Abstract: An electric drive compressor system (1) comprising: a reciprocating compressor (2) having temperature and pressure sensors (83, 84) for sensing a pressure and temperature of gas prior to compression by the compressor (1) and for sensing a pressure and temperature of gas after compression by the compressor (1); a motor (3) connected to the compressor (1) for driving the compressor (1); a cooling system (4) for cooling the motor (3); and a controller (5) for controlling the motor (3) in real time based on the temperature and pressure sensor readings of the gas prior to and after compression by the compressor (1).

Abstract: An electric drive compressor system (1) comprising: a reciprocating compressor (2) having temperature and pressure sensors (83, 84) for sensing a pressure and temperature of gas prior to compression by the compressor (1) and for sensing a pressure and temperature of gas after compression by the compressor (1); a motor (3) connected to the compressor (1) for driving the compressor (1); a cooling system (4) for cooling the motor (3); and a controller (5) for controlling the motor (3) in real time based on the temperature and pressure sensor readings of the gas prior to and after compression by the compressor (1).

Abstract: A method of starting an auto-ignition gas torch includes increasing a flow of oxygen above zero and increasing a flow of fuel gas to a level lower than the flow of oxygen for improved start reliability. In one form, the flow of oxygen is from about two times to about six times higher than the flow of fuel gas.

Abstract: A method of operating a plasma arc torch is provided that includes directing a first portion of gas into a plasma chamber, directing a second portion of the gas to initiate a pilot arc in the plasma chamber, and redirecting the second portion of the gas to form a shield gas flow rather than venting the second portion to atmosphere. A plasma arc torch for this method includes a start cartridge disposed between an electrode and a tip for initiating the pilot arc. The start cartridge defines at least one redirect gas passageway in fluid communication with a shield gas passageway. The second portion of gas is redirected through the at least one redirect gas passageway and into the shield gas passageway.

Abstract: A method of operating a plasma arc torch is provided that includes directing a first portion of gas into a plasma chamber, directing a second portion of the gas to initiate a pilot arc in the plasma chamber, and redirecting the second portion of the gas to form a shield gas flow rather than venting the second portion to atmosphere. A plasma arc torch for this method includes a start cartridge disposed between an electrode and a tip for initiating the pilot arc. The start cartridge defines at least one redirect gas passageway in fluid communication with a shield gas passageway. The second portion of gas is redirected through the at least one redirect gas passageway and into the shield gas passageway.

Abstract: A method of operating a plasma arc torch is provided that includes directing a first portion of gas into a plasma chamber, directing a second portion of the gas to initiate a pilot arc in the plasma chamber, and redirecting the second portion of the gas to form a shield gas flow rather than venting the second portion to atmosphere. A plasma arc torch for this method includes a start cartridge disposed between an electrode and a tip for initiating the pilot arc. The start cartridge defines at least one redirect gas passageway in fluid communication with a shield gas passageway. The second portion of gas is redirected through the at least one redirect gas passageway and into the shield gas passageway.

Abstract: A method of directing a gas flow in a tip of a gas torch includes: directing a flow of gas to an outer passageway of the tip; directing the flow of gas inwardly through at least one intermediate gas passageway; directing the flow of gas to a central gas passageway of the tip; and directing the flow of gas distally through a distal orifice of the tip.

Abstract: A method of directing gas flows in a gas torch includes directing a flow of a first gas and a flow of a second gas to a mixer central gas passageway of a mixer and directing the flow of the mixed first and second gases from the mixer to an axial passageway of a tip. The method further includes directing a flow of a third gas to an outer passageway of the tip, directing the flow of the third gas inwardly through at least one intermediate gas passageway, and then directing the flow of the third gas to a tip central gas passageway of the tip. Finally, the flow of the mixed first and second gases and the flow of the third gas are directed distally through a distal portion of the tip.

