Solid proppants are coated with a coating that exhibits the handling characteristics of a precured coating while also exhibiting the ability to form particle-to-particle bonds at the elevated temperatures and pressures within a wellbore. The coating includes a substantially homogeneous mixture of (i) at least one isocyanate component having at least 2 isocyanate groups, and (ii) a curing agent. The coating process can be performed with short cycle times, e.g., less than about 4 minutes, and still produce a dry, free-flowing, coated proppant that exhibits low dust characteristics during pneumatic handling but also proppant consolidation downhole for reduced washout and good conductivity.

A technique includes processing seismic data indicative of samples of at least one measured seismic signal in a processor-based machine to, in an iterative process, determine basis functions, which represent a constructed seismic signal. The technique includes in each iteration of the iterative process, selecting another basis function of the plurality of basis functions. The selecting includes based at least in part on the samples and a current version of the constructed seismic signal, determining a cost function; and interpreting the cost function based at least in part on a predicted energy distribution of the constructed seismic signal to select the basis function.

When conducting cementing operations within confined locales, such as the annular space within a wellbore, it can sometimes be difficult to successfully deliver an uncured cement composition to a desired location. Cementing methods can comprise: providing a cement composition comprising a cement and a property control package, the property control package comprising: a filtration control agent; a friction reducer; and a setting accelerator; introducing the cement composition into a mineral exploration wellbore; and setting the cement composition in the wellbore.

A steam assisted gravity drainage process that includes the addition of oxygen for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir is described. Steam and an oxygen-containing gas are separately and continuously injected into the hydrocarbon reservoir to heat hydrocarbons and water to drain, by gravity, to a horizontal production well. The process can include controlling the ratio of oxygen and steam from about 0.05 to about 1.00 (v/v). The steam assisted gravity drainage process can further include removing non-condensable combustion gases from the reservoir to avoid undesirable pressures in the reservoir. The non-condensable combustion gases can be removed from the reservoir by at least one separate vent-gas well.

A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.

A method of separating a high boiling component from a mixture containing organic and/or inorganic boiling components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the boiling component(s) to separate from the mixture as a vapor and the boiling component is removed from the induction heated screw conveyor.

A method of removing organic components from a mixture containing organic and inorganic components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor primarily from the center of the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the organic components in the mixture to separate from the mixture as a vapor. The oxygen concentration in the induction heated screw conveyor is controlled so as to gasify the organic components. The gasified organic components are removed and the remaining inorganic components are collected.

One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.

In one aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a tip body having proximal and distal ends, a mechanical connector at the proximal end, a lens connected to the distal end, a light source that emits light through the lens, and a holder coupled to the light source and the lens. A circuit is completed or interrupted as the holder moves in relation to the tip body, thereby switching the light source on or off. In another aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a lens forming a distal end of the lighted tip. The lens is cylindrical over at least some of its length, and the tip further includes a light source at least partially within the cylindrical lens portion and a mechanical connector at a proximal end if the lighted tip, for connecting the tip to the flexible rod.

The invention relates to a fixing element for locking a hinged hand crank on the input shaft of a support winch for semi-trailers, wherein the hand crank is fastened to the input shaft in an articulated manner and can pivot between at least one folded-in rest position and at least one folded-out usage position. According to the invention, said fixing element has a fastening section for fastening to the hand crank and a spring bar connected to the fastening section on which at least one locking section is formed, wherein the locking section reaches over the end face of the input shaft in a form-fitting manner in a folded-out usage position of the hand crank and is simultaneously pulled against said end face of the input shaft.

A foot actuated pivoting lever is provided. The lever may include: a lever member having two ends, one end configured to attach to a mechanism configured to receive an input from the lever member; and a pedal pivotally attached proximate to the other end of the lever member, wherein the pedal is configured to pivot between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position, the pedal lies on top of a section of the lever member and, in the second position, the pedal extends beyond the lever member. A mechanism for actuating a piston may be provided.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for recovering the core (108) of a subterranean sheathed electrical cable (106), while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment. The apparatus comprises a ram (102) operable to exert a pushing force on the core of a length of the cable, a plurality of linkages, each linkage being configured to be insertable into the cable along its length under the action of the ram to displace the core relative to an outer sheath of the cable, and a puller operable (104) to exert a pulling force on the core to thereby facilitate removal of the displaced core from the outer sheath by action of the pushing/pulling forces. The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited to the recovery of high-tension copper core cables, while enabling any hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) impregnated inner sheathing to be controllably disposed of without hazard to the environment.

