Abstract: An electronics package may include a housing and electronic circuitry carried thereby. The housing may include a first metallic material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and having an array of openings therein. The electronics package may also include a thermally conductive body within each of the openings in the array thereof to thereby define a heat sink for the electronic circuitry. Each of the thermally conductive bodies may include a second metallic material having a second CTE substantially different from the first CTE.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for electronic circuit components includes a generally hollow, titanium body, having a reduced thickness bottom wall/floor, whose interior surface is laminated with a relatively low mass, insert, upon which electronic circuit components are mounted. The insert has a high thermal conductivity and a low coefficient of thermal expansion, approximate to that of the housing body.

Abstract: An electronic assembly may include a housing having an opening therein and an RF feedthrough connector in the opening of the housing. The RE feedthrough connector may include a tubular body, and a plurality of displaceable protrusions carried by an upper outer surface portion of the tubular body. The plurality of displaceable protrusions may define an enlarged upper portion thereof engaging adjacent upper portions of the housing. The RF feedthrough connector may also include a sealed joint between the housing and the RF feedthrough connector.

Abstract: An improved feed-through RF connector uses structural materials with coefficients of thermal expansion selected to enhance the reliability of a hermetic seal. The design of the connector and the selection of materials facilitate easy installation and help avoid cyclic fatigue and cracks that could result in a loss of hermetic seal.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.

Abstract: An underwater light, e.g., for a pool or spa, includes an ordinarily watertight housing, an outer compartment within the housing and floodable by water flowing therein in the event the housing is no longer watertight, a current shield within the outer compartment and at least partially defining an inner compartment within the outer compartment, a light emitter within the inner compartment, a passageway communicating between the inner and outer compartments such that outer compartment flood water can enter the inner compartment and contact the light emitter, and a conductor. The conductor is positioned so as to collect stray electrical current conducted from the inner compartment by water within the passageway, thereby reducing the risk of shock presented by such stray electrical current. The underwater light is installable within a wet niche, and includes a transformer housed in a separate compartment that extends into the wet niche for thorough cooling thereof.

Abstract: A filter element assembly includes an outer filter member and an inner filter member. The filter assembly is also provided with a support cap having an outer ring, which is connected to the outer filter member, and an inner ring, which is connected to the inner filter member. The support cap also includes a plurality of connecting members connecting the outer ring to the inner ring, which is positioned substantially within the outer ring. Each of the connecting members is sized and shaped so as to allow the outer ring and the inner ring to move relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged surfaces has a turbine rotatably mounted within a turbine chamber for moving the device. The device also includes an inlet nozzle and an outlet port, which are in communication with the turbine chamber and allow fluid and debris to flow along a fluid flow path therebetween, through the turbine chamber, which rotates the turbine. Baffles are arranged within the turbine chamber and cooperate with endplates of the turbine to restrict the flow of fluid through the fluid flow path. Additionally, the turbine includes a body with vanes, each having tips, and the endplates are sized and shaped such that their peripheral edges extend beyond the tips. The outlet end of the inlet nozzle is positioned proximate to the tips of the vanes and between the peripheral edges of the endplates, without interfering with the rotation of the turbine, thereby directing the flow of fluid more directly to the turbine.

Abstract: A filter bag assembly includes an outer bag having an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and a longitudinal axis. The open end of the outer bag is sized and shaped for receiving liquid to be filtered. A filter member is loosely mounted in the outer bag and has a pair of opposed open ends and a plurality of longitudinally extending pleats. Each of the pleats projects generally outwardly in a radial direction.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.

Abstract: A pressure vessel in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, and a clamp for releasably clamping the cover in its closed position. The clamp includes a handle for manually operating the clamp. The handle is movable between a first position, in which the clamp releasably holds the cover in its closed position, and a second position, in which the cover is free to be moved to its open position. The pressure vessel further comprises locking means, including a latch pin for releasably locking the handle in its first position upon actuation of the latch pin, and actuating means, including a flexible diaphragm which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating the latch pin when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fin and tube heat exchanger includes fins shaped along dynamically, empirically determined isothermal lines. The fins preferably have deflectors along a trailing edge thereof to concentrate heat flux into a back row of tubes. The deflectors bridge adjacent fins to define baffles. The preferred fin shape may be obtained empirically by trimming fin areas exhibiting excessive temperatures during operation.