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 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: 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 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: 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 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: Systems and methods form induction rotors by performing isostatic pressing (HIP) to weld clad to a shaft, which allows for scaling the manufacturing of solid steel rotors, as compared to conventional techniques. In examples, the rotors are designed for high-speed motors and may include recessed short circuit rings and/or end rings. An exemplary process molds an alloy powder into cladding such that heretofore unachievable rotor designs are achievable according to systems and methods described herein. In examples, a thin source-layer is introduced to welding zones, thereby enriching and strengthening the resulting joint at welding zones. The source-layer may be introduced by adding an intermediate layer comprising the source material between the materials being welded. The reduced alloy-depletion welding disclosed herein strengthens the welding area joints and provides for the manufacture of component designs, which were previously unachievable due to alloy-depletion weaknesses and environmental constraints.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure provide a centrifugal impeller having a plurality of constant area shrouded channels that inlet or outlet gas when the channel passes stator inlet port or exit port. The stator walls and ports are located closely adjacent the inside diameter (ID) and outside diameter (OD) of the impeller channel openings, allowing gas to enter or exit a channel of the impeller as the shrouded channel passes a stator port and allows gas to be contained within a channel of the impeller as the shrouded channel passes a stator wall. Further, the impeller reuses the pressurized gas flow by reinjecting the pressurized gas flow back into the ID of the impeller via a second inlet port and utilizing moving wave compression energy. The combination and sequence centrifugal processes and moving wave processes create a higher stage pressure ratio, at lower gas flow, with high gas flow turndown as compared to a conventional centrifugal compressor with similar dimensions and operating speed.

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.

Abstract: A power tool includes a removable light source that is also rechargeable from electrical power harnessed from the power tool. The light source is easily removable from the power tool and freely arrangeable relative to the workpiece for best lighting, and also usable where no power tool is required or convenient. Electrical contacts on the power tool's housing electrically connect an energy storage device (e.g., capacitor, rechargeable battery, or the like) of the light source to an electrical supply of the power tool. This ensures that the light is charging while attached to the power tool, providing a charged light that workers may remove from the power tool and use as a standalone light source.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven tool (e.g., an impact tool) includes a pneumatically driven motor; an electric generator generating electrical power from movement of the pneumatically driven motor, or an impact mechanism connected thereto; and an on-board light that is powered by the generated electrical power. The pneumatically driven motor is rotated by compressed air or gas and drives an impact mechanism with one or more hammers and an anvil. Impact of the hammer(s) with the anvil, in turn, move an output shaft of the pneumatically driven tool. The electric generator harnesses the rotational movement of the pneumatically driven motor and/or the impact mechanism to electrically power the on-board light.

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 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 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 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 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.