Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A tank assembly including a tank for storing fluid, the tank having a fluid refill path. The assembly includes a blocking valve coupled to the tank, the blocking valve being positioned in the fluid refill path and configured to selectively generally seal the fluid refill path. The assembly further includes an overfill valve in fluid communication with the fluid refill path and configured to generally block the fluid refill path when sufficient fluid is in the tank. The blocking valve is positioned to prevent vapors which are introduced into the fluid refill path via the overfill valve from escaping from the tank.

Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.

Abstract: Circularly polarized resonant structures are obtained utilizing piezoelectric resonators made of materials and orientations selected in accordance with the teaching provided herewith. Further provided are radially polarized structures. Furthermore, the utilization of such resonators and structures as sensors, for frequency control application, for signal filtering, and the like, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated package provides contactless communication through a coupling mechanism embedded in the package. Package types include Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) technology, and dual-in-line integrated circuit pressed ceramic packages generally. The package can include an acoustic wave device (AWD) sensor such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device or a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device. Coupling includes inductive and capacitive effects through plates, loops, spirals, and coils. Coil inductance and SAW capacitance can be parallel resonant at the desired SAW resonance with the coil impedance higher than the SAW impedance, minimizing load-pull effects.

Abstract: Reflective and slanted array channelized sensor arrays having a broadband source providing acoustic energy to a reflective or slanted array that reflects a portion of the incident signal to one or more sensing films wherein the response is measured.

Abstract: A system including a vapor recovery valve having a valve body with a fluid flow path and a vapor flow path. The fluid flow path and the vapor flow path are generally fluidly isolated from each other. The vapor recovery valve further includes a vapor control valve positioned in the vapor flow path. The vapor control valve is movable between a first position wherein the vapor control valve at least partially impedes the flow of vapor therethrough and a second position wherein the vapor control valve does not impede or less impedes the flow of vapor therethrough compared to when the vapor control valve is in the first position. The vapor recover valve includes an actuator magnetically coupled to the vapor control valve. The actuator is configured such that sufficient fluid flow through the fluid flow path in a first direction causes the actuator to move the vapor control valve from the first position to the second position in a second direction that is generally not the same as the first direction.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure for performing work therein having an outer enclosure assembly configured to be clamped to the outer annular face of a port ring and form a sealed engagement with the outer annular surface of the port ring, a change assembly having an inner ring and an access element wherein the inner ring has a first annular cylinder body that is sized to be slidably received by the port ring and the access element is configured to be sealably and slidably positioned within the first annular cylinder body of the inner ring.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a conductivity-dielectric (CD) electrode design with apertures that allow compressional waves to propagate away from the surface of the acoustic wave device unimpeded. This prevents reflection of compressional waves that would interact with the viscosity sensor surface, thus altering the device response. It allows compressional waves to pass through, and allows the dual mode viscosity sensor responses to be utilized for density/viscosity/elasticity measurement and correlation. The invention further offers methods of instrumentation to detect unwanted reflections, to compensate, and to correct for the distortions caused by reflections. Finally, the invention provides a system and method for utilizing deliberately introduced reflections to obtain additional information, including fluid density.

Abstract: A telescoping clamp assembly for a material handling system includes an inner shaft, an outer shaft, a clamping device, and a retaining element. The inner shaft has a longitudinal guide portion along an outer surface of the inner shaft. The outer shaft has a bore adapted to receive the inner shaft. The clamping device is located at the outer shaft and is configured to tighten the outer shaft about the inner shaft. The retaining element is adjustable to adjust a degree of clamping of the clamping collar at the outer shaft. The retaining element also engages the longitudinal guide portion of the inner shaft to limit extension and/or extraction of the inner shaft from the outer shaft.

Abstract: Characterizing material properties using a simple and inexpensive measurement circuit is disclosed. It allows measurement of the transfer function change of an acoustic wave device without necessitating detailed knowledge of the resonant frequency, by integrating the transfer function. If one examines the integral of the transfer efficiency of an acoustic wave device as the acoustic wave is damped, one sees that the magnitude of the total signal transfer decreases with increasing damping allowing derivation of the material parameters from the results of simple integration.