A manual marine winch includes a safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position. The winch includes a housing; a rotating drum on the housing; a winch line on the drum; a control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line on the drum, wherein the control includes a handle for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum and a disengaged stowed position; a tension holding mechanism on the housing comprising a ratchet gear coupled to the drum, a pawl selectively engaged with the ratchet gear, and a knockout configures to selectively disengage the pawl from the gear to allow for release of winch tension; and a safety knockout override coupled to the housing and selectively engaged by the handle and configured to prevent release of winch tension when the handle is not in the stowed position.

An apparatus for raising and lowering a carrier for supporting clothes hangers or other hanging articles within a wardrobe closet that includes a tube, brackets for rotatable mounting of the tube, a tubular motor coupled to the tube for rotating the tube, and a base that attaches to a side panel of the wardrobe closet. Two arms each lie on a plane parallel to the base and to the side panel, attach at their ends to the carrier, and are mounted on the base so that they may oscillate and pivot in the plane between two positions, raising and lowering the carrier. At the lowest position the carrier releases from the arms and drop further. Fabric straps are wound onto and unwound from the tube to raise and lower the arms as the tube is rotated. A remote control receiver or programmable device may be used to control operation of the motor.

An aerial roller spacer apparatus and related methods thereto are provided. The aerial roller spacer apparatus includes a spacer body. At least one saddle is formed on the spacer body. A spacer arm is connected to the spacer body at a first end, wherein the spacer arm extends away from the spacer body. A roller assembly is positioned proximate to a second end of the spacer arm, wherein the roller assembly has two rotatable roller halves that are removably engagable with one another with at least one fastener. A messenger groove is formed between the two rotatable roller halves.

A direct drive drawworks (100) has a permanent magnet motor (40) with a first set of windings (250) and a second set of windings (252), a shaft (41) extending from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the permanent magnet motor directly rotates the shaft (41), a drum (43) connected to the shaft (41) away from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the rotation of the shaft (41) causes a corresponding rotation of the drum (43), and a switch cooperative with the first set of windings and the second set of windings so as to cause the sets of windings to be selectively connected in parallel or in series.

This invention discloses mechanical and hydraulic jacks for lifting heavy fireproof and burglary proof file cabinets with their contents inside for transportation to a truck or other destination. This jack can also lift lateral or regular file cabinets with their contents inside for transportation. It discloses a hook assembly which can be extended over the top of the cabinet remote from the jack with a hook to hold the cabinet from tilting. It discloses a lifting assembly with a lifting plate at the front bottom of the jack for inserting under the bottom corners of the cabinet for lifting. A device for tilting the cabinet away from the jack is disclosed to allow the lifting plate to be inserted under the cabinet. A lifting plate on the front bottom of the jack can be extended under the end of a file cabinet which is secured by the hooking assembly.

The invention provides a composition for topical treatment of hair loss/alopecia including three natural, active ingredients, caffeine, saw palmetto berry extract, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The invention also provides methods for using this composition to treat hair loss.

A disposable sterile breakable vial includes a handle section and a vial section which are completely separable in response to a manually applied separation force. The vial section includes a sterile void dimensioned to contain a unit dose of a sterile therapeutic topical agent. An elongated member comprises a proximal portion supported by the handle section and a distal portion provided with a sterile applicator element, such as a brush. At least the applicator element is completely enclosed within the vial section with the applicator element immersed within the therapeutic topical agent. A hermetic seal between the handle and vial sections maintains sterility of at least the vial section prior to handle and vial section separation. Complete separation of the handle section and the vial section exposes the elongated member and the applicator element for topical application of the therapeutic agent saturating the applicator element.

The invention relates to a cosmetics applicator having a handle section, an applicator element and a shaft section connecting the applicator element and the handle section, wherein the applicator element includes a core element of a first material and a bristle element which at least partially envelops the core element and includes a second material preferably different from the first material with regard to its hardness and/or flexibility.

