Abstract: A filter element includes at least first and second opposing pleated media sections and at least first and second support structures supporting, absent an inner liner, the at least first and second media sections and being layered between the at least first and second media sections. In another embodiment, the filter element includes a continuous construction of pleated media forming the first and second opposing pleated media sections, in which the pleats have portions of differing lengths, and a support structure within the interior volume supporting the first and second media sections. The filter element can be in the form of two racetracks, a V-pack, or two V-packs. The racetracks can be polygon shaped.

Abstract: A spin-on filter cartridge includes a housing, a filter element operably oriented in the housing, a baffle plate, and a seal arrangement. The baffle plate is operably oriented over the housing open end and defines a central flow aperture. The baffle plate also defines a continuous groove immediately adjacent to and circumscribing the central flow aperture. The seal arrangement is secured to the baffle plate and spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove. A filter assembly including the spin-on filter cartridge and a filter head is also disclosed wherein the filter cartridge is removably mountable on the filter head. When the spin-on filter cartridge is oriented on the filter head, a seal member is received within the continuous groove and the seal arrangement forms a seal between and against the baffle plate and the filter head. The seal can be radial or axial or have both axial and radial components.

Abstract: A filter element includes at least first and second opposing pleated media sections and at least first and second support structures supporting, absent an inner liner, the at least first and second media sections and being layered between the at least first and second media sections. In another embodiment, the filter element includes a continuous construction of pleated media forming the first and second opposing pleated media sections, in which the pleats have portions of differing lengths, and a support structure within the interior volume supporting the first and second media sections. The filter element can be in the form of two racetracks, a V-pack, or two V-packs. The racetracks can be polygon shaped.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electrically switchable mirror includes: a first electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the first electrically switchable layer having a first state in which right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; a second electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the second electrically switchable layer having a first state in which left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; and a first electrically switchable wave plate disposed between the first and second electrically switchable layers.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electrically switchable mirror includes: a first electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the first electrically switchable layer having a first state in which right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; a second electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the second electrically switchable layer having a first state in which left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; and a first electrically switchable wave plate disposed between the first and second electrically switchable layers.

Abstract: The web of the invention can comprise a super absorbent layer that can act as an moisture sensitive fuel shut-off valve, absorbent, adsorbant or reactant. The web of the invention can comprise a super absorbent fabric or layer made of a superabsorbent particle or fiber. Fluid, gas or liquid, that flows through or by the assemblies of the invention can have any gas, liquid or solid material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid interact with the super absorbent particulate. The structures of the invention can act simply as flow-by reactive, absorptive, or adsorptive layers with no filtration properties, or the structures of the invention can be assembled into filters.

Abstract: A spin-on filter cartridge includes a housing, a filter element operably oriented in the housing, a baffle plate, and a seal arrangement. The baffle plate is operably oriented over the housing open end and defines a central flow aperture. The baffle plate also defines a continuous groove immediately adjacent to and circumscribing the central flow aperture. The seal arrangement is secured to the baffle plate and spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove. A filter assembly including the spin-on filter cartridge and a filter head is also disclosed wherein the filter cartridge is removably mountable on the filter head. When the spin-on filter cartridge is oriented on the filter head, a seal member is received within the continuous groove and the seal arrangement forms a seal between and against the baffle plate and the filter head. The seal can be radial or axial or have both axial and radial components.

Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.

Abstract: An electromagnet and associated apparatus and method are provided. The electromagnet includes a core and at least one winding disposed circumferentially about the core such that the winding extends at least one revolution around the core. The electromagnet further includes at least one spacer having channels defined therein and disposed circumferentially about the core and adjacent to the at least one winding. The channels facilitate cooling by directing fluid about the windings of the coil as fluid is introduced into the electromagnet.

Abstract: A method of operating a production line comprises the steps of supporting equipment in the production line on a plurality of crawlers comprising at least one rolling track and a structural support for supporting the equipment. A first plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an interior surface of said at least one rolling track is configured to oppose a second plurality of lifting magnets coupled to an exterior surface of said structure support to lift the structural support, such that the structural support floats between and within said at least one rolling track. The magnetic fields experienced by the first and second plurality of lift magnets are adjusted to translate the at least one rolling track, such that the crawlers move along the production line.

Abstract: An equipment-carrying crawler (20) includes a rolling track (44) and a structural support (70). The structural support (70) supports equipment (16). Lifting magnets (72) are coupled to the rolling track (44) and to the structural support (70). The lifting magnets (72) are configured to oppose each other, lift the structural support (70), and aid in the translation of the rolling track (44).

