a pot-shaped piston connected to the pin, and a first seal arranged between the housing and the pot-shaped piston. The pot-shaped piston has, at least in the region of its open end, a radially peripheral second seal that bears against a second housing part when the valve is closed, the second housing part being connected to the housing.

Abstract: A valve having a housing, a solenoid arranged in the housing, a pin movable by the solenoid, a piston connected to the pin, a second housing part that bears against the housing and which partially accommodates the piston, and a seal arranged between the second housing part and piston. The seal is connected to the second housing part. The seal surrounds a region of the second housing part such that the region forms at least one undercut for the seal.

Abstract: Assay cartridges are described that have a plurality of chambers and a fluidic network that includes fluidic conduits and a multi-port valve designed to selectively connect the valve inlet and one valve outlet through a fluidic connector in the valve as the remaining valve outlets are sealed.

Abstract: A pulse tube cryocooler which includes a pulse tube having a pulse tube high-temperature end and a pulse tube low-temperature end, and extending in an axial direction from the pulse tube high-temperature end to the pulse tube low-temperature end. The pulse tube cryocooler further includes a regenerator having a regenerator high-temperature end and a regenerator low-temperature end, and being disposed rowed alongside the pulse tube, with the regenerator high-temperature end being positioned displaced, in terms of the axial direction, from the pulse tube high-temperature end toward the cryocooler low-temperature side, and the regenerator low-temperature end being fluid-passage linked with the pulse tube low-temperature end and a pressure-switching valve for connecting the regenerator high-temperature end to a high-pressure source and to a low-pressure source in alternation, and being disposed between the pulse tube high-temperature end and the regenerator high-temperature end in terms of the axial direction.

Abstract: A sample introduction system providing variable online dilution of a sample is described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a spectrometry analysis system that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an inline dilution environment, including a first valve assembly configured to prepare a sample by accepting at least one of the sample, a diluent, a carrier, or an internal standard, where the first valve assembly includes a first sample loop; and a second valve assembly configured to prepare the sample by accepting the sample from the first valve assembly, where the second valve assembly is coupled to the first valve assembly, and where the second valve assembly includes a second sample loop.

Abstract: A valve for use with liquid chromatography or other analytical systems may include a separate and removable stator plate. The stator plate may be a with a multi-piece stator plate with different layers. A mounting device mounting device may be adapted to engage the stator plate. The mounting plate may include a plurality of ports for fluidic connections in fluid communication with fluid passageways in the stator plate. Liquid chromatography elements, such as a packed chromatography column, a sample loop, or an electronic device may be formed on one or more layers of the stator plate. A first stator plate may be removed from a valve and replaced by a second stator having additional or different liquid chromatography elements than the first stator plate.

Abstract: A four-way valve for switching a refrigerant flow path includes: a housing part including a refrigerant filling chamber configured to receive refrigerant; a valve plate disposed at one side of the housing part and having at least three inflow/outflow holes formed therein; a valve pad part disposed in the refrigerant filling chamber, rotating to contact one of surfaces of the valve plate, and occupying one of the at least three inflow/outflow holes continuously and occupying selectively one of the remaining holes of the at least three inflow/outflow holes so as to make the occupied inflow/outflow holes communicate with each other, thereby forming a changed flow path; a rotation drive part for transferring a driving force to rotate the valve pad part; and a deceleration part, disposed between the rotation drive part and the valve pad part, for increasing a driving torque transferred from the rotation drive part.

Abstract: Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a stopcock including a housing element defining at least first, second and third ports, a handle element which is selectably positionable relative to the housing element, at least one fluid passageway communicating between at least two of the at least first, second and third ports, the at least one fluid passageway being selectably defined by at least one of the housing element and the handle element, the at least one fluid passageway being configured for enabling flushing an internal volume of at least one of the first, second and third ports by a fluid flow which does not flow entirely through the port whose internal volume is being flushed.

