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 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: 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: A control system for controlling a refrigerated dryer of a gas compressor system includes a controller and a flow sensor and can be selectively operated in a power saving mode in which the controller shuts down a refrigerant compressor included in the dryer system when the flow sensor indicates that no compressed gas is flowing through the dryer. The control system uses input from a temperature sensor to determine whether to activate the compressor regardless of the flow of compressed gas through the dryer.

Abstract: A power tool is provided. The tool has a housing containing an internal drive system that drives an output member that engages a workpiece and exerts mechanical force thereupon. A force sensor and a positional sensor are operatively connected to the drive system to sense characteristic variables of the drive system during engagement of the workpiece. A light unit is positioned on a front end and a top portion of the housing so as to be able to direct light of various colors onto the workpiece. A control unit is operatively connected to the drive system and the light unit so as to control the light unit based on the characteristic variables of the drive system measured by the sensors. The light unit may illuminate a colored light on the workpiece depending on whether or not the workpiece was determined to be fastened according to predetermined specifications.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger shell and a heat exchanger core defined by plurality of core elements releasably connected together when positioned within the heat exchanger shell. Each core element is defined by first and second opposing plates permanently fixed together with a fluid flow path formed therebetween. A coolant flow path is formed between adjacent core elements. A fluid seal positioned between adjacent core elements is configured to form a fluid tight seal between the fluid flow path and the coolant flow path.

Abstract: A compressor system is disclosed with at least one fluid compressor for compressing a working fluid. At least one separator tank is structured to receive compressed working fluid from the compressor and separate air and lubricating fluid from the working fluid. A lubrication supply conduit is fluidly coupled between the separator tank and at least one compressor for supplying lubrication from the separator tank to the compressor. A blowdown pressure control valve is fluidly coupled to the separator tank. A controller is connected to the blowdown pressure control valve to control a pressure in the separator tank to a predetermined pressure at a compressor operating condition.

Abstract: A reconfigurable modular fluid filter is disclosed herein. The modular fluid filter includes a base filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof. Each opening is constructed to receive and couple with one of a filter element module, a secondary filter housing, an outlet port and a flow blocking cover. An unrestricted internal flowpath within the base filter housing is fluidly connected between each filter element module and the outlet port.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of positive displacement pumps utilizing pressure compensating calibration, as well as related systems and methods, are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method of operating a positive displacement pump includes sensing, with a pressure sensor disposed at a fluid outlet of the positive displacement pump, a back pressure at the fluid outlet, transmitting a pressure signal associated with the sensed back pressure from the pressure sensor to a controller of the positive displacement pump, and identifying, on the controller, a volume of fluid pumped by the positive displacement pump using the pressure signal.

Abstract: Axial magnetic bearings that include a primary winding(s) and one or more compensation windings that provide compensation such that operation of the first and/or second primary windings and the compensation windings results in a net magneto-motive force of around zero ampere turns. Current can selectively flow through one or both of the primary windings of an opposing pair of axial magnetic bearings, while current flows through the compensation windings in manner that compensates for the magneto-motive force generated by the primary winding(s). In at least situations in which the number of turns for at least one pair of compensation windings is generally equal to the number of turns of each primary winding, the net magneto-motive force generated by current flowing through a primary winding of one axial magnetic bearing and through the compensation windings of both axial magnetic bearings can generally be zero.

Abstract: A vacuum roots blower includes a rotor capable of being rotated to capture a gas from an inlet and further rotated to discharge the captured gas from an outlet. The captured gas is held within a pocket formed between lobes of the rotor and the adjacent housing within which the rotor is rotated. The vacuum roots blower includes a pressure relief system capable of delivering a pressure relief gas to the pocket. The pressure relief system includes a sonic passage structured to produce a choked flow condition as the pressure relief system fills the pocket with pressure relief gas. In one form the pressure relief gas can be a cooling gas, but other forms such as ambient air are also contemplated.

Abstract: An integrated power generation system is provided. The system includes an heat source that produces a first gas flow to power a turbine operatively coupled to a compressor. The first gas flow can also heat a feedwater flow passing through a boiler. The compressor can produce a second gas flow that may be divided in two portions, the first portion flowing back to the heat source and the second portion flowing to an end user. Also, the second portion may be routed through an air cooler to dissipate heat to the feedwater flow to cool the second portion as well as preheat the feedwater flow prior to entering the boiler. The first portion can also exchange heat with the first gas flow exiting the boiler prior to the first portion entering the heat source. The boiler operation and the compressor operation are operable independently or concurrently.

Abstract: A user interface assembly that can be selectively attached to a housing of a tool, including mobile and handheld tools. The assembly can include a housing having an opening that extends through a first side of the housing. A user input device in the form of a rotatable and linearly displaceable control ring, which is housed in the housing, can extend within a portion of the opening such that the control ring is recessed from the first side of the housing. A display that can visually communicate tool information and selectable settings to the user can be positioned within the housing, and centrally located relative to a central bore of the control ring. The display, which can remain relatively static relative to a rotational displacement of the control ring, can be inwardly offset from a first side of the control ring, and thus also recessed within the housing.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor system includes a centrifugal impeller a shroud in cooperative engagement with the impeller; and a diffuser. The diffuser has a hub surface; a shroud surface; a plurality of diffuser vanes extending between the hub surface and the shroud surface; and a common splitter ring disposed between the hub surface and the shroud surface and intersecting each of the diffuser vanes along a span of each of the diffuser vanes.

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. A lubricant port is in fluid communication with the compression chamber. A nozzle insert having a longitudinal body extending between a first end and a second end can be positioned within the lubricant port. A swirl chamber formed by the nozzle insert or tangential flow into an offset lubricant port is configured to generate an atomized lubricant flow and discharge the atomized lubricant into the compression chamber.

Abstract: An electric powered pneumatic balancer is provided. In an embodiment it includes: a housing; an air balancer located in the housing; and a compressor located in the housing. The housing includes an opening to receive air to the compressor as it generates compressed air. The compressor is in fluid communication with the balancer which operates in response to receipt of the pressurized air from the compressor. An electrical power supply is in electrical communication with the compressor to power the compressor to generate the pressurized air.

Abstract: A compressor system includes an oil reservoir capable of producing a mixed air/oil flow of fluid via a breather port, as well as a cyclonic separator having an inlet annulus and a tapered section extending from the inlet annulus. The inlet annulus structured to swirl the mixed air/oil flow prior to moving toward a tapered internal section of the separator. A center post is positioned in the tapered internal section and includes a number of discs arranged along a length of the center post. The discs can be separate discs that are stacked upon one another to form the center post. The discs can include a skirt portion and a neck having one or more openings that permit a flow of at least air to enter into a central bore of the center post from the tapered internal section before exiting the separator.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having a rotor; a bearing supporting the rotor, wherein the bearing is disposed in a bearing cavity; and wherein the bearing has a near frictionless coating; and a purge gas system in fluid communication with the bearing cavity and constructed to purge air from the bearing cavity and supply the bearing cavity with the purge gas during operation of the compressor. The purge gas can be nitrogen and the near frictionless coating can be a near-frictionless diamond-like carbon coating.

Abstract: A compressor and waste heat recovery system is disclosed in which mechanical work from a prime mover along with work generated from the waste heat recovery system are used to operate the compressor. A gas producing system is heated by waste heat from operation of the compressor to produce a stream of gas used to drive a turbine. The turbine is in work communication with the compressor. In one embodiment the gas producing system is a metal hydride. An overrunning clutch can be used with the turbine. In one form multiple gas producing systems are used, one of which to emit gas while the other is used to receive and capture the emitted gas.