Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to monitoring systems for chemical filters used with fuel cell systems. In an embodiment, a fuel cell chemical filter monitoring system is included having a processing unit and a sensor package. The sensor package can include one or more sensors. The sensor package can be configured to interface with an air flow channel of a fuel cell system upstream of a chemical filter and detect an amount of a chemical compound in the air flow channel. The sensor package can be operatively connected to the processing unit. The processing unit can be configured to track total exposure of the chemical filter to the chemical compound. The processing unit can be configured to estimate a remaining life of the chemical filter based on the tracked total exposure of the chemical filter and data regarding the total capacity of the chemical filter. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless transceiver is used to wirelessly connect various electrohydraulic components in a hydraulic system. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system includes a harvesting device for converting hydraulic energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by the harvesting device can be used to power one or more electrohydraulic components and wireless transceivers. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system also includes a flow control device powered by the harvesting device for actively controlling the hydraulic flow through the harvesting device.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises at least one motion sensor operable to measure movement of such boom or elongate member resulting from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust the hydraulic fluid flow to the load holding chamber of an actuator attached to the boom or elongate member to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: Arrangements for capturing aerosol during dental procedures include an extraoral suction device and a blower arrangement to induce an airflow zone to push aerosol to the suction device. Blower arrangements can include plenums in the form of a tube, or a face mask, or attached to safety glasses. Extraoral suction devices can be wearable in the form of appliances to be fitted onto either the patient or the dental professional. Improved extraoral suction devices can include a screen secured to a nozzle of the device.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises at least one motion sensor operable to measure movement of such boom or elongate member resulting from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust the hydraulic fluid flow to the load holding chamber of an actuator attached to the boom or elongate member to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanical transmission includes a first hydraulic unit having a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit having a second shaft. The second hydraulic unit is connected in hydraulic fluid communication with the first hydraulic unit by high and low pressure lines. At least one of the first and second hydraulic units has variable displacement. A mechanical torque transfer arrangement transfers torque between the first shaft and the rotatable component of the second hydraulic unit. One of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic pump and the other of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises at least one motion sensor operable to measure movement of such boom or elongate member resulting from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust the hydraulic fluid flow to the load holding chamber of an actuator attached to the boom or elongate member to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises multiple pressure sensors operable to measure pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic fluid pressures in the non-load holding and load holding chambers of a hydraulic actuator connected to the boom or elongate member that result from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust hydraulic fluid flow to the actuator's load holding chamber to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a hybrid, wireless sensor network architecture for monitoring, operating, controlling, or maintaining a fluid delivery and distribution system. The architecture includes intelligent fittings locatable at almost any location within the system and that are configured with sensor modules to make measurements of characteristics of a fluid passing therethrough or of component parameters, and with wireless communication modules to wireless communicate the measurements. The intelligent fittings may be used, via strategic location, to convert unintelligent components of the system into intelligent components at a cost lower than that required to replace the unintelligent components with intelligent components. The intelligent fittings may also replace unintelligent fittings to provide supplemental data corresponding to fluid characteristics at desired locations of a fluid delivery and distribution system.

