A system and method for moving water up a water column to achieve a sufficient pressure to overcome a reverse osmosis filter. The system includes a rigid outer column for receiving and holding water, with an inner, deformable hose located inside the rigid outer column. The hose has a one-way valve at a distal end of the hose to allow water to enter the hose and an outlet at the proximal end of the hose to allow water to exit the hose. A water-raising device to raise the water within the inner, deformable hose includes a roller to selectively clamp the hose, and a buoyancy support attached to the roller. The buoyancy support is selectively inflated and deflated to move the clamp (and water inside the deformable hose) within the rigid outer column.

Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.

Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). Aspects of this technology may relate to one or more of: (a) footwear structures in which such systems are incorporated; (b) valve stem based fluid flow transfer systems; (c) solenoid based fluid flow transfer systems; (d) user input button features; (e) air filter features; (f) fluid tube to fluid distributor connection features; (g) fluid distributor to footwear connection features; (h) valve position sensor features; (i) valve transmission features; (j) pressure control algorithm features; (k) electronic communication features; (l) system sealing features; and/or (m) pressure sensor mounting features.

A pump assembly includes a housing having two parts with internal cylindrical chambers having openings for the inlet and outlet of a pumped fluid, and two longitudinally deformable bellows fastened inside the respective parts of the housing. The opposite end of each bellows has a plug. On the end surface of the housing the bellows are connected to is an opening for the inlet of a working fluid into the corresponding internal chamber. A hydraulic system for controlling the pump assembly includes a tank containing a working fluid, a positive displacement pump, two independent hydraulic pipelines, and a system of valves for alternately connecting the bellows' internal chambers containing working fluid to the pipelines. The internal chamber of each bellows is alternatingly connected to the positive displacement pump for supplying working fluid by a first hydraulic pipeline and to the working fluid tank by a second hydraulic pipeline.

A pump assembly includes a housing having two parts with internal cylindrical chambers having openings for the inlet and outlet of a pumped fluid, and two longitudinally deformable bellows fastened inside the respective parts of the housing. The opposite end of each bellows has a plug. On the end surface of the housing the bellows are connected to is an opening for the inlet of a working fluid into the corresponding internal chamber. A hydraulic system for controlling the pump assembly includes a tank containing a working fluid, a positive displacement pump, two independent hydraulic pipelines, and a system of valves for alternately connecting the bellows' internal chambers containing working fluid to the pipelines. The internal chamber of each bellows is alternatingly connected to the positive displacement pump for supplying working fluid by a first hydraulic pipeline and to the working fluid tank by a second hydraulic pipeline.

The cyclic flow apparatuses consistent with the technology disclosed herein are configured to sealably couple to a liquid flow circuit. The cyclic flow apparatus is configured to change a flow velocity of a liquid through a filter media holder. In various embodiments, the cyclic flow apparatus is configured to change the flow velocity of the liquid through a portion of the liquid flow circuit. The cyclic flow apparatus can be configured to cyclically change the flow velocity of the liquid in the liquid flow circuit through the filter media holder.

A valve device includes: a flow path forming member having a first flow path through which a fluid is to flow, and a conical second flow path formed on a downstream side of the first flow path and having an outer diameter increasing in a flow direction of the first flow path; a spherical valve body capable of blocking a flow of the fluid in the first flow path by contacting an inner surface of the flow path forming member, which forms the second flow path; a holding member configured to hold the valve body in a conical concave part; and a coil-shaped spring configured to apply a force in a direction of causing the valve body to contact the inner surface via the holding member and arranged so that a direction of a center line of the coil is tilted with respect to the flow direction.

There is disclosed a hollow tube body used for a liquid feeding member and deformable by pressurization, wherein: an axial cross-section of the tube body has two opposing long side parts and two opposing short side parts; four corner portions formed by the long side parts and the short side parts each have a shape curved to protrude outward; each of the long side parts has a recessed part recessed inward and continuing from the corner portions; and a portion other than the corner portions of each of the short side parts is in a flat shape.

Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.

Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.