A circuit arrangement to control at least one valve includes at least one actuator with at least one positioning element adjustable between at least one first position and a second position. At least one driver unit activates the actuator and a control unit operates the driver unit. At least one air mass measuring device measures an air mass flowing through the valve. The control unit processes an output signal of the air mass measuring device. Valves, valve arrangements, seat comfort systems, and methods all use such circuit arrangements.

An intelligent self-balancing downstream device (e.g., air fixture or diffuser) that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The downstream device may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The downstream device can operate in a single zone or be coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown ratio and self-balances, which can allow for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The downstream device can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

A dispensing system for dispensing hot melt adhesive foam onto a substrate is described. The dispensing system comprises a pump having a first input to receive a hot melt adhesive and a second input to receive a gas, where the pump mixes the hot melt adhesive and the gas to produce a solution and pump the solution at a volumetric flow rate. The dispensing system also includes a valve to control an amount of the gas provided to the pump from the second input, a flow meter to measure the volumetric flow rate of the solution pumped by the pump, and a dispenser to receive the solution from the pump and dispense the solution to create the hot melt adhesive foam.

A dispensing system for dispensing a hot melt adhesive foam onto a substrate is described. The dispensing system comprises a pump having a first input to receive a hot melt adhesive and a second input to receive a gas, where the pump mixes the hot melt adhesive and the gas to produce a solution. The dispensing system also includes a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the solution, a dispenser to receive the solution from the pump and dispense the solution, and a controller. The controller instructs the pump to operate at a first speed, receives the temperature of the solution, and instructs the pump to operate at a second speed that is different than the first speed in response to the signal.

A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a differential pressure across the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the differential pressure sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint and the differential pressure measurement, determine an estimated flow rate based on the differential pressure measurement, determine an actuator position setpoint using the flow rate setpoint and the estimated flow rate, and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint.

A self-balancing system that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The building automation system may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The air distribution apparatus can operate in a single zone or coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown, self-balancing system which allows for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The air distribution apparatus can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

An automated liquid dispensing attachment monitors and controls preparation of drinks poured from bottles. The automated liquid dispensing attachment attaches to a bottle and senses multiple aspects of the pouring of the drink, and based on the sensor outputs, monitors and controls the flow of fluids from the bottle through the attachment. The automated liquid dispensing attachment communicates with other electronic devices to enable individualized control and monitoring, and data aggregation and analysis.

Provided herein are negative air pressure devices and uses thereof. In particular, provided herein are negative air pressure devices that modulate CO.sup.2 delivery for use in the treatment of sleep apnea.

The invention relates to a respiratory device (10) for the artificial respiration of a patient (12), comprising:—a respiration gas source assembly (15, 62),—a flow-changing device (16),—a humidifier device (38) which is designed to increase the value of the absolute humidity of the inspiratory respiration gas flow (AF), said humidifier device (38) having a liquid store (40) and an evaporation device (76) with a variable output for this purpose,—a respiration gas line assembly (30) in order to convey the inspiratory respiration gas flow (AF) from the dehumidifying device (38) to the patient (12),—a flow sensor (44) which detects the value of the respiration gas flow (AF), and—a controller (18) which is designed to control the operational output of the evaporation device (76) depending on a specified target humidity of the respiration gas and depending on signals of the flow sensor (44), the proximal end (30a) of said respiration gas line assembly (30) having a coupling formation (44a) for coupling the respiration gas line assembly (30) to a patient interface (31) that transfers respiration gas to the patient (12). According to the invention, the controller (18) is designed to detect a sequence state of the respiration situation downstream of the coupling formation (44a) in the inspiratory direction depending on operational parameters of the respiratory device (10) and change the operational output of the evaporation device (76) depending on the result of the detection

Included are mass flow controllers and methods of use. An example mass flow controller comprises a flow pathway through the mass flow controller; the flow pathway comprising a first cavity and a second cavity. The mass flow controller further comprises a laminar flow element. The mass flow controller additionally comprises a combination absolute and differential pressure transducer assembly comprising: a third cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity, an absolute pressure transducer exposed to absolute pressure in the third cavity, and a differential pressure transducer exposed to differential pressure between the third cavity and the second cavity. The mass flow controller also comprises a flow control valve assembly downstream of the laminar flow element and the combination absolute and differential pressure transducer assembly.