Abstract: A filter assembly comprises a filter element, and a mount having at least one port. Each of the filter element and mount has inter-engaging connection formations, where the filter element and mount can be detachably connected to one another. The mount defines a flow path between the port and filter element when the element is connected to the mount and includes a link element which can slide relative to the mount between retracted and deployed positions. The link element has one of a lug and an inclined ramp surface, and the filter element has the other of the lug and ramp surface. The lug and ramp surface form a cam drive where the lug engages the ramp surface as the filter element and mount are assembled, and slide along the surface when the element is rotated to draw the link element out of the mount towards its deployed position.

Abstract: A diffuser for a jet pump of a separator comprises an inlet defining a first flow area; an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet through which fluid exits the diffuser, in which a flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet, and in which the outlet defines a second flow area greater than the first flow area so that a velocity of fluid flowing through the inlet is greater than a velocity of fluid flowing through the outlet; and a communication port extending through a wall of the diffuser with an inlet in communication with an interior of the diffuser and an outlet in communication with an exterior of the diffuser, in which the communication port inlet is between the diffuser inlet and the diffuser outlet, so that contaminants separated from the fluid stream are removed through the communication port.

Abstract: A filter element (2) is disclosed which comprises a filtration media (4) and an end fitting (6) through which a sealing connection is made between the filter element and a housing (100) so that, when the sealing connection is made, the end fitting defines in part a flow path for fluid between the housing and the filter element. The end fitting includes an annular seal (36?) made from a compressible material which extends around the periphery of the filter element, and a support (30, 31, 32, 34) for the annular seal which can be expanded outwardly to cause the transverse dimension of the seal to increase so that the seal is urged into contact with an inner wall of a housing (100) in which the filter element is located.

Abstract: An actuator for a separator for separating contaminants from a fluid stream which includes entrained contaminants. The actuator is arranged to move along an actuator axis to adjust an open cross-sectional area of at least one aperture of the separator, and comprises a flexible diaphragm, and a support assembly for the flexible diaphragm. The support assembly is movable along the actuator axis carrying the flexible diaphragm and has an upper support member mounted on a lower support member. A portion of the flexible diaphragm is located between the upper and lower support members. The lower support member comprises an axially extending support portion coupled to a radially extending support portion. The upper support member comprises a diaphragm anti-inversion feature coupled to a radially extending support portion. The diaphragm anti-inversion feature extends such that it axially overlaps at least part of the axially extending support portion of the lower support member.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, and a mount having at least one port, each of the filter element and mount having inter-engaging connection formations where the filter element and mount can be detachably connected to one another, with the mount defining a flow path for fluid to flow between the port and the filter element. The mount includes a valve with a valve member which can move between an open position and a closed position. One of the filter element and the mount has at least one lug and the other of the filter element and mount has a ramp surface, the lug engaging the ramp surface when the filter element and mount are brought together along an axis and a cam action between the lug and the ramp surface causes axial movement of the valve member when the filter element is then rotated relative to the mount.

Abstract: A sample testing apparatus is disclosed for use in optical transmission analysis of fluid samples such as oils or engine oils. The apparatus comprises a transmission cell comprising first and second fixed walls (1,2) and a movable window (3) that is moved with respect to the first and second walls in and out of a test region (6). When the movable window (3) is moved into the test region (6) an optical path through a fluid sample in the cell is defined, the optical path through the sample comprising a portion extending through the or each gap (L1,L2) between a one of the first and second fixed walls (1,2) and the at least a portion of the first movable window (3). Also disclosed are methods of using the sample testing apparatus and methods of performing a measurement for use in optical transmission analysis of a fluid sample.

Abstract: A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

Abstract: A filter element (2) is disclosed which comprises a filtration media (4) and an end fitting (6) through which a sealing connection is made between the filter element and a housing (100) so that, when the sealing connection is made, the end fitting defines in part a flow path for fluid between the housing and the filter element. The end fitting includes an annular seal (36?) made from a compressible material which extends around the periphery of the filter element, and a support (30, 31, 32, 34) for the annular seal which can be expanded outwardly to cause the transverse dimension of the seal to increase so that the seal is urged into contact with an inner wall of a housing (100) in which the filter element is located.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, and a mount having at least one port, each of the filter element and mount having inter-engaging connection formations where the filter element and mount can be detachably connected to one another, with the mount defining a flow path for fluid to flow between the port and the filter element. The mount includes a valve with a valve member which can move between an open position and a closed position. One of the filter element and the mount has at least one lug and the other of the filter element and mount has a ramp surface, the lug engaging the ramp surface when the filter element and mount are brought together along an axis and a cam action between the lug and the ramp surface causes axial movement of the valve member when the filter element is then rotated relative to the mount.

Abstract: A filter assembly comprises a filter element, and a mount having at least one port. Each of the filter element and mount has inter-engaging connection formations, where the filter element and mount can be detachably connected to one another. The mount defines a flow path between the port and filter element when the element is connected to the mount and includes a link element which can slide relative to the mount between retracted and deployed positions. The link element has one of a lug and an inclined ramp surface, and the filter element has the other of the lug and ramp surface. The lug and ramp surface form a cam drive where the lug engages the ramp surface as the filter element and mount are assembled, and slide along the surface when the element is rotated to draw the link element out of the mount towards its deployed position.

