Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

Abstract: A system for starting an engine is disclosed herein. The system includes a fluid powered turbine with a variable geometry stator. The variable geometry stator includes moveable members operable to selectively block fluid flow to the turbine.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a bearing of a rotor assembly having a first lubricant flow path configured to flow a first lubricant flow to a first bearing surface of the rotor assembly and a second lubricant flow path separate from the first lubricant flow path and configured to flow a second lubricant flow to a second bearing surface of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A fluid connection joint to couple tubular pipes intended to convey gas, compressed air and other fluids. The fluid connection joint includes a deformable internal ring having sealing surfaces internally to engage with an outer surface of a first tubular element and frontally to engage with a second tubular element. The deformable internal ring is located within a housing that is coupled to a flange of the second tubular element by fixing screws. The tightening of the fixing screws results in a substantially radial compression of the internal ring and seals around the first tubular element and a second substantially axial compression of the frontal seal against the flange.

Abstract: A multi-tower blower purge dryer system for use with a compressed air stream provided from a compressor is disclosed. In one form the system includes two dryers that can be alternated to dry the compressed air stream. The tower used to dry the compressed air stream can be referred to as the drying tower, and the tower being regenerated can be referred to as the regenerated tower. A number of valves and passages are used to connect the towers to one another and/or to an intake passage from the compressor. A blower purge heater is provided to regenerate the dryers. After a regeneration step in which a tower may be relatively warm, the valves can be actuated to place the warm regenerated tower in fluid communication with the intake passage from the compressor, which can then provide air to the drying tower. In this manner the regenerated tower is cooled.

Abstract: A compressor conduit layout system is disclosed which includes a handheld device operating in conjunction with a computer based application to obtain data of a conduit system and display a model of the system. The handheld device can include a range finder, a designator used to designate a point of interest so that the range finder can determine a distance between the point of interest and the handheld device, as well as a sensor(s) useful to determine an orientation of the handheld device. The computer based application can include a pallet-and-canvas type application which displays a computer model of the conduit system. The compressor conduit layout system can use or can alternatively include an indoor positioning system useful to determine the position of the handheld device.

Abstract: A pressure pulse dampener for a compressor system is disclosed herein. The pulse dampener includes a housing having inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. A radially expanding annular passageway is formed downstream of the fluid inlet. A toroidal passageway is formed downstream of the annular passageway, the toroidal passageway being configured to direct fluid in a generally circumferential path around the central body. A connecting passageway is formed through the central body to provide fluid communication between the toroidal passageway and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: A press roller spring frame is provided. The spring frame includes a frame body having a first section having an arcuate shape, a second section extending from the first section and having a substantially planar shape, a third section extending from the first section and having a substantially planar shape. The second and third sections are configured to oppose one another with the first section therebetween. The spring frame further includes a roller operatively coupled to the third section and configured to rotate about an axis. A compressive force may be applied to the roller to displace the third section closer to the second section, whereby the arcuate shape of the first member is compressed. The compression causes the first member to produce a spring force that resists the compressive force applied against the roller to keep the roller against the object applying the compressive force.

Abstract: A compressor having a compressor wall that has an interior surface that defines a compression chamber, in which a rotor or pair of rotors operates to compress a fluid. To do so, the rotors are in operative communication with the interior surface. The compressor also includes an injection port in the compressor wall and opening into the compression chamber, the injection port being in fluidic communication with a second fluid. The compressor can also include an insert in operative communication with the injection port, wherein the insert and the injection port define therebetween a gap through which the second fluid enters the compression chamber.

Abstract: A compressor system with a continuously variable oil injection orifice is structured to regulate a flow of oil from an oil reservoir into a compressor. The orifice includes a first valve member moveable in response to oil pressure toward a second valve member to define a continuously variable flow area. A biasing member urges the first valve member away from the second valve member.

Abstract: A system for starting an engine is disclosed herein. The system includes a combination valve to control compressed fluid flow and lubricant flow to an air starter. The combination valve includes a housing having a shuttle valve and a lubricator valve disposed therein. The shuttle valve controls a compressed fluid flow and the lubricator valve controls a lubricant flow to the air starter.

Abstract: An induction rotor assembly having an induction cage that is formed using a combination of liquid and solid materials. The first and second end plates of the induction cage may be fabricated before the casting of the conductors of the induction cage. According to certain embodiments, the first and second end plates may be assembled with first and second molds and a rotor core to form a casting assembly. A liquid casting material may be injected into the casting assembly, wherein the liquid casting material may solidify within one or more core passageways of the rotor core, thereby forming the conductors of the induction cage. The first and second end plates may also include flow channels that may be configured to facilitate the flow of the liquid casting material in the casting assembly, and increase the area of contact between the liquid casting material, when solidified, and the end plates.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

Abstract: Devices with non-binding linear slides include: (a) a device body and first and second spaced apart linear rails held in the device body; (b) first and second spaced apart (rail) pathways held in cooperating alignment with the rails in the body, a respective one engaged with a respective one of the first and second linear rails that define spaced apart contact points; and (c) a translating actuation (e.g., input) member held by the body in communication with the rails. The actuation (e.g., input) member has a configuration that can generate off-center loads associated with forces applied at different positions of the actuation (e.g., input) member. Only one pathway and rail pair guides linear movement for the first and second force positions to thereby inhibit frictional binding.

Abstract: A handheld power tool having an electric motor held in a power tool body and a universal controller in the power tool body in communication with the electric motor. The universal controller is in communication with an electronic component that defines a tool type identifier in the power tool body. The handheld power tool also has a battery pack releasably attachable to the power tool body, the battery pack having an on-board electronic identifier. The universal controller has a plurality of different operational control modes for a plurality of different tool types and a plurality of different battery packs with different battery characteristics. The controller can automatically select an appropriate control mode based on the tool type identifier and the battery pack identifier.