Abstract: A platform container transfer terminal (10) functions as an efficient hub port. Sea Point™ Transfer station modules (21, 22, 23) can be moved intact across oceans for rapid erection in remote or strategic locations to provide high speed loading and unloading of large container vessels (31, 32) to lighters or feeder vessels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and/or to facilities adjacent. A gantry crane (510) combined with one or more rotating boom cranes (11, 12, 17, 18) increases cargo productivity economically. There can be two luffing boom cranes attached to the gantry and two slewing boom cranes attached to the gantry. One can retrofit an existing gantry by attaching a boom crane and frame to a ship-to-shore gantry.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of vacuum vessels, each having a processing chamber capable of processing a subject substrate sample placed therein under reduced pressure; a cassette stage for mounting a cassette capable of containing a plurality of the samples; at least one transfer apparatus for transferring the sample from the cassette to the processing chamber in one of the vacuum vessels along a predetermined path and returning the sample processed in the processing chamber to the cassette; and an aligner placed on the path between the cassette stage and the plurality of vacuum vessels for aligning the sample to a predetermined position. The aligner aligns the sample to different positions depending on processings applied to the sample.

Abstract: A mounting stock support or support jig assembly is disclosed for use in the manufacture of large, symmetrical hollow welded metal vessels having openings in one end, particularly exemplified by conventional hollow concrete mixing drums for transit concrete mixing trucks. The device is fully mechanized and automatically centers a cradled drum or other vessel for turning or rotation in the cradle and completion of welding assembly and other tasks requiring accurate centered rotation of the vessel such as machining roller tracks.

Abstract: A combined transporting and merchandising display system includes a stacked array of packaging crates. Each crate has one or more openings in the front wall and/or rear wall for access to and removal of product from the crate. Inter-engaging flutes and recesses on respective upper and lower crates secure the crates together in a nested relationship. A series of fine ribs is arranged on the top surface of the base of each crate to reduce friction between the product and the base so as to allow for gravity feeding of the product to the front of the crate is tilted forwards. The bottom crate is engageable with a tiltable top surface on a trolley (not shown) such that the stacked array of crates can be wheeled about. The product is preferably bottles or cartons of milk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the movement of a stabilized safety device for cylindrically shaped objects to reduce the possibility of cylindrically shaped tanks toppling over and possibly shearing off the tank's valve assembly. The stabilization mechanism generally comprises a cylindrically shaped barrel, having a first open end and a second open end and which is fitted with a plurality of stabilization outriggers. Each of the plurality of outriggers extends from the exterior surface of the barrel, radially outward away from the barrel. The inner diameter of the barrel is sufficient to accept a pressurized cylinder or tank. The stabilization mechanism further comprises one or more fixtures for cooperating with and receiving a counterpart fixture on a cart. The fixtures are securely fastened to various components of the stabilization mechanism at locations thereon which are accessible to the cart.

Abstract: A load port door for opening a container storing one or more workpieces. The port door includes a pair of latch keys for unlocking the container door from the container shell and coupling the container door to the port door. The port door further includes a retention mechanism for preventing or minimizing motion of the container door relative to the port door while the container door and port door are coupled together. In one embodiment, the retention mechanism includes a plunger that essentially pushes the container door away from the port door and against the back surface of the latch keys. In another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises a spring-actuated registration pin that pushes the container door away from the port door and against the back surface of the latch keys while the port door and container door are coupled together.

Abstract: An assembly for loading and unloading supply cylinders containing a hazardous fluid substance into and out of a secondary containment vessel having a substantially horizontal tubular side wall with a vessel longitudinal axis and a vessel closed end with a vessel end wall opposite a vessel open end, the vessel open end being fitted with a vessel hinged door includes a substantially horizontal roller track for positioning substantially co-axially in front of and spaced outwardly from the vessel open end, the roller track including a receiving segment having a receiving segment forward end directed toward the vessel open end and having an opposing receiving segment rearward end, and including a track bridge segment pivotally mounted at the receiving segment forward end, for pivoting from non-deployed position to a substantially horizontal deployed position in which the bridge segment extends substantially from the receiving segment forward end to the vessel open end.

