Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An animated apparatus for vehicles can comprise an animated apparatus, an actuator, a controller, and a power supply. The animated apparatus having a shape to mimic an anatomical structure. The actuator coupled to the animated apparatus and capable of moving the animated apparatus mounted on the vehicle to mimic a gesture or movement of a portion of a creature or human anatomical structure or body part. The controller in electronic or mechanical communication with the actuator, wherein the controller responds to an input so as to control via the actuator a movement of the animated apparatus. The power supply coupled to the actuator to supply power to the actuator; and a vehicle coupling mechanism operable to couple at least one of the animated device and the actuator to a vehicle.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having a discharge port; and a shell and tube heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the discharge port. The heat exchanger includes a shell and a tube bundle disposed inside the shell. The shell includes a first flat portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell, and a second flat portion parallel to the first flat portion and extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The tube bundle is positioned between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end of the shell and the second end of the shell.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having a discharge port; and a shell and tube heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the discharge port. The heat exchanger includes a shell and a tube bundle disposed inside the shell. The shell includes a first flat portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell, and a second flat portion parallel to the first flat portion and extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The tube bundle is positioned between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end of the shell and the second end of the shell.

Abstract: An impeller including a hub body, a shroud surrounding the hub body, and a plurality of impeller blades extending from the hub body to the shroud, wherein the hub body, the shroud, and the plurality of impeller blades are a one-piece structure.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a gas compression system that includes a gas compressor having a drive shaft, an impeller drive shaft magnetically coupled to the drive shaft, and a shroud disposed between the drive shaft and the impeller drive shaft. In other embodiments provided is method that includes magnetically coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft, receiving a rotational torque at the first drive shaft, transmitting the rotational torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft via the magnetic coupling, and rotating a gas compressor impeller coupled to the second drive shaft.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.

Abstract: An impeller including a hub body, a shroud surrounding the hub body, and a plurality of impeller blades extending from the hub body to the shroud, wherein the hub body, the shroud, and the plurality of impeller blades are a one-piece structure.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.

Abstract: An anthropomorphic vehicle accessory is disclosed and described. The anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include an interface portion to attach the accessory to a vehicle. Additionally, the anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include a plurality of elongate strips resembling eyelashes coupled to and extending away from the interface portion.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a gas compression system that includes a gas compressor having a drive shaft, an impeller drive shaft magnetically coupled to the drive shaft, and a shroud disposed between the drive shaft and the impeller drive shaft. In other embodiments provided is method that includes magnetically coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft, receiving a rotational torque at the first drive shaft, transmitting the rotational torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft via the magnetic coupling, and rotating a gas compressor impeller coupled to the second drive shaft.

Abstract: Portions of the drive system for a piece of rotating equipment are pre-assembled into a subassembly. The subassembly can be held together by a carrier that is fabricated to accept the components in a proper alignment so that the carrier can be installed as a unit. In one embodiment, the carrier becomes a gearbox housing component that is installed, saving the need for individual component alignment. This modular approach allows an assembly having a single part number to apply to a given compressor unit and further allows standardization of air ends of compressors with specific impellers and inlets added to meet requirements of a specific application.

Abstract: Portions of the drive system for a piece of rotating equipment are pre-assembled into a subassembly. The subassembly can be held together by a carrier that is fabricated to accept the components in a proper alignment so that the carrier can be installed as a unit. In the preferred embodiment the carrier becomes a gearbox housing component that is installed saving the need for individual component alignment. Using the modular approach. The modular approach allows an assembly having a single part number to apply to a given compressor unit and further allows standardization of air ends of compressors with specific impellers and inlets added to meet requirements of a specific application.

Abstract: A wind turbine having at least one air foil with a leading edge and a trailing edge and in which the air foil is rotatably mounted about an axis. A thermoelectric film is disposed over at least a portion of the leading edge of the air foil and this thermoelectric film generates heat upon application of a voltage differential across the thermoelectric film. A control unit is electrically connected to and controls the application of the voltage differential across the thermoelectric film to deice the air foil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of lamps. A support structure may be provided for attaching to the lamp. The support structure may be attached in a manner such that the support structure may be hidden from view by the lamp shade. The support structure may be versatile to be attached to lamps of various different configurations. One or more decorative ornaments may be attached to the support structure for enhancing the appearance of the lamp. The ornaments may be removed and interchanged with other decorations such that the lamp may be decorated differently for different occasions.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.