15054results about "Equalizing valves" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for calibrating a plurality of gas flows in a substrate processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system may include a cluster tool comprising a first process chamber and a second process chamber coupled to a central vacuum transfer chamber; a first flow controller to provide a process gas to the first process chamber; a second flow controller to provide the process gas to the second process chamber; a mass flow verifier to verify a flow rate from each of the first and second flow controllers; a first conduit to selectively couple the first flow controller to the mass flow verifier; and a second conduit to selectively couple the second flow controller to the mass flow verifier.

A prosthetic valve for implantation within a fluid conducting lumen within a body includes an elongate generally cylindrical radially collapsible valve body scaffold defining a fluid passageway therethrough for retentive positioning within the lumen. A radially collapsible leaf valve member is supported by the scaffold includes a number of valve leafs deflectable between a closed position restricting fluid flow through the passageway and an open position permitting fluid flow through the passageway. The leaf valve member includes an interior leaf valve frame defining a valve leaf aperture which is sealed by a fluid impermeable non-thrombogenic lining to prevent fluid flow therethrough.

A process-gas supply system 2 supplies a process gas diluted with a diluent gas to a gas using system 4. The process-gas supply system 2 includes a process gas tank 10, a diluent gas tank 12, a main gas duct 14 connecting the process gas tank 10 and the gas using system 4, and a diluent gas duct connecting the diluent gas tank 12 to the main gas duct. The respective main gas duct 14 and the diluent gas duct are provided with flow rate controllers FC1, FC2, and FC5. The diluent gas duct is connected to the main gas duct at a position on an immediately downstream side of one of a plurality of flow rate controllers other than the flow rate controller on the most downstream side. There is further provided a surplus-gas discharge duct 24 through which a surplus diluted process gas is discharged, the surplus-gas discharge duct 24 being connected to the main gas duct at a position on an immediately upstream side of one the flow rate controllers other than the flow rate controller on the most upstream side.

A gas supply subsystem for providing a set of process gases to a substrate processing chamber, the set of process gases being a subset of a plurality of process gases available to the substrate processing chamber. The gas supply subsystem has fewer multi-gas mass flow controllers than the number of available process gases, wherein multiple process gases are multiplexed at the input of one or more of the multi-gas mass flow controllers. Pump-purge may be employed to improve gas switching speed for the multi-gas mass flow controllers

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

A gas supply apparatus including a raw material gas supply system supplying a raw material gas inside a raw material storage tank into the processing container by the carrier gas, the gas supply apparatus includes: a carrier gas passage introducing the carrier gas into the raw material storage tank, a raw material gas passage connecting the raw material storage tank and the processing container to supply the carrier gas and the raw material gas; a pressure control gas passage being connected to the raw material gas passage to supply the pressure control gas; and a valve control unit controlling an opening / closing valve to perform for starting a supply of the pressure control gas into the processing container and simultaneously starting supply of the raw material gas into the processing container from the raw material storage tank, and stopping the supply of the pressure control gas.

A spray head for a faucet or the like has a wand body defining a flow path from an inlet to first and second outlets. Diverter seats are provided so a face seal on a diverter spool can direct flow to the first or second outlet. The spool is positioned by a trigger acting on cam surfaces formed on a toggle. A spring biases the toggle to one of two stable states. Movement of the spool by the trigger causes the toggle to change states so subsequent actuation of the trigger causes the spool to move in the opposite direction. The wand body also has a pause button that reciprocates in a chamber that is part of the flow path. The chamber includes a valve seat and the pause button has a spool having a face seal that is engageable with the valve seat to shut off flow through the spray head. A return spring causes separation of the pause button's face seal upon release of pressure on the pause button. The pause button's seals in the chamber are arranged to have equal diameters and thus provide balanced hydraulic forces on the spool.

A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectvely providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertioninto a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and / or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

A timer that facilitates a user's scheduling and controlling of the operation of an irrigation system for irrigating a property, the timer including a base unit electrically connected to the valve, and a handheld unit including a power source, a CPU, a valve controller, a memory device, and software stored in the memory device. The irrigation system includes a valve, a conduit, and a distribution unit that distributes fluid over an irrigation zone of the property. The handheld unit is used remotely from the base unit to modify an irrigation schedule of the valve. The irrigation schedule is used with the valve controller to operate the valve according to the irrigation schedule through communication with the base unit.

A drip irrigation line includes a plurality of emitter units secured within a water supply tube such that each emitter unit defines with the tube a flow-control passageway having an inlet port communicating with the interior of the water supply tube and an outlet port communicating with a water discharge opening in the water supply tube. Each emitter unit includes a one-way valve at one of the ports. Such port has an opening circumscribed by a cylindrical boss, and the one-way valve thereat includes a cap having a skirt of elastomeric material normally engaging the outer surface of the cylindrical boss to block reverse water flow into the flow-control passageway, but is deformable under water pressure to permit forward flow from the tube interior into the flow-control passageway.