Abstract: A hoist for elevating cargo onto the bed of a truck includes a frame which may be mounted to the truck bed, a platform or container which is connected to the frame by a pivoting arm, and an arrangement of linkages for rotating the arm to position the platform either on the truck bed or on a loading and unloading position resting on the ground behind the truck. A threaded screw and an arm tube are connected to the arm via the linkages, with the linkages being arranged to increase the effective “flow” of the arm to provide a long travel distance of the arm. Rotational movement is imparted to the screw by electric, pneumatic and hydraulic systems to extend or retract the cantilever arm as desired.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses and method for configuring a compartmentable equipment to accommodate emergency responses. An exemplary equipment comprises a plurality of removable compartments for storing workpieces so that in emergency events, such as power failure or equipment failure, the workpieces can be removed from the equipment for continuing processing without disrupting the flow of the fabrication facility. The compartmentable equipment can comprise emergency access ports, including mating interface to a portable workpiece removal equipment to allow accessing the individual compartments without compromising the quality, defects and yield of the workpieces stored in the stocker.

Abstract: A depalletizing apparatus for separating stacked objects from a stack. In one embodiment, the depalletizing apparatus comprises a clamping assembly having a moveable arm with a proximal and distal end, the proximal end of the arm being operatively coupled to a first robotic mechanism and the distal end being operatively coupled to a clamp mechanism configured to close and secure the divider, wherein the divider is manipulated by movement of the arm, and a separating assembly having a separator arm configured to be inserted into the stack in the proximity of the divider that is engaged by the clamping assembly, wherein the separator is inserted into the stack at a position at or below the divider and the collection of stacked objects are positioned for depalletizing by formation of a gap between the collection of stacked objects and the divider.

Abstract: According to the invention, to use wind energy, a flow is conducted effectively onto a rotor to convert the flow energy by means of a steering mechanism. According to the invention, the steering mechanism permits: the wind to be conducted from a point of higher wind speed to a point of lower wind speed that is preferred for the installation of the rotor; the flow cross-section to be narrowed and compressed, thus increasing the flow speed; one side of a rotor with an axis running transversally to the wind direction to be shielded; and/or a suction effect to be generated downstream of the rotor in the flow direction. The device comprises a hollow tower (2) with a wind trap opening (5) at the upper end and a flow channel that is formed by the hollow cross-section of the tower (2), said channel leading downwards to at least one rotor (12; 14) that is located in the vicinity of the ground for converting the flow energy. An outlet (13) for the air is situated downstream of the rotor.

Abstract: A vacuum side channel compressor (10) comprises a pump stator (14) and a pump rotor (12), which surround a side channel (31,32,33,34). An axial bearing (22) is provided for mounting the pump rotor (12). A sealing gap (40) is formed next to the side channel between the pump stator (14) and the pump rotor (12), part of which forms a conical ring whose imaginary cone apex (50) lies in the vicinity of the axial bearing (22).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and high pressure turbine operatively joined together. The turbine includes a row of nozzle vanes followed by a row of rotor blades. The vanes and blades have corresponding forward and aft internal cooling channels. First, second, third, and fourth bleed circuits are joined in flow communication with different stages of the compressor for bleeding pressurized air therefrom at different pressures to provide coolant to the forward and aft channels of the turbine vanes and blades.