Abstract: An electromagnet and associated apparatus and method are provided. The electromagnet includes a core and at least one winding disposed circumferentially about the core such that the winding extends at least one revolution around the core. The electromagnet further includes at least one spacer having channels defined therein and disposed circumferentially about the core and adjacent to the at least one winding. The channels facilitate cooling by directing fluid about the windings of the coil as fluid is introduced into the electromagnet.

Abstract: A rivet gun system includes a rivet gun frame having two ends. A die is coupled to one end, and a force sensor coupled to the rivet gun frame. The force sensor detects force applied to the die and generates a force signal in response to the force. A holding coil defines a channel within the rivet gun frame and generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. The channel includes an end defined by an end stop and an end defined by the die. A main coil further defines the channel between the holding coil and the die. The main coil also generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. A plunger slides through the channel in response to the electromagnetic forces. A force sensor electronics controller receives the force signal from the force sensor and activates the holding coil and the main coil in response to the force signal above an activation threshold.

Abstract: A rivet gun system includes a rivet gun frame having two ends. A die is coupled to one end, and a force sensor coupled to the rivet gun frame. The force sensor detects force applied to the die and generates a force signal in response to the force. A holding coil defines a channel within the rivet gun frame and generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. The channel includes an end defined by an end stop and an end defined by the die. A main coil further defines the channel between the holding coil and the die. The main coil also generates an electromagnetic force along the channel. A plunger slides through the channel in response to the electromagnetic forces. A force sensor electronics controller receives the force signal from the force sensor and activates the holding coil and the main coil in response to the force signal above an activation threshold.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a phototransducer comprises mounting the phototransducer on a substrate, depositing a surfactant on the substrate, and depositing an encapsulant on the substrate over the surfactant. The surfactant alters a surface tension of the substrate. The encapsulant forms a protective structure that protects the phototransducer.

Abstract: A dual channel communications method including: (A) providing a control system with a central control station and a remote sensor for sensing a process status, the central control station and the remote sensor being connected by a power supply line and an output line; (B) impressing a non-periodic high-amplitude process status signal on the output line at the remote sensor so as to transfer status information about the process status to the central control station; (C) simultaneously impressing a periodic low-amplitude low-frequency diagnostic condition signal on the output line at the remote sensor so as to transfer diagnostic information about an operating condition of the remote sensor to the central control station; (D) monitoring the electrical state of the output line at the central control station to detect the level of the non-periodic high-amplitude process status signal so as to receive status information about the process status at the central control station; and (E) monitoring the electrical stat

Abstract: An operator interface for a photoelectric control unit including a graphical display having a plurality of icons corresponding to different control functions and a numerical display for indicating parameter settings and operating margin values. The operator interface allows the user to rapidly and conveniently reconfigure the control unit for operation in a number of different modes in accordance with a number of different operational settings. Furthermore, the interface provides information on the operating margin of the photoelectric control unit which can be useful to the operator in aligning the unit and in judging conditions under which the unit is operating. Furthermore, the operator interface allows the user to select different light pulse repetition rates and corresponding operating ranges for the photoelectric control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an indication of the operational stability of a photoelectric control unit. The system separately measures photoelectric operating margin and background noise affecting the control unit. A stability figure is generated as a function of the operating margin and background noise in accordance with fuzzy logic techniques. An indication of the level of this stability figure is provided to the operator of the unit.

Abstract: A target acquisition system for a photoelectric control unit which helps avoid interference problems due to optical and electrical noise. The system provides for the interpulse interval between light pulses transmitted by the photoelectric control unit to be varied in accordance with pseudo-random jitter factors during the target acquisition process. Noise which may be on frequency with the normal repetition rate of the photoelectric control unit is then eliminated from the detection process pursuant to synchronous detection procedures.

Abstract: A photoelectric control unit including an electronic system having a system architecture which is adapted for allowing the unit to readily and accurately determine its own operating margin. This architecture system includes a pair of variable gain modules which operate in conjunction with a pair of separate signal channels. The signal channels have comparators for comparing signal amplitudes on their respective channels with a common reference level. Operating margin values are determined by varying the gain of the amplification modules and tracking the output from the comparators on the signal channels. The photoelectric control unit can then use operating margin values to automatically set the system gain and thereby adjust the sensitivity of the unit for optimum performance.