Abstract: A sliding vane air pump has a resilient flexible plate secured to the housing adjacent to one end of the rotor so that drawing a high vacuum flexes the plate closer to the rotor to further increase the vacuum attainable by the pump.

Abstract: A fluid pumping apparatus is disclosed in which wobble pistons are rigidly connected to arms of a swashplate that is rotatably mounted on bearings which are mounted on a drive shaft. The axis of the bearings is at an acute angle to the axis of the shaft. The wobble pistons move within cylinders whose bores are parallel to the axis of the shaft. Two or more pistons and cylinders are arranged symmetrically about the shaft axis, and cylinder-piston combinations are mounted at opposite ends of a through shaft.

Abstract: A recessed light fixture includes a neuter plaster frame with which is attached components to customize the fixture to specific installations. The components include a junction box with a face plate attachable thereto that has different electrical elements mounted thereon, such as transformer and thermal protectors, a ballast mounting plate that fastens onto the plaster frame by an arrangement of legs and spring clips, and a trim ring that accommodates to the thickness of the ceiling. The bulb socket is held in a socket cup that is fitted with different socket holders depending on the size and shape of the socket, and the hanger bars for the supporting the plaster frame in the ceiling are adaptable for mounting on wood joists or metal suspended ceiling grids.

Abstract: An adjustable attachment for connection of a rotor to a shaft which provides precise axial positioning of the rotor with respect to a motor housing. The adjustment is effected by a screw mounting of the rotor on the shaft and spring discs placed in a compartment in the motor housing with a shaft spacer placed between the rotor and the discs. The adjustment feature is especially adapted for use in conjunction with sliding vane type vacuum pumps, compressors and air motors.

Abstract: A vane pump is provided which can be used for the pumping of gasoline vapor, particularly in a sealed environment. The vane pump has an inlet, an outlet and a safety valve that recirculates vapor from the outlet to the inlet when a blockage occurs upstream or downstream of the pump. The invention further provides a system and method, incorporating the pump, for recovering gasoline vapor proximal to a nozzle dispensing liquid gasoline.

Abstract: A cylinder and piston construction for a compressor or vacuum pump has a cylinder defined by co-axial cylinder and guideway sleeves. The guideway sleeve is larger in diameter than the cylinder sleeve and the cylinder sleeve extends axially into the guideway sleeve. A piston has a cylindrical base which is guided via skirt bearings in the guideway and a head which extends from the base into the compression chamber defined by the cylinder sleeve and has a piston ring which forms a sliding seal with the cylinder sleeve. An annular cavity is defined between the piston head and the piston base into which the cylinder sleeve extends so that the top skirt bearing is positioned closer to the top of the piston head and further away from the bottom skirt bearing so as to steadily guide the piston head in the cylinder sleeve, thereby reducing wear and increasing the life of the pump.

Abstract: A power line carrier controlled lighting system connected to an AC power line.

Abstract: Intake or exhaust reed valves of a compressor or vacuum pump have T-shaped flappers which are received in similarly T-shaped pockets so as to be substantially flush with the valve plate. A dirt trap groove is formed in each pocket adjacent to the hinge line of the flapper, a corner relief groove surrounds lands which support the flappers in their associated pockets above the groove, and the extending-part of each pocket widens in the direction away from the cross-part of the pocket. The mating T-shapes of a flapper in a pocket restrain the flapper in the pocket without interfering with the opening and closing motion of the flapper.