Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a relay coil, an armature, a pusher and a contact system. The armature is actuated by the relay coil, and linked to the pusher to drive the pusher to operate the contact system. A set of stationary contact springs and a set of moveable contact springs have a gap separating them. The moveable contact springs connect to the pusher and to a pivot point. The stationary springs have a notch therein adjacent to the base structure portion. The pusher movement causes the stationary contact springs and the moveable contact springs to engage or disengage, and to automatically adjust the overtravel angle of the stationary contact springs relative to the moveable contact springs by bending the stationary contact spring at the notch of the stationary contact spring.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, the strengthening layer comprising tantalum. A layer including amorphous diamond is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond has sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has an overtravel adjustment to set the gap in the contact arrangement. The armature is actuated by a relay coil and linked to a pusher to drive the pusher to operate the contact system. The pusher includes a rotary dial disposed in a slot on the pusher adjacent to the armature. The rotary adjustment increases or decreases a gap of the contacts to provide an over-travel adjustment. The pusher includes bifurcated tines defining the slot for receiving an armature linkage and the rotary adjustment. The rotary adjustment includes a head and a post depending from the head. The post is disposed within the slot and the head portion in contact with the armature linkage portion. The rotary adjustment sets the distance between the forward edge and the armature to achieve the desired overtravel for the contact arrangement.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a housing and a motor mount disposed on the housing and having a passage extending therethrough. A dive motor is coupled with the motor mount for selectively rotating the motor mount relative to the housing. A rotational assembly includes a hub having a passageway extending therethrough and a casing at least partially encircling the hub, the hub being rotatable to the casing. The rotational assembly is removably coupled to the housing so that the passageway of the hub aligns with the passage of the motor mount.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a switch assembly which can be used in situation in which the switch accommodates the flow of high voltage current. An actuator assembly with moveable contacts is moved by a motor driven armature. The moveable contacts are in electrical engagement with the stationary contacts when the armature is in the first position, and the moveable contacts are spaced from the stationary contacts when the armature is in the second position. By angling the stationary contacts and moveable contacts, the linear motion of the armature causes the moveable contacts to move across the surface of the stationary contacts as the armature approaches the first position. As all of the movements of the assembly are in a direction parallel to the axis of the armature, the assembly can be manufactured and operated reliably in a relatively small space. In addition, the linear movement on the angled contact provides for a positive electrical connection even in adverse environments.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a relay coil, an armature, a pusher and a contact system. The armature is actuated by the relay coil, and linked to the pusher to drive the pusher to operate the contact system. A set of stationary contact springs and a set of moveable contact springs have a gap separating them. The moveable contact springs connect to the pusher and to a pivot point. The stationary springs have a notch therein adjacent to the base structure portion. The pusher movement causes the stationary contact springs and the moveable contact springs to engage or disengage, and to automatically adjust the overtravel angle of the stationary contact springs relative to the moveable contact springs by bending the stationary contact spring at the notch of the stationary contact spring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has an overtravel adjustment to set the gap in the contact arrangement. The armature is actuated by a relay coil and linked to a pusher to drive the pusher to operate the contact system. The pusher includes a rotary dial disposed in a slot on the pusher adjacent to the armature. The rotary adjustment increases or decreases a gap of the contacts to provide an over-travel adjustment. The pusher includes bifurcated tines defining the slot for receiving an armature linkage and the rotary adjustment. The rotary adjustment includes a head and a post depending from the head. The post is disposed within the slot and the head portion in contact with the armature linkage portion. The rotary adjustment sets the distance between the forward edge and the armature to achieve the desired overtravel for the contact arrangement.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating threading of a flexible filament or sheet into a hole or opening. The tool includes (i) a filament or sheet guide having a longitudinally extending trough, and (2) an alignment system with (A) a first registration surface configured and arranged to transversely align a hole in a target-piece with the trough when the target-piece abuts the first registration surface, and (B) a second registration surface configured and arranged to laterally align a hole in a target-piece with the trough when the target-piece abuts the second registration surface. Threading of the filament or sheet into the hole or opening can then be achieved by simply causing an upward deflection of a distal portion of the flexible filament or sheet within the trough and moving the deflected distal portion of the filament or sheet along the length of the trough towards the aligned hole or opening in the target-piece until the distal end portion enters the hole or opening.

Abstract: A faucet includes a first valve plate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the base material. An amorphous diamond material is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond material has a coefficient of friction that is lower than that of diamond-like carbon and has a hardness that is greater than that of diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: In the production of expanded material from a sheet material strip (4), in particular, a metal strip, cuts (2) are introduced into the material strip (4), by way of at least one cutting unit (5), using laser, water or electron streams, whereupon the material strip (4) is subjected to a drawing by way of a drawing device (28). The cuts in the material strip (4) are introduced by running the cutting unit (5), perpendicular to the longitudinal or transport direction (7) of the material strip, in the form of perpendicular cuts (2), along perpendicular lines (3), perpendicular to the longitudinal or transport direction (7).