Abstract: A switching valve includes a valve head having a plurality of connection ports connecting a pipe, a rotor accommodated therein and including a groove for connecting the connection ports, and a rotor shaft holding the rotor and rotatably equipped, and a driver having a holder holding the valve head and a motor rotating the rotor shaft of the valve head held by the holder. Further, the valve head is provided with a home position sensor detecting a reference position in a rotation direction of the rotor shaft, and a teaching information holder holding information on a relative positional relationship between the reference position and a position of the rotor shaft when the rotor is at a predetermined position, and the reference position acquired using the home position sensor.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a first bypass flow path housing configured within the engine, radially exterior to an engine core housing, and a second bypass flow path housing configured within the engine, radially exterior to the first bypass flow path housing. An axially downstream portion of the first bypass flow path housing includes a stepwise increase in area compared with an axially adjacent upstream portion of the first bypass flow path housing, thereby defining a component placement cavity in the axially downstream portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary valve and to a chromatography system comprising such a rotary valve. The rotary valve comprising a stator with an inner stator face, and a rotor with an inner rotor face arranged in sealing contact with the inner stator face, the rotor (1) is rotatably movable to a plurality of rotor positions about a rotational axis (RA) relative to the inner stator face (202), wherein the stator comprises ports and orifices and the rotor comprises two or more rotor interconnection paths for selective fluidic interconnection of said orifices with respect to the rotor position and wherein the rotor interconnection paths are arranged to in a rotary position connect the first orifice (S) to the fourth orifice (LF), the second orifice (W) to the third orifice (LE). And in a rotary position connect the eight orifice (SP) to the seventh orifice (PCFP). And in a rotary position connect the eight orifice (SP) to the fifth orifice (TC), the sixth orifice (FC) to the seventh orifice (PCFP).

Abstract: A directional flow control device includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and a discharge end. A flow deflector is received in the housing. The flow deflector is rotatable in the housing about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The flow deflector has a flow channel therethrough having an intake bore at a front end of the flow deflector and a discharge bore at a rear end of the flow deflector. The intake bore is coaxial with the rotation axis and the discharge bore is offset from the rotation axis.

Abstract: A sample pre-compression valve for liquid chromatography applications is described. The valve enables a sample pre-compression while the solvent pump continues to conduct solvent to the chromatography column. Furthermore, the sample pre-compression valve includes an INJECT position, a LOAD position and a PUMP PURGE position, in which all connecting grooves of the valve are flushed with liquid. A use of the sample pre-compression valve is described as part of a sampler for liquid chromatography applications.

Abstract: A control valve having first, second, and third outlet ports, which pass through a casing in a radial direction and formed axially at intervals in the casing, first, second and third communication ports, which respectively communicate between the flow path and the first outlet port, between the flow path and the second outlet port and between the flow path and the third outlet port according to a rotational position of the valve, are formed at intervals in the axial direction in the valve. The second outlet port is located between the first and third outlet ports in the axial direction and also located at a different position from the first and third outlet ports in a circumferential direction. An opening width of the second communication port in the axial direction is narrower than an axial interval between the first and third outlet ports.

Abstract: A ceramic valve unit for a beverage machine including a housing, a water inlet pipe for receiving hot water, an outflow opening, and first and second ceramic elements within the housing. The first and second ceramic elements each have mutually abutting surfaces and are relatively movable in a plane common to the abutting surfaces. The plane common to the abutting surfaces is downstream of the water inlet pipe and the first ceramic element, but upstream of the second ceramic element and the outflow opening. The first ceramic element has at least differently sized first and second openings for allowing a liquid flow there through. The second ceramic element has only a single liquid flow opening permanently aligned with the outflow opening. The first ceramic element is selectively slidable between at least first and second different positions preferably in a path of movement about a centre of rotation beyond the boundaries of the first ceramic element.

