Abstract: An anvil system for use in an ultrasonic bonder includes an anvil assembly including an anvil bar having an anvil aperture in at least one anvil bar longitudinal end, the anvil aperture having an anvil aperture inner surface, a shaft separate from the anvil bar and partially disposed in the anvil aperture, the shaft having a circumferential surface and extending outwardly beyond the anvil bar longitudinal end, and a first elastomeric shaft O-ring disposed on the shaft between the shaft circumferential surface and the anvil aperture inner surface; a mounting bracket with a mounting bracket hole having a hole surface; a bushing disposed in the mounting bracket hole and sized to accommodate an end of the shaft, the bushing having a bushing inner surface; and a second elastomeric shaft O-ring disposed on the shaft between the shaft circumferential surface and the bushing inner surface.

Abstract: An anvil system for use in an ultrasonic bonder includes an anvil assembly including an anvil bar having an anvil aperture in at least one anvil bar longitudinal end, the anvil aperture having an anvil aperture inner surface, a shaft separate from the anvil bar and partially disposed in the anvil aperture, the shaft having a circumferential surface and extending outwardly beyond the anvil bar longitudinal end, and a first elastomeric shaft O-ring disposed on the shaft between the shaft circumferential surface and the anvil aperture inner surface; a mounting bracket with a mounting bracket hole having a hole surface; a bushing disposed in the mounting bracket hole and sized to accommodate an end of the shaft, the bushing having a bushing inner surface; and a second elastomeric shaft O-ring disposed on the shaft between the shaft circumferential surface and the bushing inner surface.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning system having a pressure vessel for containing a liquid wash bath and a perforated basket rotatably supported within the pressure vessel for containing items during cleaning. For enhancing cleaning and the removal of solid particulate matter on the items to be cleaned, the basket has a plurality of radial mixing baffles fixed to the periphery of the rotary basket and a plurality of gas jet manifolds fixed to the baffles which are operable for directing pressurized jet streams of liquified gas into the basket for agitating the contained items and wash bath simultaneously with physical agitation by the mixing baffles.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry cleaning system is provided which includes a cleaning vessel for containing a pressurized cleaning fluid and a storage tank for receiving and storing a cleaning fluid supply. The system also includes a cleaning fluid recovery still for separating contaminants from the cleaning fluid along with a filtration system for filtering contaminants from the cleaning fluid. A purge tank for receiving gaseous cleaning fluid which is in fluid communication with the cleaning vessel is also provided. The cleaning vessel, storage tank, purge tank, solvent recovery still and filtration system are arranged in a plurality of modules. The modules are in fluid communication with each other through a fluid line for carrying liquified cleaning fluid and a gas line for carrying gaseous cleaning fluid. The fluid line and gas line each include a respective junction for permitting separation of the modules.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning system having a cleaning vessel, a rotary basket supported within the cleaning vessel for containing items during cleaning, and a door movable between a closed position sealing the cleaning vessel and an open position for permitting access to the rotary basket and items contained therein. A lint filter is mounted within the cleaning vessel for removing lint and other course particulate matter from the liquified gas wash bath as it is drained from the cleaning vessel following a dry-cleaning cycle. The lint filter has a filter surface which is disposed under a front entry opening of the basket for easy access and manual cleaning each time the cleaning vessel door is opened and items are removed from the basket following a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning machine having a cleaning vessel with a chamber for containing a wash bath and items to be cleaned and a removable door for sealing the cleaning chamber during a dry-cleaning operation. The dry-cleaning machine has a door opening and closing apparatus which includes a pivot frame for moving the door outwardly from the cleaning vessel in an arced path of movement, and a slide for lowering the door on the pivot frame in a linear path of movement to a position below the level of the cleaning vessel. Reverse movement of the pivot frame thereupon positions the door in a tucked stored position at the same axial location with respect to the cleaning vessel as when the door is closed so as not to impede access to the cleaning chamber nor increase the axial reach of an operator necessary for removing items from the chamber.

Abstract: A liquified gas dry-cleaning machine having a cleaning vessel with a chamber for containing a wash bath and items to be cleaned, a removable door for sealing the cleaning chamber during a dry-cleaning operation, and a locking ring for retaining the door in closed position. A door opening and closing apparatus is provided which includes a pivot frame for moving the door in an arced path of movement into and out of closed position with the cleaning vessel. The door and locking ring have respective locking lugs with a specifically designed geometry for enabling arced movement of the door into and out of the closed position and for centering the door in aligned relation to the cleaning chamber as an incident to such movement. The locking lugs further have mating locking surfaces designed for point contact in a manner that minimizes stress concentrations at n the roots of the locking ring lugs.

Abstract: A bearing system for mounting a rotating shaft includes a bearing assembly and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing assembly has an inner race which contacts the rotating shaft, an outer race, and bearing elements positioned therebetween. The outer race has an exterior surface with an outer dimension. The bearing mounting structure has a region for affixing it to an external structure in which the bearing system is to function. An internal surface of the bearing mounting structure defines a bearing cavity in which the bearing assembly is to be disposed. The internal surface engages the exterior surface of the outer race. The retention force exerted by the internal surface on the outer surface is determined by the design of the inner surface of the bearing mounting structure that defines the bearing cavity. The internal surface has cut-outs, or scallops, extending axially (with respect to the shaft) along the internal surface.

