6931results about "Water supply installation" patented technology

Irrigation and drainage systems are disclosed, including a saturated zone and at least one pipe in communication with the saturated zone. The pipe(s) can be configured to comprise a tubarc porous microstructure for conducting water from the saturated zone to an unsaturated zone in order to drain the water from the saturated zone. The water can be delivered from the saturated zone to the unsaturated zone through the tubarc porous microstructure, thereby permitting the water to be harnessed for irrigation or drainage through the hydrodynamic movement of the water from one zone of saturation or unsaturation to another.

Ink refill systems are disclosed. In general, an ink source comprising a saturated zone and a tubarc porous microstructure for conducting ink from the saturated zone to an unsaturated zone are provided. The ink can be delivered from the saturated zone to the unsaturated zone through the tubarc porous microstructure, thereby permitting the ink to be harnessed for ink writing and / or printing through the unsaturated hydrodynamic flow of the ink from one zone of saturation or unsaturation to another.

Disclosed is a water-discharging device of a high voltage battery pack that can automatically adjust the level of water collecting in an under cover such that high voltage parts, such as an expensive battery module and a BMS, equipped in the under cover are not damaged by the water, by making the BMS operate a water pump to forcibly discharge the water out of the under cover, when the water collects and increases in level in the under cover having a sealed structure.

This invention relates to an integrated vapor or liquid phase reagent dispensing apparatus having a plurality of vessels and a plurality of carrier or inert gas feed / vapor or liquid phase reagent delivery manifolds, that may be used for continuously dispensing vapor or liquid phase reagents such as precursors for deposition of materials in the manufacture of semiconductor materials and devices.

Disclosed is a bubbler assembly. The bubbler assembly includes a vessel configured to contain a liquid source material and its vapor. It also includes a carrier gas supply line, a downstream end of which discharges in a lower portion of the vessel, and a gas outlet line, an upstream end of which is in fluid communication with an upper portion of the vessel. The gas outlet line includes a constriction. The bubbler assembly further includes a pressurizing gas supply line, a downstream end of which discharges in either the upper portion of the vessel or in the gas outlet line at a point upstream of the constriction.

Embodiments of a manifold assembly are provided herein. In some embodiments, a manifold assembly includes a first manifold having a first inlet, for coupling to a high temperature fluid source, and a first outlet; a second manifold having a second inlet and a second outlet; and a connector portion coupling the first outlet of the first manifold to the second inlet of the second manifold, the connector portion includes a polymer block; and a thermal isolator disposed between the polymer block and the first manifold.

Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus that includes: a processing chamber that accommodates a substrate; and a raw material supply system that sublimates a solid raw material to generate a gas raw material used for processing of the substrate, and supplies the generated gas raw material to the processing chamber. The raw material supply system includes: a solid raw material container that stores the solid raw material; a first piping connected between the solid raw material container and the processing chamber; and a second piping connected with the solid raw material container and equipped with an attachment portion to which a raw material replenishing container that holds the solid raw material for replenishment is attached.

A gas flow rate verification unit capable of enhancing reliability of gas flow rate verification. The gas flow rate verification unit has a first cutoff valve that is connected to a flow rate control device and to which gas is inputted, a second cutoff valve for discharging the gas, a communication member for allowing the first cutoff valve and the second cutoff valve to communicate with each other, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas supplied between the first cutoff valve and the second cutoff valve, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the gas supplied between the first cutoff valve and the second cutoff valve, and a control means for verifying the flow of the gas flowing in the flow control device, the verification being performed by using both the result of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the result of the temperatures detected by the temperature detector. The volume (Vk) between the valve seat of the first cutoff valve and the valve seat of the second cutoff valve is equal to or less than the volume (Ve) between the outlet of the flow control device and the valve seat of the first cutoff valve.

A pumping apparatus for evacuating a reactant from a reactive region includes a vacuum able chamber, a hearth for supporting a workpiece, one or more gas introduction valves, one or more exhaust evacuation valves, and an adjustable valve providing one or more pathways there through formed by alignment of separate components of the valve, the components perforated with two or more openings to form the pathways.

