Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) flosses have abrasives added to the floss fiber that increase the abrasion to teeth surfaces, and thus result in a floss that provides enhanced cleaning of surfaces of teeth that face interstices between teeth. Floss fiber is formed by loading a PTFE resin with an abrasive filler. The PTFE resin and filler are processed to form a floss fiber with a surface that provide enhanced abrasion properties.

Abstract: A method for rating the efficiency of a compressed air system is provided comprising, (a) selecting a plurality of efficiency factors, (b) selecting a set of conditions for each efficiency factor, (c) assigning a numerical value to each condition, (d) determining a score for the efficiency factor by comparing the current condition with the preselected conditions and assigning the numerical value associated with the closest preselected condition, and (e) calculating a total efficiency score by adding the scores from the plurality of efficiency factors.

Abstract: A curved side oil or fluid separator element for separating liquid or oil from a gas flow has a body portion made of filter media with opposing upper and lower ends. A curved side extends between the upper and lower ends and rotates 360° about a central axis of the body portion to form a curved surface of the body portion. The curved side of the body portion can be any one of a hyperbolically curved side, a circular arc curved side, an elliptically curved side, or any other curve except a straight line, and any combinations of these curves. In one aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for in-out gas flow allowing the gas flow to exit through the curved side to a communicating outlet of a separator housing. In another aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for out-in gas flow for receiving the gas flow through the curved side from a communicating inlet of the separator housing.

Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including modem communications software, for controlling and/or monitoring one or more machines having an control board, such as, for example, compressors, from a remote location is disclosed. The systems and methods provide for each machine being controlled and/or monitored by an operator from the remote location. The machines are controlled and/or monitored using the modem communications software, presently preferably, resident on a personal computer (PC) at the remote location. The methods and systems, including the modem communications software, provide communications between the PC and the machine(s) through transmissions over a communications link established through a modem from a remote PC to a modem connected to the control board of a machine to provide instructions to or receive information from the machine control board and for the remote diagnosis of operating problems, such as, for example, compressor system operating problems, among other features.

Abstract: The pneumatic power system of this invention is a process that measures at very high resolution the pressure and/or rate of flow profile at various points throughout the pneumatic circuitry of a piece of pneumatic equipment in a manufacturing environment. Candidates for this process must use compressed air to move, lift, convey, actuate or otherwise influence the manufacturing process. The signature profile allows for high resolution measurement and recording of pressure and/or rate of flow changes throughout the process when the equipment is fully adjusted and tuned to produce product at maximum efficiency and quality. Once optimum adjustments are obtained, the pneumatic profiling process records the pressure profiles throughout the system and uses the model profile as a benchmark to compare all subsequent profile data.

Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed. not only the interstage.

Abstract: A fuel pump for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a shrouded rotor member, and an inlet post member, wherein fluid is axially supplied along the pump centerline and then radially discharged at a first pressure to the interior chamber of the pump housing, at the base portion of vane elements associated with the rotor, thereby contacting the vane elements at a minimum angular velocity and angle of incidence. Also disclosed is a single bearing arrangement for eccentrically supporting a shrouded rotor member.

Abstract: An electronic control system is disclosed to control and to prevent damage to a standalone or a network of oil free, two stage compressor packages. The electronic control system uses pressure and temperature sensors to detect actual shutdown conditions or predict shutdown conditions based on the operating state of the compressor package and the current temperatures or pressures of the air at strategic locations in the compressor package. It has been determined through experimentation that, if the pressure at the inlet of the stage two compressor is less than the discharge pressure of the stage two compressor by more than an allowable value, then a high temperature condition will occur in the stage two compressor and cause the compressor to seize.

Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for draining residual fuel from the engine manifold of a gas turbine which includes an ejector having an inlet port for receiving high pressure fuel from a main fuel pump at engine shut-down, an outlet port and a suction port. The ejector defines a nozzle that extends between the inlet port and the outlet port for increasing the velocity of high pressure fuel flowing therethrough at engine shut-down so as to create suction at the suction port. A motive valve controls the flow of high pressure fuel between the main fuel pump and the inlet port of the ejector. The motive valve is configured for movement between a first position wherein high pressure fuel is directed from the main fuel pump to the engine manifold during engine start-up and operation, and a second position wherein high pressure fuel is directed from the main fuel pump to the inlet port of the ejector at engine shut-down.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a nozzle assembly including a body having a conduit extending from an inlet to an outlet. A first end of a shaft is mounted to the body and a second end of the shaft extends from the body proximate the outlet. The shaft is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A turret is rotationally mounted on the second end of the shaft and a plurality of nozzles are removeably mounted on the turret for alignment with the outlet. The nozzle that is aligned with the outlet sealingly mates with the outlet when the turret in the retracted position and is spaced from the outlet when the turret in the extended position.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump includes a pump housing having a cylindrical interior chamber, a cylindrical rotor member mounted for rotational movement within the interior chamber of the pump housing, a cam member mounted for pivotal movement within the interior chamber of the pump housing about a fulcrum aligned with the vertical centerline of the interior chamber, the cam member defining a cam body having a circular bore extending therethrough for receiving the rotor member, the cam body having lateral sealing lands formed thereon, the sealing lands having arcuate sealing surfaces defining segments of a cam arc through which the cam member pivots, and static cam seals supported within the interior chamber of the pump housing and oriented on each end of a chord of the cam arc, each cam seal biased into a continuous contact position with an adjacent sealing surface of the cam member.

Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed. not only the interstage.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for a gas turbine engine, including a housing having a fluid inlet port for receiving fluid at an initial pressure and an interior chamber defining a central axis. An impeller disk disposed within the interior chamber of the housing and mounted for rotation about the central axis. The impeller disk defines first and second inlet areas and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart channels formed therein which extend from the inlet areas for conducting fluid from the inlet areas in a radially outward direction upon rotation of the impeller disk so as to increase the pressure of the fluid. A first collector is formed by the housing for receiving the fluid from the first inlet area via the channels at a first elevated pressure relative to the initial pressure and a second collector is formed by the housing for receiving fluid from the second inlet area via the channels at a second elevated pressure relative to the first elevated pressure.

Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed, not only the interstage.

Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.

Abstract: A bearing for supporting a rotating shaft receiving a transverse load, wherein the bearing supports the shaft along a load line and wherein the bearing is closest to the rotating shaft at a running line. The bearing includes a circumferential inner surface, and a lubricant bay defined in the inner surface. The lubricant bay is axially and circumferentially offset from the load line such that a resulting pressure pad of lubricant within the bay provides a hydrostatic force that forces the running line to a location substantially perpendicular to the load line. Load capabilities of a bearing according to the present disclosure, therefore, are substantially insensitive to shaft bending and do not deteriorate in response to the shaft bending.

Abstract: An electronic control system is disclosed to control and to prevent damage to a standalone or a network of oil free, two stage compressor packages. The electronic control system uses pressure and temperature sensors to detect actual shutdown conditions or predict shutdown conditions based on the operating state of the compressor package and the current temperatures or pressures of the air at strategic locations in the compressor package. It has been determined through experimentation that, if the pressure at the inlet of the stage two compressor is less than the discharge pressure of the stage two compressor by more than an allowable value, then a high temperature condition will occur in the stage two compressor and cause the compressor to seize.