Abstract: A process fluid lubricated pump includes a pump having a pump shaft extending from a drive end to a non-drive end to rotate about an axial direction, a first pump section having a first set of impellers fixedly mounted on the pump shaft to increase the pressure of the process fluid, a drive to exert a torque on the drive end of the pump shaft to drive the rotation of the pump shaft, a first balance drum fixedly connected to the pump shaft between the pump and the drive end of the pump shaft, the first balance drum defining a first front side facing the pump and a first back side, and a second balance drum fixedly connected to the pump shaft between the pump and the non-drive end of the pump shaft, the second balance drum defining a second front side facing the pump and a second back side.

Abstract: An air system and method includes an air compressor, a temperature sensors, a valve, and a controller. The air compressor is configured to receive filtered air. The temperature sensor is positioned at or near an outlet of the air compressor and configured to sense a temperature at or near the outlet of the air compressor. The valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air compressor and external to the air compressor. The controller is configured to monitor the sensed temperature at the outlet of the air compressor and control the valve to permit air to flow from the outlet of the air compressor through the valve to unload the air compressor if the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a tube pump system which includes: a pair of roller units which are rotated around an axis line from a closing position to a releasing position; a pair of drive units which are configured to respectively rotate the pair of roller units; a control unit which is configured to control each of the pair of drive units; and a pressure sensor which is configured to detect a pressure of a liquid in a pipe connected to the other end of the tube, wherein the control unit controls a first rotation angle when the first roller unit passes through the closing position and a second rotation angle when the second roller unit passes through the releasing position such that fluctuation of the pressure of the liquid when the pair of roller units are rotated through at least one revolution falls within a predetermined value.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for a fuel pump diagnoses the state of a fuel pump based on: a correlation between a pump rotational speed that is a rotational speed of the motor and fuel pressure that is pressure of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump; and an initial correlation that is the correlation in an initial actuation period from when the fuel pump is energized for the first time to when a specified period has elapsed.

Abstract: A fluid pump for pumping fluid in a sample separation device includes a pump body device, a piston arranged for conveying fluid in a reciprocable manner in the pump body device, a seal arranged fluid-sealingly in contact with and between the pump body device and the piston, and a supporting body, which is coupled to the seal for supporting the latter. The supporting body is arranged at the pump body device, thereby forming a bearing for the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit includes—a hydraulic pump, a motor configured to drive the hydraulic pump, an oil cooler configured to cool hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump, a cooling fan configured to supply cooling air to the motor and the oil cooler, a shroud provided between the cooling fan and the oil cooler, arid a controller disposed adjacent to the motor. The controller controls the motor. The oil cooler includes a pair of headers, and a heat exchange unit provided between the pair of headers. The shroud includes a wall section covering at least one of the pair of headers. The controller includes a drive circuit configured to drive the motor, and a heat sink that cools the drive circuit. Part of the cooling air blown out from the cooling fan is guided toward the heat sink.

Abstract: Even though a pump head part is finally fixed to a pump body with a fixing member, the pump head part is movable relative to the pump body perpendicular to the axial direction of a plunger at a stage before the pump head part is fixed with the fixing member. In this state, if a plunger driving part is moved to a predetermined location on the front end side of the pump body and the pump head part and the plunger driving part are fitted to each other, the pump head part is positioned where the center axis of the plunger and the center axis of the pump chamber are substantially aligned. By fixing the pump head part to the pump body with the fixing member at this location, it is possible to assemble a plunger pump with the center axis of the plunger and the center axis substantially aligned.

Abstract: A linear compressor includes a cylinder, a piston, and a discharge valve, wherein the piston includes a first part extending in the axial direction, a second part having a diameter greater than that of the first part and formed at one end of the first part facing the discharge valve, and a third part having a diameter greater than that of the first part and formed at the other end of the first part. The second part includes a first outer circumferential surface extending backward from a front surface of the piston, and a second outer circumferential surface spaced apart from the first outer circumferential surface in a direction away from the discharge valve, and a distance between the first outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder is less than a distance between the second outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-pressure pump. The high-pressure pump comprises a motor assembly, a gear assembly, a plunger assembly, a pump head assembly and a water inlet and outlet valve assembly. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a dual-layer housing. An annular water channel surrounding a motor stator is formed at the dual-layer housing. The periphery of the motor stator coil is filled with heat-conductive material, and the heat of the motor stator coil is conducted to the annular water channel through the heat-conductive material to perform active heat dissipation for the motor stator coil. Therefore, the cooling efficiency is high and the structure is simple.

