A valve arrangement includes various improvements useable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a control head including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

A valve arrangement includes various improvements usable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a control head including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

A water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.

A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a mixing valve, a first capacitive sensor pad, and a second capacitive sensor pad. The body includes a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The mixing valve is contained within the body and is configured to be in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface laterally adjacent to the first capacitive sensor pad, and is physically separated from the first capacitive sensor pad.

A method for programming a water delivery device having a first optical communications interface is provided. The method includes physically coupling a communications bridge to the water delivery device. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The method further includes transmitting information from a user device to the communications bridge using electronic data communications between the user device and the data communications interface; generating, by the communications bridge, an optical signal comprising the information received from the user device; and transmitting the optical signal from the communications bridge to the water delivery device using optical communications between the first and second optical communications interfaces.

Apparatus and systems are disclosed for improved set-up of multi-ingredient compounders. An improved apparatus includes a manifold and a plurality of valve members disposed for movement relative to different corresponding ones of a plurality of inlet ports of the manifold. The valve members are moveable to open and close a corresponding fluid passageway between the corresponding inlet port and an internal passageway of the manifold. A plurality of caps are locatable on different corresponding ones of the inlet ports, with each of the caps being engageable with the corresponding valve member for co-movement from a locked position at which the cap is restricted from removal to an unlocked position at which the cap is removable, e.g. by manual, axial retraction of the cap. An improved system includes a compounder controller operable to control valve actuators of the compounder so as to sequentially move the valve members and corresponding caps from locked to unlocked positions in a predetermined sequence, thereby reducing the potential for undesired cross-connections.

A mixing system is disclosed in which the system comprises a source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material, a liquid source, and a vacuum source, at least one of the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source being in communication with the vacuum source. A valve assembly also forms part of the system, the valve assembly having a valve movable between a first position in which a first fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the vacuum, and a second position in which a second fluid passageway is created between the source of bone-graft or bone-graft-substitute material and the liquid source, wherein, in the second position, the valve seals off the first fluid passageway, the vacuum source being adapted to generate a negative-pressure environment, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the valve assembly while the valve is in the first position. Methods of utilizing the aforementioned system are also disclosed.

A valve arrangement includes various improvements usable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a control head including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

Apparatus and systems are disclosed for improved set-up of multi-ingredient compounders. An improved apparatus includes a manifold and a plurality of valve members disposed for movement relative to different corresponding ones of a plurality of inlet ports of the manifold. The valve members are moveable to open and close a corresponding fluid passageway between the corresponding inlet port and an internal passageway of the manifold. A plurality of caps are locatable on different corresponding ones of the inlet ports, with each of the caps being engageable with the corresponding valve member for co-movement from a locked position at which the cap is restricted from removal to an unlocked position at which the cap is removable, e.g. by manual, axial retraction of the cap. An improved system includes a compounder controller operable to control valve actuators of the compounder so as to sequentially move the valve members and corresponding caps from locked to unlocked positions in a predetermined sequence, thereby reducing the potential for undesired cross-connections.

[Problems] A combustion gas extraction probe that is capable of preventing burnout of a head metal portion of a probe, capable of rapidly cooling a high-temperature gas in a uniform manner in a probe, and whose outer diameter can be kept small. [Means for Solving Problems] A combustion gas extraction probe (4) having a hollow-cylindrical inner tube (4a) in which a high-temperature combustion gas flows, a hollow-cylindrical outer tube (4b) surrounding the inner tube (4a), a low-temperature gas discharge hole (4c) provided in the inner tube (4a), and a low-temperature gas supply means (9) for supplying a low-temperature gas between the inner tube (4a) and the outer tube (4b) and discharging the low-temperature gas from the discharge hole (4c) into the direction that is substantially perpendicular to the sucking direction of the high-temperature combustion gas and is toward the center of the flow of said high-temperature combustion gas. Alternatively, plural discharge holes (4c) may be provided, where the individual discharge holes (4c) are arranged at substantially the same positions from the head of the probe in the high-temperature combustion gas sucking direction, or alternatively, the discharge holes (4c) may be arranged in stages in the high-temperature combustion gas sucking direction. The flow speeds of the low-temperature gas and the high-temperature combustion gas are preferably not less than 40 m/s and not more than 100 m/s.