A piping structure (1A) comprises a first pipe (10) to which food (H) is supplied, a plurality of second pipes (20) provided downstream of the first pipe (10) and connected to the first pipe (10), and a plurality of third pipes (30) provided downstream of the second pipes (20), a number of the plurality of third pipes being connected to each of the second pipes (20).

A building system comprising a plurality of tubes, a plurality of connection nodes comprising tubular sections for connection to the tubes, wherein the tubes are arranged to connect between the connection nodes to form a frame for a building, wherein at least one continuous cavity is formed through at least a portion of the nodes and tubes when the nodes and tubes are connected, the building system further comprising fluid tight seals between the tubes and connection nodes to enable fluid to flow through the at least one continuous cavity.

A method for stabilizing a grain mound covering tarp including steps of assembling a matrix of flexible tubes over the tarp and filling the matrix of flexible tubes with water; wherein the matrix assembling step provides a multiplicity of collapsible tubes forming a quadrilateral grid; wherein the matrix assembling step further provides a plurality of T joints and a plurality of + joints interconnecting the collapsible tubes; wherein the collapsible tube providing steps include a pair of cam connector halves attached to the ends of each collapsible tube; wherein the T joint providing steps include a triple of cam connector halves attached to each T joint; and wherein the + joint providing steps include a quadruple of cam connector halves attached to each + joint.

A method for stabilizing a grain mound covering tarp including steps of assembling a matrix of flexible tubes over the tarp and filling the matrix of flexible tubes with water; wherein the matrix assembling step provides a multiplicity of collapsible tubes forming a quadrilateral grid; wherein the matrix assembling step further provides a plurality of T joints and a plurality of + joints interconnecting the collapsible tubes; wherein the collapsible tube providing steps include a pair of cam connector halves attached to the ends of each collapsible tube; wherein the T joint providing steps include a triple of cam connector halves attached to each T joint; and wherein the + joint providing steps include a quadruple of cam connector halves attached to each + joint.

A manifold includes a housing defining first and second inlets and outlets. With the housing, a valve retainer defines a first chamber in fluid communication with the first and second inlets. The valve retainer may engage a first valve assembly having a first actuator attached to a first valve member for regulating flow from the first outlet, and a second valve assembly having a second actuator attached to a second valve member for regulating flow from the second outlet port. A sensor assembly is configured to detect first and second operations of the first and second valve assemblies. A controller directs independent operations of the first and second actuators based on first and second flow rates derived from the first and second operations. The first and second valve members may be positioned within portions of respective first and second valve bodies in open fluid communication with the first chamber.

A manifold includes a housing defining first and second inlets and outlets. With the housing, a valve retainer defines a first chamber in fluid communication with the first and second inlets. The valve retainer may engage a first valve assembly having a first actuator attached to a first valve member for regulating flow from the first outlet, and a second valve assembly having a second actuator attached to a second valve member for regulating flow from the second outlet port. A sensor assembly is configured to detect first and second operations of the first and second valve assemblies. A controller directs independent operations of the first and second actuators based on first and second flow rates derived from the first and second operations. The first and second valve members may be positioned within portions of respective first and second valve bodies in open fluid communication with the first chamber.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a fluid end with a modular intake manifold for use in a pressurized fluid delivery system having two or more modules. According to one embodiment, an intake manifold for a modular multiplex pump includes a reducer coupled to an intake end of each module of the pump, a tee body coupled to a reduced diameter end of each of the reducers, and a damping material disposed within a volume of the reducer.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a fluid end with a modular intake manifold for use in a pressurized fluid delivery system having two or more modules. According to one embodiment, an intake manifold for a modular multiplex pump includes a reducer coupled to an intake end of each module of the pump, a tee body coupled to a reduced diameter end of each of the reducers, and a damping material disposed within a volume of the reducer.

A branching structure according to an embodiment includes an introduction path part and branch path parts. The introduction path part includes an introduction path extending in a first direction. The branch path part includes parallel branch paths. The branch paths each include an upstream section extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and a downstream section extending in the first direction. The branch paths continue into the introduction path or upstream branch paths. In each of the branch path parts, the numbers of the upstream sections up to the branch paths are the same. The branch path parts more downstream have a larger number of downstream sections.

A branching structure according to an embodiment includes an introduction path part and branch path parts. The introduction path part includes an introduction path extending in a first direction. The branch path part includes parallel branch paths. The branch paths each include an upstream section extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and a downstream section extending in the first direction. The branch paths continue into the introduction path or upstream branch paths. In each of the branch path parts, the numbers of the upstream sections up to the branch paths are the same. The branch path parts more downstream have a larger number of downstream sections.