Abstract: Acoustic sensing utilizing a bridge structure coupled about a portion of at least two sides of said bridge to a base substrate, wherein said bridge includes a piezoelectric section and has at least one active acoustic region proximate said bridge. A sensing material is disposed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the bridge, wherein the bridge produces stress effects measurable by an acoustic wave device located in the active acoustic region. According to one embodiment, the stress effects are measured by an acoustic wave device to sense a target matter. As target molecules accumulate on a sensing film affixed to at least a portion of the bridge, stress is produced in the bridge inducing a frequency change measured by an acoustic wave device.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system that employs a unique array of offset components, including multiple seal rings, to provide an improved seal with enhanced functionality. In the preferred embodiment, a groove contains two canted-coil springs that are located in a side-by-side relation beneath a pair of expander rings that are also in a side-by-side relation. Located atop the expander rings are three seal rings that are similarly arrayed in a side-by-side relation. To prevent a leak path through the expander rings, a center one of the seal rings overlies the area between the two expander rings.

Abstract: A transition coupling system for use with a dual containment pipe which includes an inner primary pipe and an outer secondary pipe with an interstitial space therebetween, the transition coupling comprising. The transition coupling includes an inner body configured to engage an inner surface of the primary pipe and an outer body configured to engage an outer surface of the secondary pipe. The outer body includes at least two releasably attachable portions, at least one of which is movable relative to the other in a radial direction thereof. The inner body and the outer body are configured to define a gap therebetween when coupled to the piping system such that the gap is generally sealed and in communication with the interstitial space.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing information on two of the three variables, density (?), viscosity (?), and elastic modulus (c) of a fluid, such that independent knowledge of one variable allows the remaining two variables to be measured by a single sensor. The present invention relies on the interaction of a predominantly shear horizontal acoustic wave device (“quasi-shear-horizontal”) with the fluid, so as to measure subtle differences in the interaction of two or more acoustic resonance states or waveguide modes of a multi-mode resonator or waveguide, and to derive the desired fluid characteristics therefrom. The most preferred embodiment is a dual-mode coupled resonator filter geometry with one resonant mode having a high degree of symmetry and the other having a high degree of anti-symmetry.

Abstract: A T-slot clamp including a base and a bar member pivotally connected to the base. A link pivotally connected to the bar member. A handle pivotally connected to the link, wherein the handle is rotatable about an axis of the handle.

Abstract: A relief vent including a vent body having an opening configured to be in communication with the internal volume of a tank. The relief vent further includes a movable portion that is movable relative to the vent body. The movable portion or the vent body includes a base and a sealing member coupled thereto. At least part of the sealing member is elastically deformed to press at least a portion the sealing member against the base. The portion of the sealing member pressed against the base is positioned to sealingly engage the other one of the movable portion or the vent body.

Abstract: A tilting pad thrust bearing is described including a substantially solid flat carrier body, a plurality of bearing pads, and an intermediate component which is disposed in the assembled bearing between the bearing pads and the carrier body, the intermediate component providing a plurality of fulcrum means corresponding in number to the bearing pads and being angularly orientated such that the fulcrum means are disposed beneath the bearing pads. The arrangement is designed such that the intermediate component includes at least one of an annular hub portion and an annular rim portion from which a plurality of ribs project outwardly or inwardly thereof and on which individual bearing pads are arranged to be seated to pivot thereon, the ribs thus providing the fulcrum means, and in that a locating component is provided which also includes at least one of a hub portion and a rim portion.

Abstract: A spring contact assembly having a first plunger with a tail portion having a flat contact surface and a second plunger having a tail portion with a flat contact surface wherein the flat contact surfaces are overlapping and are surrounded by an external compression spring such that the sliding engagement of the flat surfaces increases during compression of the spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of simultaneously determining both the conductivity and dielectric properties of a sample such as lubricating oil or a fuel. First and second signals are applied to a test cell through a combiner. Output of the cell is measured by a pair of frequency selective AC voltage measuring devices through a load on the output of the test cell. Through simultaneous readings, conductivity and dielectric properties are accurately calculated rather than estimated.