75887 results about "Water flow" patented technology

A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane.

In an endoscope apparatus, an air/water switch (15) that is provided in an operating section (9) of an endoscope (5) each generate an air feed on/off signal and a suction on/off signal, and air feed flow and suction flow signals that are responsive to the amount of depression of each of the switches, these signals being sent to a signal processing circuit (33). The signal processing circuit (33) controls a air/water feed control valve 40 and a suction force control valve 50, so as to control air/water feed flow and suction flow, a flow display being made by an indicator (65) on the screen (63) of a TV monitor (35).

Devices and methods are described for converting a carbon source and a hydrogen source into hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, for alternative energy sources. The influents may comprise carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas or water, obtainable from the atmosphere for through methods described herein, such as plasma generation or electrolysis. One method to produce hydrocarbons comprises the use of an electrolytic device, comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Another method comprises the use of ultrasonic energy to drive the reaction. The devices and methods and related devices and methods are useful, for example, to provide a fossil fuel alternative energy source, store renewable energy, sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteract global warming, and store carbon dioxide in a liquid fuel.

An arrangement for restricting the inflow of formation water from an underground formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, where, between the underground formation and a production tubing (38) located in the well, there is disposed at least one flow chamber (3, 33) connected to the production tubing (38), the flow chamber (3, 33), preferably via a filter (2) in one portion, being open to inflow of formation fluid and in communication with the production tubing (38) via at least one opening (7, 32), and where the flow chamber (3, 33) is provided with at least one free-floating body (4, 34) with approximately the same density as the formation water, the at least one body (4, 34) being designed by means of the closing of at least one opening (32) or choking, to reduce the inflow of formation water to the production tubing (38).

A process and system for purifying water is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the process may be used to remove a divalent salt, such as calcium sulfate, from a water source in order to prevent the divalent salt from precipitating during the process. The water source, for instance, may be fed to an ion separating device, such as an electrodialysis device. In the electrodialysis device, an ion exchange takes place between the divalent salt and another salt, such as a monovalent salt to produce two concentrated salt streams that contain salts having greater solubility in water than the divalent salt. In one embodiment, the two salt streams that are produced may then be combined to precipitate the divalent salt in a controlled manner. During the process, various other components contained within the water feed stream may also be removed from the stream and converted into useful products. In one particular embodiment, the process is configured to receive a byproduct stream from a reverse osmosis process.

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 water faucet assembly providing touchless water temperature and water flow adjustment. The assembly comprises a spout, a water mixing valve, at least one proximity sensor, and a microcomputer. The water mixing valve provides a mix and controls the flow of hot water from a hot water supply and cold water from a cold water supply to the spout. The at least one proximity sensor provides a water temperature or water flow input signal having a value corresponding to the distance of an object from the sensor. The microcomputer is responsive to the value of the water temperature input signal to control the water mixing valve and generate a mixture of the hot and cold water corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor. The microcomputer is also responsive to the value of the water flow input signal to provide a flow of water from the spout corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor.

An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. A flow control knob may be turned to selectively adjust the water pressure supplied by the tip between a minimum and a maximum value. The reservoir may be removed from the base unit so that it may be filled with the fluid. The reservoir may support a container for storing tips or other items. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue.

A four-wheel pool cleaner (20) motivated by water flow to move along a pool surface, and having: a body (24); the four wheels rotatably mounted thereon and including two sets of two wheels (22) each, one wheel of each set on each side; a drive mechanism (36) in position to be moved by water flow and having a rotatable drive member (76); a drive train extending to the first wheel set (22a, b) and to the second wheel set (22c, d), to drive all four wheels. Preferred embodiments include: wheel-to-wheel drive links (88) along the side; a turbine (36) as drive mechanism; a pair of spaced wheelgears (32, 34), preferably integrally formed with the wheel, facilitating drive linkages and steering; a pair of end-to-end drive shafts (80, 82) joined by a coupler (84c), one shaft end (80a) being a ball joint allowing fore-and-aft movement of a drive-shaft distal end; a spring (102) and cam (100) for alternately moving that distal end between a driving position engaging one of the spaced wheelgears (32), and a steering position engaging the other of the spaced wheelgears (34); wheel treads (108) with radial fingers (110), some (110a-c) of longer length; and a segmented articulated skirt (56) to help enclose a plenum beneath the pool cleaner.

The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP.

A wireless interface remote monitoring system for self-propelled irrigation systems (center pivot and lateral move sprinklers) includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) mounted on an outer drive tower of the irrigation system. The RTU includes a radio transceiver capable of sending and receiving data packets over a satellite or terrestrial telemetry backbone to and from a central control computer. The RTU further includes a current sensor and a GPS receiver both for detecting movement or non-movement of the sprinkler, a microprocessor with nonvolatile memory for storing current data and GPS coordinate data from readings taken in series over time, and a pressure or flow sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water flow at the outer drive tower of the sprinkler. The current sensor connected between the RTU and a tower drive motor, allows the RTU to calculate the “movement” or “non-movement” of the irrigation system over a specified time period. Redundantly, the GPS receiver records changes in position to indicate movement or non-movement within the GPS error tolerance. Once a change from movement to non-movement or vice-versa is determined, the RTU transmits the data by satellite or radio telemetry to a central control computer which logs the movement or non-movement of the monitored drive tower, the GPS coordinate data and the water status readings, all with time and date stamp. The central control computer creates “page message” and “text message” updates as necessary on the status of individual irrigation systems and “groups” of irrigation systems that are in turn delivered to wireless devices and computers for sprinkler operators.

Methods and systems are disclosed for creating an aqueous flow pathway in the trabecular meshwork, juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal of an eye for reducing elevated intraocular pressure. Some embodiments described apparatus and methods useful in photoablation of tissues. In some embodiments, a photoablation apparatus is used to perforate a tissue, forming an aperture into a space behind the tissue. Gases formed during a photoablation process can be used to pressurize the space behind the tissue to enhance patency of the space. In some embodiments the tissue is the trabecular meshwork of the eye and a wall of Schlemm's canal, and the space behind the tissue is a portion of the lumen of Schlemm's canal. In some embodiments, the method is useful in the treatment of glaucoma by improving outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal, reducing intraocular pressure.

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 switch-equipped sprinkler including a main body, a rotary water-distributing switch and a color-changeable warning facial cap mounted in a facial cap of the sprinkler. The switch is mounted in the main body. The switch has an operating handle arranged between the facial cap and the handle of the sprinkler. In the case that the temperature of the water exceeds a set value, the color-changeable facial cap will warn a user. The switch is operable with single handle to control the path of the water flow and switch the figures of the sprinkled water as necessary.

An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

A show head water pick apparatus includes a first pipe segment for attachment to a shower pipe protruding outwardly from shower stall wall and having a first pipe segment outward end; a switch valve having a switch valve intake end connected to the first pipe segment outward end, and having a shower head output branch to which a shower head is connected and a water pick output branch, and having a valve operation handle for delivering water flow alternately to the shower head and to the water pulsing and pick assembly; a water pulsing unit connected to the water pick output branch; a water pick tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, the tube first end being connected to the water pulsing unit; and a water pick secured to the tube second end.