Abstract: The invention provides an sliding contact single vane rotary vacuum pump in which an oil supply passage is placed in the centre of the rotating vane through which a lubricating oil flows, which provides oil distribution in the pump chamber with enhanced suction pressure of 39%; and the torque exertion by 2.86-7.63%, this helps in reducing the torque of the pump during maximum vacuum condition and results in reduction of the power consumption of the vacuum pump which in-turn decreases the net load on the automotive engine, thus reduces the peak torque, the pump internal chamber pressure and also results better vacuum suction performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compressor including a compressing assembly having a decompressing structure to control an amount of oil. The decompressing structure is oriented in parallel with a length direction of the rotation shaft or in a direction toward a discharger from which the refrigerant is discharged.

Abstract: A compressor includes a casing configured to accommodate refrigerant and oil, a discharger disposed at a side of the casing and configured to discharge the refrigerant, a driver including a stator and a rotor, a rotation shaft that is coupled to the rotor and that extends in a direction away from the discharger, a compressing assembly that is coupled to the rotation shaft, that is configured to be lubricated with the oil, and that is configured to compress the refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant in the direction away from the discharger, a muffler coupled to the compressing assembly and configured to guide the refrigerant to the discharger, and a bypassing portion disposed outside the casing and configured to transfer the refrigerant or the oil from the muffler to the discharger.

Abstract: A slurry seal assembly for use about a rotatable shaft between a process side and an atmosphere side is presented. The slurry seal assembly includes a sleeve, a rotatable seal ring, a stationary seal ring, a floating bushing seal assembly, and a plurality of slots. The sleeve is disposed about and rotatable with the shaft. The rotatable seal ring contacts and is rotatable with the sleeve. The stationary seal ring is arranged to form a sealing interface with the rotatable seal ring. The floating bushing seal assembly is disposed about the sleeve so that an inner annular surface along the floating bushing seal assembly is separated from an outer annular surface along the sleeve by a gap. The slots are disposed along the sleeve within the process side adjacent to the floating bushing seal assembly. The slurry seal assembly is applicable to devices whereby a fluid is movable between an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a solar water heating system including a tank configured to store heat transfer fluid, a solar collector in fluid communication with the tank, and a pump system in fluid communication with the tank and the solar collector. The pump system can include a first pump, a second pump, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can direct the heat transfer fluid from an outlet of the first pump to the solar collector when the first pump is operating and can direct the heat transfer fluid from an outlet of the second pump to the solar collector when the second pump is operating. The first pump and the second pump can transfer the heat transfer fluid from the solar collector back to the tank when the first pump and the second pump are not operating.

Abstract: A blower assembly having a blower housing, an impeller fan within the blower housing, the impeller fan being adapted for rotation about an axis and having a plurality of impeller blades and having an axial length, a motor having a stator and a rotor, the motor having an axial length, the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator for rotation about the axis, the rotor and the impeller fan being coupled so that the impeller fan rotates with the rotor about the axis, wherein a ratio of the axial length of the motor to the axial length of the impeller fan is less than 0.3, and a motor support bracket operatively securing the stator to one of the first and second side walls of the blower housing.

Abstract: An intelligent fan with interface compatibility is provided. The intelligent fan includes a fan body having a fan and a motor, a driving circuit, a tachometer, an output connector including a first pin, a second pin, a third pin and a fourth pin connected to a fan connector of a motherboard, and a microcontroller connected to the driving circuit and the tachometer, and connected to the motherboard via the first, second, third and fourth pins. When the intelligent fan is powered on, the microcontroller sets the third and fourth pins as input pins for receiving an output signal of the fan connector of the motherboard, and the microcontroller performs an I2C signal analysis on the output signal. When the I2C signal analysis succeeds, the intelligent fan is set in an I2C mode, and when the I2C signal analysis fails, the intelligent fan is set in a PWM mode.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump comprising a fallback bearing protection system, the system comprising: locking member; boot pivotally connected to shaft of electrical submersible pump adjacent to locking member, wherein the boot comprises a sloped outer wall capable of forming a fluid boundary thereby diverting fallback fluid away from uppermost bearing of electrical submersible pump; ridge disposed on the sloped outer wall of the boot.