Abstract: A system for compensating for drift or movement of a hydraulic actuator connected to a machine's boom or similar elongate member that is caused, at least in part, by damping of mass-induced vibration. The system comprises a processing unit and a plurality of sensors operable to collect data from a control valve connected to an actuator's load holding chamber and to calculate additional volume present therein due to vibration damping. Using the calculated additional volume, the processing unit determines a hydraulic fluid flow rate appropriate to substantially reduce or eliminate the additional volume. The processing unit combines this flow rate with the hydraulic fluid flow rate necessary to cause operation of the actuator in response to the machine's operator input, and provides signals to the control valve causing actuation of the valve to output hydraulic fluid to the actuator at a rate equal to the combined flow rates.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanical transmission includes a first hydraulic unit having a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit having a second shaft. The second hydraulic unit is connected in hydraulic fluid communication with the first hydraulic unit by high and low pressure lines. A valve having a variable orifice is positioned along the high and low pressure lines, and at least one of the first and second hydraulic units has a variable displacement. A mechanical torque transfer arrangement transfers torque between the first shaft of the first hydraulic unit and a rotatable component of the second hydraulic unit. In use, one of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic pump and the other of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanical transmission includes a first hydraulic unit having a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit having a second shaft. The second hydraulic unit is connected in hydraulic fluid communication with the first hydraulic unit by high and low pressure lines. At least one of the first and second hydraulic units has variable displacement. A mechanical torque transfer arrangement transfers torque between the first shaft and the rotatable component of the second hydraulic unit. One of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic pump and the other of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises multiple pressure sensors operable to measure pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic fluid pressures in the non-load holding and load holding chambers of a hydraulic actuator connected to the boom or elongate member that result from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust hydraulic fluid flow to the actuator's load holding chamber to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: A system for damping mass-induced vibrations in a machine having a long boom or elongate member, the movement of which causes mass-induced vibration in such boom or elongate member. The system comprises at least one motion sensor operable to measure movement of such boom or elongate member resulting from mass-induced vibration, and a processing unit operable to control a first control valve spool in a pressure control mode and a second control valve spool in a flow control mode in order to adjust the hydraulic fluid flow to the load holding chamber of an actuator attached to the boom or elongate member to dampen the mass-induced vibration. The system further comprises a control manifold fluidically interposed between the actuator and control valve spools that causes the first and second control valve spools to operate, respectively, in pressure and flow control modes.

Abstract: A system for compensating for drift or movement of a hydraulic actuator connected to a machine's boom or similar elongate member that is caused, at least in part, by damping of mass-induced vibration. The system comprises a processing unit and a plurality of sensors operable to collect data from a control valve connected to an actuator's load holding chamber and to calculate additional volume present therein due to vibration damping. Using the calculated additional volume, the processing unit determines a hydraulic fluid flow rate appropriate to substantially reduce or eliminate the additional volume. The processing unit combines this flow rate with the hydraulic fluid flow rate necessary to cause operation of the actuator in response to the machine's operator input, and provides signals to the control valve causing actuation of the valve to output hydraulic fluid to the actuator at a rate equal to the combined flow rates.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanical transmission includes a first hydraulic unit having a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit having a second shaft. The second hydraulic unit is connected in hydraulic fluid communication with the first hydraulic unit by high and low pressure lines. At least one of the first and second hydraulic units has variable displacement. A mechanical torque transfer arrangement transfers torque between the first shaft and the rotatable component of the second hydraulic unit. One of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic pump and the other of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanical transmission includes a first hydraulic unit having a first shaft and a second hydraulic unit having a second shaft. The second hydraulic unit is connected in hydraulic fluid communication with the first hydraulic unit by high and low pressure lines. A mechanical torque transfer arrangement transfers torque between the first shaft of the first hydraulic unit and a rotatable housing of the second hydraulic unit. One of the first and second hydraulic units operates as a hydraulic pump and the other operates as a hydraulic motor, and both of the first and second hydraulic units have variable displacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a hybrid, wireless sensor network architecture for monitoring, operating, controlling, or maintaining a fluid delivery and distribution system. The architecture includes intelligent fittings locatable at almost any location within the system and that are configured with sensor modules to make measurements of characteristics of a fluid passing therethrough or of component parameters, and with wireless communication modules to wireless communicate the measurements. The intelligent fittings may be used, via strategic location, to convert unintelligent components of the system into intelligent components at a cost lower than that required to replace the unintelligent components with intelligent components. The intelligent fittings may also replace unintelligent fittings to provide supplemental data corresponding to fluid characteristics at desired locations of a fluid delivery and distribution system.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided to reduce a dead volume when pressurizing gas. The system includes a gas source, a gas output, a pressure vessel coupled to the gas source and the gas output, a hydraulic system that forces hydraulic fluid into the pressure vessel from the gas source to compress gas, and an overflow tank that receives overflow of hydraulic fluid once all gas has been expelled from the pressure vessel via the gas output.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless transceiver is used to wirelessly connect various electrohydraulic components in a hydraulic system. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system includes a harvesting device for converting hydraulic energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by the harvesting device can be used to power one or more electrohydraulic components and wireless transceivers. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system also includes a flow control device powered by the harvesting device for actively controlling the hydraulic flow through the harvesting device.