Abstract: A rotary steerable tool used for directional drilling include a housing, at least one external director, and at least one valve. The external director is hydraulically movable to an extended condition relative to the housing, and the valve selectively directs pressurized fluid from a first side of the valve to the external director on the valve's second side. A first seal of the valve is selectively orientable about an axis and has an inlet, which communicates with the pressurized fluid from the first side. A second seal of the valve disposed adjacent the first seal has an outlet, which communicates the pressurized fluid to the second side at least when aligned with the inlet. A bearing assembly of the valve is disposed at the axis between the seals and has male and female bearing surfaces, which are angled off the axis and are mated with one another.

Abstract: Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: A single piece device enables medical clinicians to clean and disinfect both an injection port (needleless I.V. connector) and a vascular access catheter hub. The device has a body with a first end having a blind hole with a wall adapted to be engageable with the threads on the housing of an IV connector and a bottom surface adapted to engage the top surface of the IV connector. The device body has a second end defining a male-luer slip extending out of a recess. The male-luer slip is adapted to extend into a standard vascular access catheter hub such that it engages the inner walls of the catheter hub, and the recess is adapted to receive and be engageable with the outside thread element of the catheter hub.

Abstract: A faucet includes a faucet pipe, a branch pipe, a fountain valve, and a fountain nozzle with a pressure compensating flow regulator wherein the faucet pipe having a proximal end to release a water stream in a downward direction through a lower channel and a branch pipe disposed within the faucet pipe to release the water stream in an upward direction through the fountain nozzle with the fountain valve configured within the proximal end of the faucet pipe to redirect the water stream to the branch pipe by gradually blocking and unblocking the upper channel of the branch pipe and wherein the pressure compensating flow regulator is disposed with the fountain opening to compensate the pressure of the water stream released from the fountain opening and control trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening.

Abstract: A multifunctional softening valve and a water processing apparatus thereof. The multifunctional softening valve comprises a valve body, an ejector, a movable valve plate, a fixed valve plate, and a saline water control valve. The valve body is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet, a water drainage port, and a salt absorbing branch runner. The valve body is provided with a through-hole in communication with a filter element upper portion, a filter element lower portion and an ejector inlet. An ejector outlet is in communication with the filter element lower portion. The salt absorbing branch runner is provided with a saline water inlet. The saline water inlet is provided with a saline water control valve. The fixed valve plate is provided with a plurality of through-holes, and the through-holes are distributed according to a distribution mode of equally dividing the cross section of the fixed valve plate into six parts, and the movable valve plate is fitted to the fixed valve plate.

Abstract: A multi-way valve includes an upper valve body, a lower valve body and a rotary valve core. The upper valve body and the lower valve body are provided respectively with an upper mounting hole and a lower mounting hole. The rotary valve core is provided passing through the upper mounting hole and the lower mounting hole, respectively. The rotary valve core is formed with a first stepped surface facing toward the upper valve body, and an adjusting nut, which is located below the rotary valve core, is provided in the lower mounting hole. The rotary valve core is moved up and down axially by adjusting the adjusting nut such that an axial clearance between the first stepped surface and the upper valve body is adjusted, so the rotary valve core may flexibly rotate at different temperatures to prevent the multi-way valve from being stuck.

Abstract: A fluid control device includes a fluid manifold, a valve stator, a valve rotor and dual driving units. The fluid manifold includes microchannels connected with a sample reaction unit and fluid input channels connected with fluid sources. When the valve rotor is rotated to different positions, the fluid input channel is connected with at least one microchannel via through holes of the valve stator and a groove of the valve rotor. The first driving unit drives a rotation of the valve rotor. The second driving unit drives a motion of the valve rotor or the valve stator to adjust a distance between the valve rotor and the valve stator, so that when the valve rotor is rotating, the valve rotor and the valve stator are separated by a gap, and after the valve rotor is rotated to a predetermined position, the valve rotor is tightly contacted the valve stator.

