Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a pump motor, a piston, a pump housing, and an outer housing. The piston is reciprocatable by the pump motor. The pump housing comprises a pump chamber housing disposed to receive the piston, and a plurality of alignment pins extending laterally away from the pump chamber housing. The outer housing surround and anchors the pump motor, and has a plurality of internal lateral bores disposed to slideably receive and retain the alignment pins, such that the pump housing is free to self-align with the piston.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a tunnel for immersion in a moving mass. Energy from the mass passing through said tunnel converts to rotational force. An energy collector is provided having open and collapsed states, the open state resisting the mass. Bidirectional converter systems convert said rotational force to constant singular direction. A mechanical converter comprises an input shaft turned bidirectionally by said rotational force and two gears driven by the input shaft in opposite rotational directions, the gears separately attached to idler gears causing output gears attached to the idler gears to engage an output shaft in a same rotational direction. A hydraulic converter comprises a hydraulic pump turned bidirectionally by said rotational force. Check valves positioned between the pump and a hydraulic motor enable control of pressure and volume in one direction at the pump.

Abstract: A barrel (20) adapted for use with a spray gun (2) is disclosed. The barrel (20) comprises a boost feed port (44) fluidly connected to a boost passageway (48), the boost passageway (48) being integral to the barrel (20). The boost passageway (48) is adapted to convey a pressurized boost fluid originating in the spray gun (2) to a boost delivery port (56) to assist in urging a coating fluid from a compatible coating fluid reservoir (80) for spraying by the spray gun (2).

Abstract: Spray head assemblies, including an air-handling saddle that is attachable to a liquid spray gun platform, a liquid-handling core that is slidably engagable into the air-handling saddle, and an air cap; spray guns using such assemblies; and, methods of using such assemblies.

Abstract: A method for managing a storage appliance. The method includes determining an input/output (I/O) workload characterization (IWC) for the storage appliance. The method further includes determining an optimized temperature for the storage modules in the storage appliance based on the IWC, determining that a current temperature of the storage modules is not the optimized temperature, and modifying operation of at least one active cooling component in the storage appliance to change the current temperature of the storage modules to the optimized temperature.

Abstract: An article and a process of producing an article are provided. The article includes a base material, a cooling feature arrangement positioned on the base material, the cooling feature arrangement including an additive-structured material, and a cover material. The cooling feature arrangement is between the base material and the cover material. The process of producing the article includes manufacturing a cooling feature arrangement by an additive manufacturing technique, and then positioning the cooling feature arrangement between a base material and a cover material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.

Abstract: Fire protection mist nozzles for industrial oil cookers, oil cookers with fire protection systems, and method of oil cooker fire protection are provided. The mist nozzles operate at pressures between 170 and 250 psi, and provide a unique distribution pattern that allows for variable installations for protection in certain operative environments including oil cookers with various hood configurations. The fire protection nozzles includes a base defining an inlet and an outlet along an axis. The base includes an orifice having an inlet diameter and an outlet diameter. The outlet diameter is preferably greater than the inlet diameter; and the orifice defines a K-factor of less than 1.0 gpm/psi½. The nozzle includes a diffuser aligned with the orifice. The diffuser has a preferably substantially domed portion with a maximum diameter that is less than the summation of the inlet diameter and the outlet diameter of the orifice.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuation of an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. A controllable drive circuit is responsive to an electric power flow signal for driving current through the electrical coil to actuate the armature. A control module includes an armature motion observer configured to determine an armature motion parameter in the actuator based upon a magnetic flux within the actuator and a predetermined mechanical equation of motion corresponding to the actuator and adapt the electric power flow signal based on the armature motion parameter.

Abstract: An actuator for dispensing the liquid contents of a container in the form of a spray includes an actuator cap, an axial spray channel with an orifice for spraying the contents of the container, and an axial feed channel for connection a container outlet to the spray channel. A breakup wedge is provided in the feed channel such that it splits the feed channel into two sub channels, each connected via a side inlet opening with an inlet portion of the spray channel. Thus, in use, a flow of content is split into two sub flows by the breakup wedge, which sub flows subsequently collide in the inlet portion of the spray channel causing a turbulent flow of the liquid product in the inlet portion of the spray channel, which turbulent flow is guided by the spray channel towards and out of the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A method for parameter estimation in an electromagnetic actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes applying a voltage pulse to the electrical coil of the actuator prior to an actuator event and of sufficient duration to ensure that a resulting electrical current achieves steady state. At least one parameter of the actuator is estimated based upon the voltage pulse and the steady state current.

