Abstract: A portable shippable automated calibration system for high torque power tools is disclosed. The system includes a self-contained highly durable and shippable container that may comprise a power source, central processor, visual user interface, mechanical interface for coupling with power tools to be calibrated, communications systems for communicating with a power tool being calibrated and/or with on-site or cloud based data systems. The system may be delivered to sites desiring on-site power tool calibration, tools are calibrated and updated calibration factors are automatically uploaded into the calibrated tool and a calibration certificate is published with the particulars of the calibration completion.

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 compressor system includes a compression module having an inlet for receiving air; and a filter housing in fluid communication with the compression module. The filter housing is constructed to house a filter, the filter having a sealing feature disposed at a first end of the filter and having an engagement feature disposed at a second end of the filter opposite the first end. The filter housing includes a trap door constructed to contact the engagement feature, and constructed to drive the engagement feature in a direction parallel to an axis of the filter toward the sealing feature and urge the sealing feature into sealing engagement with the filter housing.

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: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly, an output spindle, and a motor endbell. The housing assembly supports an electric motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the electric motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The motor endbell is located on the housing assembly adjacent the electric motor and opposite the output spindle. An illustrative controller is operable to determine phases of a fastening operation in which the hand-held power tool is operating. The phases of the fastening operation of the hand-held power tool include two phases including: (1) a continuous run phase and (2) an impacting phase.

Abstract: An electronic tool for copying a plurality of settings from a first mechanical tool to a second mechanical tool comprises: a smart device having a processor, and having a non-transitory memory storing program instructions executable on the processor. The program instructions are configured, when executed on the processor, to: read the plurality of settings from the first mechanical tool; and write the plurality of settings to the second mechanical tool.

Abstract: A power tool comprises an adjustable auxiliary handle assembly that facilities safe use of the tool by the operator when handling heavy duty handheld machinery. The adjustable auxiliary handle assembly comprises a strap, a handle base, an over-center linkage assembly, a locking lever, a locking lever and an adjustable knob. The strap is easily released and able to rotate and be locked in a different position convenient and comfortable to the operator. The auxiliary handle assembly is adjustable and can be operated with one hand (e.g., one-handed operation). The over-center linkage assembly holds the auxiliary handle position in place while allowing the power tool to be used in high-torque/high load applications.

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 thermal 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: 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: A compressor system includes an electric motor having a rotatable output shaft extending from either end thereof. The compressor system further includes multiple compression stages fluidly coupled to one another in series and mechanically connected to the output shaft. The first compressor stage includes two split impellers with each impeller discharging approximately one half of the fluid flow at a desired pressure to the second compressor stage.

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 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: An impact tool has an anti-topping mechanism (“ATM”) adapted to reduce the rotational frictional force between the contact surfaces of the hammer and anvil to prevent topping. If topping still occurs, the ATM quickly breaks the topped condition. The ATM may reduce the rotational frictional torque between the hammer and anvil of an impact mechanism or provide increased the rotational friction acting on the anvil from adjoining elements of the tool thus tending to hold the anvil (by heightened rotational friction) while the hammer can be broken free. ATM mechanisms include hammer and jaw surfaces angled at interface points; stepping either the hammer or anvil jaw surfaces so that only the innermost portions interact; rounding or crowning either or both of the anvil and hammer jaw surfaces so minimal portions of the jaws are ever topped; and software-controlled detection and breaking of a topped condition. In torque-controlled impact tools, these mechanisms decrease the risk of accuracy or repeatability issues.

Abstract: A compressed air drying system is provided for removing moisture from compressed air. The dryer operates in two modes in response to the demand for compressed air. In a first mode of operation, a refrigeration compressor runs continuously and the speed of a condenser fan is varied to maintain a constant cooling temperature. In a second mode of operation, the refrigeration compressor runs intermittently between on and off periods. As result, the cooling temperature fluctuates during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing in the form of a flex pad bearing includes configurations structured to change a bearing characteristic. One form of the bearing includes a nonlinear back wall that includes a circular arc and a transition, where the back wall extends radially outward of a ligament. The bearing can include an opening for the deposit of a weighted mass, wherein the opening can threadingly receive a threaded weighted mass. In one form a sidewall that includes the back wall segment can have an average outer radius which determines a thickness of the flex pads.

Abstract: A gas compressor is disclosed that includes a first rotor having a first rotor body, the first rotor body including a plurality of helical lobes, an infernal volume within the first rotor body defined by a wall, and a turbine disposed within the internal volume, the turbine including a turbine body and a plurality of airfoils extending substantially radially from the turbine body to the wall, where the internal volume is structured to enable a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The gas compressor further includes a second rotor body including a plurality of helical flutes, an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold, both disposed within the second rotor body, and a body channel within at least one flute extending from and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold, where the body channel is structured to enable a cooling fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching a hammer of an impact tool, the hammer being displaceable along a cam shaft between a latched or retracted position and an impact position at which the hammer impacts an anvil. The apparatus can include one or more latching bodies, a portion of the one or more latching bodies being positioned within the hammer groove when the hammer is at the latched position, and removed from the hammer groove when the hammer is to be released from the latched position. The apparatus can also include an actuator sleeve that is configured to retain at least the portion of the one or more latching bodies within the hammer groove when the actuator sleeve is at the first position, and accommodate removal of the portion of the latching bodies from the hammer groove when the actuator sleeve is at a second position.

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: The present disclosure is directed to a dryer system for drying compressed gas discharged from a compressor. The dryer system includes a refrigeration drying system operable for removing moisture from the compressed gas and a desiccant drying system with a desiccant wheel located in series downstream of the refrigeration drying system operable for removing additional moisture from the compressed gas.

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).