The present invention relates to a droplet-based nucleic acid amplification device, system, and method. According to one embodiment, a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a substrate comprising electrodes for conducting droplet operations; and (b) one or more temperature control means arranged in proximity with one or more of the electrodes for heating and / or cooling a region of the droplet microactuator and arranged such that a droplet can be transported on the electrodes into the region for heating.

A shut-off valve or connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell is disclosed. The valve comprises a first valve component and a second valve component. Each valve component has an outer housing and a biased slidable member disposed inside the housing forming an internal seal. During the connection process, the two valve components establish an inter-component seal. Afterward, in one suitable embodiment the slidable member moves inward and opens the internal seal in the valve component to establish a flow path. In another embodiment, the slidable member moves inward and exposes a first filler and the first filler abuts a second filler in the other valve component to establish a flow path. In other embodiments, at least one valve component is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal.

The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. Microdroplets are metered into defined volumes and are subsequently incorporated into a variety of biological assays. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.

Hydraulic fill and drain of a clutch chamber is controlled with a blocking valve and a trim valve. The blocking valve selectively provides pressurized fluid to the trim valve which in turn selectively provides the pressurized fluid to the clutch chamber. Exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through one of two alternate paths utilizing deactivation of one of the trim and blocking valves. Back up exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through the other of the alternative paths. Such system allows for determination of valve failures and continued operation until such failures can be rectified.

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 multiple-substrate processing apparatus includes: a reaction chamber comprised of two discrete reaction stations aligned one behind the other for simultaneously processing two substrates; a transfer chamber disposed underneath the reaction chamber, for loading and unloading substrates to and from the reaction stations simultaneously; and a load lock chamber disposed next to the transfer chamber. The transfer arm includes one or more end-effectors for simultaneously supporting two substrates one behind the other as viewed in the substrate-loading / unloading direction.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides functional perfluoropolyether (PFPE) materials for use in fabricating and utilizing microscale devices, such as a microfluidic device. The functional PFPE materials can be used to adhere layers of PFPE materials to one another or to other substrates to form a microscale device. Further, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for functionalizing the interior surface of a microfluidic channel and / or a microtiter well. Also the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for fabricating a microscale structure through the use of a sacrificial layer of a degradable material.

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fluid consumption in a fluid-supply system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. In one embodiment, a method of preventing freezing of a conduit for fire suppression fluid in a fire sprinkler system includes sensing, with a temperature sensor, a temperature at a location; and if the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, sending, to at least one fluid control device interfaced with the conduit, at least one control signal to impede a flow of fire suppression fluid through the conduit.

A substrate processing system includes a plurality of processing chambers accommodating substrates, a processing gas supply system configured to supply a processing gas sequentially into the plurality of processing chambers, a reactive gas supply system configured to supply an activated reactive gas sequentially into the plurality of processing chambers, a buffer tank installed at the processing gas supply system, and a control unit configured to control the processing gas supply system and the reactive gas supply system such that a time period of supplying the reactive gas into one of the plurality of processing chambers is equal to a sum of a time period of supplying the processing gas into the one of the plurality of processing chambers and a time period of supplying the processing gas into the buffer tank, and the processing gas and the reactive gas are alternately supplied into the plurality of processing chambers.

An exhaust foreline for purging fluids from a semiconductor fabrication chamber is described. The foreline may include a first, second and third ports independently coupled to the chamber. A semiconductor fabrication system is also described that includes a substrate chamber that has a first, second and third interface port. The system may also include a multi-port foreline that has a first, second and third port, where the first foreline port is coupled to the first interface port, the second foreline port is coupled to the second interface port, and the third foreline port is coupled to the third interface port. The system may further include an exhaust vacuum coupled to the multi-port foreline.

A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.

A computerized method for monitoring a water utility network, the water utility network comprising a network of pipes for delivering water to consumers and a plurality of meters positioned within the pipes across the water distribution network. The method includes receiving meter data representing parameters measured by the meters, such as flow, pressure, chlorine level, pH and turbidity of the water being distributed through the pipes. The method also includes receiving secondary data from sources external to the meters and representing conditions affecting consumption of water in a region serviced by the water utility network such as weather and holidays. The meter and secondary data is analyzed using statistical techniques to identify water network events including leakage events and other events regarding quantity and quality of water flowing through the pipes and operation of the water network. The events are reported to users via a user interface.

