Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cleaning apparatus, such as a battery-powered vacuum cleaner, that has a body and a cleaning wand. The apparatus operates in a multiple power mode, uses a wireless system to allow an operator interface to be provided on the cleaning wand and/or uses a motion detector on the cleaning wand to operate the cleaning apparatus in an intelligent manner. In cases where the cleaning apparatus is a battery-powered apparatus, the use of a multiple power mode, wireless system and/or a motion detector helps to extend the life of a battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces utilizing a soil transfer cleaning medium is disclosed. A method of mechanically removing soil from a surface intended to be cleaned includes the steps of successively and repeatedly: wetting a portion of a cleaning medium with a cleaning liquid; extracting any soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the previously wetted portion of the cleaning medium; and wiping the surface intended to be cleaned with the portion of the cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned to the cleaning medium. Portable and vehicle-based devices may be utilized to practice the method of cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces utilizing a soil transfer cleaning medium is disclosed. A method of mechanically removing soil from a surface intended to be cleaned includes the steps of successively and repeatedly: wetting a portion of a cleaning medium with a cleaning liquid; extracting any soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the previously wetted portion of the cleaning medium; and wiping the surface intended to be cleaned with the portion of the cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned to the cleaning medium. Portable and vehicle-based devices may be utilized to practice the method of cleaning.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes applying electrochemically activated acid and alkaline water to a surface as a pre-spray, allowing the electrochemically activated acid and alkaline water to remain on the surface for a dwell time, and after the dwell time, performing a cleaning operation on an area of the surface to which the pre-spray was applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within a vacuum system of a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. A secondary fluid, such as pressurized cleaning solution, is sprayed into the vacuum system in order to reduce soil and debris accumulation within the vacuum system without applying additional fluid to a floor surface. In one embodiment of the invention, pressurized fluid is introduced directly into the vacuum extractor tool of a surface cleaning machine in order to dislodge accumulated debris on surfaces therein. A method of minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within the vacuum system is also disclosed. The invention is applicable to a variety of portable and vehicle-based floor cleaning machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces utilizing a soil transfer cleaning medium is disclosed. A method of mechanically removing soil from a surface intended to be cleaned includes the steps of successively and repeatedly: wetting a portion of a cleaning medium with a cleaning liquid; extracting any soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the previously wetted portion of the cleaning medium; and wiping the surface intended to be cleaned with the portion of the cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned to the cleaning medium. Portable and vehicle-based devices may be utilized to practice the method of cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus performing multiple different cleaning operations for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces is disclosed. A device according to the present invention selectively utilizes soil transfer and solution extraction technology. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed having a cleaning implement in selective wiping contact with a surface to be cleaned, a cleaning solution dispenser which selectively wets with a cleaning solution a portion of the cleaning implement or a portion of the surface or both, a first selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool which when operating removes some of the dispensed cleaning solution and soil from the cleaning implement, and a second selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool which when operating removes soil and some of the cleaning solution directly from the surface intended to be cleaned. A method of use of such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus performing multiple different cleaning operations for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces is disclosed. A device according to the present invention selectively utilizes soil transfer and solution extraction technology. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed having a cleaning implement in selective wiping contact with a surface to be cleaned, a cleaning solution dispenser which selectively wets with a cleaning solution a portion of the cleaning implement or a portion of the surface or both, a first selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool which when operating removes some of the dispensed cleaning solution and soil from the cleaning implement, and a second selectively controllable vacuum extractor tool which when operating removes soil and some of the cleaning solution directly from the surface intended to be cleaned. A method of use of such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary device in which a seal is formed between the rotor and the stator end members by a sealing material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than that of the material of the end member in which said sealing material is located. When exposed to normal service temperatures, the sealing material bulges out of the parent material to fill in the gap between the end member and the rotor. The sealing material is wearable such that as it expands into engagement with the rotor, it will eventually wear until it no longer contacts the mating surface and a small gap or "minimal clearance" exists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internally constrained vane rotary compressor employing a floating carrier ring, containing a plurality of non-continuous cam surfaces to guide a corresponding plurality of vanes about the interior of a stator, resulting in improved compressor performance. The invention features a triple roller assembly operating in conjunction with the carrier ring to both guide and constrain each vane. In addition, the invention describes a method for increasing the operating efficiency in rotary vane compressors.

Abstract: A constrained rotary vane compressor having a rotor-vane assembly within a stator often exhibits unwanted noise and vibration effects. The present invention offers a design and method to decrease noise and vibration effects of such compressors by the incorporation of an oil skive formed in the interior wall of the stator. The oil skive rids the vane tips of any excess liquid which may have collected on the rotating vanes, which otherwise may impact certain interior regions of the stator resulting in unwanted noise and vibration of the compressor.

Abstract: Method for making split bearing assemblies by fracture separation, particularly pertaining to engine connecting rods, include steps wherein previously clamped body and cap portions are quickly forced apart longitudinally to cause fracture separation of both pairs of integral legs in a single motion while the cap and body are restrained from substantial relative rotation by a clamp of a fracture separation apparatus.

Abstract: A connecting rod fracture machine for fracture separating the caps and bodies of integrally formed connecting rod workpieces includes a cryogenic cooling station for embrittling the large ends, a fracture station for fracture separation of the embrittled cap and body portions, a warming station for returning fractured assemblies to ambient temperature and transfer mechanism for moving the workpieces between stations. The fracture station includes separable pilots for receiving the large end bores of the pieces to be fractured, an impact separation ram for rapidly separating the pilots to effect fracture separation and anti-rotation clamp means movable with the respective pilots and requiring linear separating motions of the caps from the connecting rod bodies.