Abstract: A system includes a high-pressure liquid supply system including a valve to relieve pressure upon a state change, at least one nozzle in fluid connection with the valve, and at least one filter element, the nozzle at least one being adapted to spray the filter element with high-pressure liquid upon actuation of the valve upon a state change. The high-pressure liquid supply system may, for example, be a high-pressure coolant system for use with a machine tool, and the at least one nozzle may, for example, be adapted to spray the at least one filter element to remove metal particles therefrom.

Abstract: A system for separating a heavy fraction from a liquid includes an upper section in fluid connection with-an inlet, an impeller within the upper section and a flow restrictor positioned below the impeller having a diameter less than the diameter of a a lower section housing to form a gap between the flow restrictor and the lower section housing. An inlet of a conduit is positioned radially inward from an interior wall of the lower section housing and below the flow restrictor. The conduit includes an outlet outside of the lower section. The lower section is generally cylindrical from the top of the gap to a baffle positioned below the flow restrictor, which defines a settling section. The lower section further includes a slurry outlet in operative communication with the settling section.

Abstract: A system includes at least one fluid volume in which pressure varies, a retention volume for collecting a liquid used in operating the system; and a pump device in fluid connection with the retention volume and in operative connection with the fluid volume. The pump device includes a housing, a movable pressurizing mechanism within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid volume, a biasing mechanism in operative connection with the pressurizing mechanism to bias the pressurizing mechanism in a first direction, and a pump volume within the housing. The volume of the pump volume is defined by a position of the pressurizing mechanism, wherein the position of the pressurizing mechanism is controlled by pressure within the fluid volume and the biasing mechanism. The pump device further includes an inlet port in fluid connection with the pump volume and an outlet port in fluid connection with the pump volume.

Abstract: A system includes a processing system in which a liquid is used in processing such that at least a portion of the liquid becomes suspended in a gas and a liquid collection system in fluid connection with the processing system to decrease the amount of liquid in the suspension of the liquid in the gas. The liquid collection system includes a centrifugal pump (or blower) including a housing and a rotatable impeller within the housing. The housing also includes an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid connection therewith. The liquid collection system further includes a liquid collection device in fluid connection with the outlet port. The liquid collection device includes a gas outlet channel in fluid connection with the outlet port and a liquid outlet port spaced from the gas outlet channel and adjacent an inner surface of the housing of the centrifugal pump. The system may further include a container in fluid connection with the liquid outlet port to contain liquid (separated from the gas).

Abstract: A system includes a high-pressure liquid supply system including a valve to relieve pressure upon a state change, at least one nozzle in fluid connection with the valve, and at least one filter element, the nozzle at least one being adapted to spray the filter element with high-pressure liquid upon actuation of the valve upon a state change. The high-pressure liquid supply system may, for example, be a high-pressure coolant system for use with a machine tool, and the at least one nozzle may, for example, be adapted to spray the at least one filter element to remove metal particles therefrom.

Abstract: A system for separating a heavy fraction from a liquid includes an upper section, an inlet in fluid connection with the upper section to introduce the liquid into the upper section, an impeller within the upper section to induce rotational flow and fluid pressure to the liquid within an upper section, an a flow restrictor positioned below the impeller. The flow restrictor has a diameter less than the inner diameter of a housing of a lower section so that a gap is formed between the flow restrictor and the housing of the lower section. The system further includes a conduit including an inlet positioned radially inward from an interior wall of the housing of the lower section and axially below the flow restrictor. The conduit further includes an outlet outside of the lower section via which the liquid with a reduced concentration of the heavy fraction exits the lower section (and the system).

Abstract: A system includes at least one fluid volume in which pressure varies, a retention volume for collecting a liquid used in operating the system; and a pump device in fluid connection with the retention volume and in operative connection with the fluid volume. The pump device includes a housing, a movable pressurizing mechanism within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid volume, a biasing mechanism in operative connection with the pressurizing mechanism to bias the pressurizing mechanism in a first direction, and a pump volume within the housing. The volume of the pump volume is defined by a position of the pressurizing mechanism, wherein the position of the pressurizing mechanism is controlled by pressure within the fluid volume and the biasing mechanism. The pump device further includes an inlet port in fluid connection with the pump volume and an outlet port in fluid connection with the pump volume.

