Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.

Abstract: An airborne component extraction system includes a source of a positive pressure air stream and a source of a negative pressure air stream. The air streams are directed through conduits to a hood that distributes the positive pressure air stream into a work area, and that draws the negative pressure air stream from the work area to remove airborne components within the work area. Aspects of the hood offer greatly enhanced performance in creating a controlled region for component removal and for drawing and removing the components for the work area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically regulating the flow of fumes suctioned through a welding fume gun are provided. In certain embodiments, an automatic flow control assembly includes a vacuum system configured to suction a vacuum fume flow through an internal passage of a welding fume gun. The automatic flow control assembly also includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the vacuum fume flow. The automatic flow control assembly further includes a flow regulation device configured to regulate an ambient air flow introduced into the vacuum fume flow. In addition, the automatic flow control assembly includes control circuitry configured to control the flow regulation device based at least in part on the measured parameter related to the vacuum fume flow.

Abstract: A component extractor system includes a source of a positive pressure air stream and a source of a negative pressure air stream. Conduits convey the air streams to and from a work area where one or more nozzles create a capture region and draw airborne components into the system. The system is optimized in terms of flow ratios, dimensions of the conduits and elements of the nozzle, and so forth.

Abstract: A component extraction system utilized a base unit that produces a positive pressure air stream and that draws a negative pressure air stream into the base unit. To enhance performance, and reduce head requirements and power consumption, a number of bends in the flow paths is minimized in the base unit.

Abstract: A extraction system is designed for metal working and other applications. The system may comprise a cart-type base or may be incorporated into a fixed or semi-fixed installation. A blower delivers a positive pressure airflow to a hood that creates an air region by directing the air through an annular space between inner and outer shrouds, impacting the air against a single generally perpendicular flange. Return air from the operation may be mixed with fresh air, both of which may be filtered, to supply the positive pressure air. Both air streams to and from the hood may be adjusted to optimize operation. Adjustments may be made at the base unit or remotely.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive dispensing system includes an adhesive cut-off module, which introduces a non-adhesive liquid medium to cut-off a hot melt adhesive stream without forming an angel hair. The adhesive cut-off module includes a spool valve assembly which is configured to move from an adhesive dispensing position to a liquid dispensing position to cut-off the hot melt adhesive stream.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive dispensing system includes an adhesive cut-off module, which introduces a non-adhesive liquid medium to cut-off a hot melt adhesive stream without forming an angel hair. The adhesive cut-off module includes a spool valve assembly which is configured to move from an adhesive dispensing position to a liquid dispensing position to cut-off the hot melt adhesive stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically regulating the flow of fumes suctioned through a welding fume gun are provided. In certain embodiments, an automatic flow control assembly includes a vacuum system configured to suction a vacuum fume flow through an internal passage of a welding fume gun. The automatic flow control assembly also includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the vacuum fume flow. The automatic flow control assembly further includes a flow regulation device configured to regulate an ambient air flow introduced into the vacuum fume flow. In addition, the automatic flow control assembly includes control circuitry configured to control the flow regulation device based at least in part on the measured parameter related to the vacuum fume flow.

Abstract: A extraction system is designed for metal working and other applications. The system may comprise a cart-type base or may be incorporated into a fixed or semi-fixed installation. A blower delivers a positive pressure airflow to a hood that creates an air region by directing the air through an annular space between inner and outer shrouds, impacting the air against a single generally perpendicular flange. Return air from the operation may be mixed with fresh air, both of which may be filtered, to supply the positive pressure air. Both air streams to and from the hood may be adjusted to optimize operation. Adjustments may be made at the base unit or remotely.

Abstract: A component extraction system utilized a base unit that produces a positive pressure air stream and that draws a negative pressure air stream into the base unit. To enhance performance, and reduce head requirements and power consumption, a number of bends in the flow paths is minimized in the base unit.

Abstract: A component extractor system includes a source of a positive pressure air stream and a source of a negative pressure air stream. Conduits convey the air streams to and from a work area where one or more nozzles create a capture region and draw airborne components into the system. The system is optimized in terms of flow ratios, dimensions of the conduits and elements of the nozzle, and so forth.

Abstract: An airborne component extraction system includes a source of a positive pressure air stream and a source of a negative pressure air stream. The air streams are directed through conduits to a hood that distributes the positive pressure air stream into a work area, and that draws the negative pressure air stream from the work area to remove airborne components within the work area. Aspects of the hood offer greatly enhanced performance in creating a controlled region for component removal and for drawing and removing the components for the work area.

Abstract: A motion control system configured to control motion of a load object independent of the load object, includes a main housing having an internal nut secured with respect to a longitudinal axis of the main housing, and a threaded helical gear movably secured within the main housing. The threaded helical gear includes an end configured to be operatively secured to the load object. The helical gear threadably engages the internal nut. One or both of a first frictional force between the helical gear and the nut or a second frictional force between the nut and at least a portion of the main housing provides a resistive force that controls motion of the load object.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for high heat flux heat transfer. The subject invention can be utilized to transfer heat from a heat source to a coolant such that the transferred heat can be effectively transported to another location. Examples of heat sources from which heat can be transferred from include, for example, fluids and surfaces. The coolant to which the heat is transferred can be sprayed onto a surface which is in thermal contact with the heat source, such that the coolant sprayed onto the surface in thermal contact with the heat absorbs heat from the surface and carries the absorbed heat away as the coolant leaves the surface. The surface can be, for example, the surface of an interface plate in thermal contact with the heat source or a surface integral with the heat source. The coolant sprayed onto the surface can initially be a liquid and remain a liquid after absorbing the heat, or can in part or in whole be converted to a gas or vapor after absorbing the heat.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for high heat flux heat transfer. The subject invention can be utilized to transfer heat from a heat source to a coolant such that the transferred heat can be effectively transported to another location. Examples of heat sources from which heat can be transferred from include, for example, fluids and surfaces. The coolant to which the heat is transferred can be sprayed onto a surface which is in thermal contact with the heat source, such that the coolant sprayed onto the surface in thermal contact with the heat absorbs heat from the surface and carries the absorbed heat away as the coolant leaves the surface. The surface can be, for example, the surface of an interface plate in thermal contact with the heat source or a surface integral with the heat source. The coolant sprayed onto the surface can initially be a liquid and remain a liquid after absorbing the heat, or can in part or in whole be converted to a gas or vapor after absorbing the heat.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for high heat flux heat transfer. The subject invention can be utilized to transfer heat from a heat source to a coolant such that the transferred heat can be effectively transported to another location. Examples of heat sources from which heat can be transferred from include, for example, fluids and surfaces. The coolant to which the heat is transferred can be sprayed onto a surface which is in thermal contact with the heat source, such that the coolant sprayed onto the surface in thermal contact with the heat absorbs heat from the surface and carries the absorbed heat away as the coolant leaves the surface. The surface can be, for example, the surface of an interface plate in thermal contact with the heat source or a surface integral with the heat source. The coolant sprayed onto the surface can initially be a liquid and remain a liquid after absorbing the heat, or can in part or in whole be converted to a gas or vapor after absorbing the heat.