Abstract: A water pump includes an impeller provided at a first end of a rotational shaft supported by a body via a bearing, a mechanical seal provided between the impeller and the bearing, a draining hole introducing a water drop leaked from an impeller side via the mechanical seal to a reservoir provided at a bottom of the body and having a side opening, a plugging member provided at the side opening of the reservoir for liquid-tightly sealing the reservoir, and an opening portion provided at the plugging member for communicating the reservoir and an atmosphere side.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and high pressure (HP) turbine operatively joined together. An interstage cooling circuit is joined in flow communication from an intermediate stage of the compressor to a forward face of an HP disk supporting a row of turbine blades for channeling interstage bleed cooling air thereto.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and high pressure turbine operatively joined together. The turbine includes a nozzle followed by a row of rotor blades. A first bleed circuit is joined in flow communication between the last stage of the compressor and a forward cooling channel in vanes of the nozzle for feeding first cooling holes therein with pressurized primary air at a first pressure. A second bleed circuit is joined in flow communication between an intermediate stage of the compressor and aft cooling channels in the nozzle vanes to feed second cooling holes with pressurized secondary air at a second pressure less than the first pressure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and high pressure turbine operatively joined together. A first interstage bleed circuit is joined in flow communication between a first preultimate stage of the compressor and hollow blades in the turbine to provide thereto pressurized primary air. A second interstage bleed circuit is joined in flow communication between a second preultimate stage of the compressor and the turbine blades to provide thereto pressurized secondary air at a lower pressure than the primary air.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprising a bypass duct (22) defined by radially outer and inner walls (27, 30), the radially inner wall (30) defined by acoustic panels (30). The acoustic panels (30) define the outer wall of a heated fire zone. In conventional engines an insulating blanket is attached to the panels, however, this is heavy and costly. The present invention comprises cooling film means (50) to pass bypass air through and over an internal surface (39) of the panel (30).

Abstract: A row of turbine blades is surrounded by a turbine shroud. The shroud is supported by a turbine case having a pair of radially outwardly extending rails. The rails are perforate for channeling therethrough control air to control thermal radial movement of the case, and in turn radial position of the shroud supported therefrom.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and turbine having a row of blades mounted inside a surrounding turbine shroud. A heat exchanger is used for cooling pressurized air bled from the compressor. A distribution network joins the heat exchanger to the turbine for selectively channeling air from the heat exchanger below the blades and above the shroud for controlling blade tip clearance.

Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fan cowl disposed about an axis, a core cowl within the fan cowl and a bleed passage having an inlet that receives a bleed airflow and an outlet that discharges the bleed airflow in an upstream direction from the outlet. The bleed airflow is selectively introduced near a boundary layer of an inlet lip section of the fan cowl.

Abstract: A seal assembly (50) controls leakage of working fluid through an annular gap (G) between a static component (16) and a rotary component (28) in a turbomachine. The fixed and moving components (16, 28) each have stepped diameters including a plurality of circumferentially and axially extending lands (56, 58) that confront each other across the annular gap (G). They are complementarily formed such that the annular gap is maintained over the axial extent of the seal assembly. Both components (16, 18) are provided with rows of fins (60, 62) which extend circumferentially of the lands and project radially therefrom towards each other. The rows of fins 60 of the static component 16 are preferably unequally spaced apart with respect to the rows of fins 62 of the rotating component 16, so producing a vernier seal arrangement.

Abstract: An inner core cowl baffle assembly for a turbofan engine assembly is provided. The engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine, a core cowl which circumscribes the core gas turbine engine, a nacelle positioned radially outward from the core cowl, and a fan nozzle duct defined between the core cowl and the nacelle. The inner core cowl baffle assembly includes an inner core cowl baffle, and an actuator assembly configured to vary the throat area of the fan nozzle duct by selectively repositioning the inner core cowl baffle with respect to the core cowl.

Abstract: A turbofan engine assembly is provided. The turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine, a core cowl which circumscribes the core gas turbine engine, a nacelle positioned radially outward from the core cowl, a fan nozzle duct defined between the core cowl and the nacelle, and an inner core cowl baffle assembly positioned within the fan nozzle duct. The inner core cowl baffle assembly includes a first core cowl baffle coupled to a portion of the core cowl within the fan nozzle duct, a second core cowl baffle coupled to a portion of the core cowl and positioned a distance radially inward from the first core cowl baffle, and an actuator assembly configured to vary the throat area of the fan nozzle duct by selectively repositioning the second core cowl baffle with respect to the first core cowl baffle. A method for operating the turbofan engine assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a ceramic turbine vane ring onto a turbine support casing comprises a first metal clamping ring and a second metal clamping ring. The first metal clamping ring is configured to engage with a first side of a tab member of the ceramic turbine vane ring. The second metal clamping ring is configured to engage with a second side of the tab member such that the tab member is disposed between the first and second metal clamping rings.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite nozzle assembly. The ceramic matrix composite nozzle assembly may include a ceramic matrix composite vane, a number of metallic components positioned about the ceramic matrix composite vane, and a number of metallic seals positioned between the ceramic matrix composite vane and one or more of the metallic components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of free turbines mounted on a gas turbine engine. It provides a fastener device for fastening a free turbine stator on a gas generator casing that shares a common axis with the turbine stator, the fastener device comprising a flange carrying a plurality of assembly parts providing a first releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing, the flange providing first centering of the turbine stator on the casing. The fastener device further comprises a second releasable connection between the turbine stator and the gas generator casing that is axially offset from the flange towards the gas generator and that provides second centering of the turbine stator on the casing.