Abstract: A system includes a processing system in which a liquid is used in processing such that at least a portion of the liquid becomes suspended in a gas and a liquid collection system in fluid connection with the processing system to decrease the amount of liquid in the suspension of the liquid in the gas. The liquid collection system includes a centrifugal pump (or blower) including a housing and a rotatable impeller within the housing. The housing also includes an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid connection therewith. The liquid collection system further includes a liquid collection device in fluid connection with the outlet port. The liquid collection device includes a gas outlet channel in fluid connection with the outlet port and a liquid outlet port spaced from the gas outlet channel and adjacent an inner surface of the housing of the centrifugal pump. The system may further include a container in fluid connection with the liquid outlet port to contain liquid (separated from the gas).

Abstract: A device for securing a filter element within a housing of a separation system, wherein the housing has an inner wall and includes therein a filter seating to seat the filter element, includes at least one sealing member adapted to form a sealing connection with the filter element and a sealing connection with the inner wall of the housing. The device further includes at least one compression member to compress the elastomeric sealing member to form the sealing connection with the filter and the sealing connection with the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: A system for separating a heavy fraction from a liquid, including a housing and a mechanism in operative connection with the housing to induce rotational flow within an upper section of the housing. The system further includes a flow restrictor positioned below (that is, at the bottom of or below) the upper section of the housing in which rotational flow is induced by the rotational flow mechanism. The flow restrictor has a diameter less than the inner diameter of the housing so that a gap is formed between the flow restrictor and the housing. The housing further includes an inlet positioned above the flow restrictor and a first outlet positioned below the flow restrictor. The first outlet is positioned radially inward from an interior wall of the housing. The housing can be generally cylindrical from the top of the gap to a baffle positioned below the flow restrictor. The baffle defines a settling section for the heavier fraction.

Abstract: A seal for a reciprocating plunger is formed of a hard polyimide plastic, rather than the relatively soft elastomers of earlier seals. The present seal has a conical section, with the tapered face fitting closely within the mating conical face of a hard metal retainer. An O-ring resides in a groove within the seal to provide low pressure sealing between the plastic seal and the metal retainer. The tapers of the seal and retainer urge the seal inwardly toward the plunger by operational pressures, thereby providing a better seal. The present seal provides greatly extended life over softer prior art seals, and will generally last for the life of the pump or other mechanism in which it is installed. Yet, the plastic material allows some flow under high pressures, allowing the seal to conform closely to the plunger surface during operation and throughout the life of the seal.

Abstract: A seal for a reciprocating plunger is formed of a hard polyimide plastic, rather than the relatively soft elastomers of earlier seals. The present seal has a conical section, with the tapered face fitting closely within the mating conical face of a hard metal retainer. An O-ring resides in a groove within the seal to provide low pressure sealing between the plastic seal and the metal retainer. The tapers of the seal and retainer urge the seal inwardly toward the plunger by operational pressures, thereby providing a better seal. The present seal provides greatly extended life over softer prior art seals, and will generally last for the life of the pump or other mechanism in which it is installed. Yet, the plastic material allows some flow under high pressures, allowing the seal to conform closely to the plunger surface during operation and throughout the life of the seal.

Abstract: A tool holder unclamp mechanism for a milling machine eliminates compressive forces upon the coolant seals conventionally installed in integral tool and workpiece coolant systems for such machines. The present mechanism is particularly well adapted for installation in Haas and similar milling machines, and comprises a conventional Deublin union modified for installation atop the drawbar actuating piston of the machine, with the drawbar actuating mechanism imparting its forces peripherally around the concentric Deublin union. The Deublin union includes an internal coolant bypass, thereby eliminating coolant leakage past the conventional seal location and into the spindle bearings. As the carbide coolant seals between non-rotating and rotating components are contained within the Deublin union, no impact forces are imparted to those seals during tool change operations when the present invention is installed in the machine, thereby greatly prolonging seal life and reducing seal and spindle bearing replacement.

Abstract: A tool holder unclamp mechanism for a milling machine eliminates compressive forces upon the coolant seals conventionally installed in integral tool and workpiece coolant systems for such machines. The present mechanism is particularly well adapted for installation in Haas and similar milling machines, and comprises a conventional Deublin union modified for installation atop the drawbar actuating piston of the machine, with the drawbar actuating mechanism imparting its forces peripherally around the concentric Deublin union. The Deublin union includes an internal coolant bypass, thereby eliminating coolant leakage past the conventional seal location and into the spindle bearings. As the carbide coolant seals between non-rotating and rotating components are contained within the Deublin union, no impact forces are imparted to those seals during tool change operations when the present invention is installed in the machine, thereby greatly prolonging seal life and reducing seal and spindle bearing replacement.