Abstract: A turbo fluid machine includes a housing, a rotating member, and a motor. Part of fluid compressed by a compressor impeller is introduced into a motor accommodation space through an inlet-side flow passage that has an inlet-side fixed throttle, and is discharged from the motor accommodation space through an outlet-side flow passage that has an outlet-side fixed throttle. The outlet-side flow passage includes a connection part connecting to the motor accommodation space. The connection part is formed separately from a clearance between a second partition wall and a shaft, and is located opposite to a connection part of the inlet-side flow passage connecting to the motor accommodation space across the motor in an axial direction of the shaft. The inlet-side fixed throttle and the outlet-side fixed throttle are configured such that pressure in the motor accommodation space is higher than pressure in a turbine-wheel back pressure region.

Abstract: A fan blade made of a solid extruded aluminum alloy having certain cross-section shapes. Also provided is a method of producing fan blade, which includes heating a portion of a stock aluminum alloy material and pushing it through an extrusion die having an aperture while drawing the extruded portion of the material. The aperture can be designed or configured so that the extruded material has a cross section suitable to be used as an impeller blade.

Abstract: An industrial ceiling fan structure utilizes a coupling structure between the fan blades and the motor main unit and the design of a pressing member attached to the mounting segment of the root of each fan blade to enhance the fan blade mounting strength. Furthermore, the ceiling fan motor provides an outer race and an inner race to secure the permanent magnets without an adhesive, thereby preventing the permanent magnets from loosening and improving the service life of the ceiling fan motor. In addition, through the heat dissipation structure of the outer casing of the motor main unit and the structure of the lamp, the heat dissipation of both the lamp and the motor main unit of the ceiling fan can be achieved.

Abstract: A compressor housing for a turbocharger including a refrigerant flow path and a recirculation part, which is dividably composed of a scroll piece and a shroud piece. The refrigerant flow path is formed as an annular space that is defined by a first flow-path formation part of the scroll piece and a second flow-path formation part of the shroud piece that are fitted with each other. In the refrigerant flow path, a first press-fitting portion of the shroud piece is press-fitted into a first press-fitted portion of the scroll piece to form an inner circumferential seal part, and a second press-fitting portion of the shroud piece is press-fitted into a second press-fitted portion of the scroll piece to form an outer circumferential seal part. The recirculation part recirculates part of the air which has reached the shroud part to an upstream of the compressor impeller.

Abstract: A weather resistant blower casing has an impeller casing, an electric motor casing, a blower baffle, a cooling fan casing and a fan baffle. A downward facing cooling air inlet is provided in the electric motor casing to draw in filtered cooling air into the electric motor without drawing in rainwater. The cooling air outlet is in the cooling fan casing and is also downward facing. The fan baffle makes sure that the cooling air goes through the electric motor. The blower baffle is between the electric motor casing and impeller casing so that the air flowing through the impeller does not mix with the cooling air flowing through the motor. All elements are joined together with a weather tight seal.

Abstract: An electric pump may include a stack of diffusers including a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a recess therein defining an inner recess surface substantially circumscribing a primary diffuser axis. The second diffuser includes a lip projecting into the recess of the first diffuser. In response to a differential torque applied to the first and second diffusers about the primary diffuser axis, the lip of the second diffuser may engage the inner recess surface of the first diffuser, and thereby prevent relative rotation of the diffusers with respect to one another. An outer perimeter surface of the lip and the inner recess surface may define polygonal shapes or other non-circular profiles.

