Abstract: An improved lead screw actuator for use in applications including power vehicle windows is provided that significantly reduces the amount of machining that must be performed on the lead screw to enable secure attachment of a gear or pulley. The lead screw has a plurality of threads on its outer annular surface and a first and second axially spaced circumferential groove. A gear or pulley disposed about the lead screw has a female thread formed into an inner annular surface that is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of threads of the lead screw between the first and second grooves. A pair of rings are disposed within the first and second grooves in order to restrict axial movement of the gear or pulley on the lead screw.

Abstract: A sliding window panel assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a stationary window panel having an opening formed therein, at least one guide rail coupled to the stationary window panel below the opening and above a bottom edge of the stationary window panel, a shoe slidably received within the guide rail and configured to slidably move within the guide rail, a movable window panel mounted onto the shoe such that the movable window panel slidably moves with the shoe. The movable window panel can slidably move with respect to the stationary panel along a movable panel path. The lead screw drive unit engages the shoe and is adapted to move the shoe and the movable panel along the movable panel path within the guide rail.

Abstract: A sliding window panel assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a stationary window panel having an opening formed therein, at least one guide rail coupled to the stationary window panel below the opening and above a bottom edge of the stationary window panel, a shoe slidably received within the guide rail and configured to slidably move within the guide rail, a movable window panel mounted onto the shoe such that the movable window panel slidably moves with the shoe. The movable window panel can slidably move with respect to the stationary panel along a movable panel path. The lead screw drive unit engages the shoe and is adapted to move the shoe and the movable panel along the movable panel path within the guide rail.

Abstract: In a process for biodegrading glycerin used to store or preserve membranes, water in a tank is inoculated with glycerin digesting microorganisms. The water is aerated to support growth of the microorganisms. The water is filtered through the membranes and the filtrate returned to the tank. The glycerin is rinsed out of the membranes and biodegraded in the tank. The process may be performed in-situ in a water or wastewater treatment plant as part of the start-up procedures for the plant.

Abstract: A system for controlling a switch reluctance machine is provided. The system includes multiple phases located in the switch reluctance machine, each phase having multiple machine coils. Each machine coil is independently connected to a positive side switch circuit and a negative side switch circuit. Each positive side switch circuit is in electrical parallel connection with the other positive side switch circuits, and configured to control the flow of current through the machine coil to which it is connected. Similarly, the negative side switch circuits are connected in electrical parallel and configured to control the flow of current through the machine coil to which they are connected. The positive side and negative side switch circuits may be provided in a buck boost configuration or two half bridge configurations.

Abstract: An inverter switch circuit for a permanent magnet machine is provided. Inverter switch circuit has two or more half bridge switch circuits per phase in communication with an equal number of machine coils per phase, of the permanent magnet machine. Each half bridge circuit includes a first and second power switch in electrical series connection. Further, each half bridge circuit is in electrical connection with each machine coil, thereby providing multiple parallel half bridge circuits for each phase.