A monitoring unit for a fluid storage receptacle includes a sensor to attach to the fluid storage receptacle and detect an amount of empty space between fluid contents of the fluid storage receptacle and the sensor, and a transmitter to receive and transmit data from the sensor. The monitoring unit also includes a proximity sensor to detect a presence of a beacon within a proximity range of the proximity sensor, a controller to selectively open a fluid control valve of the waste oil receptacle, or both the proximity sensor and the controller.

A valve assembly including a valve arranged to move between open and closed positions by rotating an operating member about an axis is provided. An actuation unit includes a torsion spring, a trigger member, and a driving member. The driving member engages with the operating member to drive rotation of the same. The torsion spring applies a first torque to the driving member around the axis in a first rotational direction. An external second torque opposite the first torque resets the valve to the open position in which the driving member is held by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is arranged to hold the driving member only when the valve is in the open position. An external force applied to the trigger member releases the driving member from the latching mechanism, the first torque thereby rotating the driving member to mechanically bias said valve to the closed position.

A valve actuation mechanism comprises a housing, an actuation pin rotatably mounted within the housing and at least one torque spring coupling the actuation pin to the housing for biasing the actuation pin from a first, inoperative rotational position towards a second, operative rotational position. The mechanism further comprises an actuation pin retaining element for selectively retaining the actuation pin in its first position, the retaining element being engageable with the actuation pin and the housing when the retaining element is in a retaining position so as to prevent rotation of the actuation pin towards its second position, and selectively disengageable from the housing to permit rotation of the actuation pin towards its second position. A locking element is provided for selectively preventing disengagement of the retaining element from the housing.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a pulse control to a ball valve to reduce the amount of torque required to adjust the position of the ball valve. In an aspect, the technology relates to a method for reducing resistance of a ball valve. The method includes generating a pulse having a duration and a polarity; providing the pulse to an actuator configured to rotate a ball of the ball valve; and rotating, by the actuator, the ball of the ball valve by an amount based on the duration of the pulse and a direction based on the polarity of the pulse, wherein the ball valve does not change state after rotation of the ball.

The present subject matter discloses a system and method of winterizing and de-winterizing a structure in order to prevent waterlines from freezing and getting damaged. The system includes electronic valves connected to waterlines i.e., main waterline and drain line. The electronic valves include electronic ball valves. The electronic valves communicatively connect to an electronic device. A user operates the electronic device to winterize and de-winterize the structure. Winterizing includes closing the electronic valve on the main waterline that supplies water into the structure and opening the electronic valve on the drain line causing the water to drain out. De-wintering includes closing the electronic valve on the drain line and opening the electronic valve on the main waterline to supply water back into the structure. Winterizing prevents the waterlines from freezing and getting damaged in cold weather conditions.

A well system includes a wellhead positionable at a surface of a wellbore. The well system also includes a ball valve for coupling to the wellhead. The ball valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. Further, the well system includes a hollow core electric motor positionable adjacent to the ball valve to move the ball valve between the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, the well system includes a power source that provides electric power to the hollow core electric motor.

A valve assembly for controlling flow of water to a shower head includes a tube, which is insertable between and attachable to an inlet pipe for a shower enclosure and a shower head. A valve positioned in the tube regulates a flow of water through the tube. A shaft is attached the valve and extends through a sidewall of the tube and a housing. A biaser positioned in the housing is operationally engaged to the shaft and biases the valve to an open configuration. A lever arm is attached to and extends from the shaft. A handle is attached to the lever arm distal from the shaft. The handle can be moved by a user from a first position to a second position, thus actuating the biaser to rotate the valve from a closed configuration to the open configuration so that water flows through the tube to the shower head.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an actuator design that comprises a compact package, a more efficient use of power, and dual manual overrides for easy access. An electrically operated motor provides rotational power to a series of gears in a gearbox. The gears reduce speed and increase torque, and rotate a worm shaft gear that is engaged with a worm gear. The worm shaft gear is disposed parallel to the motor, and the worm gear rotates at a ninety degree angle from the rotation of the motor. The worm gears is coupled with a trunnion, which is engaged with a ball of a valve. Rotation provided by the motor to the gears is transferred to the worm shaft gear, which provides rotation to the worm gear, to the trunnion, resulting in rotation of the ball in the valve.

A fluid storage monitoring system includes a fluid storage receptacle defining an interior volume and including a drainage fluid line, a fluid control valve in the drainage fluid line, and a monitoring unit coupled to the fluid storage receptacle. The monitoring unit includes a sensor to attach to the fluid storage receptacle and detect an amount of empty space between fluid contents of the fluid storage receptacle and the sensor, a transmitter to receive and transmit data from the sensor and a remote server, and a controller to selectively open the fluid control valve.

A stop valve adaptor to make a stop valve having a threaded stem actuatable through a stop valve box using a stop valve key. The stop valve adaptor is affixed to the threaded stop valve stem using a nut. The stop valve box is preferably made of a polymeric material and is maintained at a predetermined length by using friction due to O-rings, a glue joint, or clamping to dispose a stop valve box cover at the ground surface.