Abstract: A self-cleaning retractable putty knife is disclosed that wipes moist putty residues off its blade by retracting the blade into the handle of the knife. The handle includes a retraction aperture which wipingly contacts the majority of the blade surface during retraction of the blade. The retraction aperture is formed of a flexible material able remain in continuous wiping contact with the blade, even if the blade has a tapered dimension. Alternatively, the aperture can include spring-loaded movable gates that maintain continuous wiping contact with the blade. In some embodiments, the blade can be selectably locked at various positions to provide various extension lengths. The blade can be retracted either manually or mechanically.

Abstract: A self-cleaning retractable putty knife is disclosed that wipes moist putty residues off its blade by retracting the blade into the handle of the knife. The handle includes a retraction aperture which wipingly contacts the majority of the blade surface during retraction of the blade. The retraction aperture is formed of a flexible material able remain in continuous wiping contact with the blade, even if the blade has a tapered dimension. Alternatively, the aperture can include spring-loaded movable gates that maintain continuous wiping contact with the blade. In some embodiments, the blade can be selectably locked at various positions to provide various extension lengths. The blade can be retracted either manually or mechanically.

Abstract: A flow meter including at least one flow valve used to performance test system compressors is described. The flow meter includes a pressure vessel including at least one exit port. A flow valve is coupled to each vessel exit port, and each flow valve discharges fluid from the vessel at a pre-determined flow rate. The flow valve includes a first end, a second end, and a bore extending therethrough. The bore includes an entrance portion and an exit portion. The bore entrance portion is frusto-conical and curves outwardly from the bore exit portion such that a diameter of the bore entrance portion is variable and larger than a diameter of the bore exit portion.

Abstract: A flow meter including at least one flow valve used to performance test system compressors is described. The flow meter includes a pressure vessel including at least one exit port. A flow valve is coupled to each vessel exit port, and each flow valve discharges fluid from the vessel at a pre-determined flow rate. The flow valve includes a first end, a second end, and a bore extending therethrough. The bore includes an entrance portion and an exit portion. The bore entrance portion is frusto-conical and curves outwardly from the bore exit portion such that a diameter of the bore entrance portion is variable and larger than a diameter of the bore exit portion.

Abstract: A flow meter including at least one flow valve used to performance test system compressors is described. The flow meter includes a pressure vessel including at least one exit port. A flow valve is coupled to each vessel exit port, and each flow valve discharges fluid from the vessel at a pre-determined flow rate. The flow valve includes a first end, a second end, and a bore extending therethrough. The bore includes an entrance portion and an exit portion. The bore entrance portion is frusto-conical and curves outwardly from the bore exit portion such that a diameter of the bore entrance portion is variable and larger than a diameter of the bore exit portion.

Abstract: A self-grounding igniter for an industrial burner that is more durable and less fragile, by virtue of the insulating jacket being relatively short and limited to the tip end of the igniter. The burner has a final inlet, an air inlet, a housing and a burner nozzle inside the housing. The igniter comprises a metal rod having a discharge electrode at one end and a mount and connector at the other end. The connector is adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source. An insulating jacket circumscribes a top end segment of the metal rod in proximity to the discharge electrode. A ground electrode metal sleeve is mounted to the outside of the insulating jacket in fixed proximity to the discharge electrode, thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed distance. This configuration provides an exposed metal surface on the rod between the insulating jacket and the mount. The exposed metal surface has a length substantially corresponding to the distance between the housing and the burner nozzle.