A mounting device facilitates connecting an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) and automatic temperature balanced actuator (ABA), to a hydronic heating/cooling system to control the temperature of a room by changing the flow of hot/cold water through radiator. The mounting devices includes a male section and a female section, which is attached to the IoT device. The mounting device may be installed in two stages. First, a male section is attached to a component of the hydronic heating/cooling system (for example, a valve or manifold) by threading the male section onto the component. Second, a female section, is positioned to male section and locked into place by rotating a rotary sleeve. The female section (with the IoT device) may be easily removed by rotating the rotary sleeve into an unlock position.

A mounting device facilitates connecting an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) and automatic temperature balanced actuator (ABA), to a hydronic heating/cooling system to control the temperature of a room by changing the flow of hot/cold water through radiator. The mounting devices includes a male section and a female section, which is attached to the IoT device. The mounting device may be installed in two stages. First, a male section is attached to a component of the hydronic heating/cooling system (for example, a valve or manifold) by threading the male section onto the component. Second, a female section, is positioned to male section and locked into place by rotating a rotary sleeve. The female section (with the IoT device) may be easily removed by rotating the rotary sleeve into an unlock position.

A valve flush apparatus includes a rigid base designed to removably attach to a body of an irrigation valve. A stem extends outwardly from the base and away from the body of the irrigation valve and may be centrally located on the base. The stem and an aperture in the base may define a water passageway through which water may flow through the body of the irrigation valve and through the valve flush apparatus. A hose may also be included which removably attaches to the stem so as to extend the water passageway of the valve flush apparatus. A method includes flushing a clogged irrigation valve through use of the valve flush apparatus.

A valve flush apparatus includes a rigid base designed to removably attach to a body of an irrigation valve. A stem extends outwardly from the base and away from the body of the irrigation valve and may be centrally located on the base. The stem and an aperture in the base may define a water passageway through which water may flow through the body of the irrigation valve and through the valve flush apparatus. A hose may also be included which removably attaches to the stem so as to extend the water passageway of the valve flush apparatus. A method includes flushing a clogged irrigation valve through use of the valve flush apparatus.

Lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies are provided, as are valve frames utilized within lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies. In embodiments, the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly includes a base dielectric component having a mount interface, a strike-susceptible metallic component coupled to the base dielectric component, and mounting hardware configured to engage the mount interface to attach the base dielectric component to an A/C. An electrically-conductive coating overlies or is formed over at least a portion of the base dielectric component to complete a lightning strike dissipation path. The lightning strike dissipation path extends from the strike-susceptible metallic component, through the electrically-conductive coating, through the mounting hardware, and to an A/C electrical ground plane when the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly is installed on the A/C. In one implementation, the base dielectric component assumes the form of a valve frame, while the strike-susceptible metallic component assumes the form of a valve door movably mounted to the valve frame.

Lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies are provided, as are valve frames utilized within lightning-dissipative A/C assemblies. In embodiments, the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly includes a base dielectric component having a mount interface, a strike-susceptible metallic component coupled to the base dielectric component, and mounting hardware configured to engage the mount interface to attach the base dielectric component to an A/C. An electrically-conductive coating overlies or is formed over at least a portion of the base dielectric component to complete a lightning strike dissipation path. The lightning strike dissipation path extends from the strike-susceptible metallic component, through the electrically-conductive coating, through the mounting hardware, and to an A/C electrical ground plane when the lightning-dissipative A/C assembly is installed on the A/C. In one implementation, the base dielectric component assumes the form of a valve frame, while the strike-susceptible metallic component assumes the form of a valve door movably mounted to the valve frame.

An animal watering valve includes a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, a bore extending therebetween, a valve element and a valve actuator located at least in part in the bore, and a plug disposed within the bore upstream of the valve element. The plug includes a lattice structure extending along a length of the plug. The valve element may be a diaphragm disposed within the bore to separate the bore into upstream and downstream portions. The valve actuator has a stem with a stem body extending downstream from a stem head and through an outlet of the housing. The diaphragm includes a sealing surface with first and second annular ridges and a groove disposed therebetween. A stem hat having a cap and disk is coupled to a downstream end of the stem. The disk extends radially from the stem at a location upstream of the outlet.

An animal watering valve includes a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, a bore extending therebetween, a valve element and a valve actuator located at least in part in the bore, and a plug disposed within the bore upstream of the valve element. The plug includes a lattice structure extending along a length of the plug. The valve element may be a diaphragm disposed within the bore to separate the bore into upstream and downstream portions. The valve actuator has a stem with a stem body extending downstream from a stem head and through an outlet of the housing. The diaphragm includes a sealing surface with first and second annular ridges and a groove disposed therebetween. A stem hat having a cap and disk is coupled to a downstream end of the stem. The disk extends radially from the stem at a location upstream of the outlet.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge nut apparatus for a meter coupling. In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge nut includes at least two portions attached to each other by a hinge pin adjacent a distal end of each portion and the two portions are configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The closed position forms an outer surface and an opening forming an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first interior diameter adjacent a distal end of the opening and a second interior diameter adjacent the first interior diameter. The second interior diameter is greater than the first interior diameter and forms a lip and at least a portion of the second interior diameter includes threading.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge nut apparatus for a meter coupling. In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge nut includes at least two portions attached to each other by a hinge pin adjacent a distal end of each portion and the two portions are configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The closed position forms an outer surface and an opening forming an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first interior diameter adjacent a distal end of the opening and a second interior diameter adjacent the first interior diameter. The second interior diameter is greater than the first interior diameter and forms a lip and at least a portion of the second interior diameter includes threading.