Abstract: A portable respirator as described may include an inflatable bag and a respirator body. The inflatable bag may be arranged to provide air to a patient through a face mask or an endotracheal tube in response to compression/retraction actions applied to the inflatable bag. The respirator body may include a first cover portion and a second cover portion arranged to enclose moving components of the portable respirator and define a substantially circular opening for the inflatable bag to be fitted through, a motor, a pair of levers positioned on opposing sides of the substantially circular opening, and a cam mechanically coupled to the motor and arranged to move the pair of levers in response to a rotation action by the motor such that the pair of levers apply the compression/retraction actions to the inflatable bag fitted through the opening.

Abstract: Brake pads are prepared using a formulation of friction material of the copper-free type (Low-Steel or Organic Non-Asbestos) and at least one friction surface of a brake disc, which is intended to cooperate with the brake pad, is covered with an anti-wear and anti-corrosion coating consisting of a surface layer of chromium carbide particles (Cr3C2) dispersed in a metallic matrix consisting of a NiCr alloy, and coupled to a second layer consisting of selected combinations of metallic materials, chosen from the group consisting of: Cr3C2-high density NiCr, NiAl alloys, FeNiCrMoSiC alloys, metallic nickel, NiCr alloys, and/or any combination of the above.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a diaphragm. The diaphragm may comprise a structure. The structure may be a disc shape with a top and bottom side. The top and bottom sides may be circular in outline. The diaphragm may comprise a diaphragm stud at a center point on the top side. The diaphragm stud may be configured to couple with a connector of a bonnet assembly. The diaphragm may comprise a diaphragm bead on the bottom side. The diaphragm bead may be along a first axis. The diaphragm may comprise at least one tab which may extend radially from the structure along at an outer edge of the structure. The at least one tab may engage with a bonnet notch of a bonnet assembly to align the diaphragm to the bonnet assembly.

Abstract: Brake pads are prepared using a LS (Low Steel) or NAO (Non-Asbestos Organics) type friction material formulation and at least one friction surface of a brake disc intended to cooperate in use with a brake pad that is coated with an anti-wear and anti-corrosion coating with adequate plasticity in order to have a reduced propensity to form micro-cracks under conditions of tribo-mechanical stress, chosen from the amongst the group consisting in: particles of chromium carbide (Cr3C2) dispersed within a metallic matrix consisting of an alloy of NiCr; particles of a combination of several metallic materials in order to create a metallic compound consisting of an alloy of FeNiCrMoSiC (iron-nickel-chromium-molybdenum-silicon-carbon).

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for clearance adjustments in twin-screw pump assemblies. A twin-screw pump assembly may include a conically shaped portion of a drive shaft enveloped by a bushing. For clearance adjustment, both clamping nuts of the drive shaft, which provide pretention to the bushing and secure an axial position of a threaded screw to the drive shaft, may be removed on the flow side of the pump assembly and the bushing loosened to adjust the angularity between bushing and drive shaft. The bushing may then be pushed over the conically shaped portion and both clamping nuts re-assembled. In some examples, a clamping nut of the driven shaft may be designed and used as removal/loosening tool for the drive shaft bushing.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a two-piece filter assembly for centrifugal pump assemblies. A filter portion optionally made from recyclable material may receive contaminated oil from the oil path, through the filter, and provide the filtered oil back to the sump. The filtered oil is then reclaimed by the oil ring from the sump to lubricate the bearings. The filter portion may be removable from the plug portion and the plug portion may be placed back onto the pump assembly with a new filter portion. In some examples, moisture absorbing beads are placed inside the filter portion to remove moisture from the filtered oil.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for multiple individual connectors in a single connector assembly. The individual connectors may be any form-fit suitable connectors such as USB type connectors and similar ones. The connector assembly may be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. Coupling between the plug and receptacle of the connector assembly may be through threads, pressure, a click-on mechanism, screws, or other compatible mechanisms. Off-the-shelf individual connectors may be fitted with a module adaptor, then inserted into an accordingly shaped inside portion of the outer shell, and held in place through a latching mechanism or similar. Alternatively, the connector assembly may be formed with the individual connectors and cabling may be added subsequently. In some examples, post retention or backshell retention may be implemented in conjunction with the plug connectors.

Abstract: A Helmholtz resonator having a plurality of resonator chamber modules formed into an array. The array is configured to dampen sound. A module of the plurality of resonator chamber modules includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and second chambers have different lengths and are tuned to dampen different frequencies of sound.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for pneumatically actuated parallel grippers that include a frame, a linkage system, two pistons, and a pair of slidable plates. The linkage system includes three or more links comprising a central link that is pivotably coupled to the frame, a first link coupled between a first piston and a first end of the central link, and a second link coupled between a second piston and a second end of the central link. The linkage system is arranged to synchronize motion between the first and second pistons. The pistons are further coupled to the slidable plates such that synchronized movement of the pistons translates into synchronized motion of the slidable plates. The parallel gripper is readily adaptable for use in gripper applications; and it is simple to service without the necessity for costly high tolerance and high precision parts.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for holding an impeller of a pump assembly in place axially with an impeller locking collar by loading the collar against a ring element. In a centrifugal pump assembly, one side of the shaft has a larger diameter for the impeller to abut against. The other side of the shaft may be fitted with an impeller locking collar comprising two portions that can be threaded together and hold the impeller in place by tightening against a ring element such as a split ring or spiral lock. Anti-rotation to avoid loosening of the impeller locking collar may be achieved by providing counter threads against a shaft rotation. Secondary anti-rotation may be provided by one or more set screws in the impeller locking collar.

Abstract: Technologies are described for dual motion shutoff valve assemblies. In various examples, valve assemblies include a sequencing drive mechanism and an eccentric shaft mechanism operable to linearly retract the valve disk from a gasket surface to effectively reduce scratching and friction of the gasket surface during valve opening and closing operations. In some examples, the sequencing drive may include two interlocking concentric driver rings, a retaining housing, and roller lock pins. Three guided pins of the sequencing drive may be configured to prevent the valve from rotating, while also causing the valve to retract linearly from the gasket surface via the eccentric shaft. Following retraction, an inner driver of the sequencing drive may allow the roller lock pins to move and lock the outer driver, which in turn may lock the valve disk to the shaft and rotate along with the shaft, which may be a single or dual shaft.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for a vehicle smart brake pad comprising a sensor such as a force sensing device, and a production process thereof. For example, a production process of a vehicle brake pad can include the following steps in time sequence: applying an electrical circuit a support plate; screen printing on the electrical circuit of at least a first electrode; screen printing on the at least first electrode of a sheet of piezoelectric material; screen printing on the sheet of at least a second electrode; applying a friction pad on the support plate; and bulk polarizing the sheet of piezoelectric material by a supply of power to the at least first and second electrodes.

Abstract: There is provided a method of generating a control strategy based on at least three switching states of a matrix converter. The at least three switching states are selected based on at least a predicted output current, associated with each switching state, and a desired output current. In particular, mathematical transformations of a desired output current as well as output currents associated with each of a plurality of switching states are used to identify appropriate switching states.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for valve assemblies that include a valve body whose inner wall defines two ports and a controllable flow path that extends along the inner wall between the two ports of the valve body. Each port may be fitted with a corresponding gasket. A rotatable member disposed in the controllable flow path of the valve body may include a hemispherical-shaped body with a substantially flat disk-shaped surface portion, and a seal ridge formed about a perimeter of the substantially flat disk-shaped surface portion. During opening and closing operation, the seal ridge may be selectively engaged with either one of the gaskets reducing an initial contact surface, and thereby reducing friction between the rotatable member and the gaskets.

Abstract: Method and plant for manufacturing braking elements such as vehicle brake pads. The plant can comprise a first station that applies an adhesive to a first face of a metallic element; a second station that applies to the first face of the metallic element a block of friction material; a checking station that verifies the presence of the adhesive by detecting the gray level of a plurality of points of at least one zone of the first face; and a processing unit that compares the gray level detected for each point with a first threshold value, counts the number of points that have a gray level that satisfies a relationship (which is a function of the threshold value,) and compares such a value with a second threshold value to discard those metallic elements for which the percentage calculated does not correspond to the second threshold value.

Abstract: A motor assembly for driving a pump or rotary device features a power plane with a circular geometry to be mounted inside a space envelope having a similar circular geometry formed on an end-plate between an inner hub portion and a peripheral portion that extends circumferentially around the space envelope of the end-plate. The power plane is a multi-layer circuit board or assembly having: a power layer with higher temperature power modules for providing power to a motor, a control layer with lower temperature control electronics modules for controlling the power provided to the motor, and a thermal barrier and printed circuit board layer between the power layer and the control layer that provides electrical connection paths between the power modules of the power plane and the control electronics modules of the control layer, and also provides insulation between the power layer and the control layer.

Abstract: Devices to couple a drive hub to a driven hub. The devices may comprise a drive hub contoured end connected to a first end of a spacer column and to a spacer drive hub flange. A portion of the drive hub contoured end may project radially out from the spacer column with a first contoured side and a first flat side and may allow movement in an axial direction and transmit torque and an axial load. The devices may comprise a driven hub contoured end connected to a second end of the spacer column and to a spacer driven hub flange. A portion of the driven hub contoured end may project radially out from the spacer column with a second contoured side and a second flat side and may allow movement in an axial direction and transmit torque and an axial load.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive contact element (2) for an electric plug connector. The electrically conductive contact element (2) comprises a contact region (4) for making detachable electric contact with a mating contact element of a mating plug connector, and comprises a cable connecting region (6) for the connection of a cable. The contact element (2) comprises a cooling cavity (24), which opens into a distal opening (22) of the cable connecting region (6) which is arranged opposite the contact region (4).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying DC power to control circuitry of a matrix converter is provided. In certain embodiments, a matrix converter includes an array of switches having AC inputs for receiving a multi-phase AC input voltage and AC outputs for providing a multi-phase AC output voltage to a load, such as an electric motor. The matrix converter further includes control circuitry for opening or closing individual switches of the array, and a clamp circuit connected between the AC inputs and AC outputs of the array and operable to dissipate energy of the load in response to an overvoltage condition, such as an overvoltage condition arising during shutdown. The clamp circuit includes a switched mode power supply operable to generate a DC supply voltage for the control circuitry.

Abstract: A motor assembly includes an electric motor with an output shaft. A motor frame houses the electric motor so that the output shaft protrudes from an end of the motor frame. A plate assembly is coupleable about the output shaft to the end of the motor frame. The plate assembly has a cavity that houses motor drive electronics. The plate assembly further defines a duct that extends between a central opening and one or more openings on an outer radial wall of the plate assembly. A fan is configured to flow air over one or more surfaces of the plate assembly and causes to flow through the duct to inhibits heat transfer between the electric motor and the motor drive electronics.