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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a screw compressor system having a rotor housing with a pair of screw rotors rotatably supported within a compression chamber. A suction side slide valve is in fluid communication with an inlet to the compression chamber. The suction side slide valve is movable between a closed position and a fully open position to define a variable suction side inlet volume for controlling capacity of the compressor.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having a discharge port; and a shell and tube heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the discharge port. The heat exchanger includes a shell and a tube bundle disposed inside the shell. The shell includes a first flat portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell, and a second flat portion parallel to the first flat portion and extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The tube bundle is positioned between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end of the shell and the second end of the shell.

Abstract: A separation tank useful to separate a compressed gas from a byproduct of compression (such as a lubricant/coolant used in the compression process) can include one or more baffles. The baffles used in the separation tank can include a number of passages to permit a flow of compressed gas to pass. The passages can include a louver to assists in directing the flow and/or assist in further separation of the compressed gas from the lubricant/coolant. The louvers can appear on one side of the baffle, and in one form are located solely on the downstream side of the baffle. The baffle can include a relief for liquid leveling within the tank. Any number of approaches can be used to make the baffle, including cutting and/or stamping.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: A power tool includes a button useful to select a direction of rotation of the power tool. The button can be used to select between forward, reverse, and neutral. The power tool includes a housing which is coupled with an abutment structure which engages with the button. A sawtooth engagement is formed between the abutment structure and the button. The sawtooth engagement can be asymmetric in shape to provide different force vectors depending on whether the button is pushed in a first or a second direction. The sum of the resistive forces can be the same whether the button is pushed in the first or second direction, owing to the asymmetric forces caused by the sawtooth engagement which make up for differences in other internal resistive forces.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of tool extensions and methods of using such tool extensions are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool extension may comprise a drive core configured to transfer rotational torque from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, where the first end is configured to be removably coupled to a tool to receive rotational torque from the tool, the second end is configured to be removably coupled to a fastener to supply rotational torque to the fastener, and the drive core is bendable between the first and second ends. The tool extension may further comprise a shell surrounding the drive core and containing an electro-rheological (ER) fluid configured to transition between a flexible state in which the shell permits bending of the drive core and a rigid state in which the shell resists bending of the drive core.