Abstract: A fan housing capable of anti-backflow includes a frame and a plurality of anti-backflow sheets. The frame has a plurality of fixing parts disposed at an opening of an outlet side of the frame. The anti-backflow sheets are respectively pivoted to the fixing parts and cover the opening on the outlet side of the frame. A fan having the fan housing capable of anti-backflow is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine having at least one blade includes determining an ambient air operating envelope and controlling a power output of the wind turbine at least partially based on the determined ambient air operating envelope. Determining an ambient air operating envelope includes measuring at least one of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, an ambient air humidity, and wind turbine power output. The method also includes comparing at least one of a measured ambient air temperature, a measured ambient air humidity and a measured ambient air pressure to predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values. The method further includes referencing the predetermined ambient air temperature, pressure and humidity values to at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining if an existing wind turbine power output is within a range associated with the determined ambient air operating envelope.

Abstract: An articulated rotor system with a servo-flap rotor control system locates the focal point of a blade retention spherical elastomeric bearing inboard of a joint in the servo-flap pitch control tube which separates the flap hinge and supports the servo-flap pitch control tube on a single pivot bearing within a blade retention spindle. Rotor blade flapping produces relative movements between the servo-flap pitch control tube and the blade retention spindle which is converted through a servo-flap drive linkage into servo-flap pitch motions to provide flap/pitch coupling which reduces steady and transient blade flapping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor for gas or steam turbines having a disk (1), an outer cover (2) and a plurality of blades (3). The disk (1) defines the portion of less diameter of the rotor and has an inner surface configured to be coupled on a shaft (100) of the turbine or connected to an axially adjacent disk (1?, 1?); an outer surface configured for housing a plurality of blades (3). The outer cover (2) defines the portion of greater diameter of the rotor. The blades (3) have a root (31) configured to be coupled on the disk (1) and a tip (32) opposite to the outer cover (2). Between these blades there is a plurality of blades (3) welded together at the tip (32) to form groups of blades (3a) and individual blades (3b) intercalated between groups of blades (3a).

Abstract: A fan includes an impeller portion generating an air flow and a motor that rotates the impeller portion about a center axis. The impeller portion is attached to a yoke of a rotor portion of the motor and is rotated with the yoke. A circular portion of the impeller is attached to a bottom opening of the yoke having a cylindrical shape whose top is covered by insert molding. Therefore, the impeller and the yoke may be securely fixed to each other. In addition, an outer side surface of the yoke is exposed to outside air such that the space arranged inward from the plurality of blades may be enlarged.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly includes a slot for mounting a rotor blade that extends partially through a rotor disk and a continuous uninterrupted hoop seal that extends about the circumference of the rotor disk. The rotor disk includes an integrally formed seal that includes at least one knife edge disposed concentrically about the rotor disk. The slot receives a root portion of a rotor blade but does not extend through the seal. As the seal remains an uninterrupted full hoop about the circumference of the rotor disk, additional rigidity and strength are realized. The increased rigidity and strength provided by the full hoop structure provides for the reduction in material and physical dimensions without compromising desired performance of the seal.

Abstract: Propeller blades without reverse rotating force and speed acceleration propeller blades are equipped in all kinds of transportations for accelerating speed without extra energy and generating transportation electricity.