Abstract: An oscillating or pulsing fluid stream, or flow, is produced from a flow of pressurized air by fluidic apparatus in a device configured for use in surface cleaning, sweeping, lawn care applications, and the like. A converging nozzle assembly defining a tapered internal lumen having a smooth narrowing profile is configured to generate at a power nozzle a high velocity stream with minimal pressure drop. Downstream of the power nozzle, first and second control ports are in fluid communication with the high velocity stream and with each other via an inertance loop having a lumen of selected cross sectional area and length. The varying air flow is directed through an outlet chamber shaped to produce an oscillating or a pulsating flow.

Abstract: A fire protection curtain having a curtain panel that includes an outer wall and a chimney defining an inlet disposed on a first side of the chimney and an outlet on another side of the chimney. The chimney is in heat conductive association with the outer wall such that heat from a source outside the outer wall is transmitted to the chimney. Such heat transmission can cause the chimney to draw air into the inlet and expel the air out the outlet by chimney effect. The curtain is flexible and sufficiently large for covering at least a portion of a structure to protect the structure from an external fire.

Abstract: A fire-suppression technology system has a tank with outlet and inlet orifices. A reservoir has a dispensing orifice. The tank receives water. The reservoir receives a quantity of powder adapted to be converted to a fire-suppressing fluid when mixed with water. A pump operatively couples the tank and the reservoir. A hose is operatively coupled to the pump. A spool is supports the hose. A primary path of travel constitutes a closed loop path between the tank and the pump and the reservoir to create a fire-suppressing fluid. A secondary path of travel constitutes an open path for dispensing the fire-suppressing fluid from the tank and the pump toward a region to be controlled.

Abstract: A protector for a plumbing cleanout having an exposed, protruding portion, the protector having a rigid element for use individually or in superimposed layers one upon another. The element has a circular center hole whose inside diameter is greater than the largest outside diameter of the exposed plumbing, parallel planar fundus and summa surfaces and at least one ferrous metal reinforcement member cast within the protector.

Abstract: Energy systems in different industrial applications including automotive applications experience between 20 to 50 percent of raw energy input as waste heat. in the form of hot exhaust gases, hot cooling water and lost heat from hot equipment surfaces including heated products. Continued efforts to improve systems energy efficiency, recovering waste heat losses provide attractive opportunities for reduced emission and less costly energy resources. This invention introduces other methods for higher performance of existing energy consuming systems by optimizing the performance of some of the system modules that contributes to the waste energy. in turn reduce energy consumption of these systems, reduces its operating cost, damages to the population health by reducing pollution improving the environment quality, and also reduces the cost of health care.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of manufacturing a downhole fluid control apparatus includes generating, using a processor, a design for a metallic porous structure configured to be deployed with a fluid control device, the fluid control device configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation and inhibit the flow of particulates between a flow conduit and at least one of the borehole and the formation. The method also includes applying an energy beam from an energy source to a granular metallic material, and additively forming the metallic porous structure based on the design as a single structure having a distribution of pores therein.

Abstract: Fire suppression apparatuses include a housing with gas generant material disposed therein, an initiator for igniting the gas generant material, and a cooling system. The cooling system includes a first chamber with a coolant material disposed therein and a second chamber. The coolant material is caused to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber to cool gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant material upon exiting from the housing under pressure. The cooling system may further include a piston disposed within the first chamber and movable responsive to gas pressure. Methods for cooling a fire suppressant gas and methods for suppressing a fire include flowing a fire suppressant gas into first and second chambers of a cooling system, flowing a coolant material from the first chamber into the second chamber, and contacting the fire suppressant gas with the coolant material to cool the fire suppressant gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse generator module (50) for electric discharge machines which comprises a generator enclosure (51) containing printed circuit boards (PCBs), wherein at least one of the PCBs is a generator board (52). The PCBs (52) are all arranged in one plane.

Abstract: A piercing nozzle may comprise a body having a first section, a second section substantially parallel the first section, and an offsetting section disposed so as to provide a distance between the first section and the second section, a piercing tip coupled to the second section, and a hose coupling coupled to the first section. An aperture may be formed in the second section, and a deflector may be pivotably coupled to the second section so as to substantially cover the aperture.