Abstract: A multiple stage pinch valve generally includes a pinch valve body, a manifold top head connected to a proximal end of the pinch valve body and a nozzle head connected to a distal end of the pinch valve body. In one embodiment, the pinch valve body includes a first pinch valve section and a second pinch valve section disposed downstream of the first pinch valve section. In another embodiment, the pinch valve body includes an inner pinch valve section and an outer pinch valve section disposed coaxially around the inner pinch valve section.

Abstract: A handling device includes a base plate defining an X-Y plane, a plurality of X rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in an X-direction, a plurality of Y rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and a drive system supported on the base plate for moving the X rails in the Y-direction and for moving the Y rails in the X-direction, wherein a spacing between the X rails varies as the X rails move, and wherein a spacing between the Y rails varies as the Y rails move, and wherein the spacing between the X-rails is continuously variable with respect to the spacing between the Y rails.

Abstract: A handling device includes a base plate defining an X-Y plane, a plurality of X rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in an X-direction, a plurality of Y rails movably supported on the base plate and extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and a drive system supported on the base plate for moving the X rails in the Y-direction and for moving the Y rails in the X-direction, wherein a spacing between the X rails varies as the X rails move, and wherein a spacing between the Y rails varies as the Y rails move, and wherein the spacing between the X-rails is continuously variable with respect to the spacing between the Y rails.

Abstract: A control system for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel generally includes a vessel unit, a primary transfer unit, an x-drive, a y-drive, a z-drive and a control unit for controlling the drives. The vessel unit includes a support plate for supporting the source vessel and the target vessel thereon and the transfer unit includes at least one transfer device for transferring the sample from the source vessel to the target vessel. The x-, y- and z-drives reciprocally translate one of the support plate and the transfer device in a respective x-direction, y-direction and z-direction, wherein the x, y and z directions define a three axis Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: A tip for a biomagnetic particle transfer device generally includes a solid body made from a highly magnetically permeable material and having a shape adapted to concentrate a magnetic field generated by the transfer device on the body. The tip body preferably includes a truncated cone-shaped portion and a solid probe portion. The cone-shaped portion defines an attachment end engageable with an end of the transfer device and an apex opposite the attachment end. The probe portion extends from the apex of the cone-shaped portion, and the magnetic field is concentrated on the probe portion.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel. The transfer unit includes a transfer device having a pin tip with a central bore terminating at a bottom wall, an actuating element movably disposed in the pin tip bore, an actuator rod for moving the actuating element and a compensating device connected between the actuating element and the actuator rod. The actuator rod moves the actuating element between a first position adjacent the tip bottom wall and a second position away from the bottom wall. Movement of the actuating element causes a sample in proximity to the pin tip to be alternately collected and released from the pin tip. Such movement also defines a stroke length for the actuator rod, wherein the compensating device compensates for any variations in the actuator rod stroke length. The transfer unit further includes a tip ejector for removing the disposable tips from the transfer device and a tip loading station for applying the tips to the transfer device.

Abstract: A control system for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel generally includes a vessel unit, a primary transfer unit, an x-drive, a y-drive, a z-drive and a control unit for controlling the drives. The vessel unit includes a support plate for supporting the source vessel and the target vessel thereon and the transfer unit includes at least one transfer device for transferring the sample from the source vessel to the target vessel. The x-, y- and z-drives reciprocally translate one of the support plate and the transfer device in a respective x-direction, y-direction and z-direction, wherein the x, y and z directions define a three axis Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: A tip for a biomagnetic particle transfer device generally includes a solid body made from a highly magnetically permeable material and having a shape adapted to concentrate a magnetic field generated by the transfer device on the body. The tip body preferably includes a truncated cone-shaped portion and a solid probe portion. The cone-shaped portion defines an attachment end engageable with an end of the transfer device and an apex opposite the attachment end. The probe portion extends from the apex of the cone-shaped portion, and the magnetic field is concentrated on the probe portion.

Abstract: A fluid power linear drive including a housing having an inner surface defining a piston receiving space, a piston reciprocally movable within the piston receiving space and a cooperative engagement means provided on the inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the piston to prevent the piston from rotating relative to the housing. The cooperative engagement means may take the form of a projection means and a cooperating longitudinal groove, wherein the inner surface of the piston receiving space has the projection means extending radially inwardly into the piston receiving space and the piston has the groove cooperatively engaging the projection means for preventing the piston from rotating within the piston receiving space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the service life of a cyclic system the method including the steps of determining at least one characteristic of the system to determine a characteristic value and determining a cycle time of the system. The at least characteristic value is applied to an algorithm in which the characterisitic value is integrated to determine a diagnostic value, and comparing the diagnostic value to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. The apparatus including a sensor for determining a system characteristic and a calculating unit operatively connected to the sensor. The calculating unit including circuitry for performing a mathematical integration on the system characteristic to determine a diagnostic value and comparing the diagnostic valve to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. A notification device operatively connected to the calculating unit for indicating the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A modular fluid power valve assembly having a valve controlling fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet port. The valve can be positioned on a manifold that houses a control assembly used to selectively activate the valve. The control assembly includes a visual indicator to indicate the actuation of the valve. The visual indicator further includes a light source for emitting light. A light pipe is selectively removably attached to the control assembly and valve manifold to allow the light from the light source to be easily seen by the user. The light pipe can be made in a variety of shapes and colors and can be removed by hand for maintenance.

