A connector for transferring fluid and method therefor. The connector may have a first port and a second port which may be coupled together at a main channel with a valve element therein controlling fluid flow through the first port. The first port joins the main channel to provide a fluid path around the valve element and through the second port.

A high conductance valve for use in fluid delivery systems is comprised of a flat non-circular orifice ridge adjacent to which a control plate having a planar control surface is proximally positioned to adjust the valve effective opening area and thereby the conductance of the valve. The length of the non-circular orifice ridge periphery is substantially greater than the circumference of a similarly sized circular orifice and therefore the realized effective opening area is also substantially greater despite having a similar footprint.

A high conductance valve for use in fluid delivery systems is comprised of a flat non-circular orifice ridge adjacent to which a control plate having a planar control surface is proximally positioned to adjust the valve effective opening area and thereby the conductance of the valve. The length of the non-circular orifice ridge periphery is substantially greater than the circumference of a similarly sized circular orifice and therefore the realized effective opening area is also substantially greater despite having a similar footprint.

A transducer for a connection to a fluid pressure source having a mechanism for setting a pneumatic output by way of an electrical input signal. The transducer provides a lower housing assembly and an upper housing assembly. The lower housing assembly comprises lower housing configured to receive a supply nozzle. The supply nozzle fluidly communicates with a supply port and intermittently fluidly communicates with an output port of the lower housing through an internal fluid passageway. The upper housing assembly comprises an upper housing configured to receive a coil and an armature such that the upper housing, coil and armature define a latching electromagnetic circuit that provides alternating contact of the armature with the supply nozzle of the lower housing assembly.

A connector for transferring fluid, the connector may have a first port, a second port, and a third port which may be fluidly coupled together at an internal chamber with a first valve element therein controlling fluid flow through the second port. The connector can have ribs extending along the connector to provide a fluid path around the valve element and between the first port and the second port. The valve element can separate the internal chamber into an air chamber and a liquid chamber, and the third port can be continuously coupled to the liquid chamber regardless of a position of the valve element.

In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.

A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150 C.-200. After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment. The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output. The bio diesel or bioalcohol can also be used to produce electricity.

A water distribution system having a dual use water treatment unit. The same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to a storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. When a diverter valve is in a fill position, water supplied to the fill port can flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage. When the diverter valve is in a supply position, the water from the storage tank can be delivered using means for pressurizing water to the same treatment unit for treatment, then through the diverter valve and to a point of water use device.

Systems and methods use selective regeneration to aid in controllability and efficiency of a hydraulic circuit. A regeneration deactivation valve can react to a differential pressure when the function is in free air and at risk of cavitating or when then function is doing positive work and needs to be efficient. When the function is at risk of cavitating, the regeneration deactivation valve can react to the potential for cavitation and the regeneration deactivation valve closes so the function regenerates. The regeneration deactivation valve can also react when the function is not at a risk of cavitating and can open up allowing the function to move with more power and efficiency.

A connector for transferring fluid, the connector may have a first port, a second port, and a third port which may be fluidly coupled together at an internal chamber with a first valve element therein controlling fluid flow through the second port. The connector can have ribs extending along the internal chamber to provide a fluid path around the valve element and between the first port and the internal chamber. The valve element can separate the internal chamber into an air chamber and a liquid chamber, and the third port can be continuously coupled to the liquid chamber regardless of a position of the valve element.