Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing and two or more fluid handling units arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section and an internal non fluidics section, and wherein the housing comprises a liquid handling panel with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components such that the external fluidics section is separated from the non fluidics section by the liquid handling panel.

Disclosed is a basement sewer drain pump housing that draws fluid from a drain into a housing, the fluid is discharged from the housing and out of the basement. The device comprises a pickup tube having a fluid level sensor, which is placed within a sewer main drain or floor drain. The housing comprises an enclosed volume, a suction tube connected to the pickup tube, a suction pump, and a discharge pump. The pump is activated by a switch controlled by the pickup tube fluid sensor, the fluid is drawn into the housing from the drain and discharged through a discharge pipe. The device operates from outlet or battery and serves as a basement drain pump that prevents fluid and sewage backflow during power outages and plumbing blockages. Another modification provides two donuts to prevent the flow of fluid blocking both the floor drain and the main sewer drain.

The present disclosure is directed to a tool rack attachment configured for holding at least one tool. The tool rack attachment may be configured for attachment to a vehicle. The tool rack attachment may include a frame and a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism may be configured for releasable attachment to the vehicle. The tool rack attachment may also include at least one bracket. The bracket may be configured to retain the tool. The tool rack attachment may provide convenient access, storage, and transport to one or more tools.

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

A chemical/additive injection controller, system and method (i.e., utilities) are provided that control when an injection pump turns on and off in order to inject a predetermined volume of additives into a hydrocarbon production conduit over a predetermined number of cycles per day. The controller determines when to activate and deactivate (i.e., turn on and turn off) an injection pump to provide a desired total additive injection volume over an injection period (e.g. 24 hours). More specifically, the utilities incorporate a flow meter that monitors the actual amount of additive that is injected during a pump cycle. Once an injected volume meets or exceeds a target injection volume the pump is deactivated. The flow meter continues to monitor the injection volume including amounts injected after power to the pump is deactivated to provide an accurate measure of the total injection. Subsequent injections are varied based on the actual measured volume of one or more previous injections.

Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing and two or more fluid handling units arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section and an internal non fluidics section, and wherein the housing comprises a liquid handling panel with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components such that the external fluidics section is separated from the non fluidics section by the liquid handling panel.

Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing and two or more fluid handling units arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section and an internal non fluidics section, and wherein the housing comprises a liquid handling panel with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components such that the external fluidics section is separated from the non fluidics section by the liquid handling panel.

Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing and two or more fluid handling units arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section and an internal non fluidics section, and wherein the housing comprises a liquid handling panel with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components such that the external fluidics section is separated from the non fluidics section by the liquid handling panel.

Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.