Abstract: A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption drying unit which includes at least one of a sensor (46?) for the ambient temperature to which the drying unit is exposed, and a sensor (46) for the temperature of the gas stream in the inlet line (2) to the unit, and the threshold value for the humidity of the gas stream in the outlet line (42) is determined dependent on the measured temperature.

Abstract: A separator (1) for separating contaminants from a fluid stream having entrained particulate contaminants, comprises a cylindrical dividing wall (28) concentrically arranged within an impaction surface (35). The cylindrical dividing wall defines a first chamber (42) into which a fluid stream enters and flows axially through. The dividing wall has apertures (29) through which the fluid stream passes towards the impaction surface. As the fluid impacts the impaction surface, the contaminants are separated from the fluid and flow down to an oil outlet (23). A diaphragm (31) moves along an axis to adjust the open cross-sectional area of the apertures in the dividing wall according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber and a pressure reference by moving along the dividing wall to progressively occlude the apertures. The apertures are spaced so that there is no overlap between them along the actuator axis.

Abstract: A separator has a first inlet arranged to receive a fluid stream, and first and second separation stages coupled together in series; A pump coupled to the second separation stage generates an area of reduced pressure to draw the fluid stream through the first and second separation stages. One of the stages includes a variable impactor separator comprising a first chamber arranged to receive the fluid stream, and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber through an aperture to accelerate the first fluid stream. The stream is incident upon an impaction surface to separate contaminants from the fluid stream. An actuator adjusts the open area of the aperture according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber and a reference fluid pressure in a third chamber. The other of the separation stages is a second variable impactor separator or a filter media.

Abstract: A valve (16) comprising a housing (30), a valve filter media (34) and an actuator (48). The housing (30) defines a chamber (32) having an inlet (44) and outlet (48). The media (34) is positioned within the chamber (30) such that liquids flowing between the inlet (44) and outlet (48) pass through the media (34). The valve filter media (34) is formed of a material which can absorb hydrocarbons, causing the media (34) to change its material properties thereby restricting the flow of liquids through the valve (16) and increasing the pressure differential across the media (34). The actuator (48) has at least a portion positioned within the housing chamber (32). If the pressure differential across the media (34) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the media (34) bears against the actuator (48) causing the actuator (48) to restrict the flow of liquids through the valve (16).

Abstract: A separator has a first inlet arranged to receive a fluid stream, and first and second separation stages coupled together in series; A pump coupled to the second separation stage generates an area of reduced pressure to draw the fluid stream through the first and second separation stages. One of the stages includes a variable impactor separator comprising a first chamber arranged to receive the fluid stream, and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber through an aperture to accelerate the first fluid stream. The stream is incident upon an impaction surface to separate contaminants from the fluid stream. An actuator adjusts the open area of the aperture according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber and a reference fluid pressure in a third chamber. The other of the separation stages is a second variable impactor separator or a filter media.

Abstract: A separator has a first inlet arranged to receive a fluid stream, and first and second separation stages coupled together in series; A pump coupled to the second separation stage generates an area of reduced pressure to draw the fluid stream through the first and second separation stages. One of the stages includes a variable impactor separator comprising a first chamber arranged to receive the fluid stream, and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber through an aperture to accelerate the first fluid stream. The stream is incident upon an impaction surface to separate contaminants from the fluid stream. An actuator adjusts the open area of the aperture according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber and a reference fluid pressure in a third chamber. The other of the separation stages is a second variable impactor separator or a filter media.

Abstract: A separator for separating contaminants from a fluid stream has first and second chambers coupled by an aperture through which fluid can pass. An actuator can adjust the crossectional area of the aperture according to a pressure differential between the first chamber and a pressure reference. An impaction surface can deflect the first fluid stream after it enters the second chamber such that contaminants are separated from the stream. A pump generates a pressure differential across the aperture. It includes a third chamber having a second inlet for receiving a second fluid stream into the third chamber. The second inlet includes a convergent nozzle for accelerating the second fluid stream, and a third inlet for receiving the first fluid stream downstream of the impaction surface, the third inlet being arranged relative to the second inlet such that the second fluid stream can entrain and accelerate the first fluid stream.

Abstract: A regulator (108) comprising a first chamber (132), and second chamber (134) and an actuator (130). The second chamber (134) is coupled to the first chamber (132) through an aperture (156). The actuator (130) is arranged to the adjust the size of the aperture (156) according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber (132) and a pressure reference (36). The rate of change of the cross sectional area of the aperture (156) is arranged to have a non-linear response to a change in the pressure differential.

Abstract: A separator for separating contaminants from a fluid stream has first and second chambers coupled by an aperture through which fluid can pass. An actuator can adjust the crossectional area of the aperture according to a pressure differential between the first chamber and a pressure reference. An impaction surface can deflect the first fluid stream after it enters the second chamber such that contaminants are separated from the stream. A pump generates a pressure differential across the aperture. It includes a third chamber having a second inlet for receiving a second fluid stream into the third chamber. The second inlet includes a convergent nozzle for accelerating the second fluid stream, and a third inlet for receiving the first fluid to stream downstream of the impaction surface, the third inlet being arranged relative to the second inlet such that the second fluid stream can entrain and accelerate the first fluid stream.