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 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: 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: 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: 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: An automatic shrink shock strut for use in conjunction with aircraft landing gear. The landing gear is of the type which includes a shock strut cylinder and a shock strut piston mounted coaxially therewith, and defining there between a shock strut shrink chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and a gas spring chamber filled with a pressurized gas. During retraction of the landing gear, the mechanism transfers the pressurized gas from the gas spring chamber to a transfer cylinder and therein drives a volume of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid supply in the transfer cylinder to the shock strut shrink chamber. The shock strut responds by shrinking to a shortened length. During extension of the landing gear the mechanism returns works in reverse and returns the pressurized gas to the gas spring chamber to drive the volume of hydraulic fluid from the shock strut shrink chamber back to the hydraulic fluid supply, thereby extending the landing gear to its normal length.

Abstract: The floating wrist pin coupling for a piston assembly will rotate within a bearing assembly for an oscillating connecting rod as a piston cycles through compression and suction strokes. As the wrist pin rotates through 360 degrees, the bearings within the bearing assembly are lubricated and subjected to a rotary rather than an oscillating motion as the connecting rod oscillates.

Abstract: A novel single acting variable displacement vane pump (VDVP) incorporating novel vanes and undervane venting which produce selective regulated pressure-loading of the vanes against the cam surface and more positive tracking in the incoming seal arc and the outgoing or discharge seal arc of the pump rather than uniform pressure balancing of the vanes throughout the 360.degree. cam chamber. The vanes incorporated into the present pumps preferably are sectional two-piece vane assemblies comprising an upper vane section which slidably supports a lower vane section and incorporates a fluid pressurizable cavity between said vane sections which, when pressurized, forces the vane sections in opposite radial directions, and which enables the vane sections to come together and integrate when the cavity is depressurized. The vane cavity is open to the fluid pressure on one side of the vanes while the undervane area of the vane slots, below the vanes, is open to the fluid pressure one the opposite side of the vanes.

Abstract: A variable displacement vane pump having a vaned rotor adjustably contained within a cam member for rotation between fuel inlet and fuel discharge arcs. Adjacent vanes form enclosed fuel bucket areas which are expanded and axially-supplied with fuel in the fuel inlet arc and are contracted and axially-discharge the fuel in the fuel discharge arc. Fuel circulation is improved by providing a central recess at each vane tip and/or a central groove in the cam surface to prevent trapping, stagnation and overheating of fuel at the centerpoints of the bucket areas, which overheating can result in expansion of the vane tips, scoring of the cam surface and pump failure.

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 lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a variable capacity screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the variable capacity screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages to vary the capacity of the screw compressor.

Abstract: An armature has an inner chamber which becomes effective to delay the otherwise full fluid force against such armature thereby enabling the armature to more readily move closer, in a shorter period of time, to the associated pole piece.

Abstract: A throttle valve actuator for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle body for defining at least one aperture or passageway extending therethrough to deliver a charge to a combustion chamber in communication with the aperture. At least one valve is mounted on a shaft for rotating within the aperture of the throttle body to control the internal combustion engine. A crank arm is connected to the shaft for driving the valve in rotation between a first position and a second position. A pliant cable is connected to the crank arm at an anchor point adjacent one end of the pliant cable. The pliant cable transmits a force to the crank arm to control rotation of the valve connected thereto.

Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a variable capacity screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the variable capacity screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages to vary the capacity of the screw compressor.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for engines and, in particular, internal combustion engines used on marine vessels, is disclosed including a fuel injection system having a supply port for receiving fuel at a rate in excess of the controlled rate, an injection port for discharging fuel into the engine at the controlled rate and a return port for conducting fuel in excess of that discharged from the injection port from the injection system. The fuel injection system also includes a pump having an inlet directly connected by a first conduit to a return port and an outlet directly connected by a second conduit to the supply port, a third conduit system for conducting fuel from the supply tank into the first conduit at a first location between the return port and the inlet, and a pressure regulating system for maintaining the pressure at the return port at a predetermined substantially constant super-atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A pump comprising a durable rotor member having large diameter journal ends at each side of a central vane section comprising vane slots having well areas which slidably-engage a mating vane element. The present vane pumps comprise novel cylindrical floating ring seal elements having a support body which continuously seals the face of the cam member, and have a movable inner ring assembly which becomes pressure-loaded against the rotor journals during use, to minimize or limit axial pressure leakage while balancing or minimizing bearing load.

Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages .?.