Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a coupler, a mounting sleeve and an exponential horn form by both the coupler and the mounting sleeve. A flange is located on the mounting sleeve for support at a node of minimum vibratory motion. The mounting sleeve and coupler are formed separately and then metallurgically attached so they vibrate together as a substantially unitary member. The formation of the horn by the two components in this manner allows the diameter at the start of the horn to be increased to the outer diameter of the mounting sleeve, thereby increasing cross-sectional area at the horn start and increasing amplitude at the horn tip. Preferably, the coupler and mounting sleeve are made from stainless steel alloy and attached using a silver braze alloy. The device may also include a support collar attached to the mounting sleeve flange to support the mounting sleeve and primary coupler.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a coupler, a mounting sleeve and an exponential horn form by both the coupler and the mounting sleeve. A flange is located on the mounting sleeve for support at a node of minimum vibratory motion. The mounting sleeve and coupler are formed separately and then metallurgically attached so they vibrate together as a substantially unitary member. The formation of the horn by the two components in this manner allows the diameter at the start of the horn to be increased to the outer diameter of the mounting sleeve, thereby increasing cross-sectional area at the horn start and increasing amplitude at the horn tip. Preferably, the coupler and mounting sleeve are made from stainless steel alloy and attached using a silver braze alloy. The device may also include a support collar attached to the mounting sleeve flange to support the mounting sleeve and primary coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention includes filter sticks housed within a pressure vessel. Each filter stick includes a plurality of filter disks stacked about a fluid-pervious tube with a hollow core and retained about the tube by a retainer at each end. The filter sticks are disposed within a first compartment having fluid to be filtered with the hollow core of the tube in fluid communication with a second compartment for filtrate. A compression regulator, which is responsive to pressure within the compartment, is linked to at least one of the retainers so as to control relative movement between the retainers, which controls compression of the disks and interstitial space for fluid to flow therebetween. In use, automated compression control of the disks compensates for the effect of particle build-up in the filter, which would otherwise decrease the rate of flow through the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention includes filter sticks housed within a pressure vessel. Each filter stick includes a plurality of filter disks stacked about a fluid-pervious tube with a hollow core and retained about the tube by a retainer at each end. The filter sticks are disposed within a first compartment having fluid to be filtered with the hollow core of the tube in fluid communication with a second compartment for filtrate. A compression regulator, which is responsive to pressure within the compartment, is linked to at least one of the retainers so as to control relative movement between the retainers, which controls compression of the disks and interstitial space for fluid to flow therebetween. In use, automated compression control of the disks compensates for the effect of particle build-up in the filter, which would otherwise decrease the rate of flow through the filter.

Abstract: A cathode sheath for a thermionic electron-gun cathode. The sheath is substantially in the form of a hollow cylinder and has an outer surface and an inner surface, a central axis, a closed end and an axially-opposite open end, and a side wall extending between the closed end and the open end. The sheath is a continuous bimetallic laminate having a first layer of material forming the inner surface and a second layer of electron-emissive material overlying substantially the entirety of the first layer and forming the outer surface. The laminate has a preselected thickness at the closed end and has a thickness at the side wall which varies along the central axis.

Abstract: An orbital tool support system for a machine tool such as an EDM machine, and ECM machine, or a conventional milling machine, of the kind including an orbiting head comprising two head elements interconnected by an orbital drive; the head is mounted centrally between a machine mounting plate affixed in centered relation to the tool head of the machine and a tool mounting plate that supports one or more electrodes or other tool elements. A plurality of slide bearing assemblies interconnect the two mounting plates in an X-Y bridge structure, maintaining the plates in parallel fixed vertical alignment but permitting limited onmidirectional relative movement in a horizontal plane. The bridge structure absorbs the vertical reaction forces resulting from machining operations, affording a dynamically stable tool support structure, even for very large electrodes or other tools; the bridge can be integral with or retrofit to virtually any EDM machine and to a wide variety of other machine tools.