Abstract: A pressure vessel which includes a door operating apparatus which enables a door to the pressure vessel to be moved between open and closed positions quickly and easily is provided. The door operating apparatus includes a translation rod supported on the pressure vessel for sliding movement relative to the housing of the pressure vessel such that the sliding movement of the translation rod guides the door in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the door opening in the housing between the open and closed positions. The translation rod further being supported on the pressure vessel for pivotal movement with respect to the pressure vessel housing so as to enable the door to pivot about an axis defined by the translation rod into a fully open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a pressure cleaning vessel for a dry cleaning system which requires minimal clearance to operate is provided. The apparatus includes a frame slidably attached to the cleaning vessel and having a base member with a pair of attached upstanding side arms which carry the door of the cleaning vessel. The apparatus further includes a first horizontal actuator carried by the cleaning vessel and operatively connected to the frame for moving the frame in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the cleaning vessel such that the door of the cleaning vessel moves between a closed position and an intermediate position wherein the door is substantially in front of the cleaning vessel. A second vertical actuator carried by at least one of the side arms and operatively connected to the door moves the door in a substantially vertical direction relative to the cleaning vessel and the frame between the intermediate position and an open position.

Abstract: A dry-cleaning system operable for selectively controlling agitation of items during cleaning, rinsing, and draining cycles. The dry-cleaning system includes a pressure vessel for containing a liquid gas dry-cleaning solvent and a rotary basket disposed within the vessel for containing items to be cleaned. Controlled agitation is achieved by the combination of (1) driving the basket by a directional, variable speed motor and (2) a simultaneously selectively operable gas jet system having a plurality of nozzles rotatable with the basket for directing pressurized jet streams into the liquid wash bath.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for receiving and storing pressurized fluid in a pressurized dense phase liquid dry cleaning apparatus is provided. The dry cleaning apparatus generally includes a cleaning vessel within which garments or the like are cleaned and a solvent recovery device which takes the contaminated cleaning fluid from the cleaning vessel and separates out the contaminants. The pressure vessel comprises a plurality of interconnected hollow structures and as such is substantially self-supporting and occupies less space within dry cleaning apparatus. The pressure vessel can also serve as the support structure for the other components of the dry cleaning system to provide a further cost and space savings.

Abstract: A bearing system for mounting a rotating shaft includes a bearing assembly and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing assembly has an inner race which contacts the rotating shaft, an outer race, and bearing elements positioned therebetween. The outer race has an exterior surface with an outer dimension. The bearing mounting structure has a region for affixing it to an external structure in which the bearing system is to function. An internal surface of the bearing mounting structure defines a bearing cavity in which the bearing assembly is to be disposed. The internal surface engages the exterior surface of the outer race. The retention force exerted by the internal surface on the outer surface is determined by the design of the inner surface of the bearing mounting structure that defines the bearing cavity. The internal surface has cut-outs, or scallops, extending axially (with respect to the shaft) along the internal surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning and draining an automatic clothes washer after a wash or rinse cycle. After the water is pumped down, the spin drive and drain pump are activated with an on and off schedule of increasing on times, but constant off times. For example, the spin drive and drain pump may be activated for on times of 10, 15, 20, etc. with interleaved off times of 5 seconds. The off times of the drain pump allow suds in the drain pump to be purged, and thereby increase the steady state flow rate of the drain pump.

Abstract: A quick priming centrifugal pump for use in automatic washers and the like wherein the size of the vortex which is formed in the pump and which inhibits priming, is reduced in volume, therefore permitting the pump to be a quick priming pump. The pump includes an extended pump impeller hub which reduces the axial length of the vortex which can be formed in the pump inlet. Additionally, a bevelled cut on the end of the inlet further reduces the axial length of the vortex. Lastly, a projecting rib formed on the inner surface of the inlet reduces the diameter of the vortex which may be formed.

Abstract: A washing machine having a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension system. The washing machine includes a tub assembly disposed over a support, with the assembly having a center of mass disposed at approximately the same axial position as the typical out-of-balance load. The pivoting force is a function of the distance between the center of mass of the tub assembly and the out-of-balance load. Thus, the pivoting forces are reduced, as well as the corresponding reaction forces transferred to the floor.

Abstract: A suspension system for an automatic washing machine wherein multiple independent modes of motion are provided, and the springs biasing the respective modes are selected so that the critical frequencies (i.e. maximum excursions) of the modes do not occur simultaneously. For example, a first set of centering springs biases a traversing motion and a second set of upstanding springs biases a pivoting motion. The spring rates are selected so that as the spin tub accelerates, the maximum excursion of one of the modes occurs first followed by the maximum excursion of the other mode at a higher spin tub speed.

Abstract: An air actuated lint removing system for cleaning lint filters in clothes dryers includes means for moving the lint filter and an air flow directing means with respect to one another to remove accumulated lint, and lint transporting means to move the lint to a lint collection reservoir.

Abstract: According to the invention a baffle is provided in a dual inlet air conditioner blower wheel and is selectively movable within the blower wheel between the inlets to adjust the air delivery through the inlets while maintaining a substantially constant total volume delivery. The air mixture is adjustable is desired proportions between full volume indoor and full volume outdoor air and is presented to a blower wheel and centrifugally propelled into a space to be conditioned.

Abstract: Mounting structure for mounting a door to a cabinet for selectively closing an access opening. The mounting structure permits the door to be swung open outwardly from either of the sides of the opening. The mounting structure includes latch members which are retained in the opened disposition by a spring-biased interlock and which are urged toward a hinge-engaging disposition by a biasing spring and connecting rod upon disengagement of the interlock. In the illustrated embodiment, the interlock is mounted to the latch structure.