Abstract: The present invention is related to rotor blade for a wind energy plant, with a blade root, with a first longitudinal portion starting from the blade root, with a second longitudinal portion, following up the first longitudinal portion and running into a blade tip, with a first surface, facing a tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, and a second surface, facing away from the tower of the wind energy plant in its assembled state, wherein an imaginary reference plane is spanned up by a rotation, taking place in the operation of the rotor blade, of the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal portion around the rotational axis of a rotor of the wind energy plant carrying the rotor blade.

Abstract: A heat treatment method for a nickel-based superalloy, in particular for the production of single-crystal components or directionally solidified components having a chemical composition permits full solution annealing at a temperature T1, the method comprising: partially solution annealing in a controlled manner at a temperature T2<T1 in a first step so as to obtain 5-10% of undissolved ?? phase in a residual eutectic; and performing a two-stage ageing treatment at respectively lower temperatures in a second step. As a function of the selected level of the partial solution annealing temperature, the proportion of the undissolved ?? phase can be adjusted in a controlled way, and the tolerance with respect to the disorientation of small-angle grain boundaries/grain boundaries can be increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blade mounting ring for a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and turbine blades which may be adjusted in the blade mounting ring on an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, comprising an austenitic iron matrix alloy with a sulphur component to achieve a solid lubrication effect on the bearing surfaces thereof with a material embodiment suitable for high performance engines. The above is achieved by means of a blade mounting ring with a proportion of 1 to 6 wt. % of an alloying element or several of the elements from tungsten (W), cobalt (Co), niobium (Nb), rhenium (Re), molybdenum (Mo), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), hafnium (Hf), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr) or similar.

Abstract: A component such as a turbine blade of a gas turbine engine has a cooling arrangement comprising a cascade impingement array in which cooling air flows from a supply chamber through impingement passages in webs to an internal passageway comprising first and second limbs. The cooling air flow through the limbs, provides improved heat transfer compared with continued impingement cooling in the chordwise direction of the blade.

Abstract: A liquid container aeration system for replenishing gases dissolved in a selected liquid present in an interior of said liquid container that checks on an electrical power source capability to continue operation and allows selected liquid substitution in the interior of the container.

Abstract: An auxiliary energy-accumulation and flow-enhancement device for a hydraulic system of a concrete pump is provided. The device includes a connection oil passage 1 having an input end P and an output end B. A check valve 11 is disposed in the oil passage between the input end P and the output end B, and an energy accumulator 10 and an overflow valve 12 having an output end T are connected to the oil passage between the check valve 11 and the input end P. Pressure oil enters from the input end P, the energy accumulator accumulates energy, and power oil is output through the check valve 11. An oil passage pressure of the output end B controls an energy accumulation state of the energy accumulator 10. The overflow valve 12 sets an overflow pressure, and overflowed hydraulic oil flows back to an oil tank from an output end T.

Abstract: A submersible pump apparatus comprising a housing containing all the components of the pump assembly for using the submersible pump apparatus in a body of water. A float or a plurality of floats are attached to the top side of the housing for providing a positive buoyancy to the submersible pump apparatus. The float is provided with a channel for slidably receiving a single weight or a plurality of weights. The weight is used to overcome the positive buoyancy of the float and achieve a negative buoyancy for submerging the submersible pump apparatus to the bottom of the body of water. A sled is attached to the bottom side of the housing and comprises the combination of both legs and feet for supporting the submersible pump apparatus at the bottom of a body of water. A finder float floating at the water surface level is attached using a rope to both the weight and the housing. By removing the weight or weights from the float, a positive buoyancy is restored to raise the submersible pump apparatus.

Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.

Abstract: A fuel pump (10) supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor (14), a shaft (16) driven by the motor, and a pump assembly (18) including a pumping element (20) mounted on the shaft. A fuel pump improvement includes the shaft being a multi-sided shaft with the pumping element having a central opening (22) through which the shaft extends. This opening is a contoured opening having a plurality of sides (24a-24c) each of which is in contact with a side (22a-22c) of the shaft to distribute wear which occurs between the shaft and the pumping element. This construction prolongs the operating life of the pump. In a roller vane type pump having N vanes, the motor shaft has a number of sides S determined by the formula S=N±1, and N>3.

