Abstract: Devices for agitating animal bedding are disclosed. The devices include a tumbler, a closure mechanism, a rotating mechanism, a motor, and a controller. The devices for agitating animal bedding are constructed and arranged to fit within a cage body. Systems having a cage body and a tumbler positioned within the cage body are disclosed. Methods of testing an animal population for a target pathogen are disclosed. The methods include introducing used animal bedding into a tumbler, introducing a sample collection unit into the tumbler, actuating a closure mechanism to fasten the tumbler, instructing the controller to operate the motor driving the rotating mechanism, retrieving a loaded sample collection unit from the tumbler, and testing the sample for the presence of the target pathogen. Methods of retrofitting a cage body including providing a device for agitating animal bedding are also disclosed.

Abstract: An animal caging system for remote monitoring includes a frame, a carousel-style rack configured to support at least one animal cage, and a monitoring system attached to the frame for capturing data from the animal cage. The monitoring system includes a support leg, a mounting arm for mounting the monitoring system to the frame, and at least one sensor for monitoring or observing the interior of the cage. The monitoring system may also include a motor for rotating the carousel-style rack, to allow multiple cages to be monitored by a single sensor or set of sensors, in sequence, as the carousel-style rack rotates.

Abstract: A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system has at least one spray device for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and an effluent trough for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end or underneath side of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, a source of the cleaning liquid and the effluent trough are located on a mobile unit. Further, a treatment system for treating the collected cleaning liquid is also located on a mobile unit.

Abstract: Plating apparatus comprises a gear mechanism for imparting planetary motion to a set of holders for holding substrates in a plating bath. The holders are typically a non-conductive material such as plastic. The holders are coupled to a bearing comprising first and second plastic races and metallic balls therebetween. This embodiment reduces the amount of plastic moving against plastic, and therefore reduces the amount of wear, friction, and generation of contaminant parts. The holders comprise a central mandrel and outer mandrels connected to end pieces. The substrates are held at their outer edges between the outer mandrels and the central mandrels.

Abstract: A coupler 10 for pressure conduits 12a-d comprises movable components 22, 26 selectively engageable with or disengageable from fixed components 34 to provide disconnectable sealed pressure connections therewith, the moveable components 22 being acted upon by a primary actuator comprising a bearing plate 52, a thrust nut 50 and a threaded drive spindle 44. Spindle 44 is mounted in an end cap 46 normally held fixed relative to the fixed components by collet fingers 66 but which is disengageable from a connector body 14 upon withdrawal of a retainer sleeve (70, FIG. 8) so as to provide secondary actuation of the movable components 22, 26 independently of the primary actuator 44, 50, 52.

Abstract: A clamp for a memory disk having a disk aperture bounded by a cylindrical peripheral edge and chamfered peripheral edges includes facing clamp members having chamfered peripheral edges which are parallel to the chamfered edges of the disk aperture. The clamp directs forces to the disk chamfered edges substantially perpendicular to the disk sides thus preventing deformation or cracking of a clamped disk. Preferably, the disk is held between a chamfer on a housing and a chamfer on an expandable collet extending from the housing. A longitudinal movable expander extending through the housing and collet is attached to a pull bar to expand curved segments of the collet to first move the segments particularly the chamfer to a radial position opposite but spaced from a disk chamfered edge, then longitudinally to contact and clamp the disk with a predetermined force.