Abstract: Piston systems comprise a housing including a first piston chamber and a second piston chamber therein. A first piston is movably disposed within the first piston chamber and a second piston is movably disposed within the second piston chamber. A flow path extends between and couples the first piston chamber and the second piston chamber. Reciprocating pumps comprising a flow path between a plurality of piston chambers and methods of driving reciprocating pumps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pump system includes at least one pressure chamber at least partially defined by a helical bellows plunger comprised of a tubular body, a closed front portion, an open rear portion, and at least one contour extending continuously as a helix, longitudinally from proximate the front portion to proximate the rear portion. Methods for forming a helical bellows plunger include molding the helical bellows plunger using a mold core comprising a helically extending exterior contour and a cooperatively associated mold cavity comprising a helically extending interior contour of substantially a same pitch and configured to align with the helically extending exterior contour of the mold core, introducing a molding material therebetween, curing the molding material, and unscrewing the cured molding material from the mold core. Various configurations of helical bellows plungers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A helical pump system includes at least one pressure chamber at least partially defined by a helical bellows plunger comprised of a tubular body, a closed front portion, an open rear portion, and at least one contour extending continuously as a helix, longitudinally from proximate the front portion to proximate the rear portion. Methods for forming a helical bellows plunger include molding the helical bellows plunger using a mold core comprising a helically extending exterior contour and a cooperatively associated mold cavity comprising a helically extending interior contour of substantially a same pitch and configured to align with the helically extending exterior contour of the mold core, introducing a molding material therebetween, curing the molding material, and unscrewing the cured molding material from the mold core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining the ends of concentric inner and outer tube to a double containment fitting are disclosed, as are related methods of fabrication and systems. The apparatus uses a threaded coupling to compressively engage and seal the ends of both the inner and outer tubes to the double containment fitting. The double containment fitting includes inner and outer noses and a threaded annular body and annular nut. The inner nose may be at least partially inserted within a flared end of the inner tube, and the outer nose may encircle the inner tube and be inserted within the flared end of the outer tube. The inner and outer noses and the inner and outer tubes may be engaged in a relationship within bores through the annular body and the annular nut. Threadably engaging the annular nut with the annular body may establish seals between the components.

Abstract: Coupling structures for tubing are disclosed. Particularly, caps configured for receiving one or more tube segments therein, and securing the tube segments to a component having protrusions thereon including bores therethrough in a fluid-tight manner are disclosed. The caps may have bores longitudinally therethrough for receiving the tube segments, the bore walls being free from projections to fit tightly against the tube segments. A longitudinally distal annular recess of the cap may be threaded to be secured to a component. In another alternative, caps having separate apertures for receiving attachment elements to secure the cap and the component are disclosed. Caps configured with a bore for receiving a tube segment, and separate apertures for receiving attachment pins are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Reciprocating pumps are disclosed. Particularly, reciprocating pumps including pressure chambers and fluid chambers defined by flexible members are disclosed. The volume of the pressure chambers and fluid chamber may be controlled using a piston driven by the flow of a control fluid to a pressure chamber and associated piston chamber. The flow of the control fluid may be directed to a first pressure chamber and associated piston chamber or a second pressure chamber and associated piston chamber. A pneumatically driven switch or an electrically driven switch may direct the flow of control fluid. The electrically driven switch may be controlled with a timer, a pressure sensor, or an optical sensor. The reciprocating pump requires minimal modification to permit the use of a pneumatic switch or electrical switch.

Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.

Abstract: Coupling structures for tubing are disclosed. Particularly, caps configured for receiving one or more tube segments therein, and securing the tube segments to a component having protrusions thereon including bores therethrough in a fluid-tight manner are disclosed. The caps may have bores longitudinally therethrough for receiving the tube segments, the bore walls being free from projections to fit tightly against the tube segments. A longitudinally distal annular recess of the cap may be threaded to be secured to a component. In another embodiment, caps having separate apertures for receiving attachment elements to secure the cap and the component are disclosed. Caps configured with a bore for receiving a tube segment, and separate apertures for receiving attachment pins are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling assembly including a protruding annular nose portion having a longitudinal axis and a bore extending coaxially therethrough extending from a first component. The nose portion includes a frustoconical outer surface tapering radially inwardly toward the distal end thereof where the frustoconical outer surface meets the wall of the first component bore. A second component comprises a body carrying an annular skirt extending coaxially about a longitudinal axis and defining an entry bore, the annular skirt being separated from a surrounding, annular coupling bore wall of the second component by an annular recess therebetween. At the bottom of the annular recess may, optionally, be disposed a skirt compression adjustment ferrule, which may be integral with the body or formed as a separate component. A method of coupling component bores end-to-end is also disclosed.

Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.

Abstract: Reciprocating pumps are disclosed. Particularly, reciprocating pumps including pressure chambers and fluid chambers defined by flexible members are disclosed. The volume of the pressure chambers and fluid chamber may be controlled using a piston driven by the flow of a control fluid to a pressure chamber and associated piston chamber. The flow of the control fluid may be directed to a first pressure chamber and associated piston chamber or a second pressure chamber and associated piston chamber. A pneumatically driven switch or an electrically driven switch may direct the flow of control fluid. The electrically driven switch may be controlled with a timer, a pressure sensor, or an optical sensor. The reciprocating pump requires minimal modification to permit the use of a pneumatic switch or electrical switch.

Abstract: A pneumatically-actuated reciprocating fluid pump and shuttle valve combination operates in an “air-assist” mode and a “non-air-assist” mode. In the non-air-assist mode, the shuttle valve is shifted by a blast of pressurized supply air from the pneumatic chamber in its pumping stroke as the flexible diaphragms and drive shaft reach the end of their pumping stroke. This blast of pressurized air used to shift the shuttle valve has the effect of reducing the air pressure in the pneumatic chamber immediately prior to the point in time that the drive shaft reaches the end of its stroke in order to provide a cushioning effect at the end of each pumping strokes cycle, in order to lessen the effect of the drive shaft and diaphragms abruptly reversing direction at full air pressure. In the air-assist mode, a secondary source of compressed air is utilized to shift the shuttle valve, rather than drawing pressurized air from the pneumatic chamber during its pumping stroke.

Abstract: The check valve (12, 14) of the present invention is a ball-type valve that incorporates multiple annular valve seats (34, 38) of progressively smaller diameters for the specific purpose of providing a series of effective annular valve seats as the larger annular valve seats progressively deteriorate, and as the ball valve elements (24) wear away (decrease in diameter) from use, for example, as abrasive slurry is pumped through the check valves and through the fluid pump. Each of the annular valve seats (34, 38) comprises a flexible or otherwise deformable annular lip defined by a cylindrical section having an annular groove (36, 40) formed therein slightly outboard of the cylindrical section, such that the cylindrical section may deform slightly outwardly into the annular groove, thereby effecting an improved functional sealing engagement with the ball valve element (24) as the tip of the cylindrical section deforms outwardly into the annular groove.

Abstract: The check valve (12, 14) of the present invention is a ball-type valve that incorporates multiple annular valve seats (34, 38) of progressively smaller diameters for the specific purpose of providing a series of effective annular valve seats as the larger annular valve seats progressively deteriorate, and as the ball valve elements (24) wear away (decrease in diameter) from use, for example, as abrasive slurry is pumped through the check valves and through the fluid pump. Each of the annular valve seats (34, 38) comprises a flexible or otherwise deformable annular lip defined by a cylindrical section having an annular groove (36, 40) formed therein slightly outboard of the cylindrical section, such that the cylindrical section may deform slightly outwardly into the annular groove, thereby effecting an improved functional sealing engagement with the ball valve element (24) as the tip of the cylindrical section deforms outwardly into the annular groove.