A cosmetics container for a liquid or pasty cosmetic, comprising a storage container having a removal opening, and a closure cap for opening and closing this removal opening. The closure cap can be detachably locked in its closing position on the storage container using at least one latching device that acts between the closure cap and the storage container. The cosmetics container further comprises at least one locking device which is able to assume at least one release position and at least one blocking position, and which in the blocking position blocks the latching element in such a way that a lock existing between the closure cap and the storage container cannot be released and the closure cap thus cannot be moved out of its closing position.

The present invention relates to a sheet structure for application to a region of the human body, including the face, the structure comprising: a colored matrix;a first substrate situated on a first side of the matrix, a first surface of the sheet structure being defined by the first substrate; anda second substrate situated on a second side of the matrix, opposite the first, a second surface of the sheet structure being defined by the second substrate; the first and second substrates having different opacities, and at least one of the first and second substrates having an opacity that is low enough to enable the subjacent colored matrix to show through in such a manner that the first and second surfaces of the matrix appear to be of different colors.

A device and method for braiding hair or other flexible filaments is disclosed herein. The device comprises controller and a motor whereby the device may be used to intertwine strands of the flexible filament in a desired pattern. A user interface that allows the user to select a variety of pattern modules for operating the device.

An inkjet recording ink set including a black ink and color inks, wherein the black ink and the color inks each contain at least a dye, a water-soluble solvent and water and each have a viscosity of 5 mPa-s to 20 mPa-s at 25° C., and wherein the respective color inks each satisfy a mass ratio relationship of S/W≧1, and the black ink satisfies a mass ratio relationship of S/W

An ultra-fine nepheline syenite powder produced from a pre-processed nepheline syenite powder feedstock. The powder having a “controlled” maximum grain size D95 or D99 of less than about 20 microns and a “controlled” minimum grain size D5 in the range of 2-8 microns with a particle size spread D5-D95 of less than about 12 microns.

The invention relates to CO2 capturing binder with an amortized environmental cost, the method of manufacture thereof by means of selecting, purifying and optimizing the carbide lime paste for use as a cementing material, and aggregates for the manufacture of lime paints and slurries, stuccos, mortars and concretes having multiple applications in the construction industry, in architectural restoration, in public works and land conditioning, object of the present invention. It is basically characterized in that the raw material is the residue in the form of sludge generated in the industrial manufacture of acetylene (C2H2) from calcium carbide (CaC2) the fundamental component of which is calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in highly reactive nanometric formations treated in a specific manner according to the invention.

The present invention provides a noble metal fine particle with a protein adsorbed thereon, including a noble metal fine particle, and a protein adsorbed on a surface of the noble metal fine particle. The protein has an isoelectric point in a range of pH 4.0 to 7.5. An amount of the protein adsorbed is in a range of 3 to 55.1 wt % with respect to a total weight of the noble metal fine particle and the protein. The noble metal fine particle with a protein adsorbed thereon according to the present invention has excellent redispersibility. That is, by adjusting the pH of a noble metal fine particle dispersed liquid to the isoelectric point of the proteins and allowing the noble metal fine particles to be aggregated without adding a degrading enzyme that degrades the proteins to the noble metal fine particle dispersed liquid, it is possible to allow the noble metal fine particles with proteins adsorbed thereon withdrawn from the noble metal fine particle dispersed liquid to have an average particle diameter that is not increased significantly even after they are redispersed in another dispersion medium.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

An exemplary embodiment provides a cardanol-modified silane coupling agent, which can improve strength and toughness by improving adhesion at an interface between a filler and a cellulose resin when being used as a surface-treatment agent, a resin additive, or the like; a cardanol-modified filler subjected to a surface treatment with the cardanol-modified silane coupling agent; and a cellulose resin composition having excellent toughness. More specifically, the exemplary embodiment provides a cardanol-modified silane coupling agent obtained by reacting cardanol or a derivative thereof with an epoxy silane coupling agent or an isocyanate silane coupling agent; a cardanol-modified filler obtained by subjecting a filler to a surface treatment with the cardanol-modified silane coupling agent; a cellulose resin composition comprising the cardanol-modified filler and a cellulose resin; and a cellulose resin composition comprising the cardanol-modified silane coupling agent, a filler and a cellulose resin.