Abstract: Structures are formed in a shape protruding from a wing surface, and a plurality of riblets are formed in a shape depressed from the wing surface. A first cross section obtained by cutting the structure by a flat face that is parallel to a flow and perpendicularly intersects with the wing surface has an inclined side that extends from a point on the wing surface to a top that is a point apart from the wing surface . An inter-structure flow channel is formed between two adjacent structures among the plurality of structures. The area of a face in one of the two structures and the area of a face in the other structure with which a fluid flowing in the inter-structure flow channel comes into contact are different from each other. Accordingly, peeling of the flow can be suppressed and the frictional resistance of the flow can be decreased.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flow turning system for imparting a rotational, swirling motion to a fluid flowing through the flow turning system. The system may comprise a housing and a flow turning element supported within the housing. The flow turning element may have a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes projecting into a flow path of the fluid as the fluid flows through the flow turning system. The vanes impart a swirling, circumferential flow to the fluid to help prevent contaminants in the fluid from adhering to downstream components in communication with the flow turning system.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a pneumatic landfill pump cycle counter comprising a spring located within a housing passage and a shuttle comprising a shuttle magnet, the shuttle located within the passage. The shuttle can be configured to move axially by the spring within the passage in an upstream direction to a home position, move axially by one or both of air pressure differential and airflow within the passage in a downstream direction away from the home position to a hold position. The cycle counter can further comprise a counter comprising an element responsive to a magnetic field of the shuttle magnet, the counter configured to increment a numeric count for each complete cycle of the shuttle moving from the home position to the hold position and then back to the home position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jet pump collector comprising a convergent duct extending along the longitudinal axis (AX) and comprising an intake opening for a fluid to be withdrawn, this convergent duct having a restriction shape terminated by a reduced end having a smaller cross-section than its intake opening. This convergent duct is equipped with a tube (17) orientated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis longitudinal (AX), this tube (17) comprising an outer portion extending outside of the convergent duct and being terminated by an intake opening (31) for a propulsion fluid, and an inner portion extending in the convergent duct and comprising a plurality of distribution openings (18, 19) for the propulsion fluid which are orientated towards the reduced end.

Abstract: A time-based power boost control system. A fluid source supplies fluid. A relief device relieves pressure of the fluid supplied by the fluid source when the pressure of the fluid exceeds a relief pressure level. A control device controls the relief device. When a boost mode in which at least a first level of pressure and a second level of pressure, higher than the first level of pressure, are allowed to be selectively used as the relief pressure level is active, a length of a boost-on time in which the second level of pressure is used as the relief pressure level is shorter than a preset maximum boost-on time limit, and a length of a succeeding boost-off time succeeding the boost-on time in which the first level of pressure is used as the relief pressure level is equal to or longer than a preset minimum boost-off time limit.

Abstract: A reset relief valve with dampening reservoir having a piston disposed in fluid flow-blocking relationship between an inlet port and the outlet port of the body and a second position at which the piston is removed from the fluid flow-blocking position, the piston partially defines an enclosed first chamber and at least one flow passageway extending between the chamber and a reservoir chamber mounted on the body for controlled flow of hydraulic fluid to dampen the movement of the piston upon activation, The reservoir has a pressure monitor to measure fluid pressure in the system, a sight glass and index to view and measure the hydraulic fluid and a tubular flow passageway.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a body having a guide surface. A sensor head is mounted to the body. An elongated sensing element has a first end connected to the sensor head and a second end extending away from the first end along the body along a path of measurement. A first portion of the elongated sensing element extends from a sensor head bends by the guide surface so as to align a second portion of the sensing element with the path of measurement. A member is positionable along the path of measurement adjacent the second portion of the sensing element.

Abstract: A control unit for pneumatic actuation of a cylinder, in particular an active creel of a textile-processing machine or a cabling machine, having a compressed air inlet for connecting a compressed air supply, a working air outlet for operating the cylinder, which acts at least on one side, a valve unit arranged between the compressed air inlet and the working air outlet, and an operating element for opening the valve unit to trigger a lifting movement of the cylinder.

