A valve box for accessing a utility valve, the valve box having a box housing with an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may have a plurality of fins, and the inner surface may have a plurality of keyways configured to receive a plurality of keys. The inner surface may additionally have threading. The box housing may have an access opening in some embodiments, and the valve box may include a threaded valve box cover configured to be arranged over the access opening. In some embodiments, the box housing may have a plurality of modular rings. A valve box tool may have a driving portion, a valve box engaging portion, and a stem portion. The valve box engaging portion may have a plurality of keys configured to engage the plurality of keyways. The stem portion may be configured to extend between the driving portion and a valve.

The problem of disassembling an air release valve in the field by removing the valve cover to remove the internal working components is solved by a quick release mechanism on the valve cover that can be operated by hand. The quick release mechanism can include a radially tapered groove with tapered parallel tracks that define a slot in the valve cover and a guide on the valve body that engages with the tracks through the slot. The guide can be inserted into a socket in the radially tapered groove and a shoulder piece on the guide can slide on the tapered parallel tracks, which brings the valve cover towards the valve body. An O-ring and a U-cup seal arranged in recesses in the valve body can be compressed by the valve body cover to form airtight seals and the shoulder piece can be lodged in a locking pocket to keep the valve cover in place.

The problem of disassembling an air release valve in the field by removing the valve cover to remove the internal working components is solved by a quick release mechanism on the valve cover that can be operated by hand. The quick release mechanism can include a radially tapered groove with tapered parallel tracks that define a slot in the valve cover and a guide on the valve body that engages with the tracks through the slot. The guide can be inserted into a socket in the radially tapered groove and a shoulder piece on the guide can slide on the tapered parallel tracks, which brings the valve cover towards the valve body. An O-ring and a U-cup seal arranged in recesses in the valve body can be compressed by the valve body cover to form airtight seals and the shoulder piece can be lodged in a locking pocket to keep the valve cover in place.

A valve box riser extension is disclosed, including a valve box riser extension positioned between a valve box lid and a valve box. A rim is positioned about a perimeter of an exterior surface of the valve box riser extension. The rim is constructed as an inverted wedge having an acute incline angle surface lip portion. The lip portion allows dirt or other material to be placed thereon to prevent the valve box riser extension from being pulled out of the ground when removing the lid.

A valve box riser extension is disclosed, including a valve box riser extension positioned between a valve box lid and a valve box. A rim is positioned about a perimeter of an exterior surface of the valve box riser extension. The rim is constructed as an inverted wedge having an acute incline angle surface lip portion. The lip portion allows dirt or other material to be placed thereon to prevent the valve box riser extension from being pulled out of the ground when removing the lid.

A valve device includes a valve block having a valve port through which a fluid passes and an insertion hole; a moving valve body that opens or closes the valve port; a guide member that is inserted in the insertion hole, and slidably guides the valve body; a solenoid that generates a magnetic field when energized; a stationary pole that cooperates with the solenoid to move the valve body; a tubular support member that is inserted in the insertion hole to accommodate the solenoid, and supports the guide member that receives pressure from the fluid passing through the valve port; and a lid member that closes an opening of the support member, and the support member is joined with the valve block.

A valve device includes a valve block having a valve port through which a fluid passes and an insertion hole; a moving valve body that opens or closes the valve port; a guide member that is inserted in the insertion hole, and slidably guides the valve body; a solenoid that generates a magnetic field when energized; a stationary pole that cooperates with the solenoid to move the valve body; a tubular support member that is inserted in the insertion hole to accommodate the solenoid, and supports the guide member that receives pressure from the fluid passing through the valve port; and a lid member that closes an opening of the support member, and the support member is joined with the valve block.

Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spores container to store spores, a nutrient container to store nutrients, a water supply line, a syringe tank, a syringe pump, an adjustable valve, a heater, and a controller. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can cause the syringe pump and the adjustable valve to draw into the syringe tank a volume of spores, nutrients, and water to form a mixture. The controller causes the heater to heat the mixture for a period of time. In a dispensing phase of the system, the controller can cause the syringe pump to expel the mixture through the adjustable valve and into a water distribution system. The controller can direct the system through a number of other phases of operation.

A gate valve includes a valve body and a valve cover. The valve body includes a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, a flow passage from the first opening to the second opening, and a gate channel from the flow passage to the third opening. The gate channel has a central longitudinal axis and a ridge defining a perimeter of the third opening. The valve cover can fit over the third opening and, under force on the valve cover, exert a clamping force on the ridge. The clamping force has a first force component perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a second force component parallel with the central longitudinal axis. The first force component of the clamping force is toward the gate channel. The ridge includes a first surface configured to mate with a first surface of the valve cover.

A gate valve includes a valve body and a valve cover. The valve body includes a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, a flow passage from the first opening to the second opening, and a gate channel from the flow passage to the third opening. The gate channel has a central longitudinal axis and a ridge defining a perimeter of the third opening. The valve cover can fit over the third opening and, under force on the valve cover, exert a clamping force on the ridge. The clamping force has a first force component perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a second force component parallel with the central longitudinal axis. The first force component of the clamping force is toward the gate channel. The ridge includes a first surface configured to mate with a first surface of the valve cover.