Abstract: A fluid power cylinder provided with a clamp to allow for clamping of the cylinder to another surface, or for clamping of an object onto the cylinder housing without applying forces directly on an inner bore of the cylinder and without causing any distortion of the bore diameter surface of the cylinder in which a piston is running.

Abstract: A sorting machine for diverting an article from an article stream generally includes a manifold, a first valve supported on the manifold and a second valve supported on top of the first valve. The manifold has a first blow-off conduit and a second blow-off conduit formed therein. The first blow-off conduit terminates at a first blow-off port and the second blow-off conduit terminates at a second blow-off port. The first valve is in fluid communication with the first blow-off conduit of the manifold for supplying a burst of fluid out of the manifold through the first blow-off port to divert an article from an article stream intersecting with the first blow-off port. The first valve further has a by-pass duct in fluid communication with the second blow-off conduit of the manifold.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes sensors connected to a flexible membrane. The sensors detect ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of a medium. A method of sensing flow rate includes providing the flexible membrane; coupling the plurality of sensors to the flexible membrane; and detecting ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the medium by the sensors. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, an operational amplifier, and a closed loop controller. The sensors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The operational amplifier is connected to the Wheatstone bridge and outputs a pressure signal representative of the pressure of the medium. The closed loop controller is connected to the operational amplifier and controls a current through a heating element for a resistor in the bridge such that a voltage across the operational amplifier is substantially zero. The output of the closed loop controller represents the flow rate.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes a mounting plate, bending plate, and a sensing assembly. The mounting plate is mounted to an internal surface of an air hose. The mounting plate is flexibly coupled to the bending plate, which is displaced in response to the flow of gas. The sensing assembly is positioned on the bending plate and includes a temperature sensor for sensing relatively lower flow rates during a thermal mode, and one or more displacement sensors for sensing relatively higher flow rates during a displacement mode. The temperature sensor outputs a thermal mode signal and the displacement sensors output a displacement mode signal. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, processor, memory, and a computer. The processor is responsive to the thermal and displacement mode signals. The computer is coupled to the processor and controls calibration of the flow sensor.

Abstract: A stackable valve manifold arrangement including a first valve manifold adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The first valve manifold having an upper surface. A second valve manifold is provided which is adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The second valve manifold has a lower surface that is in opposed relationship to the upper surface of the first valve manifold, and the second valve manifold is in fluid communication with the first manifold. The first and second manifolds may each be joined to a circuit board forming a module. The modules are vertically stackable and operatively connected to each other to form a system.

Abstract: A fluid power interlock system and method for providing same including a circuit having a first valve shiftable between a first and second state having an input and a pair of selectively operable first outputs. One of the first outputs is operatively connectable to a first actuator and the other of the first outputs is operatively connected to a second valve shiftable between a first and second state. The second valve has a pair of selectively operable outputs, one of the second valve outputs is operatively connectable to a second actuator, and the other of the second valve outputs is operatively connected to the first valve and provides a pilot signal thereto for permitting the first valve to shift from a first state to a second state. Shifting state of either of the first and second valves interrupts the pilot signal thereby preventing the non actuated valve from being actuated and shifting state. The system may also include a manifold, wherein the first and second valves are secured to the manifold.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder tube with at least one open end coupled to an end cap to close the open end. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston reciprocally movable in the cylinder and the piston has a first seal to create a substantially fluid-tight seal with the internal surface of the cylinder tube. The piston has a piston spear at the end portion thereof for cooperating with a piston spear receiving space in the end cap. A second seal is provided in the piston spear receiving space for creating a substantially fluid-tight seal between the piston spear and the piston spear receiving space thereby creating a volume chamber between the first and second seals. The volume chamber provides a compressible volume of volume which acts as an air cushion at the end of the piston stroke.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder tube with at least one open end coupled to an end cap to close the open end. The pneumatic cylinder includes a piston reciprocally movable in the cylinder and the piston has a first seal to create a substantially fluid-tight seal with the internal surface of the cylinder tube. The piston has a piston spear at the end portion thereof for cooperating with a piston spear receiving space in the end cap. A second seal is provided in the piston spear receiving space for creating a substantially fluid-tight seal between the piston spear and the piston spear receiving space thereby creating a volume chamber between the first and second seals. The volume chamber provides a compressible volume of volume which acts as an air cushion at the end of the piston stroke.

Abstract: A stackable valve manifold arrangement including a first valve manifold adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The first valve manifold having an upper surface. A second valve manifold is provided which is adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The second valve manifold has a lower surface that is in opposed relationship to the upper surface of the first valve manifold, and the second valve manifold is in fluid communication with the first manifold. The first and second manifolds may each be joined to a circuit board forming a module. The modules are vertically stackable and operatively connected to each other to form a system.