132 results about "Fluid regulation" patented technology

A climate controlled seat assembly comprising a back structure within at least one forwardly extending side member, a seat cushion disposed on the front side of the back member, a fluid distribution system, and a climate control device. The climate control device is mounted on the rear side of the side member. A plenum duct places the fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the climate control device. The fluid distribution system is comprised of a plurality of channels. A plurality of inserts is disposed within each of a plurality of grooves in the seat cushion. The fluid provided by the climate control device through the plenum duct into the fluid distribution system adjusts the climate of the seat.

A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and / or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube. In certain other embodiments, the apparatus may be retrievable from the surface thereby permitting recharge or replenishment of the chemical in the apparatus on an as-needed basis. The filtration apparatus may incorporate a by-pass valve that allows fluid to by-pass the filter as sand or other particulate matter fills up or blocks the filter.

Modular in-line fluid regulators are described. One described example modular fluid regulator apparatus includes a body having a fluid inlet and a threaded outer surface to engage a threaded opening in another fluid regulator to serially fluidly couple first and second fluid regulators. The example fluid regulator apparatus also includes valve to control a flow of fluid through the first fluid regulator, and a pressure sensing member operatively coupled to the valve to control a position of the valve to provide a regulated output pressure at an outlet of the first fluid regulator. The pressure sensing member and the valve are configured to be received in a cavity of the second fluid regulator adjacent the threaded opening.

A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.

A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and a microactuator movable from a first position where the microvalve body aperture is closed to fluid flow to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source to open and close the microvalve. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can be located outside the cell housing or inside the cell housing, for example between one or more fluid inlet apertures and the fluid consuming electrode. The invention includes a method of making a multilayer microvalve assembly, particularly one for use in a fluid depolarized battery, using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers.

The invention relates to a fluid storage and delivery system utilizing a porous metal matrix that comprises at least one Group VIII metal or Group IB metal therein. In one aspect of the invention, such porous metal matrix forms a solid-phase metal adsorbent medium, characterized by an average pore diameter of from about 0.5 nm to about 2.0 nm and a porosity of from about 10% to about 30%. Such solid-phase metal adsorbent medium is particularly useful for sorptively storing and desoprotively dispensing a low vapor pressure fluid, e.g., ClF3, HF, GeF4, Br2, etc. In another aspect of the invention, such porous metal matrix forms a solid-phase metal sorbent, characterized by an average pore diameter of from about 0.25 mum to about 500 mum and a porosity of from about 15% to about 95%, which can effectively immobilize low vapor pressure liquefied gas and prevent the same from entering the fluid regulator as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,027.

A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and / or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.

A fluid regulation system is provided comprising a source of a fluid, a tube in communication with the source for delivering the fluid from the source to a site, and a valve for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the source to the site. A remote control unit for controlling the valve is also provided to allow the user to adjust the rate of fluid flow from the source through the tube to the site. Typically, the system excludes any means for automatically adjusting the rate of fluid flow from the source through the tube to the site. The invention is particularly useful when the valve is out of the user's reach. Also provided is a method for delivering of a fluid to a site.

Methods and apparatus for fluid conditioning to reduce scaling, inactivate microbes, reduce surface tension, maintain fluid composition, and improve pumping are provided for use in treating crude petroleum, industrial water, agricultural water, municipal water supplies, or any fluid flow system and comprise electromagnets of variable control that can be powered or in which a current can be induced by a permanent magnet. Magnetic field direction and intensity can be selected depending on the nature of the fluid and in some embodiments, the field can be varied during operation, including pulsing and variably selecting one or more field directions and intensities, or combinations thereof, during operation. A non-magnetic fluid transfer conduit section has at least one conductor assembly mounted about the section. In one embodiment, the conductor assembly comprises a concentric, tilted double helix coil or multipole coil. If desired, one or more rotating or reciprocating permanent magnets may be located in magnetic field contact with one or more multipole conductor assemblies and rotated or reciprocated to induce a current in the multipole conductor assembly, thereby to induce a magnetic field in the conductor assembly.

Methods and apparatus for regulating fluid pressure are described. A fluid regulator with relatively large passages and a high-pressure reserve may improve performance when the regulator is used in a sustained sequence. A smaller area stem piston may make the regulated pressure more independent of the input pressure.

A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and / or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.