Abstract: A wear resistant component for a faucet valve includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate. The strengthening layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, chromium, zirconium, and tungsten. The wear resistant component also includes a layer that includes amorphous diamond provided above the strengthening layer, the amorphous diamond having sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: A pull rod coupling configured to operably couple a pull rod to a fluid control device.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly configured to couple to a valve stem extending outwardly from an escutcheon. The faucet handle assembly includes a handle base axially adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A glide surface is supported by the handle base and is configured to contact an outer surface of the escutcheon.

Abstract: A combination swivel spray aerator includes a stem that defines an inlet port for supplying water. The stem includes a neck and a swivel connector that is provided at one end of the stem. A spray head is coupled to the swivel connector in a swiveling manner. The spray head includes a housing and a swivel seal that seals between the housing and the swivel connector. A shroud is coupled to the stem for hiding at least the neck of the stem from view in order to provide a clean appearance. The swivel spray aerator further includes a diverter that switches between spray and aeration modes regardless which direction the spray head is rotated. A gimbal mechanism in the spray head allows the spray head to twist without requiring excessive swiveling friction.

Abstract: A low pressure turbine casing has a conical annular shell circumscribed about a centerline. A forward flange depends from a forward end of the annular shell and a forward hook extends aftwardly from the forward flange. First and second rails having first and second hooks, respectively, extend aftwardly from the annular shell. First and second cooling holes extend through the first and second rails, respectively. Cooling air feed holes extend through the forward flange. The first and second cooling holes may be radially disposed through the first and second rails, respectively, with respect to the centerline or disposed through the first and second rails at an oblique angle with respect to the centerline. A low pressure turbine casing and shroud assembly further includes a first annular cavity in fluid flow communication with the first cooling holes and the second cooling holes. A second annular cavity is in fluid flow communication with the first and second cooling holes.

Abstract: A low pressure turbine casing has a conical annular shell circumscribed about a centerline. A forward flange depends from a forward end of the annular shell and a forward hook extends aftwardly from the forward flange. First and second rails having first and second hooks, respectively, extend aftwardly from the annular shell. First and second cooling holes extend through the first and second rails, respectively. Cooling air feed holes extend through the forward flange. The first and second cooling holes may be radially disposed through the first and second rails, respectively, with respect to the centerline or disposed through the first and second rails at an oblique angle with respect to the centerline. A low pressure turbine casing and shroud assembly further includes a first annular cavity in fluid flow communication with the first cooling holes and the second cooling holes. A second annular cavity is in fluid flow communication with the first and second cooling holes.

Abstract: A hose and quick connect coupling assembly comprising a receiving hose, an insertion hose, a pair of quick connect coupling halves each coupling half being identical to the other, and a securing clasp. The securing clasp releasably secures the coupling halves around the receiving hose, thereby forming a releasable coupling as the insertion hose in inserted into the receiving hose. The insertion hose may be removed by depressing the coupling halves together, causing the top portions thereof to pivot away from the insertion hose. The securing clasp may also be removed from the hose coupling, thereby removing the coupling halves from the receiving hose.

Abstract: A stud for interconnecting adjacent flanges of a flanged joint in a tubular casing. The flanges each contain apertures to receive the stud and each flange is inclined relative to the casing outer surface, with one flange extending radially outwardly and the other flange extending radially inwardly, as a result of which one end of the stud extends externally of the flanged joint and the other end extends internally. The stud includes an external formation that is of non-circular form and that is carried by the stud between the threaded ends to extend radially outwardly. The external formation is adapted to be engaged by an anti-rotation member to prevent unintended rotation of the stud. The stud is removable from the flanged joint without the need to completely disassemble the joint to remove a broken stud.

Abstract: A hose and quick connect coupling assembly comprising a receiving hose, an insertion hose, a pair of quick connect coupling halves each coupling half being identical to the other, and a securing clasp. The securing clasp releasably secures the coupling halves around the receiving hose, thereby forming a releasable coupling as the insertion hose in inserted into the receiving hose. The insertion hose may be removed by depressing the coupling halves together, causing the top portions thereof to pivot away from the insertion hose. The securing clasp may also be removed from the hose coupling, thereby removing the coupling halves from the receiving hose.

Abstract: A stud for interconnecting adjacent flanges of a flanged joint in a tubular casing. The flanges each contain apertures to receive the stud and each flange is inclined relative to the casing outer surface, with one flange extending radially outwardly and the other flange extending radially inwardly, as a result of which one end of the stud extends externally of the flanged joint and the other end extends internally. The stud includes an external formation that is of non-circular form and that is carried by the stud between the threaded ends to extend radially outwardly. The external formation is adapted to be engaged by an anti-rotation member to prevent unintended rotation of the stud. The stud is removable from the flanged joint without the need to completely disassemble the joint to remove a broken stud.