Abstract: A thermal control valve for use in a lubricant flooded compressor system including a controller that generates a control signal includes a valve body including a hot coolant inlet, a cooled coolant inlet, a mixed coolant outlet, an actuator space, and a cylinder bore. A sleeve is positioned within the cylinder bore and is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, and an electrical actuator is at least partially disposed within the actuator space and is operable in response to the control signal to move the sleeve between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

Abstract: A thermal control valve for use in a lubricant flooded compressor system including a controller that generates a control signal includes a valve body including a hot coolant inlet, a cooled coolant inlet, a mixed coolant outlet, an actuator space, and a cylinder bore. A sleeve is positioned within the cylinder bore and is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, and an electrical actuator is at least partially disposed within the actuator space and is operable in response to the control signal to move the sleeve between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

Abstract: A thermal control valve for use in a lubricant flooded compressor system including a controller that generates a control signal includes a valve body including a hot coolant inlet, a cooled coolant inlet, a mixed coolant outlet, an actuator space, and a cylinder bore. A sleeve is positioned within the cylinder bore and is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, and an electrical actuator is at least partially disposed within the actuator space and is operable in response to the control signal to move the sleeve between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling one or more compressors in a multiple compressor environment. The system includes a controller, an interface, and one or more sensors coupled to the compressors and a system output. The controller is operable to communicate with each of the one or more compressors, receive data from the one or more sensors and the interface, communicate one or more system parameters to a display device, and modify the operation of the one or more compressors in response to user input and in response to data received from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A human machine interface for an air pressure system. The interface may include a processor and a display device, and is operable to display one or more interface screens including a graphical representation of a pressure system and system configuration screens. The interface is also operable to display one or more system parameters and allow user input for configuring and scheduling machine operating sequence, pressure events, operating points, and alarms.

Abstract: An enclosure for a machine control panel assembly including an enclosure body having an outer periphery, a first enclosure side, and a second enclosure side; a heat sink formed along the second enclosure side; and a cover plate having at least two edges, wherein the cover plate is located between the heat sink and the outer periphery. The cover plate also including lips along the at least two edges to direct moisture away from the enclosure body.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining and for predicting the present and future condition of a machine having at least one rotative element. The method includes an initial step of storing in memory a predetermined logic routine and at least one predetermined key frequency of the at least one rotative element of the machine. The machine is operated in a predetermined operational state and, during operation, the mechanical motion of the at least one rotative element is sensed by at least one sensor. The sensed mechanical motion of the at least one rotative element is converted into a corresponding electrical signal, and the predetermined operational state of the machine is correlated with a corresponding electrical signal. The corresponding electrical signal is inputted into corresponding vibration data by utilizing the predetermined logic routine. Then, the corresponding vibration data is compared with the at least one predetermined key frequency to predict the present and future condition of the machine.

Abstract: A predictive vibration monitoring system for a machine includes a microcontroller and a machine to be monitored. The machine to be monitored includes at least one rotative element. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the machine. The at least one sensor is operable to convert mechanical motion generated by the at least one rotative element into a corresponding electrical signal. The at least one sensor inputs the corresponding electrical signal to the microcontroller. A communication means is disposed between the microcontroller and the monitored machine. The communication means enables the microcontroller to correlate a predetermined operational state of the monitored machine with a corresponding electrical signal generated by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus tests and diagnoses an electronic controller of a machine. The electronic apparatus includes an AC voltage detection means for sequentially detecting at least one high level AC voltage signal generated by at least one electronic controller output. A converter converts the at least one high level AC voltage signal to at least one low level DC voltage signal which simulates a low level contact closure input. A means is provided which sequentially inputs the at least one low level DC voltage signal to a low level DC voltage input of the electronic controller for detection by the electronic controller. A generator generates at least one analog voltage signal which simulates at least one known, fixed value operating parameter of the machine. A means is provided which inputs the at least one analog voltage signal to a predetermined electronic controller input for detection by the electronic controller.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor for compressing fluid including a sensor capable of sensing at least one function relative to the operation of the compressor. A controller controls the compressor causing the value of said one function to be within a predetermined parameter. A computer overrides the independent response of the controller wherein the controller acts in response to the computer, the computer being separate from said controller. The computer may act as a sequencing computer or as a test computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides cushions comprising sheets connected together to define at least one compartment, which is filled with a plurality of gas-filled containers such as used or discarded plastic beverage bottles. The present invention also provides bag-like, multi-compartmented containers or advertising means for producing the cushions. The cushions can be adapted for use as a sunning mat, raft, surfing device, sleeping bag base, pool cover, pool lane marker, road crash barrier, storage and moving mat, temporary shelter or tent, and the like.

Abstract: A fluid compression system includes a fluid compression device which pressurizes fluid. A pressure sensor senses pressure generated by the compression device. A control device indicates operating parameters and functions of the compression device, graphically displays the parameters and functions, sets limits of the parameters and controls the compression device in response to any of the parameters reaching a preset level of a corresponding function. A reverse rotation sensor determines when the compression device is operating in an incorrect direction by the initial pressure sensed by the pressure sensor after startup of the compression device, and in response, shuts off the compression device.

Abstract: A position of a rotary valve having limited motion between an open and a closed position is determined by a limit sensor. A stepper motor supplies power to open and close the rotary valve. A coupling transmits any stepper motor motion to the rotary valve. A sensor actuator is affixed to the coupling. A limit sensor determines the position of the rotary valve by sensing the position of the sensor actuator, wherein there is no contact between the sensor actuator and the limit switch when the position of the rotary valve is being determined.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle for the atomization of liquids and, more particularly, a three-fluid nozzle for effectuating a unique method of atomizing high viscosity liquids and difficult-to-spherize liquids which are to be spray-dried. Also disclosed is a novel method of atomizing high viscosity liquids and liquids which are difficult to spherize in an essentially two-step atomization sequence through the utilization of the inventive three-fluid atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A method for agglomerating a low-moisture, amorphous gelatin-containing mix wherein finely ground gelatin is combined with a ground, anhydrous food acid and ground sugar and/or polydextrose and the mix is heated, while being agitated to a temperature between 180.degree. and 200.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating a gas in a candy glass. The incorporation or mixing of the gas takes place in a vessel containing hot candy (sugar) melt under superatmospheric pressure. The melt is stirred within the vessel using a rotatably mounted shaft with paddle blades attached to it and is mounted on the vertical axis of the vessel. Said shaft has a hollow interior with sidewall openings at each end. The level of the melt in the vessel envelops the paddle blades and the lower opening of said shaft. Thus, when the gas is introduced at the top of the vessel, it enters the shaft at the top opening and exits at the bottom opening and is dispersed within the melt by the rotating paddle blades.

Abstract: This invention relates to incorporating a gas into a hot candy (sugar) melt within a pressure vessel at superatmospheric pressure. The gasified hot melt is transferred from the pressure vessel to a cooling tube, through a line or lines connecting the bottom of the pressure vessel to the bottom of the tube, by creating pressure differential between the cooling tube and the pressure vessel while venting the top of the tube to the atmosphere. When the transfer is complete, the cooling tube is isolated and the pressure within it is maintained at superatmospheric and it is cooled to a temperature below 70.degree.F. whereby the gasified hot melt becomes a gas-containing solid matrix. Next, the cooling tube is shock-treated so that the gas-containing solid matrix is shattered into multiple fragments.