Abstract: A driver circuit for receiving a voltage supply at a supply input and driving a load through a load output, the circuit comprising: a charge inductor and a discharge inductor; a switching array comprising a plurality of switches; and a load switch coupled between a first terminal of the charge inductor and the load output; the switching array being arranged so that: in a first mode it can couple a second terminal of the charge inductor to the supply input and the first terminal of the charge inductor to ground to load a flux on the charge inductor; in a second mode it can decouple the first terminal of the charge inductor from ground so that, when the load switch is closed, flux can flow from the inductor to the load output; and in a third mode it can couple the discharge inductor between the load output and ground so that flux can be loaded on the discharge inductor from the load output.

Abstract: A driver circuit for receiving a voltage supply at a supply input and driving a load through a load output, the circuit comprising: a charge inductor and a discharge inductor; a switching array comprising a plurality of switches; and a load switch coupled between a first terminal of the charge inductor and the load output; the switching array being arranged so that: in a first mode it can couple a second terminal of the charge inductor to the supply input and the first terminal of the charge inductor to ground to load a flux on the charge inductor; in a second mode it can decouple the first terminal of the charge inductor from ground so that, when the load switch is closed, flux can flow from the inductor to the load output; and in a third mode it can couple the discharge inductor between the load output and ground so that flux can be loaded on the discharge inductor from the load output.

Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: A fluid control thermostatic valve contains thermally responsive wax. As temperature rises, the wax expands thus pushing a deformable member up a confined path defined by guide 40 until the member contacts a fixed post 60. An immobile retainer 72 is secured to the fixed post 60. Force from the elastic member against the post causes actuator 30 to separate from retainer 72, thus opening a flow passage. The control valve is unique because retainer 72 functions as both a valve seat for actuator 30 and a fixed support for spring 84.

Abstract: A resilient metal seal that includes a PTFE jacket or liner capable of improving the sealing performance of the resilient metal seal and providing a near chemically inert surface to protect the seal from coming into contact with potentially damaging media is provided. In some embodiments, the resilient metal seal is an E-, U-, C-, or V-shaped resilient metal seal. A jacket made of PTFE or similar material can be included on the interior or exterior surface of the resilient metal seal. The jacket can include a locking feature to prevent against the jacket becoming dislodged from the resilient metal seal.

Abstract: A thermally actuated valve employs a plunger and bore valve configuration. A thermally expansible wax actuator has an axial length that changes in response to the temperature in a cavity of the valve. At temperatures above a predetermined set point, the actuator produces axial force sufficient to extend the length of the actuator against a return bias and project the plunger and seal into the bore, closing the valve. The plunger defines a pressure relief fluid flow path from the valve cavity to the valve outlet. A pressure relief valve is arranged in the plunger and is responsive to pressure in the valve. The pressure relief valve opens to relieve pressure above a pre-determined level. The thermally actuated valve and the pressure relief valve are coaxial and employ a common outlet.

Abstract: The disclosed fluid flow control valve provides alternatively acting valves to define a bypass fluid flow path during warm-up and a steady state (cooling) flow path thereafter. A first valve closes a fluid flow return path from a fluid cooler, while the second valve closes the bypass flow path between the fluid source and fluid return. The actuator itself forms one of the valves, while a second valve member is slidably secured to the actuator to engage a valve seat in the bypass passage. The actuator is responsive to a temperature increase above a predetermined set-point by generating an axial force F to move the actuator from a bypass position to a steady state (cooling) position. The second valve member is biased toward an axially extended position by a bias member. Excess fluid pressure in the “hot” side of the valve body moves the valve member relative to the actuator to regulate pressure delivered to the fluid cooler.

Abstract: An annular seal comprising a metallic ring having a cross section. The cross section includes an axially extending body portion having a radial width and an axial height. A spaced apart pair of sealing arms extend axially from the body portion, wherein each sealing arm includes a radially opposed arcuate sealing surface. The arcuate sealing surface may be convex, for example. The spaced apart pair of sealing arms are spaced apart a radial distance greater than the radial width of the body portion. A sealing system comprises a plurality of interconnected metallic rings wherein the body portion engages the sealing arms of an adjacent metallic ring.

Abstract: A high temperature dynamic seal and methods of assembly and use. The dynamic seal is provided as a rotating seal, which includes a stationary ring and rotating ring assembly, with a seal ring that is positioned between the stationary ring member and the rotating ring assembly. One or more high temperature seals create a seal between the stationary ring member and a device in which the dynamic seal is used. Similarly one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the rotating ring assembly and a rotating shaft of the device. One or more of the high temperature seals are formed from a metallic material with various cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A thermally actuated valve employs a plunger and bore valve configuration. A thermally expansible wax actuator has an axial length that changes in response to the temperature in a cavity of the valve. At temperatures above a predetermined set point, the actuator produces axial force sufficient to extend the length of the actuator against a return bias and project the plunger and seal into the bore, closing the valve. The plunger defines a pressure relief fluid flow path from the valve cavity to the valve outlet. A pressure relief valve is arranged in the plunger and is responsive to pressure in the valve. The pressure relief valve opens to relieve pressure above a pre-determined level. The thermally actuated valve and the pressure relief valve are coaxial and employ a common outlet.

Abstract: A thermally actuated valve employs a plunger and bore valve configuration. A thermally expansible wax actuator has an axial length that changes in response to the temperature in a cavity of the valve. The plunger integrally extends from the actuator body and carries a seal. At temperatures above a predetermined set point, the actuator produces axial force sufficient to extend the length of the actuator against a return bias and project the plunger and seal into the bore, closing the valve. At temperatures below a second set point, the axial force of the actuator is less than the return bias and the plunger is withdrawn from the bore, opening the valve. The axial force generated by the actuator is variable and has a non-linear rate of change, providing a valve with a non-linear change flow rate with respect to temperature.

Abstract: A high temperature dynamic seal and methods of assembly and use are presented. In one embodiment, the dynamic seal is provided as a rotating seal, which includes a stationary ring and rotating ring assembly, with a seal ring that is positioned between the stationary ring member and the rotating ring assembly. In some embodiments, one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the stationary ring member and a device in which the dynamic seal is used. Similarly one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the rotating ring assembly and a rotating shaft of the device. In one aspect, one or more of the high temperature seals are formed from a metallic material with various cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit 10, having a primary coil 12 and an electrical drive unit 14 which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device 30, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil 32 which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit 16 causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit 18 takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger, and flow control valve assembly associated with a heat exchanger, of the type wherein the temperature responsive flow control valve is integrated with the heat exchanger the valve assembly is well suited for mounting at the discharge port of the heat exchanger, without relying on rigid interaction with the inside wall of the discharge header or the tube ends in the discharge header. In this manner, the same basic valve assembly can be utilized in a variety of heat exchanger headers, merely by adapting the connection between the end of the valve assembly closest to the discharge port, and the housing or related structure of the heat exchanger at the discharge port. To the extent a relatively standard size valve assembly is to be used with heat exchangers having discharge conduits of different cross sectional area or shape, a baffle member can be placed around the valve assembly before insertion into the header.