The invention discloses a method of predicting the fluid level at a predetermined location in a fluid flow network (10) having at least one regulator (16, 18) to control the flow of fluid along fluid flow network (10). The method includes the steps of collecting data based on timed measurements of fluid levels upstream (24, 28) of at least one regulator (16, 18), fluid levels downstream (26, 29) of at least one regulator (16, 18) and the opening position (30, 32) of at least one regulator (16, 18), and using data analysis (40) to provide a model based on the data whereby the model will provide prediction of fluid level at the predetermined location based on timed measurements of fluid levels upstream (24, 28) of at least one regulator (16, 18) and the opening position (30, 32) of at least one regulator (16, 18).

A fluid pressure regulating unit (1, 28, 35, 56, 58), comprises a fluid inlet port (3), a fluid outlet port (4), a valve means (6) and a main valve biasing means (14, 36). The main valve biasing means (14) biases said valve means (6) in the direction of an open position. An auxiliary valve biasing means (26) is provided, biasing the valve means (6) in the direction of a closed position.

A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and / or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.

A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and / or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube. In certain other embodiments, the apparatus may be retrievable from the surface thereby permitting recharge or replenishment of the chemical in the apparatus on an as-needed basis. The filtration apparatus may incorporate a by-pass valve that allows fluid to by-pass the filter as sand or other particulate matter fills up or blocks the filter.

A fluid regulating device includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a valve port, and a control element shiftable within the valve body. A control assembly includes an actuator coupled to the control element and includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent a diaphragm chamber. A sense tube has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end positioned to communicate with the diaphragm chamber, the second end disposed adjacent the outlet, and the intermediate portion disposed adjacent an intermediate portion of the outlet. The sense tube includes a shoulder and a flared portion, with the flared portion disposed adjacent the second end.

A system includes a spray tool including a trigger and a sensor. The system includes a fluid regulation system including a container configured to store a coating material and a pump configured to control a flow of the coating material. The system includes a pump control system including a controller configured to change an operating parameter of the pump distributing the coating material in response to an input from the sensor. The pump control system is coupled to the fluid regulation system.

A plant irrigation apparatus for providing a fluid to one or more plants includes a plurality of platforms that are disposed in an array. Each platform has a support surface that is disposed at a platform elevation. A fluid reservoir for containing the fluid is defined at least partially in between adjacent platforms of the plurality of platforms. At least one fluid-regulating structure is configured to maintain a maximum elevation for the fluid, wherein the maximum elevation for the fluid is lower than the platform elevation. A capillary mat is supported by the plurality of platforms. At least a portion of the capillary mat is disposed within the fluid reservoir below the maximum elevation of the fluid.

Systems and processes for fluid regulation may provide diagnostic information that is useful for evaluating the condition and / or needed repairs / maintenance for fluid regulation systems. In particular implementations, a system and process for fluid regulation may include the ability to receive a representation of an input signal to an electric-to-pressure converter for facilitating positioning of a fluid regulator component, the electric-to-pressure converter adapted to be part of a fluid regulation system including a fluid regulator and a fluid regulator controller, and to determine at least one fluid regulation system condition based on the converter input signal.

The present invention relates to a valve system for an inflatable portion of an indwelling medical device and more particularly to a valve system for fluid regulation of a catheter comprising a fluid inflatable portion that undergoes pressure changes within the body during use. The present invention also relates to methods of treatment using said valve system and indwelling medical devices comprising said valve systems.

An exemplary method and system for reducing or eliminating the formation of solid precipitates / deposits of a flowing fluid, such as oil, or for reducing or eliminating existing solid precipitates / deposits contained in a flowing fluid, is provided. A fluid conditioning system and method are provided, along with a magnetic fluid conditioner that provides numerous magnetic field transitions through a magnetic flux density in the flow path of the fluid to reduce the formation of precipitates / deposits. A recirculating system using the invention may be set up to reduce deposits, such as paraffin in oil, by circulating oil through a pump, a magnetic fluid conditioner, a tank, and, in one embodiment, and a heater until the deposits / precipitates have been transitioned from a solid to a liquid. A multi-pole magnet, such as an eight-pole magnet, may be used in an embodiment of the present invention to increase the effectiveness of the present invention.

