Abstract: A power tool comprises an adjustable auxiliary handle assembly that facilities safe use of the tool by the operator while allowing convenient carry and storage of the tool when not in use. The adjustable auxiliary handle assembly comprises an indexing mechanism that includes an angled connector, a slidable latching mechanism and a handle base. The indexing mechanism allows a longitudinal handle to rotate and be locked in a position convenient and comfortable to the operator. The indexing mechanism is adjustable and can be operated with one hand (e.g., one-handed operation). The latching mechanism holds the auxiliary handle position in place while allowing the power tool to be used in high-torque/high load applications.

Abstract: An electric tool is provided with a second switch that is actuated in order for the tool to be used. The second switch is on a second handle that is grasped by the operator with a different hand than the hand that actuates the main trigger switch. Communication between the second switch and the tool occurs with a wireless signal indicating that the second switch has been actuated.

Abstract: Cooling medium circulation systems for supplying a cooling medium through a single header to multiplexed heat exchangers are described. In an aspect, a system includes, but is not limited to, a storage tank configured to hold a cooling medium in a fluid state; first and second circulation pumps fluidically coupled to the storage tank; a single cooling medium header fluidically coupled with each of the circulation pumps; a first dryer module configured to direct a first portion of cooling medium from the single cooling medium header past a first stream of compressed air and to direct the first portion of cooling medium back to the storage tank; and a second dryer module fluidically configured to direct a second portion of cooling medium from the single cooling medium header past a second stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A compressor system is provided that includes a contact cooled compressor and a coolant separator. The coolant separator is used to remove coolant fluid from a compressed flow stream produced by the contact cooled compressor during its operation. The coolant separator routes the removed coolant fluid back to the contact cooled compressor for further use. In some forms the coolant fluid is cooled prior to delivery back to the compressor. A stop valve can be provided in the coolant fluid return line to halt the flow of the fluid. A pressure sensitive member can be disposed to sense pressure of the coolant fluid that has been routed past the stop valve. Operation of the compressor can be changed as a result of the sensed pressure from the pressure sensitive member. Information from a temperature sensitive member can also be used to change operation of the compressor.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools with impact mechanisms rigidly coupled to electric motors are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise an impact mechanism, an electric motor, and a control circuit. The impact mechanism may comprise a hammer and an anvil, the hammer being configured to rotate about a first axis and to periodically impact the anvil to drive rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The electric motor may comprise a rotor that is rigidly coupled to the impact mechanism, the electric motor being configured to drive rotation of the hammer about the first axis. The control circuit may be configured to supply a current to the electric motor and to prevent the current from exceeding a threshold in response to the hammer impacting the anvil.

Abstract: A cooling assembly for a power tool includes an air mover configured to be disposed within a housing assembly at a first end of a generally longitudinal enclosure proximate to a handle enclosure. The air mover is configured to direct air into the housing assembly and then generally perpendicularly to a longitudinally extending direction of the generally longitudinal enclosure. The cooling assembly also includes a duct configured to connect to the air mover and be in fluid communication with the air mover to direct air into the handle enclosure. The duct includes an inflow segment defining a first area for receiving the air from the air mover, an outflow segment defining a second area for directing the air from the air mover into the handle enclosure, and a connecting segment connecting the inflow segment to the outflow segment.

Abstract: An impact wrench comprises dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination. The drive components are dynamically tuned in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: A filter system can include a replaceable filter cartridge having a spinner element structured to swirl a mixed flow of compressible fluid and oil, as well as an end cap used to enclose an open interior of a filter media of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge can be configured to interface with and be supported by a mesh holder. A housing can be attached over the filter cartridge to enclose the system and create a flow path for a mixed flow of compressible fluid and oil. The replaceable filter cartridge can be constructed of materials suitable for disposal in a waste incineration process. The mesh holder can be inserted on a combo-block and secured in place by a compression fitting. A stand pipe can extend into the interior of the filter media and be coupled with a central passage of the mesh holder.

Abstract: An impact wrench is provided with a battery to power the motor. The impact wrench provides improved portability since the impact wrench does not need to be connected to an electrical extension cord or a pneumatic hose. The output drive, motor, batteries and main handle may be aligned along the axial direction of the tool. The batteries may be located between the motor and the main handle.

Abstract: A position sensor includes a plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores arranged to define a circular opening therethrough to receive a shaft. Each E-shaped ferromagnetic core has a plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent E-shaped ferromagnetic cores of the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores have an overlapping tooth. The position sensor further includes a frame surrounding the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores, with the E-shaped ferromagnetic cores coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A turbocharged compressor system using an Organic Rankine Cycle system to recover waste heat from a compression process. The Organic Rankine Cycle system circulates an organic fluid through an evaporator, where the organic fluid vaporizes and is expanded in a turbine section of a turbocharger to drive a compressor section of the turbocharger. The organic fluid vapor is condensed in a condenser and is pumped to the evaporator once again for recirculation. The compressor section of the turbocharger pre-compresses a working fluid before entering an airend in a compression system. As the working fluid exits the airend, it may be delivered to the evaporator, where the waste heat from the working fluid evaporates the organic fluid flowing in the Organic Rankine Cycle system. The working fluid may also be circulated between intercoolers in multi-stage compressor systems.