Abstract: A tool holder for holding cutting inserts for machine tool work includes an integral cooling passage therethrough. Various coolant nozzles are interchangeably installable in the holder, to provide different amounts of coolant fluid flow depending upon the specific work being accomplished. The portion of the cooling passage in the tool holder adjacent to the installed nozzle, as well as the nozzles, are devoid of bends or changes in direction of the coolant flow path for greater efficiency and to ensure that the coolant flow is directed precisely at the cutting tip of the insert regardless of the radial orientation of the nozzle. The nozzles each incorporate a non-circular, preferably triangular, coolant outlet tip, which cross sectional shape blends smoothly with the circular cross sectional shape of the nozzle inlet and passage through the tool holder.

Abstract: A system for clamping a cutting insert on a grooving, threading, or milling tool wherein a top clamp member and a support plate are mounted on the tool's surface. The contacting surfaces of the tool, clamp member, and support plate are ground to a smooth finish. A cutting insert is formed with upper and lower V-shaped surfaces and is received in corresponding V-shaped recesses formed in edge portions of the top clamp member and the support plate. Bolts having left hand threads secure the top clamp member to the tool so as to clamp the insert between the top clamping member and the support plate.

Abstract: A programmable, variable volume and pressure, coolant system regulating the amount of coolant flow to a cutting tool by controlling the speed of a coolant pump, and is comprised of a fluid control unit and an electrical control panel. The fluid control unit includes a pump and a AC pump motor operatively connected thereto. The electrical control panel includes: a power supply; circuit breakers; a computer; a variable frequency drive; control relays; and a junction block for making electrical connections to the control panel. The computer receives signals from the tool and a pressure transducer, and is programmed with information concerning the total flow area of the coolant orifices. Using this information, the computer determines an ideal pump speed, and sends a control signal to the variable frequency drive which in turn determines the pump motor speed.

Abstract: A high efficiency backflush filter apparatus positioned on the downstream side of a filter frame that includes a bellows attached to the top of the filter frame. The backflush filter apparatus includes a collapsible bellows member having a first opening attached to an aperture in a plate member, a second opening attached to the filter frame, and a compression plate positioned above the plate member and having a one-way valve. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plate member is slidably mounted on at least one guide member which is mounted to the filter frame and the plate member is spring biased away from the filter frame so that the bellows is in an expanded configuration. The backflush procedure is achieved by stopping the pump, and moving the compression plate, using air cylinders or some other device, until it is against the plate member and thereby trapping fluid inside the bellows.

Abstract: A compact cyclonic filter assembly used for separating unwanted debris from a fluid. The cyclonic filter assembly uses the centrifugal forces to separate large pieces of debris from the fluid and a filter to separate the remaining unwanted debris from the fluid. The present invention can be contained in a compact single housing which may be disassembled for easy cleaning and replacement of parts. The cyclonic filter assembly of the present invention has a vertically oriented cylindrical tube which receives a tangential injection of the debris laden fluid. The tangential injection causes the fluid to circulate around a cylindrical vortex finder which is inside of and coaxial with the tube. The centrifugal forces acting on the debris causes the debris to move outward away from the center of the vortex. The vortex finder has an opening which pulls in the relatively clean fluid near the center of the vortex while the debris laden fluid settles into a collection chamber below the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: A boring bar includes an insert pocket formed on the back side of a relief in the working end of the bar, for the removable installation of a cutting insert therein. The insert pocket may be formed to provide a positive rake angle for the insert installed therein, relative to the axis of the bar, and further may include a positive angle relative to the radius of the bar as well. The force imparted to the insert as the bar is forced against the workpiece, tends to force the insert upwardly and inwardly into the pocket of the bar, thus assisting in holding and securing the insert to the bar. The bar is also thicker at the upper portion of the insert pocket than at the lower portion of the pocket, thus providing additional strength and stiffness to the bar in this critical area to reduce the possibility of chatter and breakage of the bar. Either the tool moves and the workpiece is stationary, or the workpiece moves and the tool is stationary.