Abstract: Material flow amplifiers as disclosed herein overcome drawbacks associated with known adverse flow conditions (e.g., surface erosion and head losses) that arise from flow of certain types of materials (e.g., fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, and the like) through a material flow conduit. Such material flow amplifiers provide for flow of flowable material within a flow passage of a material flow conduit (e.g., a portion of a pipeline, tubing or the like) to have a cyclonic flow (i.e., vortex or swirling) profile. Advantageously, the cyclonic flow profile centralizes flow toward the central portion of the flow passage, thereby reducing magnitude of laminar flow. Such cyclonic flow profile provides a variety of other advantages as compared to a parabolic flow profile (e.g., increased flow rate, reduce inner pipeline wear, more uniform inner pipe wear, reduction in energy consumption, reduced or eliminated slugging and the like).

Abstract: An attachment system may be used for attaching an assembly to a target. The attachment system includes an attachment element adapted to attach to the target. The attachment system also includes a receiver adapted to attach the assembly to the attachment system. A portion of the attachment system is reversibly detachable from the target. The portion of the attachment system is reversibly detachable from the target when the attachment system is attached to the target.

Abstract: Mechanical connection for panels at their edge sides (5, 10) which are to be connected to one another, wherein adjacent first and second panels (1, 2) can be locked in the horizontal and vertical direction by a substantially perpendicular joining movement, wherein, for vertical locking, a locking edge (8) is arranged on the first panel (1) and a locking element (6), which can be displaced relative to the panels (1, 2), is arranged on the second panel (2), which locking element can be displaced behind the locking edge (8) by a pivoting movement.

Abstract: A nut retaining device, and a method of assembling a pool step assembly using the nut retaining device, the nut retaining device including a nut retainer body configured to receive a nut and prevent the nut from rotating inside the nut retainer body. and a plurality of wings extending laterally from the nut retainer body and configured to abut one or more surfaces to prevent movement of the nut retainer body.

Abstract: A stud clip assembly is provided. The stud clip assembly includes a clip having a mounting platform and a retention platform. The mounting platform includes a mounting bore that extends away from the retention platform and that defines a mounting aperture. The mounting aperture includes a threaded portion formed therein and a collar arranged at a first end thereof. The stud clip assembly further includes a fastening element configured to be threaded into the threaded portion of the mounting aperture. The collar is configured to be crimped onto the fastening element.

Abstract: A clip includes a male member including a head portion and a shaft portion; a female member including a locking leg portion forming an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, and a flange portion provided in an upper periphery of the locking leg portion; and an engagement device restraining the head portion in the flange portion substantially at the same time when the locking leg portion comes to a use state by pushing the shaft portion into the insertion hole. Essential parts are the engagement device formed by a claw portion provided in one of the head portion and the flange portion, and a hole portion provided in the other of the head portion and the flange portion, and engaging the claw portion. The claw portion projects to a piece portion elastically moveable, and one portion of a hole forming portion dividing the hole portion is formed to be elastically moveable through the hole portion.

Abstract: An exhaust system probe socket has an essentially hollow cylindrically configured first body, which has a planar circular ring surface on a first end face and a second body with a flat circular ring surface at a first end. The second body has a passage with a diameter that corresponds to or is greater than an internal diameter of the first body. A second end of the second body is configured to make possible a gastight connection of the probe socket to a connection surface by compensating geometric deviations of the connection surface from a plane. The first and second bodies contact one another in an area of a second end face of the first body and of the flat circular ring surface and are welded to one another with a weld seam extending circumferentially around the first body to gastightly connect the bodies to one another.

Abstract: A telescopic module, which may be incorporated in a desk or a chair to elevate or lower a worksurface, includes a first tube, second tube, and a plurality of rollers. The first tube has a passageway, in which the second tube is received for reciprocation. The rollers are pivoted on the second tube or the first tube, or both to touch an inner side of the first tube and an outer side of the second tube to be turned when the second tube is moving. The rollers may reduce the friction between the first and the second tubes when the second tube is moving.

Abstract: A fastening element (1) for insertion into an opening (50) of a part (51), in particular a vehicle body part, wherein the fastening element (1) has a head region (2), a flange region (3), which is connected to the head region (2) via a first shaft region (4), and a second shaft region (5), which continues from the flange region (3) on the side opposite the head region (2) and is formed such that, in the inserted state of the fastening element (1) in the opening (50), it extends through the opening (50), at least in certain regions, and forms a snap connection with the part (51), in particular vehicle body part, wherein at least one indicator element (6) is associated with the fastening element (1) for, in particular, acoustically and/or visually signaling an assembly state of the fastening element (1).