A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle including a first touch control, a second touch control, and a mode indicator. The logical control has a manual mode (wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and water flow is toggled on and off by positioning the handle) and a hands-free mode (wherein water flow is toggled on and off in response to the proximity sensor). The first touch control puts the faucet in the hands-free mode when touched by a user. The second touch control toggles the logical control between the hands-free mode and the manual mode when touched by a user. The mode indicator indicates which mode the faucet is presently in. The water flow has a temperature and a flow rate that are determined by the position of the handle.

The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, at least one droplet is used to create a plurality of droplets, using techniques such as flow-focusing techniques. In one set of embodiments, a plurality of droplets, containing varying species, can be divided to form a collection of droplets containing the various species therein. A collection of droplets, according to certain embodiments, may contain various subpopulations of droplets that all contain the same species therein. Such a collection of droplets may be used as a library in some cases, or may be used for other purposes.

A memory wire actuated control valve comprises a memory wire actuator operatively coupled to a fluid control valve. The memory wire actuator includes a housing having an interior cavity enclosing an electrical platform assembly, an activation wire and a transfer mechanism. The activation wire is formed of a shape memory alloy, often called a “memory wire” or “muscle wire.” The activation wire is electrically connected to the electrical platform and mechanically coupled to the transfer mechanism. The actuator is activated by conducting electrical current through the activation wire causing the wire to contract thereby actuating the transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism is operable coupled to the fluid control valve such that actuated and de-actuating the transfer mechanism open and closes the valve.

A proportional valve is disclosed for controlling the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The valve comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid. The valve also has an inner chamber, within which there is formed a valve seat that may be opened and closed variably by a shutter axially movable from and towards the valve seat. Movement of the shutter is controlled by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating member operating antagonistically to an elastic member, the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic member are connected to the body valve at opposite sides relative to the valve seat. A power control circuit is also provided for circulating an electric current through the actuating member so as to heat the same by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to one that is higher. At least one vent hole is formed in the valve body for putting a portion of the chamber upstream of the valve seat into fluid communication with the outside or a collection network. The actuating member is housed in that portion of chamber corresponding to the inlet port of the fluid, whereby a continuous flow of fluid around the actuating member is ensured for accelerating the cooling process. A closed-loop control circuit for the power control circuit controls the circulating current as a function of a pressure signal generated by fluid pressure sensing means and in such a way as to offset the retarding effect produced by the fluid during heating of the actuating member.

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 droplet actuation system is provided including a droplet actuation device including a substrate that includes electrodes for conducting droplet operations; temperature control means for heating and / or cooling a region of the droplet actuation device and arranged such that a droplet can be transported on the electrodes to a region for heating; and a means for effecting a magnetic field in proximity to one or more of the electrodes sufficient to immobilize magnetically responsive beads in a droplet on the substrate during droplet operations. The system further includes a processor for controlling the electrodes and temperature control means, wherein the processor is programmed, and electrodes and magnetic field are arranged, to cause the electrodes to split a droplet including the magnetically responsive beads yielding a first daughter droplet which includes the magnetically responsive beads and a second daughter droplet without a substantial amount of the magnetically responsive beads.

A gas supply facility includes a plurality of pressure type flow controllers connected in parallel, and a first controller to control operation of the plurality of pressure type flow controllers so as to supply a desired gas exhausted by a vacuum pump to a chamber while controlling its flow rate, one of the pressure type flow controllers operates as a second controller to control the gas flow rate range up to 10% of the maximum flow rate supplied to the chamber, while the remaining pressure type flow controllers are made to be ones that control the rest of the gas flow rate range. Furthermore, pressure inside the chamber is controlled by installing a pressure detector in the chamber, inputting the value detected by the detector to the controller, and by adjusting a control signal to the pressure type flow controllers.