A connecting device for connecting an external function device to an arrangement and for cutting off flow paths by accommodating a clamping device includes a pressure-measuring unit and/or a length-measuring unit configured to detect a clamping force and/or a distance such that it is possible to monitor the status of the clamping device.

The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14), an aperture (16), an aperture obturator (18) and an actuator (20) for moving said obturator (16) between a first closed position and multiple open positions (B-L), characterised by a valve position monitor (21) for monitoring the position of the valve (12) and comprising a plurality of discrete sensors (28a to 28e) associated with a plurality of open positions (B-L) of said valve for monitoring the presence or absence of one or more members (26) movable with said valve (12). The arrangement may be used to monitor the valve position and such monitoring may be of use in the prediction of the amount of fluid remaining within a cylinder (32) to which it has been attached.

The present invention relates to a gas lock for separating two gas chambers, which while taking up minimal space makes it possible to achieve the separation of gases without contact with the product/educt/transporting system. The gas lock according to the invention is distinguished by the integration of a measuring chamber for measuring at least one physical and/or chemical property. Also, the present invention relates to a coating device which comprises a gas lock according to the invention. Also provided are possibilities for using the gas lock according to the invention.

The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14), an aperture (16), an aperture obturator (18) and an actuator (20) for moving said obturator (16) between a first closed position and multiple open positions (B-L), characterised by a valve position monitor (21) for monitoring the position of the valve (12) and comprising a plurality of discrete sensors (28a to 28e) associated with a plurality of open positions (B-L) of said valve for monitoring the presence or absence of one or more members (26) movable with said valve (12). The arrangement may be used to monitor the valve position and such monitoring may be of use in the prediction of the amount of fluid remaining within a cylinder (32) to which it has been attached.

A system can include one or more valve arrangements with a working chamber to receive a working fluid at a first pressure, and a control chamber to receive fluid at a second pressure. A dynamic seal can be disposed on a land of a valve element. The valve arrangement may include a sleeve against which the dynamic seal is slidably engaged. The valve element may include a check stem. A pressure compensating system may be in communication with bores formed in with the valve element. A pressure system to monitor dynamic seal wear may be in communication with the control chamber of the valve arrangement.

The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow and/or pressure of a pressurized gas, and specifically to a tap for a pressurized-gas cylinder. The tap includes a body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet. The tap also includes a valve for closing the passage, as well as a pressure indicator downstream from the closing valve. The pressure indicator is translatably operated and includes just two stable positions, i.e. one that corresponds to the presence of pressure, and the other to the absence of pressure.

A gas pressure regulator is disclosed that includes a reciprocating piston that engages and disengages from a seat to open the higher pressure and lower pressure sides of the regulator to one another. The regulator includes an elastomer seal between the seat and the piston that has an ignition rating sufficient to avoid combustion in the presence of oxygen at pressure differentials that are a factor of between 5 and 10 between the higher pressure and lower pressure sides of the regulator.

Micro-fluidic chambers for use in a liquid medicament delivery system, include a bottom substrate and a top cover, the top cover being spaced from the bottom substrate so as to define a height of the chamber, wherein, one or more walls or fillings are positioned in the chamber, the walls or fillings defining a fluid channel there between such that the fluid channel extends from an inlet of the chamber to an outlet of the chamber, wherein, each of the walls or fillings has a height less than the height of the chamber so as to define a fluid gap between a top surface of each wall or filling and the top cover; and wherein, the dimensions of the walls or fillings and the chamber are such that the fluid gap will be filled with liquid by capillary forces via the fluid channel when liquid is introduced into the fluid chamber.

A device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor and display in digital or analog form the pressure of the gas in the cylinder and the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the cylinder will reach a predetermined lower threshold at a given flow.

An extraction system, including a pump to pump gas along a conduit to a check valve configured to open at an upstream pressure over a certain magnitude, a pressure sensor to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of gas between the pump and the check valve, and a controller configured to generate a stop signal if a signal from the pressure sensor indicates that the pressure of gas between the pump and the check valve is below a certain magnitude.