The disclosure relates to a method for measuring the size of a leakage flow of a seal. In exemplifications of the disclosure, a leakage sensor is provided on a leakage side of the seal, said leakage sensor comprising at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors which are in heat-transferring connection with the leakage flow. In exemplifications, the following steps are utilized: continuous or intermittent detection of a temperature difference in the leakage flow over a section of a leakage channel through which the leakage flow flows by means of the temperature sensors, wherein a predetermined constant reference heat quantity is simultaneously generated by the heating element and transferred into the leakage flow in the section of the leakage channel, and determination of the size of the current leakage flow as a function of the currently detected temperature difference; or continuously or intermittently setting a constant temperature difference in the leakage flow over a section of a leakage channel through which the leakage flow flows by generating a variable amount of heat with the heating element and transferring the amount of heat into the leakage flow in the section of the leakage channel, and determining the size of the current leakage flow as a function of the currently generated amount of heat.

Various systems and assemblies that can be utilized with hydraulic and other fluid flow lines are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present application discloses an assembly that can include a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section can define a first passageway therein to receive and allow for passage of a fluid. The second section can define a second passageway that communicates with the first passageway. The second section and the first section together can form a first ball joint having an internal portion and an external portion. The first ball joint can comprise a moveable coupling between second section and the first section. The third section can define a third passageway that communicates with the second passageway. The third section can telescopically receive the second section therein and can be configured to form a linearly moveable joint between the third section and the second section.

A method and system for detecting small leaks in a plumbing system is disclosed. A temperature sensor coupled to the water in the plumbing system is used to determine if there is a leak. During times of inactivity for fixtures in the plumbing systems, a flow sensor might measure usage of water that would indicate a leak. For very small leaks, the flow is below a minimum measurable flow of the flow sensor. Embodiments of the invention measure temperature of water within a pipe coupled to the plumbing system. Temperature will generally decay in a particular predicable way when there is flow as the temperature of water upon entry to the building is lower than the air temperature within the building. Signal processing, machine learning and/or statistical approaches are used to analyze the temperature and optionally flow and/or pressure over time to determine when a leak is likely.

A method of cleaning an endoscope in a computer-controlled washer/disinfector comprising the steps of connecting each lumen of an endoscope to a fluid distribution system for selectively conveying pressurized air or pressurized fluids through lumens in an endoscope; identifying the type of endoscope to be cleaned in said washer/disinfector; determining a blockage threshold flow coefficient for each lumen for said endoscope to be cleaned; pressurizing each lumen in said endoscope individually and determining an actual flow coefficient through said lumen; determining whether said endoscope is suitable for cleaning by comparing said actual flow coefficients for a lumen in said endoscope to said blockage threshold flow coefficient for said lumen; and determining whether a connection to a lumen in said endoscope is properly connected based upon said flow coefficient through said lumen.

A sealing device for a drive shaft is disclosed and described. The sealing device for a drive shaft comprises a housing disposed to surround the drive shaft between the inner space and the outer space, a plurality of sealing members axially separated from each other between the housing and the drive shaft to seal between the housing and the drive shaft, fixing ring members interposed between the plurality of sealing members to maintain the separation distance between the sealing members, and a fixing member secured to the housing to apply an axial pressure to the plurality of sealing members and fixing ring members, wherein a concave-convex section is formed on at least one of the close surfaces of the fixing ring member and the sealing member, which face each other.

Various systems and assemblies that can be utilized with hydraulic and other fluid flow lines are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the present application discloses an assembly that can include a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section can define a first passageway therein to receive and allow for passage of a fluid. The second section can define a second passageway that communicates with the first passageway. The second section and the first section together can form a first ball joint having an internal portion and an external portion. The first ball joint can comprise a moveable coupling between second section and the first section. The third section can define a third passageway that communicates with the second passageway. The third section can telescopically receive the second section therein and can be configured to form a linearly moveable joint between the third section and the second section.

A method of cleaning an endoscope in a computer-controlled washer/disinfector comprising the steps of connecting each lumen of an endoscope to a fluid distribution system for selectively conveying pressurized air or pressurized fluids through lumens in an endoscope; identifying the type of endoscope to be cleaned in said washer/disinfector; determining a blockage threshold flow coefficient for each lumen for said endoscope to be cleaned; pressurizing each lumen in said endoscope individually and determining an actual flow coefficient through said lumen; determining whether said endoscope is suitable for cleaning by comparing said actual flow coefficients for a lumen in said endoscope to said blockage threshold flow coefficient for said lumen; and determining whether a connection to a lumen in said endoscope is properly connected based upon said flow coefficient through said lumen.

A work machine that can detect abnormality such as a malfunction and wear and tear of each of hydraulic pumps including control equipment with high precision and that can reduce equipment cost is provided. A controller 9 according to the present invention includes a volumetric-transfer-efficiency-calculating section 94 that calculates a volumetric transfer efficiency .sub.C representing a transfer efficiency of hydraulic oil between a hydraulic cylinder 11 and hydraulic pumps 21 to 23 on the basis of a target discharge flow rate calculated by a target-discharge-flow-rate-calculating section 932 and the speed of the hydraulic cylinder 11 that is detected by a speed sensor 28, and an abnormality decision section 95 that decides whether any one of the hydraulic pumps 21 to 23 is abnormal on the basis of the volumetric transfer efficiency .sub.C calculated by the volumetric-transfer-efficiency-calculating section 94.

A sealing device is provided for use with a fitting. The fitting has circular port and a flow path with a longitudinal axis. A circular port encircles a portion of the flow path opposite the port with the sealing device inserted into the port. The sealing device has a circular top with two opposing surfaces depending therefrom but inclined so the surfaces are closer at the top. A continuous sidewall joins the periphery of the two surfaces. The opposing surfaces are inclined and spaced apart further at the top than at an end opposite the top. A cylindrical hole through the opposing surfaces encircles the flow path during use.

A connection system comprising: a dispensing member; a receiving member; first sealing means and second sealing means arranged at the interface between the dispensing member and the receiving member to enable redundant leak-tight engagement between the dispensing member and the receiving member; a control chamber defined between the first sealing means and the second sealing means; and means for measuring the current pressure in the control chamber so as to detect a gas leak.