A utility flow meter including a valve having a pressure vessel providing a flow path from a meter inlet to a meter outlet through the valve is magnetically driven. The meter includes a valve member positioned within the valve in the pressure vessel for movement between an open position allowing normal flow through the flow meter and a flow restriction position in which flow through the flow meter is limited to less than the normal flow and an electrically operable control device for controlling movement of the valve member including a dry-side magnet assembly and a wet-side magnet assembly. The electrically operable control device receives command signals to rotate the dry-side magnet assembly to move the valve member and thereby increase or decrease flow through the metering chamber.

In one embodiment, a fluid transfer component for transferring thermal energy comprises a film comprising a polymer with a thickness less than 5 millimeters, an input side constructed to receive fluid that flows from the input side to an active region of the film, more than 20 fluid channels defined by interior surfaces within the film, each fluid channel separated spatially in at least 1 row in a thickness direction of the film, the more than 20 fluid channels have a channel density across the active region greater than 5 fluid channels per centimeter, wherein the thermal energy is transferred to or from an environment and the fluid in the active region. The film may be an extruded microcapillary film or interior surfaces may comprise a surface modified to produce a surface relief profile. The active region may cool or warm the environment, which may comprise an individual.

In one embodiment, a fluid transfer component for transferring thermal energy comprises a film comprising a polymer with a thickness less than 5 millimeters, an input side constructed to receive fluid that flows from the input side to an active region of the film, more than 20 fluid channels defined by interior surfaces within the film, each fluid channel separated spatially in at least 1 row in a thickness direction of the film, the more than 20 fluid channels have a channel density across the active region greater than 5 fluid channels per centimeter, wherein the thermal energy is transferred to or from an environment and the fluid in the active region. The film may be an extruded microcapillary film or interior surfaces may comprise a surface modified to produce a surface relief profile. The active region may cool or warm the environment, which may comprise an individual.

System and method for dispensing product to a washing machine. A chemical dispensing system includes a system controller, machine interface, and pump controller that communicate through serial data buses. The system controller provides a user interface, retrieves washing machine status information from the machine interface, and issues product dispensing commands to the pump controller. The pump controller monitors pump status and dispenses product in response to commands from the system controller. The pump controller: (1) determines pump activation periods based on calibration data stored in a pump controller memory; (2) tracks pump usage and adjusts the activation period to compensate for pump wear as the pump ages; (3) disables the pump if conditions exists that preclude operating the pump; (4) monitors product levels, and (5) reports pump status to the system controller. Integral channels are included in the pump housing to provide stress relief to a squeeze tube.

The invention relates to a hydraulic actuator (1) that can be controlled by a main valve (2) and an auxiliary valve (3). Upstream of the main valve device (2) is a main regulator (7), having a P block (9) and an I block (10). Upstream of the auxiliary valve (3) is an auxiliary regulator (8), having a base block (11) and an I block (12). In a normal mode of operation, the auxiliary valve (3) is deactivated. The main regulator is provided with a main setpoint variable (p*) and a corresponding main actual quantity (p) of the hydraulic actuator (1). The main regulator (7) determines a main actuating variable (s) and predefines the main actuating variable (s) in the main valve device (2). In a special mode of operation, the base block (11) of the auxiliary regulator (8) is provided with an auxiliary setpoint variable (a*) and a corresponding auxiliary actual quantity (p) of the hydraulic actuator (1). The base block (11) of the auxiliary regulator (8) determines an auxiliary actuating variable (s′) and predefines the auxiliary actuating variable (s′) in the auxiliary valve device (3). The I block (12) of the auxiliary regulator (8) is provided with the main setpoint variable (p*) and the main actual quantity (p). The I block (12) of the auxiliary regulator (8) determines an integral component (si′) therefrom. The integral component (si′) is applied to the auxiliary actuating variable (s′). In the special mode of operation, the P block (9) is provided with the main setpoint variable (p*) and the main actual quantity (p). In the special mode of operation, the P-block (9) determines the main actuating variable (s) and predefines the main actuating variable (s) in the main valve device (2).

The present application relates to the manipulation and handling of biological materials and, in one form, provides an apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, including a channel for accommodating biological material and allowing for passage of liquid treatment solutions. The apparatus may include a two part construction wherein two portions of the apparatus are adapted to be heat sealed with a secondary material intermediate the two portions prior to a vitrification process step. A system for vitrification of a biological specimen is also provided including a software operable means for controlling the temperature environment, a software operable means for controlling fluid dispense volume and velocity and aspiration volume and velocity for the application of liquid treatment solutions to the biological specimen, and a software operable means for controlling protocol time.

A method for controlling discharging of a glass plate in a glass plate tempering technology process is provided. After a glass plate is fed into a heating furnace, a monitoring unit monitors and performs filtering on a working parameter of a heating element in real time, and then transmits the filtered working parameter to a control unit. The control unit compares the filtered working parameter with a specified threshold. After the working parameter reaches a maximum value or a minimum value, and then reaches the specified threshold during a subsequent change, the control unit sends an instruction to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism acts to move the glass plate out of the heating furnace directly or after a time delay, so as to complete a glass plate heating process. The present disclosure changes a conventional time-based control method, reduces energy consumption, and improves quality of a tempered glass.

A method for controlling discharging of a glass plate in a glass plate tempering technology process is provided. After a glass plate is fed into a heating furnace, a monitoring unit monitors and performs filtering on a working parameter of a heating element in real time, and then transmits the filtered working parameter to a control unit. The control unit compares the filtered working parameter with a specified threshold. After the working parameter reaches a maximum value or a minimum value, and then reaches the specified threshold during a subsequent change, the control unit sends an instruction to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism acts to move the glass plate out of the heating furnace directly or after a time delay, so as to complete a glass plate heating process. The present disclosure changes a conventional time-based control method, reduces energy consumption, and improves quality of a tempered glass.

A control system for controlling operation of a fluid delivery system that includes a first and second pumps for delivering first and second fluids for mixing. A controller includes a first pump map having a first pump flow rate mapped against a control output signal, and a second pump map having a second pump flow rate mapped against a control output signal. The controller determines the control output signal for the first pump to obtain a desired flow rate from the first pump, and the control output signal for the second pump to obtain a target flow rate and a target percentage of the second fluid relative to the first fluid or a target percentage of the second fluid relative to an overall fluid flow. The output signals for the first and second pumps are determined using the first and second pump maps.

A control system for controlling operation of a fluid delivery system that includes a first and second pumps for delivering first and second fluids for mixing. A controller includes a first pump map having a first pump flow rate mapped against a control output signal, and a second pump map having a second pump flow rate mapped against a control output signal. The controller determines the control output signal for the first pump to obtain a desired flow rate from the first pump, and the control output signal for the second pump to obtain a target flow rate and a target percentage of the second fluid relative to the first fluid or a target percentage of the second fluid relative to an overall fluid flow. The output signals for the first and second pumps are determined using the first and second pump maps.