Abstract: A compressor which includes a piston (150) reciprocating in a cylinder bore (111) provided in a cylinder block. Length of the circumferential surface at the compression load side (160) is made to be longer than that at the anti-compression load side (170), so that area of sliding-contact surface at the compression load side is greater than that at the anti-compression load side. The above configuration is effective to prevent occurrence of wearing due to unsymmetrical contact of piston with cylinder bore. Thus, deterioration in the refrigeration capability and instability of the performance is prevented.

Abstract: An inverter substrate 28 in which heat generating components 26 which make up an inverter control unit 9 are mounted on a rear surface side thereof is accommodated in a case 30 which is made of a material having a good thermal conductivity in such a manner that the heat generating components 30 are closely contact with a base of the case 30. The case 30 is provided between a pair of air tanks 5, 6 which are disposed parallel to each other at an interval and on a lower side of at least either of an electric motor 2 and compressors 3, 4 in such a manner as to be oriented downwards so that the base is located at an upper position. An air flow generated by cooling fans 20, 21 which are driven by the electric motor 2 is introduced to flow along the base of the case 30 to thereby cool the heat generating components 26 via the case 30.

Abstract: In a pump having a rotor inside a pump chamber which is formed inside a case which is formed of a resin material, and a resin mold compound in which an armature is molded with resin, a metallic cover is provided on a portion of an outer surface of the case inside the pump, wherein the portion has inferior durability compared with the rest of the outer surface.

Abstract: An arrangement has a turbomachine, a cooler, and a carrying frame that accommodates the turbomachine and the cooler, with frame segments. The cooler has at least one essentially pipe-shaped cooling element disposed horizontally, and the frame segments are disposed at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the cooling element, and have contact points on the underside to support the arrangement on a floor surface or a base frame. The at least one cooling element is attached to the frame segments by way of flexible sections for accommodating thermal deformations of the cooling element.

Abstract: There is provided a top plunger adapter assembly for use in controlling sand fouling of an oil pump system wherein the oil pump system reciprocates between upstrokes and downstrokes within a barrel, and wherein the oil pump system includes as components a sucker rod and a plunger. In one embodiment, the top plunger adapter assembly includes an adapter having a first end configured to receive a sucker rod, wherein the adapter includes a chamber which allows fluid movement therethrough; a collection cage rotatably mounted to the adapter, the collection cage defining an interior region, and the collection cage having an upper lip configured to direct sand toward the interior region of the collection cage during an upstroke of the pump; and a bottom cage attached to the adapter and the bottom cage having a bottom end configured to attach to a pump plunger, wherein the bottom cage includes a passage to allow fluid communication through the bottom cage to the chamber of the adapter.

Abstract: A compressor to compress liquid or gaseous fluids comprising a cylinder with a plunger provided therein. In a first embodiment, on both sides of said plunger, respective fluid suction and compression chambers are defined. On the longitudinally opposite ends of the compressor, respective fluid suction and discharge valves are provided. The plunger is connected to pulling means extending along the cylinder and projecting out of the compressor to cause the longitudinal reciprocating motion of the plunger by pulling said pulling means. In a second embodiment of the invention, on one side of the plunger a fluid suction and compression chamber is defined, and in one first end of the cylinder adjacent to said suction and compression chamber, a valve head is fixed with housings for the fluid suction valves and fluid discharge valves.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for laser eye surgery generally make use of a console that interchangeably accepts multiple types of eye treatment cassettes. The cassettes enable one or both of displacement-based or vacuum-based aspiration. The console and the cassette may communicate to establish the functionality of the installed cassette by utilizing a component indigenous to the operation of the cassette. A dual-mode cassette may include a separable holding tank for enabling vacuum-based aspiration. A displacement-based pump may be provided to drain the holding tank while the vacuum system continues to aspirate fluids. A vacuum sensor for controlling the flow of aspirated fluids may have three ports for communicating with a handpiece, a displacement-based pump, a vacuum-based pump, or an irrigation source. The handpiece may be vented during vacuum-based aspiration by opening a vent valve interposed between the handpiece and the vacuum source.