Abstract: A retaining means for retaining a cartridge on a body includes a snap ring having an opening angle of between 130° and 300°, and comprising a first indexing means, the snap ring being arranged to be slideable between a first position with respect to the body in which the retaining means retains the cartridge on the body and a second position with respect to the body in which the cartridge can be removed from the body. The retaining means also includes a cap arranged to be fixedly connected to a housing of the cartridge, and comprising a second indexing means. The first indexing means is arranged to interlock with the second indexing means so as to allow the snap ring to be moved between, and held in each of, the first and second positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking oven comprising at least two entities made of sheet metal (2, 3), each sheet metal entity (2, 3) comprising at least one surface carrying an enamel layer, specifically a vitreous enamel layer, said enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3) overlapping each other and a screw connection for grounding and coupling said enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3), wherein a ground element is at least indirectly coupled with one of said enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3) for grounding said stack of enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3), wherein at least one screw (5) with a screw shaft (5.1) is provided through said enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3), wherein the screw (5) is at least indirectly electrically coupled with the ground element and said screw shaft (5.1) comprises a thread for providing an electric coupling between the enamelled sheet metal entities (2, 3).

Abstract: A screw anchor for a trussed foundation system to support single-axis trackers and other structures and related methods of driving such a screw anchor into underlying ground. A hollowed tube of uniform diameter is open at both ends with a thread form beginning at one end and circumscribing a portion the tube, the thread form having a tapered lead-in. The open-ended geometry allows a mandrel or rock drill to be inserted and operated through the anchor during driving to expedite the driving process. The tapered thread form provides a lead-in for driving the anchor into a rock bore.

Abstract: A fastener boss includes a body having a receiving column. The receiving column includes a first section with a first wall thickness and a second section with a second wall thickness wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. A motor vehicle component incorporating the fastener boss is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sleeve screw comprising a sleeve, a position limiting member and a screw, wherein the sleeve includes a hollow tube and a locking element which is formed by extending from an entrance opening into an inner space of the hollow tube, the position limiting member is disposed within the hollow tube and is abutted against by a bottom of an extending end of the locking element. Thereby, when the screw is inserted into the sleeve, the position limiting member abuts against the screw to retain the screw in the sleeve and the locking element abuts against the position limiting member to fix the position limiting member in the sleeve.

Abstract: A stop washer for an elastomeric bearing is manufactured as a single unit from a sheet metal blank and furnished with a surface protection. In addition to its function as a path limiter, it has at least one of the following functions by a structure integrated into the forming process of the sheet metal blank, namely the function of a thread and/or anti-rotation protection. Furthermore, an elastomeric bearing with such a stop washer and a subframe equipped therewith are conceivable.

Abstract: A drive shaft extends between axial ends and has at least one portion through which an outer diameter of the drive shaft changes through an infinite number of diameters, with the at least one portion extending across at least 15% of an axial distance between the axial ends of the drive shaft. A drive shaft with a generally spiral undulation at its outer periphery is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interconnectable locking module having a first portion including an external surface defining a bulbous connector extending along a longitudinal axis; a second portion opposite of the first portion, the second portion includes an interior surface defining a hollow receptacle, and an opposite exterior surface defining a circumferential flange having a tapered channel. The tapered channel includes a channel opening and an opposite closed end. The module also includes a locking ring having an interior circumferential surface insertable over the bulbous connector and engageable with the circumferential flange. The locking ring includes a tab insertable into the channel opening and slidable against a tapered channel surface. A plurality of interconnectable locking module may be joined in series to provide an assembly such as a physical model representing a prototype conduit or a path for a conduit.

Abstract: A device includes a bearing-in-bearing with an inner ring, an intermediate ring and an outer ring. Between the inner ring and the intermediate ring and between the intermediate ring and the outer ring, inner roller elements, and outer roller elements, are attached, respectively. The bearing-in-bearing is attached between two components that can rotate in relation to each other, a shaft and a housing, of which one component is or can be connected to a drive. A transmission is provided between the intermediate ring and the driven component in order to drive the intermediate ring. The transmission is a contactless transmission.