Provided are silica-based fine particle dispersion sols, processes for producing the sols, coating compositions containing the dispersion sol, curable coating films obtained from the coating composition, and substrates having the coating film. A process includes (1) mixing an aqueous aluminate solution to an alkaline silica sol which contains water-dispersible silica fine particles in a given ratio; (2) heating the mixture liquid obtained in the step (1) to 60 to 200° C. and stirring the mixture liquid at the temperature for 0.5 to 20 hours; and (3) contacting the mixture liquid obtained in the step (2) with a cation exchange resin to remove by ion exchange alkali metal ions contained in the mixture liquid and thereby controlling the pH of the mixture liquid to be in the range of 3.0 to 6.0.

Provided is a scale-shaped filmy fines dispersion. More specifically, scale-shaped filmy fines are subjected to a treatment for keeping the scale-shaped filmy fines from easily settling out. In the case of a metallic pigment using the scale-shaped filmy fines, the scale-shaped filmy fines are dispersed in the ink. As a result, nozzle clogging can be prevented, and the obtained print can achieve abundant metallic luster. The scale-shaped filmy fines dispersion contains, in a solvent, scale-shaped filmy fines obtained by finely grinding a simple metal, an alloy, or a metal compound. The scale-shaped filmy fines have a mean length of 0.5 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less, a maximum length of 10 μm or less, a mean thickness of 5 nm or more and 100 nm or less, and an aspect ratio of 20 or more.

Provided is an ink composition used in active energy ray-curable inkjet printing, which has excellent curing property, discharge property, storage stability, and compatibility with various substrates. The inkjet ink composition of the present invention includes at least two types of polymerizable compounds selected from a group consisting of (A) 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, (B) N-vinyl caprolactam, and (C) at least one type of bifunctional acrylate monomer including at least a diacrylate having a molecular weight of 250 or less.

A highly loaded concentrate pellet composition includes an active ingredient in a concentration of at least about 60% by weight, and a low molecular weight binder in a concentration of up to about 35% by weight. The active ingredient is evenly dispersed in the binder. The binder has a melting point that permits the composition to melt under shear in an extruder. The binder is non-metallocene and non-stearic.

The present invention relates to the production of ternesite clinkers containing 20 to 100% by weight C5S2$ and less than 15% by weight C4A3$, and to the use of ternesite as an additive to Portland cement or Portland composite cement, and to a binder containing 20 to 95% by weight Portland cement (clinker) and 80 to 5% by weight ternesite (clinker).

The invention concerns a composition comprising as component (A): 10% to 97% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of one or more monocarboxylic esters of the general formula R1—CO—OR2, in which R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain, aliphatic group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms and R2 is a branched or straight-chain aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group having 1 to 13 carbon atoms, and the sum of the carbon atoms of the groups R1 and R2 is not more than 30, the monocarboxylic ester or esters possessing a boiling point of more than 250° C. under a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa, and as component (B): 3% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of one or more dispersants, the composition possessing a viscosity at 25° C. of less than 5000 mPas. The invention further concerns the use of the composition as a dispersion medium, millbases obtained from the composition, and the use of the millbases.

A protective wire net including an array of longitudinal wires arranged side by side and each intertwined with at least one respective adjacent longitudinal wire. Each of one or more longitudinal metal cables is also intertwined with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire. One or more transverse wires and/or metal cables may also be provided, arranged in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal wires and outside intertwining regions defined by portions of adjacent longitudinal wires which are bent around one another, the transverse wires and/or metal cables being intertwined or interlaced with one or more of the longitudinal wires.

Method, apparatus, and system for preparing a cellular material based on hollow metal beads. According to the description, at least one bead chain in which said hollow metal beads are linked to one another in pairs by means of an articulation is used as elementary structure constituting the cellular material.

A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

A wire straightener comprises a wire feed path, a first set of rollers disposed in a first plane along the wire feed path, a second set of rollers disposed in a second plane along the wire feed path, the first and second planes being substantially perpendicular to one another, a first motor operable to adjust a position of at least one of the rollers of the first set of rollers when actuated, and a second motor operable to adjust a position of at least one of the rollers of the second set of rollers when actuated.

