Abstract: A height adjustment apparatus for a rotatable component of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The apparatus includes a rotatable wheel and a retainer device. The rotatable wheel includes a central axis, a wheel portion, a hub portion including an offset axle aperture that receives a rotatable component, and one or more detent devices. The retainer device is retained in a chassis of the vacuum cleaner and includes a body, a hub portion aperture formed in the body and of a size to rotatably receive the hub portion of the rotatable wheel, and one or more biasing devices that interact with the one or more detent devices in order to provide a plurality of predetermined detent positions. The rotatable component is moved substantially vertically with respect to the central axis when the rotatable wheel is rotated between the plurality of predetermined detent positions.

Abstract: A corona ground element for use in a pre-ionizer of an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The corona ground element includes a substantially elongate body including a proximate end and a distal end and first and second projections formed on the proximate end and the distal end. The first and second projections are adapted to retain the corona plate in the electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a corona ground element of an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The retainer includes a body and a retainer aperture extending at least partially through the body and adapted to receive a projection extending from the corona ground element. The retainer aperture is configured to receive the projection as a press fit.

Abstract: A two-wire bus instrument (500) adapted for use with a two-wire bus (308) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. An instrument element (304) receives a third current and generates one or more sensor measurement signals. A signal processor (512) receives a second current and processes the one or more sensor measurement signals to produce a data signal. A communication system (511) receives a first current, receives the data signal, generates a digital communication signal including the data signal, and modulates the digital communication signal onto a two-wire bus (308). A communication power supply (501) connected across the two-wire bus (308) provides the first current to the communication system (511). A signal processing power supply (502) connected across the two-wire bus (308) provides the second current to the signal processor (512). A drive current power supply (503) connected across the two-wire bus (308) provides the third current to the instrument element (304).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner base plate assembly is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The base plate assembly includes a base plate adapted to fit to a chassis bottom of a vacuum cleaner. The base plate includes one or more nozzle apertures. The base plate assembly further includes one or more trapped components configured to rest against the base plate. The base plate assembly further includes a skid plate that fits to the base plate and that holds the one or more trapped components against the base plate when the skid plate is assembled to the base plate. The base plate assembly further includes one or more fasteners that removably affix the skid plate to the base plate. The skid plate and the one or more trapped components are removably affixed to the base plate by the skid plate and the one or more fasteners.

Abstract: A pre-ionizer for use with an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The pre-ionizer includes two or more corona ground elements arranged in a substantially parallel orientation. A corona ground element of the two or more corona ground elements includes a substantially elongate body including a proximate end and a distal end and first and second projections formed on the proximate end and the distal end. The first and second projections retain the corona ground element in the electrostatic precipitator. The pre-ionizer further includes one or more corona charge elements positioned between two adjacent corona ground elements of the two or more corona ground elements. When a high voltage electrical field is placed across the two or more corona ground elements and the one or more corona charge elements, the pre-ionizer at least partially ionizes airflow through the pre-ionizer.

Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter comprising at least one flow conduit, a drive system coupled to the at least one flow conduit, a balance system coupled to the at least one flow conduit wherein the balance system is sized and located such that the momentum of the balance system is equal and opposite to the momentum of the drive system.

Abstract: An electrode wire retaining member for an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode wire retaining member includes one or more flexible arm portions extending from the body and formed of an at least partially flexible material. A flexible arm portion returns to a substantially normal configuration after being deformed. The electrode wire retaining member further includes a retaining portion formed on an outer end of a flexible arm portion and extending from the flexible arm portion. The electrode wire retaining member further includes a slot formed in the retaining portion and sized to accommodate an electrode wire. The retaining portion and the slot receive and hold a retaining body formed on an end of the electrode wire.

Abstract: A plate fastener for an electrostatic precipitator cell is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The plate fastener includes a fastener shaft including a head. The fastener shaft extends through the electrostatic precipitator cell. The head is adapted to retain a first end plate of the electrostatic precipitator cell. The plate fastener further includes a plurality of spacers configured to fit onto the fastener shaft. A spacer of the plurality of spacers is adapted to be positioned between successive polarity plates of a plurality of plates of the electrostatic precipitator cell. The plate fastener further includes a one-way shaft retainer configured to affix to the fastener shaft. The one-way shaft retainer is adapted to retain a second end plate of the electrostatic precipitator cell. The plate fastener affixes the plurality of plates together into a set of spaced-apart plates.

