Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing hydro-cyclone separation in a filtering system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first, second and third storage tanks, a pump, a motor, a variable speed drive, and a hydro-cyclone. The pump pulls fluid from the third storage tank and routes it to the hydro-cyclone where particles are separated out. The filtered fluid is then routed onto a mechanism, such as a car wash, where the clean fluid is utilized. Since the car wash cannot always use all of the filtered fluid, a controller monitor flow rate and fluid pressure, and operates a proportional fluid control valve to bypass some or all of the fluid routed to the car wash and redirect it back to the second storage tank. This process allows the hydro-cyclone to operate at maximum efficiency while flow to the carwash may vary. The dirty particles separated out by the hydro-cyclone are routed to the first storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method use permeate to flush a reverse osmosis filter membrane in the same flow direction as when fluid is being filtered through the membrane. The apparatus includes a housing having a membrane positioned therein. The membrane has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The housing has an inlet port located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and first and second outlet ports. The first outlet port is located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and the second outlet port is located inward of the interior surface of the membrane. A first pump is used to route pressurized, untreated fluid from a fluid source through the membrane to produce permeate. A second pump is used to route permeate to a desired function while also routing some permeate at low pressure to the housing to flush the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method use permeate to flush a reverse osmosis filter membrane in the same flow direction as when fluid is being filtered through the membrane. The apparatus includes a housing having a membrane positioned therein. The membrane has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The housing has an inlet port located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and first and second outlet ports. The first outlet port is located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and the second outlet port is located inward of the interior surface of the membrane. A first pump is used to route pressurized, untreated fluid from a fluid source through the membrane to produce permeate. A second pump is used to route permeate to a desired function while also routing some permeate at low pressure to the housing to flush the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing hydro-cyclone separation in a filtering system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first, second and third storage tanks, a pump, a motor, a variable speed drive, and a hydro-cyclone. The pump pulls fluid from the third storage tank and routes it to the hydro-cyclone where particles are separated out. The filtered fluid is then routed onto a mechanism, such as a car wash, where the clean fluid is utilized. Since the car wash cannot always use all of the filtered fluid, a controller monitor flow rate and fluid pressure, and operates a proportional fluid control valve to bypass some or all of the fluid routed to the car wash and redirect it back to the second storage tank. This process allows the hydro-cyclone to operate at maximum efficiency while flow to the carwash may vary. The dirty particles separated out by the hydro-cyclone are routed to the first storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using permeate to flush a reverse osmosis filter membrane in the same flow direction as when fluid is being filtered through the membrane is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a membrane positioned therein. The housing has an inlet side and an outlet side. The membrane has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The housing has an inlet port located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane, at the inlet side of the housing, and a first outlet port and a second outlet port both located at the outlet side of the housing. The first outlet port is located outward of the exterior surface of the membrane and the second outlet port is located inward of the interior surface of the membrane. A first pump is used to route pressurized, untreated fluid from a fluid source through the membrane to produce permeate. A storage tank holds permeate until needed.

Abstract: A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.

Abstract: A shock strut includes a relief device that reduces the internal pressure within a sealed chamber of the shock strut when a load condition that exceeds a maximum operating load condition is encountered. The reduced pressure permits a telescopically moving piston of the shock strut to be received into a corresponding cylinder to an amount that increases the structural capability of the shock strut, especially with respect to applied side loads that generate bending and shearing stresses in the shock strut. In one embodiment, the reduced pressure permits the piston to “bottom out” relative to the cylinder, which is a condition not otherwise achievable without the relief device. This additional stroke achievable by the piston reduces or eliminates the need to reinforce and thus add weight to the shock strut because of higher load condition design requirements.

Abstract: A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.