An implant or sling device is provided with a tension adjustment system. The adjustment system can include one or more small pressure bulbs placed against the inferior pubic rami for support. By palpating the bulbs (one on left and one on right), the pressure can be adjusted to control the tension of the implant. Other conduits, balloons, introduction tools, ports and fluid adjustment components and mechanisms can be included to provide selective adjustment of the tension of the implant relative to the supported tissue or organ.

The present invention relates to fluid regulating valve, comprising a housing, a flow regulating member, and a gap controlling member. The housing has an inlet and a carrying part having a first outlet. The gap controlling member is located between the flow regulating member and the carrying part for regulating the gap between the carrying part and the flow regulating member. Fluid flows into the housing via the inlet, flows into the gap via the flow regulating member, drains off from the first outlet, and the fluid pressure of the fluid exerts pressure on the gap controlling member via the flow regulating member for controlling the flow rate of the fluid draining off the first outlet via the gap within a predetermined range by adjusting gap size using said gap controlling member. The fluid regulating valve according to the present invention is tolerant to damages in long-term usage.

A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell is proposed. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and microactuators movable from a first closed aperture position to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. These microactuators control the movement of spring-like shape-retaining interior aperture covers, which covers can be belleville springs or flat springs. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source. The latter assembly can be located outside or inside the cell housing, for example between a fluid inlet aperture and the fluid consuming electrode. Using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers is proposed for making the multilayer microvalve assembly for a fluid depolarized battery.

The invention relates to a valve for controlling fluids, having a piezoelectric unit (4) for actuating a valve member (3), with which a valve closing member (12) is associated that divides a low-pressure region (16) at system pressure from a high-pressure region (17). The valve member (3) has at least one first piston (9) and one second piston (11), between which a hydraulic chamber (13) is embodied. To compensate for leakage losses, a filling device (23) is used, which can communicate with the high-pressure region (17) and which has at least one channel-like hollow chamber (24), in which a solid body (25) is disposed, with a gap surrounding it, in such a way that on one end (25A) of the solid body (25), a line (26) branching off from the high-pressure region (17), and on its opposite end (25B) a leakage line (27) discharges into the hollow chamber (24), and that a line (29) leading to the hydraulic chamber (13) branches off along the length of the solid body (25), and the system pressure (p_sys) in the hydraulic chamber (13) is adjustable by geometric definition of the branching point (28).

A fluid pressure regulating unit, comprises a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a valve comprising a movable valve part, wherein the movable part comprises at least one fluid pressure balancing means and wherein the at least one pressure balancing means comprises a tapered surface, and a main valve biasing means. The main valve biasing means biases said valve in the direction of an open position. An auxiliary valve biasing means is provided, biasing the valve in the direction of a closed position. Wherein essentially every surface part, being in fluid connection to the fluid inlet port and having a surface normal at least partially in parallel to the moving direction of the moving part of the valve, is balance by a balancing surface part.

The present invention provides a system to regulate fluid flow having a light switch that controls a light, wherein the light switch is in electrical communication with a wireless transmitter; and at least one valve interposed on at least one fluid supply line wherein said at least one valve is normally closed, cutting off the flow of fluid in the at least one fluid supply line, wherein the at least one valve is in electrical communication with a wireless receiver such that when the light switch is activated the wireless transmitter signals the wireless receiver to open the valve, allowing flow of fluid in the fluid supply line. The present invention also provides another system using a photocell switch to actuate the valve.

An apparatus (1) for regulating at least one fluid flow in a vehicle (5), having a first fluid regulation unit (20), in particular a pump or a valve, for regulating a first fluid flow, and a first holder (20) with a receiving region (22) for the first fluid regulation unit (10) and with a first fastening means (28), wherein the first fluid regulation unit (10) is arranged in the receiving region (22) of the first holder (20), and wherein the first fastening means (28) is provided for fastening the holder (20) to the vehicle (5). The first holder (20) has at least one connecting means (26) for connecting the first holder (20) to a second holder (70).

The pollution control system includes a controller coupled to a sensor monitoring an operational characteristic of a combustion engine, such as engine RPM. A PCV valve having an inlet and an outlet is adapted to vent blow-by gas out from the combustion engine. A fluid regulator associated with the PCV valve and responsive to the controller selectively modulates engine vacuum pressure to adjustably increase or decrease a fluid flow rate of blow-by gas venting from the combustion engine. The controller selectively adjustably positions the fluid regulator to vary the degree of vacuum pressure to optimize the recycling of blow-by gases.