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: A system and method for an expandable gas or fluid distribution system is disclosed. The expandable distribution system comprises at least one device, an endcap, and an inlet piece. The electromagnetic switch is removably coupled to the endcap and the inlet piece such that the distribution system can be expanded by adding another device.

Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.

Abstract: A flow meter filter system (200) according to an embodiment of the invention includes a noise pass filter (203) configured to receive a first version of a flow meter signal and filter out the flow meter data from the flow meter signal to leave a noise signal, a noise quantifier (204) configured to receive the noise signal from the noise pass filter (203) and measure noise characteristics of the noise signal, a damping adjuster (205) configured to receive the noise characteristics from the noise quantifier (204) and generate a damping value based on the noise characteristics, and a filter element (206) configured to receive a second version of the flow meter signal and receive the damping value from the damping adjuster (205), with the filter element (206) being further configured to damp the second version of the flow meter signal based on the damping value in order to produce a filtered flow meter signal.

Abstract: A measurement system (200) is disclosed comprising a Coriolis flow meter (222) and a control system (224). A base fluid (250) is first flowed through the Coriolis flow meter. The Coriolis flow meter measures a density of the base fluid and transmits a base fluid density measurement to the control system. A proppant (252) is then added to the base fluid to create a fracture fluid (202). The fracture fluid is then flowed through the Coriolis flow meter. The Coriolis flow meter measures a density of the fracture fluid and transmits a fracture fluid density measurement to the control system. The control system determines an amount of proppant in the fracture fluid based on the base fluid density measurement, the fracture fluid density measurement, and a density of the proppant.

Abstract: A manually-powered floor sweeper is provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the manually-powered floor sweeper includes a chassis and handle, one or more agitator rollers rotatably affixed to the chassis and rotated by movement of the floor sweeper, and a vacuum port formed in the chassis and communicating with the one or more agitator rollers and adapted to receive a vacuum hose. Debris picked up and propelled by the one or more agitator rollers is drawn out through the vacuum port when a vacuum is introduced into the vacuum port.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator cell is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrostatic precipitator cell includes a connection rod including first and second ends, a length, a cross-sectional shape, and a lengthwise surface. The electrostatic precipitator cell further includes collection plates located in spaced-apart arrangement on the connection rod. A collection plate includes at least one aperture. The central aperture substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the connection rod. The electrostatic precipitator cell further includes an attachment device(s) for removably attaching the collection plates to the connection rod. The collection plates are held in a substantially parallel orientation on the connection rod by the attachment device(s).

Abstract: A server system directs product selection over a communication network where screens are displayed to a user. The screens are arranged in a sequence. The server system processes user data from user input signals to determine if the user data is consistent with at least one of a plurality of products. The server system transfers a selected one of the screen signals corresponding to a selected one of the screens if the selected one of the screens is backward in the sequence or if all previous ones of the screens in the sequence prior to the selected one of the screens have the consistent data. The server system transfers to the user system over the communication network an earliest one of the screen signals corresponding to an earliest one of the screens in the sequence that does not have the consistent data if the selected one of the screens is forward in the sequence and if the previous ones of the screens in the sequence prior to the selected one of the screens do not all have the consistent data.

Abstract: A valve island that has vented non-active areas is disclosed. The valve island has a plurality of active gas passageways that are coupled together between components. At the junction between the different components the active fluid passageways are surrounded by a sealing surface. The sealing surface essentially surrounds some non-active areas. The non-active areas are vented to the outside air through one or more passageways. The non-active areas may be recessed from the sealing surface.

Abstract: An airflow sensor system for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The airflow sensor system includes a vacuum cleaner air duct, a bypass tube connected to the air duct, and an airflow sensor positioned at least partially in the bypass tube. The airflow sensor is configured to generate a normal voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is within a predetermined normal airflow range, configured to generate an input blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is greater than the predetermined normal airflow range, and further configured to generate an output blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is less than the predetermined normal airflow range.