Abstract: Control systems and methods for starting an induction motor. The control system includes a plurality of wye switches, a plurality of delta switches, an AC power supply, and a soft-starter. The plurality of wye switches are connected between three phase stator windings of the induction motor such that closure of the plurality of wye switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a wye connection. The plurality of delta switches are connected between the three phase stator windings such that closure of the plurality of delta switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a delta configuration. The soft-starter is connected between three phase supply lines of the AC power supply and the three phase stator windings to control a supply of energy to the induction motor from the AC power supply.

Abstract: A cutting head for a water jet cutting machine includes a base with a bore and an orifice member having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and outlet which increases velocity of fluid flowing through the passage to form a fluid jet. A wear insert has first and second ends, a passage extending between the two ends, the body second end being connected with the base and the body first end supporting the orifice member. A fluid focusing device includes a tubular body with a central passage having inlet and discharge ports, the tubular body being disposable within the base bore such that the body inlet port is fluidly coupleable with the orifice outlet. The tubular body and/or the base are/is configured such that the tubular body is separately positionable at one of a plurality of discrete, predetermined angular positions about the base bore axis.

Abstract: An improved support for a seal is provided in the form of a back-up ring that reduces or eliminates the gaps between a pump plunger and a high pressure cylinder of a pump. The support includes a back-up ring having opposed first and second faces with a wall thickness disposed between the faces. The back-up ring includes a frustro-conical concave surface on the first face and a frustro-conical convex surface on the second face. Also provided are a packing assembly including at least one back-up ring and a reciprocating pump incorporating the at least one back-up ring.

Abstract: An improved support for a seal is provided in the form of a back-up ring that reduces or eliminates the gaps between a pump plunger and a high pressure cylinder of a pump. The support includes a back-up ring having opposed first and second faces with a wall thickness disposed between the faces. The back-up ring includes a frustro-conical concave surface on the first face and a frustro-conical convex surface on the second face. Also provided are a packing assembly including at least one back-up ring and a reciprocating pump incorporating the at least one back-up ring.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing instrument useful for measuring of organic constituents of materials utilizes interactance of near infrared radiation from near infrared emitting diodes positioned at one end of a light transmitting cylinder having a length sufficient so that diode point sources provide uniform radiation at the other end of the cylinder, the cylinder being shielded from light. A detector, which may be inside the cylinder, detects the interactance from such radiation to provide a measurement of body fat utilizing a unique formula and unique measuring technique to prevent noise and incorrect measurements.