Abstract: Improved radial pneumatic regulator systems, devices and methods are described herein. Embodiments may comprise regulators with adaptive radial seals to prevent air leakage, provide increased air supply use efficiency, and facilitate more efficient manufacture and assembly of systems. The regulator systems may be used in applications such as for pneumatic power tools.

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: A computer may display on a graphical user interface (GUI) a component library including a set of components relating to a compressed air system. The GUI may have a modeling interface for configuring a virtual model using the set of components. The computer may simulate the virtual model to determine one or more optimizations to the compressed air system. The computer may also determine the cost of implementing the compressor system optimization.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that, in one version, includes a front housing that supports an output drive, and a back cap located opposite the front housing. The back cap receives at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. A motor housing supports a motor and is located between the front housing and the back cap. The motor includes a rotor that is configured to rotate about a motor axis to drive rotation of the output drive. The fastener is disposed through the back cap, and secures to the front housing coupling the front housing, the motor housing, and the back cap together.

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 communication method is provided for communicating data between a tool and a controller. The method includes establishing communication between the tool and the controller using a first wireless communication protocol. Once wireless communication has been established, the tool and the controller switch to a new wireless communication protocol that is different from the first protocol. Operational settings are then wirelessly communicated by the controller to the tool using the second protocol.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed which can include a first stage and a second stage. In one form the compressor includes contact cooled compressor stages. The compressor can include a rod useful to inject a lubricant for purposes of cooling/lubricating/sealing the rotating components of the compressor. In one form the rod is an elongate rod with openings which permit a lubricant such as oil to be injected. The injected oil can be atomized via the openings. The rod can be positioned in the interstage space between the first and second stages, and can include a variety of openings.

Abstract: An active magnetic bearing apparatus for supporting a rotor of a rotary machine comprises an axial magnetic bearing unit and a radial magnetic bearing unit mounted directly to one another. One of the axial magnetic bearing unit and the radial magnetic bearing unit is mounted to a support for attachment to a housing of the rotary machine.

Abstract: A rotor shaft for a high speed motor that has a coating that is secured to a shaft body. The coating and the shaft body are formed from dissimilar materials. More specifically, the coating may be an alloy material, such as, for example, a copper alloy, while the shaft body may be a steel material. According to certain embodiments, the alloy material of the coating may be secured to at least a portion of a rotor body blank in a solution treated condition via a low temperature welding procedure. Additionally, the coating may be hardened, such as for example, through the use of an age hardening process. The coating and the rotor body blank may be machined together to form the rotor shaft. According to certain embodiments, such machining may configure the rotor shaft for use with a turbo-compressor that is configured for air compression.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a screw compressor system having a compressor housing with a pair of screw rotors rotatably supported within a compression chamber. Lubricant is injected into a compression chamber at a first volume ratio and at a second volume ratio greater than the first volume ratio to increase the sealing and lubrication between the screw rotors and rotor bores in the compressor housing as well as to increase heat transfer from a compressed working fluid in the compression chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components 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: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: A gas-water separation system may be used for removing water from a wet gas compressed in a water-injected contact-cooled gas compressor. The gas-water separation system may include a tank constructed to hold a quantity of water; a heat exchanger coupled to the tank and constructed to extract heat from the water to chill the water when the water is present within the tank; an inlet port constructed to inject a flow of the wet gas into the chilled water when the water is present within the tank, the chilled water being operative to condense water vapor from the wet gas and reduce the dew point of the wet gas to yield a chilled compressed gas; a biological control system constructed to suppress biological activity in the tank; and a discharge port operative to discharge the chilled compressed gas.

Abstract: A positive displacement compressor includes a positive displacement compressor rotor; a shaft operative to support the positive displacement compressor rotor; a bearing operative to support the shaft; a first structure having a first squeeze film compression surface; and a second structure having a second squeeze film compression surface spaced apart radially from the first squeeze film compression surface. The first and second structures are constructed to jointly form a squeeze film damper using the first and second squeeze film compression surfaces. The squeeze film damper is operative to provide squeeze film damping of vibrations. An annular oil discharge groove is disposed adjacent to a first end of the squeeze film damper. A first o-ring gland houses a circumferential-sealing o-ring disposed proximate to the first end of the squeeze film damper. A second o-ring gland houses a second circumferential-sealing o-ring disposed proximate to a second end of the squeeze film damper.

Abstract: A compressor system is disclosed having a refrigerated dryer useful to remove moisture from a wet compressed flow stream produced by a compressor. The refrigerated dryer can include a condenser having a refrigerant fluid conduit and a number of external cooling fins which assist in cooling the refrigerant fluid upon passage of a cooling flow stream past the external cooling fins. The compressor system can include an offtake passage to extract a portion of the wet compressed gas. The extracted portion of compressed gas can be blown in a direction transverse to (e.g. opposite) the direction of cooling air provided by the fan. In one form the fan can be deactivated when the extracted compressed air is flowed past the cooling fins. The compressor system can include a manual operation, operation dictated by a timer, or operations based upon sensed/estimated/etc pressures or temperatures of the compressor system.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes motor that drives an armature in a reciprocating linear motion. A first diaphragm is coupled to a first end of the armature, the first diaphragm positioned in a first pumping chamber and configured to pump fluid into and out of the first pumping chamber in response to the reciprocating linear motion of the armature. A cooling intake valve and a cooling exhaust valve are in operative communication with the first diaphragm, wherein as the armature advances to flex the first diaphragm to decrease a volume of the first pumping chamber, the first diaphragm draws ambient air behind the first diaphragm through the cooling intake valve, and wherein as the armature reverses course to cause the first diaphragm to increase the volume of the first pumping chamber, the first diaphragm forces ambient air out of the first pumping chamber through the cooling exhaust valve.

Abstract: A compressor system includes: a compressor having a suction side and a discharge side, wherein the compressor is operative to compress a gas using oil, wherein the suction side operates at a suction pressure and is operative to receive a the gas and the oil into the compressor; and wherein the discharge side is operative to discharge the compressed gas and the oil; a gas/oil separator tank operative to store oil separated from the compressed gas for subsequent use by the compressor; a supplemental oil reservoir in fluid communication with the suction side; and a valve operative to, when opened, expose the supplemental oil reservoir to the suction pressure of the suction side of the compressor, and draw oil from the supplemental oil reservoir by suction into the suction side of the compressor.

Abstract: An impact tool of the present disclosure provides an impact mechanism having a hammer and an anvil, the hammer being rotatable about a first axis and to periodically impact the anvil to drive rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The electric motor includes a plurality of pole pairs of windings and a rotor that is rotatable with respect to consecutively energized pole pairs of windings. No encoder or sensor is electronically coupled to the electric motor to detect a position of at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to at least one pole pair when the rotor is in a stopped condition. When the rotor is in the stopped condition, the motor controller energizes the at least one pole pair to initiate rotation and detect a back EMF generated by movement of the rotor without a sensor or encoder to indicate the predetermined location of the at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to the at least one pole pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-piece printed circuit board heat sink and encapsulation device configured to efficiently dissipate heat away from the printed circuit board, along with associated methodology for dispersing heat from a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.