Abstract: A rotary valve comprising a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator comprises at least three primary connection ports and at least three secondary connection ports, and wherein rotor interconnection paths are arranged to in the different rotor positions interconnect the primary connection ports with the secondary connection ports such that all of at least three secondary connection ports can be connected one at the time to each of at least three primary connection port by rotating the rotor into the different rotor positions. A chromatography system comprising at least three chromatography columns and a column inlet rotary valve, a column outlet rotary valve and a feed recirculation flow path.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for seaming containers are described herein. The canning system can include a seamer assembly and a seamer controller. The seamer assembly includes a load cell assembly which weighs the containers and communicates with the seamer controller to determine if the container is to have a lid seamed onto the container based on the satisfaction of a predetermined weight criteria. The seamer controller is designed to receive weight measurements of the container, determine a weight criteria and whether the container has satisfied the weight criteria, command the seamer assembly whether to seam a lid to the container based on the satisfaction of the weight criteria, and send a command to the reject station to remove the container if the weight criteria is not satisfied.

Abstract: Assay cartridges are described that have a plurality of chambers and a fluidic network that includes fluidic conduits and a multi-port valve designed to selectively connect the valve inlet and one valve outlet through a fluidic connector in the valve as the remaining valve outlets are sealed.

Abstract: A spray head suitable for mounting on a flexible hose, wherein the spray head comprises a rotary switching mechanism for permitting selection of either a stream flow (i.e. laminated flow) or a spray flow, e.g. by directing flow received from the hose through different outlet nozzles. By providing a compact rotary switching action, the spray head may overcome problems caused by wear or scale build up that are seen in push button or linear switching mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. Control algorithms for adapting system operation provide anticipated travel time and distances, and anticipated dispensed volumes and volumetric flow rates to allow for precise control of selected pour volumes. A relationship is calibrated among applied pressure, piston delay time, and dispensed per push volume to achieve higher control accuracy between a maximum and minimum system pressure ranges.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the production of fluidic droplets. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for creating droplets by flowing a fluid from a first channel to a second channel through a plurality of side channels. The fluid exiting the side channels into the second channel may form a plurality of droplets, and in some embodiments, at very high droplet production rates. In addition, in some aspects, double or higher-order multiple emulsions may also be formed. In some embodiments, this may be achieved by forming multiple emulsions through a direct, synchronized production method and/or through the formation of a single emulsion that is collected and re-injected into a second microfluidic device to form double emulsions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing section; a housing having an air inflow hole, an air outflow hole, a duct, and a fan circulating the air in the duct; and a main body frame. The duct has: (i) a first duct part extending from the air inflow hole to an arrangement region; (ii) a second duct part continuing to the first duct part and extending along the arrangement region; (iii) a third duct part extending from the air outflow hole to the arrangement region; (iv) a fourth duct part continuing to the third duct part and extending along the arrangement region at a position different from the second duct; and (v) a fifth duct part being provided between the second and the fourth duct parts and being curved in a meandering manner in a region, other than the arrangement region, located between the housing and the main body frame.

Abstract: A trailer brake controller for a motor vehicle may include a control unit configured to be mounted behind a spoke of a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a brake lever coupled to the control unit and extending along the control unit such that, when the control unit is mounted behind the spoke of the steering wheel, the brake lever extends above and/or below the spoke in a direction substantially perpendicular to the spoke. The brake lever may be configured to transmit a force applied to the lever by the driver to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to generate a manual trailer brake control signal based on the force applied to the lever.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a first water heater having a first heating source of a first type, and a second water heater having a second heating source of a second type. The system further includes a valve having a first interface connected to the cold water source, a second interface connected to the first cold water inlet of the first water heater, a third interface connected to a second hot water outlet of the second water heater, and a fourth interface connected to the first hot water outlet of the first water heater. A motor positions the valve to one of at least three positions Finally, the system also includes a control circuit including a temperature sensor near the first hot water outlet of the first water heater, and a controller configured to control the motor based on a sensed temperature by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A patient support is provided. The patient support may include a plurality of inflatable members that raise or lower portions of the patient support based on the status of a valve assembly. The patient support may also include a plurality of inflatable members positioned at a foot end of the patient support to support lower legs of a patient including their heels. Another valve assembly is provided to control a bleed rate of air from the heal bladders.