Abstract: A vane for use in a rotary vane pump. The vane has a length L extending between a first edge of the vane and a second edge of the vane and a width W extending perpendicular to said length, the width extending between a third edge of said vane and a fourth edge of the vane, and further comprising a channel extending through said vane and provided at a position along said length L of said vane. The channel maybe positioned away from said first and second edges such that said vane has a constant length L along its width. The width of the channel may vary in shape between first and second points along the length of the vane. The channel may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape or a circular shape. A method for detecting the decrease in length of the vane is also described.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a body comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.

Abstract: A vane for use in a rotary vane pump. The vane has a length L extending between a first edge of the vane and a second edge of the vane and a width W extending perpendicular to said length, the width extending between a third edge of said vane and a fourth edge of the vane, and further comprising a channel extending through said vane and provided at a position along said length L of said vane. The channel maybe positioned away from said first and second edges such that said vane has a constant length L along its width. The width of the channel may vary in shape between first and second points along the length of the vane. The channel may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape or a circular shape. A method for detecting the decrease in length of the vane is also described.

Abstract: A vane for use in a rotary pump “R” a first portion P1 having a first thickness T1 and a second portion P2 which has a second thickness T2 that is greater than the first thickness T1. In some examples, the vane has an L-shaped cross-section. In other examples, said second portion P2 has a circular cross-section.

Abstract: A rotary recline mechanism for allowing reclining movement of a first part relative to a second part, the mechanism comprising: a plurality of friction pads arranged to be compressed together, the plurality of friction pads comprising alternating first friction pads connected to the first part and second friction pads connected to the second part; biasing means to bias the friction pads into compressed frictional engagement; actuator means to which force is applied by a user; and a force transmission means that translates a first force applied by the user in a first direction to act against the force of the biasing means to release the frictional pads from the compressed frictional engagement to allow the first friction pads to rotate relative to the second friction pads.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a body comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a boding comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.

Abstract: A rotary recline mechanism for allowing reclining movement of a first part relative to a second part, the mechanism comprising: a plurality of friction pads (10) arranged to be compressed together, the plurality of friction pads comprising alternating first friction pads (10a) connected to the first part and second friction pads (10b) connected to the second part; biasing means (7) to bias the friction pads into compressed frictional engagement; actuator means (5) to which force is applied by a user; and a force transmission means (6,8) that translates a first force applied by the user in a first direction to act against the force of the biasing means to release the frictional pads from the compressed frictional engagement to allow the first friction pads to rotate relative to the second friction pads.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The valve body has an internal circumferential wall defining a gas passageway between the gas inlet and gas outlet. The inlet of the valve body is connectable to a source of pressurized gas. The valve also includes a rupture disc provided adjacent said gas inlet, wherein the ruptured disc is configured to prevent flow of gas through said inlet when intact and to allow flow of gas through said inlet when ruptured. The valve includes ribs radially extending from the internal circumferential wall, said ribs extending longitudinally in the direction to the gas outlet and from the gas inlet in a maze-type pattern. The ribs may be formed in a printed pattern to form a maze with dead-ends.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve comprises a valve housing comprising a pressure-regulating chamber having an inlet for high pressure fluid and an outlet for pressure-regulated fluid, and a valve element received in the pressure-regulating chamber and movable axially therein for regulating the pressure of the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. The valve element comprises a regulating element having a regulator head slidably and sealingly received in the valve housing, the regulating element extending into the regulating chamber, at least one spring, and an adjustment head for adjusting an initial compression of the at least one spring within the regulating chamber. The at least one spring is integrally formed with and extends between the regulator head and the adjustment head.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a boding comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a boding comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a boding comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.