Abstract: A pneumatically-actuated reciprocating fluid pump and shuttle valve combination operates in an “air-assist” mode and a “non-air-assist” mode. In the non-air-assist mode, the shuttle valve is shifted by a blast of pressurized supply air from the pneumatic chamber in its pumping stroke as the flexible diaphragms and drive shaft reach the end of their pumping stroke. This blast of pressurized air used to shift the shuttle valve has the effect of reducing the air pressure in the pneumatic chamber immediately prior to the point in time that the drive shaft reaches the end of its stroke in order to provide a cushioning effect at the end of each pumping strokes cycle, in order to lessen the effect of the drive shaft and diaphragms abruptly reversing direction at full air pressure. In the air-assist mode, a secondary source of compressed air is utilized to shift the shuttle valve, rather than drawing pressurized air from the pneumatic chamber during its pumping stroke.

Abstract: A web inspection system for analysis of a moving web of material records and stores continuous sequences of the web. The web inspection system includes a camera for recording the continuous sequence of the web, an encoder for synchronizing movements of the web with the video image being recorded, and an Image Processing System (IPS) including a real time video disk for storing the image of the web and for displaying the continuous sequence web image on a video display. The IPS is also utilized for detecting faults or features and for categorizing the faults or features detected. The entire web is recorded and the image can be viewed either interactively while the image is being recorded or at a later time. The recorded image of the web can be played back at a slower speed to allow for a more detailed inspection of the web. The sequence image can be analyzed to build a defect image database. The web inspection system can also be utilized for sorting and displaying defect information.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated reciprocating fluid pump and spool valve combination is pneumatically shifted by pressurized air that exhausts from a respective pressurized bellows, diaphragm, or piston chamber, as the bellows, etc. nears the end of its pressure stroke (the exhaust stroke of the pumped fluid). This pressurized air exhausts from the bellows chamber via a shift piston and canister mechanism that seals on the face of the shift canister, rather than on its periphery. The pressurized air exhaust from the bellows chamber acts on the end of the valve spool element to shift the spool element to its opposite position, which reverses the application of pneumatic pressure and atmospheric exhaust between the two bellows chambers to actuate the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for safely and rapidly rewarming large quantities of frozen or refrigerated blood combines microwave, or radio frequency radiation, heating with a forced air system. Forced air is flowed over units of blood or tissue from those units that will absorb the most microwave energy, generally those units closest to the source of microwave energy, to those units that will absorb the least microwave energy, generally those units furthest from the source of microwave energy. The forced air initially thaws the closest units so that they begin to absorb significant microwave energy. The forced air, preferably chilled, then prevents overheating of those closest units by transferring heat to more distant units, beginning their thawing and contributing to their rewarming. The microwave energy source is turned off when the output temperature of the forced air reaches a preselected temperature and the flow of forced air continues until the output temperature stabilizes.

Abstract: A flow-through cell cultivation apparatus and method is described. The flow-through cell cultivation system comprises a flowcell, a chamber inside the flowcell for holding cells, and a flowcell holder. The flowcell has a lower intake port for flowing liquid nutrient through a cellbed inside the flowcell and an upper outlet port for flowing the liquid nutrient out of the flowcell. The flowcell also includes a chuck for receipt of a thermal probe. The probe is made of electromagnetically non-interactive material. The flowcell is enclosed inside the flowcell holder. The flowcell holder includes a pair of intake ports into a cavity having an open end at the flowcell for turbulently flowing a temperature controlled gas against the flowcell. The cavity has rough walls to promote the turbulent flow. The flowcell holder includes an exhaust port for flowing the gas out of the flowcell holder which also serves as a port for another thermal probe.

Abstract: A flow-through cell cultivation apparatus and method is described. The flow-through cell cultivation system comprises a flowcell, a chamber inside the flowcell for holding cells, and a flowcell holder. The flowcell has a lower intake port for flowing liquid nutrient through a cellbed inside the flowcell and an upper outlet port for flowing the liquid nutrient out of the flowcell. The flowcell also includes a chuck for receipt of a thermal probe. The probe is made of electromagnetically non-interactive material. The flowcell is enclosed inside the flowcell holder. The flowcell holder includes a pair of intake ports into a cavity having an open end at the flowcell for turbulently flowing a temperature controlled gas against the flowcell. The cavity has rough walls to promote the turbulent flow. The flowcell holder includes an exhaust port for flowing the gas out of the flowcell holder which also serves as a port for another thermal probe.