Abstract: A pneumatic compressor capable of supplying compressed gas to a pneumatic tool. The compressor can be powered alternatively by either a battery or an AC power source. The compressor comprises a permanent magnet DC electric motor and circuitry for converting the AC power source to DC power. The compressor includes a receptacle for accommodating one or more of a plurality of batteries and includes circuitry for using batteries having different voltages. The AC power source may also be used to charge a battery connected to the compressor.

Abstract: The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a segmented, drivable riding strip receptive of product to move product along a grid section of a case packer. The riding strip is articulated and is driven by a drive. Further disclosed herein is a method for alleviating shingling in a case packer including employing a segmented, drivable riding strip and driving that strip to draw product along the grid section of the case packer.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the cost of producing a brushless DC motor is presented. The brushless DC motor provides higher power density and efficiency with an increased tool run time. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor assembly that has an unmagnetized permanent magnet affixed to a shaft. The permanent magnet remains unmagnetized until the motor is partially assembled. A plurality of coils for producing a magnetic field are wound about the rotor assembly. The coils include end turns that enclose the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly is not removable. Since the windings are wound with the rotor assembly already enclosed, the windings do not require large end coils to allow subsequent insertion of the rotor. Minimizing the end coils reduces the length of wire required per turn, thereby reducing the resistance of the winding.

Abstract: A guide vane 1, such as may be used in a guide vane stage of a compressor (not shown), the guide vane comprising a main body 2 and a mounting base 4. In one aspect of the invention, at least part 22 of the mounting base 4 is aerofoil shaped. In another aspect of the invention, the mounting base 4 projects outwardly beyond a surface 14 of the main body 2 on one side only of the guide vane 1.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a grouper section having changeable lane sizes and a dual servo grouper that separates product into product sets and allow the product sets to accelerate to the lane chain speed in a controlled manner. The grouper section further includes disappearing lugs that pivot into the lanes via a cam surface provided in the lanes. The product rides upon a raised surface of the cam surface as the lug pushes the product set together down the lane, thus ensuring that no gaps are provided between product set members. A gripper/grid section of the packaging machine includes a bars that travel about a carousel with a gripper head assembly and a grid assembly pair moving up and down the bars as defined by cam surfaces within the gripper/grid section. The grid section is presented below the product set such that the product set is fed through the grid section in a one-way trip into a case. The gripper head assembly cam device and the case feed section both include height adjustment assemblies.

Abstract: The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

Abstract: Dynamo electric machines and stators for use in such machines are provided. The stators comprise plates configured to be substantially flat and a plurality of spaced apart projections or teeth extending away from the plate and, together with the plate defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The stators comprise masses of metal particles. Using stators made from such metal particles provides enhanced machine efficiency, which is believed to be because of reduced eddy current effects in the stator. Motors including rotors having generally flat arrays of permanent magnetic poles and such stators which are spaced apart from and generally facing the permanent magnetic poles and have a plurality of magnetic windings, and pumps powered by such motors are included within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: A guide vane 1, such as may be used in a guide vane stage of a compressor (not shown), the guide vane comprising a main body 2 and a mounting base 4. In one aspect of the invention, at least part 22 of the mounting base 4 is aerofoil shaped.

Abstract: X-ray imageable articles, for instance surgical implements or parts therefore which are used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, may be prepared by a process including the steps of:

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the cost of producing a brushless DC motor is presented. The brushless DC motor provides higher power density and efficiency with an increased tool run time. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor assembly that has an unmagnetized permanent magnet affixed to a shaft. The permanent magnet remains unmagnetized until the motor is partially assembled. A plurality of coils for producing a magnetic field are wound about the rotor assembly. The coils include end turns that enclose the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly is not removable. Since the windings are wound with the rotor assembly already enclosed, the windings do not require large end coils to allow subsequent insertion of the rotor. Minimizing the end coils reduces the length of wire required per turn, thereby reducing the resistance of the winding.