Abstract: A fluid compressor system having a pneumatic inlet/blowdown valve assembly that utilizes pneumatic pressure and vacuum available in the fluid compressor system for the actuation of an inlet valve and a blowdown valve. The actuation of the inlet valve and the blowdown valve is synchronized via a piston-cylinder actuator having a first piston and a second piston axially connected. The pneumatic blowdown/inlet valve assembly uses a first stage vacuum pressure to actuate the first piston and the second piston from an idle state where the inlet valve is closed to stop a flow of working fluid into the fluid compressor system and the blowdown valve is open to depressurize the fluid compressor system to an actuated state where the inlet valve is open to allow the flow of working fluid into a first airend and the blowdown valve is closed to allow a pressure buildup in the fluid compressor system.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump having a crankshaft that is rotatable about a rotational axis and coupled to a piston. The piston is reciprocally displaceable within a piston cylinder along an axis of motion between suction and discharge strokes. A diaphragm housing coupled to the piston cylinder at least partially defines a pumping chamber through which fluid is pumped as the piston reciprocates. The axis of motion, which intersects a connection between the piston and the connecting rod, may not intersect the rotational axis of the crankshaft such that, relative to an arrangement in which the axis of motion does intersect the rotational axis, a peak magnitude of piston side load forces during the discharge stroke is reduced and a peak magnitude of piston side load forces during the suction stroke is increased so as to attain an improved balance between the peak magnitudes of piston side load forces of the discharge and suction strokes.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus (400, 500) for measuring an impedance of an electrical load (300) that is configured to be coupled to a controlled current source (200). The apparatus (400, 500) comprises a first coupling node (402) configured to be coupled to a first terminal (302) of the load (300) and a second coupling node (404) configured to be coupled to a second terminal (304) of the load (300). The apparatus further comprises a transformer (406) having a primary winding (408) and a secondary winding (410) and a capacitance (412) connected in series between a first terminal (414) of the secondary winding (410) and the first coupling node (402). A second terminal (416) of the secondary winding (410) is connected to the second coupling node (404).

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor impeller includes a plurality of blades on a front side that extend from a first axial side to an outer radial end of the impeller. The centrifugal impeller includes a back side having a nonlinear backwall. The backwall can include a flat area hear a bore of impeller, a flat area near a tip of the impeller, and a convex surface between the flat areas of the bore and the tip. In some forms the impeller further includes a concave surface between the convex surface and the tip to form an s-shape. A transition or inflection point can denote the change from convex to concave. The convex and/or concave surfaces can take any variety of forms such as constant radius sections and/or compound curves.

Abstract: A compressor system can include a lubricant injection system useful to supply lubricant to an airend. The compressor system can include a variable lubricant flow valve which can be regulated by a controller on the basis of operating conditions of the compressor system. In one form the compressor system also includes an oil separator and/or an oil cooler with or without a them al control valve. The controller can have one or more modes of operation, including a mode in which the controller regulates the flow of lubricant to the airend to increase an internal flow area of the valve when the airend is operated at an unloaded or loaded condition. In some forms the controller can regulate the lubricant flow valve and/or the thermal control valve and/or the lubricant cooler.

Abstract: Integrally geared centrifugal compressor systems are described that include eccentric cartridges that house bearings and seals to maintain rotor concentricity for a variety of pinons integrated in a fixed gearbox design to provide multiple impeller speeds with a single gearbox design. In an aspect, a system includes, but is not limited to, a pinion configured to be rotated by a bull gear about a rotational axis; a rotor coupled to the pinion; and an eccentric cartridge configured to house a bearing assembly through which the rotor extends to support rotation of the rotor, the eccentric cartridge having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is eccentric relative to the outer surface to align the rotational axis with a center axis of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A dynamic compressor includes an impeller having impeller vanes disposed around a hub, a shroud, and a diffuser having a shroud surface adjacent to the shroud and a hub surface adjacent to the hub, wherein the diffuser is circumferentially disposed around the impeller. The diffuser includes a plurality of diffuser vanes extending from the hub surface to the shroud surface, each having a vane leading edge and a vane trailing edge. The diffuser includes a centrifugal acceleration stabilizer ring formed in the shroud surface located in a vaneless region defined between an impeller trailing edge and the vane leading edge. The centrifugal acceleration stabilizer ring stabilizes the flow of the fluid by changing the circumferentially-flowing high velocity fluid flow exiting the impeller into a radially-flowing high velocity fluid flow before entering the diffuser, improving the efficiency of the dynamic compressor.