According to one embodiment, a system and process for the equalization of pressures of a flow stream across one or more valves is provided. A process circuit having clean non-abrasive fluid and at least one slave cylinder for transmitting pressure to a process flow stream is employed.

Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection is disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a value at a purge port of a fluid control device using a sensor, the fluid control device including bellows; comparing the value to a threshold value; and determining, via a processor, that the value is outside of the threshold value, the value being outside of the threshold value indicative of a leak in the bellows.

An automatic excess water flow saving system reduces the water loss by water outlets in houses and other water consuming installations. The system controls the water flow through an outlet by toggling the water flow rate. An actuator activates a timer which opens and closes a valve intermittently and continuously while a water outlet is open.

The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. In another aspect, a system for monitoring the adequacy of blood flow in a blood line of the hemodialysis apparatus allows a controller to suspend dialysate pumping operations if the adequacy of blood flow in the blood line is sub-optimal, and to present information on a display on the quality of blood flow in the blood line.

A control system for a hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer coordinates flow sharing within the hydraulic system. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to a first external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank. A second external load may be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic system. Energy may be transferred to/from the pump, the accumulator, the first external load, and/or the second external load, as directed by the control system.

A valve assembly includes a seat separating a cavity of a valve body into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The assembly includes a cover device separating the first cavity portion into a first pocket and a second pocket. The cover device defines at least one hole to provide fluid communication between an aperture of the seat and an outlet of the valve body via the hole. The cover device is movable between a rest position to restrict fluid communication between the aperture and the hole, and an actuated position to increase fluid communication between the aperture and the hole when a vacuum is created in the first cavity portion. The aperture is in direct fluid communication with the first pocket when in the actuated position. The outlet is in direct fluid communication with the second pocket when in the rest and actuated positions.

Automated control mechanisms and methods for controlling fluid flow in a hemodialysis apparatus are described. The methods can involve a controller receiving information from a pressure sensor in a control chamber of a reciprocating diaphragm-based blood pump and causing the application of a time-varying pressure waveform on a diaphragm of the blood pump during a fill-stroke of the blood pump. The controller can be configured and programmed to monitor a pressure variation in the control chamber measured by the pressure sensor and to compare the measured pressure variation to a pre-determined value. Based on such comparison, the controller can initiate a procedure to pause or stop a dialysate pump of the hemodialysis apparatus if the magnitude of the measured pressure variation deviates from the pre-determined value.

A fluid flow control device serving as an inflow port from a fluid reservoir (R) to the interior of a production pipe (S) is in the form of a housing (3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l). The housing has a primary flow path (18) and a secondary flow path (19). The secondary flow path is in fluid communication with a chamber (B) in which is arranged an actuator (5) for a valve device (4), the valve device arranged to open and close the primary flow path. At least one flow restrictor (1,2) is arranged in the secondary flow path, the flow restrictor arranged to provide a pressure to chamber (B) sufficient to actuate the valve to an open position when the fluid flowing through the secondary flow path is oil, and a pressure sufficient to actuate the valve to a closed position when the fluid has a viscosity and/or density less than oil.

A fluid flow control system serving as an inflow port from a fluid reservoir (R) to the interior of a production pipe (S) is in the form of a housing (3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 31). The housing has a primary flow path (18) and a secondary flow path (19). The secondary flow path is in fluid communication with a chamber (B) in which is arranged an actuator (5) for a valve device (4), the valve device arranged to open and close the primary flow path. At least one flow restrictor (1,2) is arranged in the secondary flow path, the flow restrictor arranged to provide a pressure to chamber (B) sufficient to actuate the valve to an open position when the fluid flowing through the secondary flow path is oil, and a pressure sufficient to actuate the valve to a closed position when the fluid has a viscosity and/or density less than oil.

A high integrity protection system includes a flow line including an inlet configured to be connected to a first source of pressure and an outlet configured to be connected to a downstream system. A first subsystem is installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet. A second subsystem is installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet, and the second subsystem is in a parallel flow configuration in relation to the first subsystem. The system includes a second source of pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the first subsystem and the second subsystem.