A system for preparing a pre-assembled hanger support. The system includes a bending tool operable to form a bight in the distal end of a structural wire, the bight having a transverse tail extending away from the shaft of the structural wire. The system also includes a wrapping tool having a drive rotor with a clip attachment interface that removably supports a hanger clip and provides selective rotation of the hanger clip and the structural wire, a wire support brace that supports the shaft of the structural wire in substantial alignment with the axis of rotation of the drive rotor, and a tail stop positioned to restrain the rotation of the transverse tail. The hanger clip is supported about the structural wire and positioned within the bight, and together the hanger clip and structural wire are installed onto the clip attachment interface, so that selective rotation of the drive rotor rotates the hanger clip and shaft of the structural wire causing the restrained transverse tail to wrap around the shaft and secure the hanger clip within an eyelet formed in the structural wire, thereby forming the pre-assembled hanger support.

A pressure lock system passes a wire along a wire path from a wire source at a high pressure first region to a destination at a low pressure second region. The pressure lock system includes a pressure lock chamber. A first conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire along the path and is mounted for rotation. A second conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire from the pressure lock chamber and is also mounted for rotation. A motor may drive rotation of the first conduit and the second conduit. Pumps may maintain a pressure of the pressure lock chamber lower than a pressure of the first region.

A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure.

A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning.

Disclosed is a crane comprising: a lower body; an upper slewing body; a counterweight unit including a plurality of wheels to travel on the ground in a turning direction equal to a slewing direction of the upper slewing body while being suspended from the upper slewing body; a steering actuator for rotating each of the wheels around a steering-rotation center axis to change the steering angle; and a steering control device for controlling the steering actuator. The steering control device includes: a slewing-identification-signal receiving section which receives a slewing identification signal for identification of the slewing direction of the upper slewing body; and an actuator operating section operates the steering actuator to orient each of the wheels to the inside of a tangent line to an orbit of the wheel at the steering-rotation center axis, based on the identified slewing direction identified from the slewing identification signal.

A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.

The Invention provided is a hydraulic powered down hole reciprocating pump traveling valve component to provided lifting hydraulics on the down stroke using the derived motion and pressure of petroleum liquids and gasses, such as oil, water and natural gas and also utilizing the frictional traveling forces driven by the surface equipment. Designed to utilize the elements within the pumping apparatus to obtain the hydraulic power within and transfer the energy's force to the exposed bottom end of the pressure locked traveling ball valve adjacent within the ball valve containment cage, providing ultimate lifting power to open the ball valve on the initiation of the down stroke. The component consist of a Hollow Hydraulic Power Shaft, Hollow Pressure Motion House, and a Fluid Cavity Power Drag Plunger.

A diaphragm sealed flow cavity comprises a first body comprising a support surface, a diaphragm comprising an outer portion that is joined by a weld to the first body, a clamped portion, and an inner portion that is movable along an axis, with the clamped portion of the diaphragm being compressed between the bearing surface and the support surface. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may include a cylindrical body having a crimped portion for joining the cylindrical body to the first body. The diaphragm sealed flow cavity may also include a member that applies a live load to the clamped portion of the diaphragm. In the exemplary embodiments, the diaphragm sealed flow cavity may be realized as part of a diaphragm flow control valve having a valve body, diaphragm and a housing.

To provide an opening degree detection device for an automatically operated valve which is easily assembled into an automatically operated valve, makes it easy to ensure detection accuracy at the time of assembling the opening degree detection device, and is easily applicable to an existing automatically operated valve. The opening degree detection device includes: a base plate 4 which is detachably mounted on an automatically operated valve 2; a displacement sensor 5; and a target 6 having an inclined detection surface 6a which is detected by the displacement sensor 5. The target 6 is fixed to the base plate 4. The displacement sensor 5 is supported on a valve stem 14 by way of a sensor support member 21, and the sensor support member 21 is supported on the base plate 4 by way of a guide means.

A valve system oriented for an irrigation system which is activated by a control unit is disclosed. The system comprises a solenoid switch and a manual switch, wherein an electrical wire extends from the valve to the control unit. The manual switch operates as a hand handling rotating lever; another use of manual switch is to serve as a means to force close the solenoid valve's outlet opening so as to provide a mechanism responsive to preventing automatic opening of solenoid valve controlled by control unit.

A fuel transfer system for an aircraft includes an upper tank, a lower tank, a fuel transfer line connecting the upper tank to the lower tank, an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, an upper float valve associated with the upper fuel transfer line outlet, and a lower float valve associated with the lower fuel transfer line outlet. The upper fuel transfer line outlet, which is in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank. The lower fuel transfer line outlet, which is located in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank.