Abstract: An air filter apparatus is provided. The air filter apparatus includes a manifold having at least one compressible gas inlet and an outlet. The internal volume of the manifold increases from a distal end of the manifold to the outlet. A shroud is detachably mounted to the manifold so that a compressible gas can enter the shroud and pass through the at least one compressible gas inlet and through the outlet.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes a base member having a hollow support element extending from the base member. A housing is attached to the hollow support element, and the housing includes at least one aperture. A moveable element is located within the housing and is slideably attached to the hollow support element. The hollow support element allows the moveable element to selectively travel toward and away from the base member.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes a base member having a support element extending therefrom. A moveable housing is slideably attached to the support element, with the support element designed to allow the moveable housing to travel toward and away from the base member. A housing guide is located within the moveable housing, with the housing guide adjustably attached to the support element, and slideably attached to the moveable housing. During operation, the moveable housing extends from and retracts toward the base member, thereby opening and closing the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that uncovers at least a portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A valve apparatus and system is provided. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A support assembly is attached to the housing, the support assembly including a positioning chamber located over the outlet. A diaphragm assembly is moveably attached to the support assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes a piston having one end slideably mounted in the positioning chamber, and a diaphragm attached to the other end of the piston. A sealing element is located about a perimeter of the diaphragm, and a biasing element is arranged to contact the support assembly and the diaphragm assembly, thereby urging at least a portion of the sealing element against the fluid outlet, providing a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A valve apparatus and system is provided. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A support assembly is attached to the housing, the support assembly including a positioning chamber located over the outlet. A diaphragm assembly is moveably attached to the support assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes a piston having one end slideably mounted in the positioning chamber, and a diaphragm attached to the other end of the piston. A sealing element is located about a perimeter of the diaphragm, and a biasing element is arranged to contact the support assembly and the diaphragm assembly, thereby urging at least a portion of the sealing element against the fluid outlet, providing a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A supercharger for an internal combustion engine having an internal reservoir adapted to receive a supply of lubricating oil. An oil slinger is mounted on the impeller shaft for rotation therewith that extends into the reservoir for collecting and slinging lubricating oil onto the supercharger bearings, shafts and the drive and impeller gears. A baffle assembly is carried by the interior of the supercharger housing for controlling the volume and flow of lubricating oil onto said gears and bearings and directing oil flow therefrom back into said reservoir to prevent excessive lubrication buildup on the gears and the deleterious effects that result therefrom.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A supercharger for an internal combustion engine having an internal reservoir adapted to receive a supply of lubricating oil. An oil slinger is mounted on the impeller shaft for rotation therewith that extends into the reservoir for collecting and slinging lubricating oil onto the supercharger bearings, shafts and the drive and impeller gears. A baffle assembly is carried by the interior of the supercharger housing for controlling the volume and flow of lubricating oil onto said gears and bearings and directing oil flow therefrom back into said reservoir to prevent excessive lubrication buildup on the gears and the deleterious effects that result therefrom.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower is provided which incorporates a self-contained air cooling system. The blower includes a drive assembly connected to a drive motor and disposed within a housing having inlet and outlet apertures. A centrifugal compressor is connected to the drive assembly and disposed exteriorly to the housing adjacent to the outlet apertures. Rotation of a drive pulley, including a fan, by the drive motor causes air to enter the housing through the inlet apertures, flow over components of the drive assembly, and exit through the outlet apertures. A spindle assembly having a rigid bearing arrangement is also provided. One or more bearing elements are disposed at opposite ends of a spacer and between a shaft and housing of the spindle assembly. Such rigid pre-loaded bearing arrangement eliminates “unloading” concerns, and allows load sharing between bearing elements.