An intake valve and a drain system are located in the lower portion of a stanchion or outer pipe which is preferably dimensioned so that these structures can be located below the frost line underground so as not to be subject to freezing. The intake valve structure includes a body which fits tightly within the stanchion and which has a central bore which receives, at its uppermost end, the lower end of the conduit. The lower end of the bore is fitted with threads or other convenient means for connecting a conduit representing a source of water which is under sufficient pressure to allow the water to rise in the stanchion conduit and fill the basin. The improvements to the prior art include a stand or stabilizing means to secure the city water vertical outlet port at least about four to six inches above the bottom of the outer pipe. This facilitates removal of the intake valve structure from the city water outlet port. Other improvements include a reinforced pivot axis on the flapper, training and raised flappers, and ribs inside the bowl to assist unscrewing the intake valve structure.

A control device for providing a position controller mode for closed-loop position control of an actuator member of a fluidic actuator which can be driven by a pressurized fluid, wherein the control device is configured to activate a pressure controller mode in response to the actuator member being located in a position target range given by a target position value of the closed-loop position control, and, in the pressure controller mode, to carry out a closed-loop pressure control of the pressurized fluid on the basis of a target pressure value.

A control device for providing a position controller mode for closed-loop position control of an actuator member of a fluidic actuator which can be driven by a pressurized fluid, wherein the control device is configured to activate a pressure controller mode in response to the actuator member being located in a position target range given by a target position value of the closed-loop position control, and, in the pressure controller mode, to carry out a closed-loop pressure control of the pressurized fluid on the basis of a target pressure value.

A valve may have a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The valve may include a valve stem having a lumen extending from a first opening at a proximal portion of the valve stem to a second opening at a distal end of the valve stem. A plurality of seals may be positioned relative to the valve stem. The valve stem and seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet is prevented from flowing to the outlet in a first position of the valve stem and relative to the inlet and the outlet. The valve stem and the seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet flows to the outlet in a second position of the valve stem relative to the inlet and the outlet, the second position being more distal than the first position relative to the inlet and the outlet.

A meter bypass assembly includes a housing and a valve assembly. The housing defines a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second inlet and a second outlet. The valve assembly is rotatable to a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and from the second inlet to the second outlet. The valve assembly is also rotatable to a second position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the first inlet to the second outlet and is restricted from flowing from the first inlet to the first outlet and from the second inlet to the second outlet. The valve assembly includes a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing and first and second valve bodies rotationally fixed to opposing ends of the shaft.

A meter bypass assembly includes a housing and a valve assembly. The housing defines a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second inlet and a second outlet. The valve assembly is rotatable to a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and from the second inlet to the second outlet. The valve assembly is also rotatable to a second position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the first inlet to the second outlet and is restricted from flowing from the first inlet to the first outlet and from the second inlet to the second outlet. The valve assembly includes a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing and first and second valve bodies rotationally fixed to opposing ends of the shaft.

A valve may have a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The valve may include a valve stem having a lumen extending from a first opening at a proximal portion of the valve stem to a second opening at a distal end of the valve stem. A plurality of seals may be positioned relative to the valve stem. The valve stem and seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet is prevented from flowing to the outlet in a first position of the valve stem and relative to the inlet and the outlet. The valve stem and the seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet flows to the outlet in a second position of the valve stem relative to the inlet and the outlet, the second position being more distal than the first position relative to the inlet and the outlet.

A hinge-type actuator device in accordance with the present disclosure may include a first and second paddle, a first and second artificial muscle actuator segment, and a plurality of contacts, where the first and second artificial muscle actuator segments are actuated via the contacts, actuation of the first artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to open the hinge-type actuator, and actuation of the second artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to dose the hinge-type actuator.

A hinge-type actuator device in accordance with the present disclosure may include a first and second paddle, a first and second artificial muscle actuator segment, and a plurality of contacts, where the first and second artificial muscle actuator segments are actuated via the contacts, actuation of the first artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to open the hinge-type actuator, and actuation of the second artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to dose the hinge-type actuator.

A diaphragm assembly for a mass flow controller is disclosed. The diaphragm assembly includes an aperture, side walls extending from the aperture and disposed about a central axis, the side walls including multiple convolutions, and a poppet including an interior surface facing the aperture and exterior sealing surface. At least a portion of the diaphragm assembly moveable extends and retracts within a control valve cavity of the mass flow controller. A push rod extending from the interior surface of the poppet moves, responsive to an actuator of the mass flow controller, to enable the exterior sealing surface of the poppet to open and close a flow path through the control valve cavity.