A two-wire controlling and monitoring system for in particular irrigation of localized areas of soil according to a aspect of the invention comprises a water pipeline, a first plurality of controllable irrigation valves, a second plurality of field sensors measuring specific irrigation parameters, and a third plurality of localized irrigation control units. The third plurality of localized irrigation control units each comprises a sensor decoder connected to a specific field sensor of the second plurality of field sensors and / or a line decoder connected to a specific controllable irrigation valve of the first plurality of controllable irrigation valves. The two-wire controlling and monitoring system further comprises a controller and power supply unit having a set of schedules of instructions and supplying power by applying a first alternating DC voltage signal to a two-wire cable interconnecting the controller and power supply unit and the third plurality of localized irrigation control units. The two-wire cable provides the power from the controller and power supply unit to each of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units. The controller and power supply unit transmits the schedules of instructions to the third plurality of localized irrigation control units through the two-wire cable and receives the specific irrigation parameters from the third plurality of localized irrigation control units through the two-wire cable.

This invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a fluidics layer having microfluidic channels and one or more regulating layers that regulate the movement of fluid in the channels. The microfluidic devices can be used to mix one or more fluids. At least a portion of the fluidics layer can be isolated from the regulating layer, for example in the form of a shelf. Such isolated portions can be used as areas in which the temperature of liquids is controlled. Also provided are instruments including thermal control devices into which the microfluidic device is engaged so that the thermal control device controls temperature in the isolated portion, and a movable magnetic assembly including magnets with shields so that a focused magnetic field can be applied to or withdrawn from the isolated portion or any other portion of the microfluidic device. Also provided are methods of mixing fluids. The methods include stacking a plurality of alternating boluses of different liquids in a microfluidic channel, and moving the stacked boluses through the channel. In another method, the boluses are moved into a diaphragm valve having a volume able to accommodate several boluses, and then pumping the liquids out of the valve.

A sprinkler assembly for controlling a fire situation includes at least one fluid conduit defining a flow passage including an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source and at least one outlet for discharging the fluid, and a dispensing mechanism such as an open or closed sprinkler head for distributing water to a selected location. A fluid control apparatus is provided including a valve assembly having a valve seal which is moveable between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the conduit and an open position causing fluid flow through the conduit. The fluid control apparatus further includes an actuating mechanism including a valve actuator which is operatively connected to the valve assembly for causing movement of the valve seal to the open position upon release of the sealing force. A sensing mechanism is operatively connected to the valve assembly, the sensing mechanism being thermodynamically responsive to at least one of heat, smoke, infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation emitted by a heat source.

The present invention provides an irrigation control system in which a device (irrigation scheduler) automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants and comprises: providing an irrigation controller programmed to execute irrigations on watering days by closing an electrical circuit connecting the controller and at least one irrigation valve; providing an irrigation scheduler programmed to execute irrigations on substantially equivalent watering days as the irrigation controller; and the irrigation scheduler selectively interrupting the electrical circuit to control the execution of irrigations on watering days. Preferably the microprocessor uses either an ETo value or weather data used in calculating the ETo value to at least partially derive the improved irrigation schedule.

A batch of dialysate solution is made from a mixture of bicarbonate formulation and a liquid acid formulation. The liquid acid formulation is introduced into a dialysate tank and then removed from the tank and stored elsewhere, such as in an ultrafiltration tank, where it is diluted with a few litres of water. The dialysate tank is then filled with water and the bicarbonate formulation is added to the dialysate tank. The bicarbonate formulation is mixed and dissolved by circulation in a closed loop, with the liquid acid formulation kept separate. When the bicarbonate solution has been prepared, the liquid acid solution and the bicarbonate solution are mixed together and stored in the dialysate preparation tank. An additional quantity of dilution water is introduced into the dialysate system to bring the final conductivity down to the desired range. The excess dialysate solution can be used for several purposes, such as an endotoxin flush of the blood tubing set or a dialyzer clearance test.

A reed valve is disclosed for use with a pump having a casing. A check valve unit is provided within the casing for preventing counterflow of fluids to be carried. A suction port communicates with a suction line into which the fluids to be carried flow, and a discharge port communicates with discharge line from which the fluids to be carried out are discharged. Reed valves are mounted on the suction port and on the discharge port of the check valve, respectively, in such a manner that the reed valves cover the suction port and the discharge port so as to be able to open and close. Each reed valve includes a first reed valve and second reed valve. The first reed valve is made of pliable material, and is formed to have a size capable of covering the entire respective suction port and discharge port. The second reed valve is smaller than first reed valve and is superposed on the first reed valve to engage the first reed valve such that the first reed valve can open and close, while enhancing sealability thereof.