Abstract: A tip for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes an outer tip portion defining a central cavity and a distal orifice and an inner tip portion disposed within the cavity of the outer tip portion. The inner tip portion defines an outer surface, a central gas passageway in communication with the distal orifice of the outer tip portion, and an least one intermediate gas passageway extending from the outer surface to the central gas passageway for a flow of at least one gas to provide improved cooling to the tip.

Abstract: A tip assembly for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes a tip and a mixer. The tip includes a tip central gas passageway and a distal orifice and the mixer includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the mixer is adapted for connection to the tip and the proximal end portion of the mixer defines a connecting member that removably connects the mixer to a torch head.

Abstract: A method of operating a plasma arc torch is provided that includes directing a first portion of gas into a plasma chamber, directing a second portion of the gas to initiate a pilot arc in the plasma chamber, and redirecting the second portion of the gas to form a shield gas flow rather than venting the second portion to atmosphere. A plasma arc torch for this method includes a start cartridge disposed between an electrode and a tip for initiating the pilot arc. The start cartridge defines at least one redirect gas passageway in fluid communication with a shield gas passageway. The second portion of gas is redirected through the at least one redirect gas passageway and into the shield gas passageway.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a first energy source having a first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content, a second energy source having a second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content and a drive mechanism powered by the first energy source and the second energy source. The drive mechanism is powered by the first energy source when the first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content is less than the second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content and the drive mechanism is powered by the second energy source when the second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content is less than the first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content.

Abstract: A tip assembly for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes a tip and a mixer. The tip includes a tip central gas passageway and a distal orifice and the mixer includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the mixer is adapted for connection to the tip and the proximal end portion of the mixer defines a connecting member that removably connects the mixer to a torch head.

Abstract: A tip for use in a gas cutting torch is provided that includes an outer tip portion defining a central cavity and a distal orifice and an inner tip portion disposed within the cavity of the outer tip portion. The inner tip portion defines an outer surface, a central gas passageway in communication with the distal orifice of the outer tip portion, and an least one intermediate gas passageway extending from the outer surface to the central gas passageway for a flow of at least one gas to provide improved cooling to the tip.

Abstract: A method of starting an auto-ignition gas torch includes increasing a flow of oxygen above zero and increasing a flow of fuel gas to a level lower than the flow of oxygen for improved start reliability. In one form, the flow of oxygen is from about two times to about six times higher than the flow of fuel gas.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a first energy source having a first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content, a second energy source having a second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content and a drive mechanism powered by the first energy source and the second energy source. The drive mechanism is powered by the first energy source when the first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content is less than the second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content and the drive mechanism is powered by the second energy source when the second well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content is less than the first well-to-wheels greenhouse gas emissions content.

Abstract: A method and system for determining weather strip fit for the closure panels of a vehicle includes a flexible carrier with a transferable disclosing agent disposed on the flexible carrier. The flexible carriers may be applied to a closure panel of vehicle when the panel is in an open position, with the panel then being closed so as to allow the disclosing agent to either be transferred to the fixed side of the opening, or to be merely dislodged from the flexible carrier. In either case, the pattern of interference fit between the weather strip and the closure panel is then disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining weather strip fit for the closure panels of a vehicle includes a flexible carrier with a transferable disclosing agent disposed on the flexible carrier. The flexible carriers may be applied to a closure panel of vehicle when the panel is in an open position, with the panel then being closed so as to allow the disclosing agent to either be transferred to the fixed side of the opening, or to be merely dislodged from the flexible carrier. In either case, the pattern of interference fit between the weather strip and the closure panel is then disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining weather strip fit for the closure panels of a vehicle includes a flexible carrier with a transferable disclosing agent disposed on the flexible carrier. The flexible carriers may be applied to a closure panel of vehicle when the panel is in an open position, with the panel then being closed so as to allow the disclosing agent to either be transferred to the fixed side of the opening, or to be merely dislodged from the flexible carrier. In either case, the pattern of interference fit between the weather strip and the closure panel is then disclosed.