Valve guide and spring retainer assemblies are described for use in plunger pump housings that incorporate structural features for stress-relief. These pump housing structural features accommodate correspondingly-shaped valve guides and / or spring retainers that are internally fixed in place using one or more non-threaded spacers. Plunger pumps so constructed are relatively resistant to fatigue failure because of stress reductions, and they may incorporate a variety of valve styles, including top and lower stem-guided valves and crow-foot-guided valves, in easily-maintained configurations. Besides securing valve guides and / or spring retainers, non-threaded spacers may be shaped and dimensioned to aid in further reducing stress and to improve volumetric efficiency of the pumps in which they are used.

Disclosed is a fastener driving apparatus for driving fasteners into a substrate. The fastener driving apparatus is a combination of a motor driven linear motion converter; a compression cylinder; an expansion cylinder and a valve arrangement. The linear motion converter converts a rotational motion of a motor to a linear motion of a compression piston within the compression cylinder causing a gas within the compression cylinder to be compressed. The compressed gas is communicated to the expansion cylinder through the valve arrangement wherein the compressed gas expands causing an anvil coupled to an expansion piston within the expansion cylinder to move axially. The axial movement of the anvil causes a fastener to be driven into the substrate. The fastener driving apparatus is an ergonomically designed portable hand held tool providing comfort to a user, meeting safety standards and performance efficiency requirements.

A system for monitoring and controlling one or more utility systems includes a utility system main supply line for supplying a utility to at least one of a structure, an area and a building and a controlled shut-off device on the utility system main supply line. The controlled shut-off device is bias toward an open position and is movable toward a closed position upon receipt of an actuation signal wherein the utility is prevented from passing by the controlled shut-off device. A main utility sensor is on the utility system main supply line and a motion sensor that detects occupancy is in the building. A processor communicates with the controlled shut-off device, the main utility sensor and the motion sensor. The processor sends the actuation signal to the controlled shut-off device to move the controlled shut-off device toward the closed position when input from the main utility sensor and the motion sensor indicates occurrence of an abnormal event.

A unit for pumping fluid, particularly blood, is provided with an enclosure that has two half-shells and an elastic membrane fixed perimetrically to the enclosure in order to divide its space into two parts. One of the half-shells is provided with valves that are located at the opening of two connecting ducts for the intake and delivery of the fluid, and the other half-shell is connected to a line of working fluid that is alternately pressurized and depressurized. The first valve is a disk-shaped sheet made of elastic material. The first valve is in a central position with a support that is fixed to the opening of the first duct for connection to the outside and is suitable to rest at its peripheral region on the support. A second valve is a sheet of elastic material located at the peripheral region of the disk at the opening of the second duct for connection to the outside which lies at the peripheral region of the opening of the first duct.

A check valve which is positioned in the vacuum air line of an internal combustion engine. The check valve includes a single-piece valve body having an outlet port and two or more inlet ports, with one outlet port located substantially in line with the inlet port and connected by a venturi tube. The second inlet port is separated from the main air flow line by the valve stem and a diaphragm which allows communication there between and prevents back pressure. The second inlet port communicates with the outlet port through the valve stem and a second venturi tube which provides a vacuum boost to a device, usually vehicle brakes, connected to the inlet. The use of seal diaphragms having a non-constant radius allows for faster recovery time for replenishment than prior art devices.

A fluid end for a high-pressure pump including a unitary body with a plurality of horizontal passages each for receiving a reciprocating plunger at one of its ends and a pressure relief valve at the other of its ends. The body is provided with a corresponding number of vertical passages each of which intersect one of the horizontal passages and contains a suction valve at its bottom and a discharge valve at its top. A suction manifold is hingedly attached to the bottom of body to provide a flow of fluid into the body via the suction valves. A discharge passage intersects the vertical passages and receives fluid pressurized by the plungers via discharge valves and ports such from the fluid end.

A pressure support system that includes a first housing member and a second housing member. The first housing member has a first plurality of cavities defined therein, and the second housing member has a second plurality of cavities defined therein. The first and second plurality of cavities cooperate to define (a) a first chamber adapted to receive a first component of the pressure support system, (b) a second chamber adapted to receive a second component of the pressure support system, and (c) a first conduit connecting the first component and the second in fluid communication when the first and second housing members are assembled. A fastening system secures the first and second housing members in an assembled relation.

Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a collapsible seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position defining a first seat inner diameter when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position defining a second seat inner diameter when the apparatus is in the set position. The first seat inner diameter is greater than the second seat inner diameter. A plug element is adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to move the seat from the first position to the second position. While in the second position, the seat restricts fluid flow through the bore and provides additional support to the plug member landed on the seat.