Abstract:
A volute for use in a centrifugal compressor that includes an impeller. The volute includes a housing defining a central aperture, an inlet channel, and a fluid collecting channel. The central aperture is adapted to receive the impeller such that the impeller discharges a fluid to the inlet channel. The inlet channel directs the flow to the collecting channel. A discharge portion is coupled to the housing and includes a discharge passage in fluid communication with the collecting channel to discharge the fluid. A tongue portion is disposed between the collecting channel and the discharge portion. The tongue is operable to separate the fluid into a first flow that flows through the collecting channel and a second flow that flows through the discharge passage.
Abstract:
A compressor system operable to shutdown in response to a shutdown signal . The compressor system includes a compression device (22; 34) operable between a first speed and a second speed to produce a flow of compressed fluid at a pressure. A blowdown valve (48) is movable between a closed position and an open position in which at least a portion of the flow of compressed fluid passes through the blowdown valve (48) to reduce the pressure of the flow of compressed fluid. A sensor (46) is positioned to measure the pressure and a controller (47) is operable to move the blowdown valve (48) to the open position and set the speed of the compression device (22; 34) to a low set point speed in response to the shutdown signal.
Abstract:
A system is for sensing a property of a material mat from a construction vehicle. The system includes a sensor for sensing the material property and a positioning mechanism connected with the vehicle and with the sensor. The mechanism displaces the sensor between first and second positions with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle displaces with respect to the material mat. The first sensor position is spaced a substantial distance above the mat upper surface. The second sensor position is located proximal to or on the mat surface such that the sensor is able to sense the material property in the second position. A controller operates the mechanism to sequentially displace the sensor from the first to second positions, permit the sensor to remain disposed at the second position for a period of time, and displace the sensor from the second to first positions after the period of time.
Abstract:
A system is for sensing a property of a material mat from a construction vehicle. The system includes a sensor for sensing the material property and a positioning mechanism connected with the vehicle and with the sensor. The mechanism displaces the sensor between first and second positions with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle displaces with respect to the material mat. The first sensor position is spaced a substantial distance above the mat upper surface. The second sensor position is located proximal to or on the mat surface such that the sensor is able to sense the material property in the second position. A controller operates the mechanism to sequentially displace the sensor from the first to second positions, permit the sensor to remain disposed at the second position for a period of time, and displace the sensor from the second to first positions after the period of time.
Abstract:
A fluid distributor device is for a percussive drill assembly including a generally tubular casing (2) having a longitudinal centerline and a piston (6) disposed within the casing so as to define a reservoir chamber (27) in the casing. The distributor device comprises a generally cylindrical body (12) disposed within the casing and including a central axis, two opposing ends spaced apart along the axis, first and second interior chambers and a port fluidly connecting the two chambers. The body further has a plurality of fluid passages extending between the two ends and fluidly connecting the first chamber with the reservoir chamber and a deflectable retainer portion (16) releasably engaged with the casing so as to retain the body at a desired position with respect to the casing centerline. A valve (7) is disposed within the body and is configured to permit fluid flow through the port and to alternatively prevent fluid flow through the port.
Abstract:
A compressor assembly (110) comprises a compressor (114) including a fluid inlet (122) having an inlet valve (126) and an engine (118) that drives the compressor (114). A tank (130) receives pressurized fluid from the compressor (114), and includes an outlet (134) for discharging pressurized fluid. A control system (142) is in fluid communication with the tank (130), and a regulator (138) provides fluid flow from the tank (130) to the control system (142) when the pressure within the tank (130) exceeds a set point pressure. A pneumatic controller (146) controls the inlet valve (126) in response to the fluid pressure within the control system (142). An electronic controller (166) controls the speed of the engine (118) in response to fluid pressure within the control system (142). A control pressure sensor (170) senses fluid pressure within the control system (142) and provides a control pressure signal (174) to the electronic controller (166).
Abstract:
The vibration compacting machine includes a frame, a leading drum (14) and a trailing drum (16). The leading and trailing drums are rotatably mounted to the frame. The leading drum includes a first eccentric assembly (20) that is rotatably mounted inside of the leading drum and the trailing drum includes a second eccentric assembly (24) that is rotatably mounted inside the trailing drum. A first motor (36) rotates the first eccentric assembly and a second motor (38) rotates the second eccentric assembly. Rotations of the eccentric assemblies transfers vibrations to the drums to compact a ground surface. A control (40) adjusts the speed of the first and second motor relative to one another to keep the first eccentric assembly from running in phase with the second eccentric assembly. The control also delays starting the second eccentric assembly relative to the first eccentric assembly to minimize horsepower drain on the engine of the vibration compacting machine.
Abstract:
A compressor system having a first compartment for housing relatively quietly operating equipment, and a second compartment for housing relatively noisy operating equipment. The second compartment is substantially closed off from the surrounding atmosphere to reduce the amount of noise that can be heard outside the compressor system on account of the noisy equipment operating within the compressor system housing. The second compartment includes a small air inlet opening and a small air outlet opening to allow enough air to flow through the second compartment to cool the equipment housed therein. The small openings reduce the amount of air-born noise which is released to the outside environment. The compressor system also has an air intake directing device for directing an appropriate amount of air into the second compartment to cool the noise generating machinery located within the second compartment, and, for directing an appropriate amount of air to an air inlet opening of a compressor, thereby more efficiently using the air drawn into the compressor system housing.
Abstract:
A rotational energy storage device (10) or spring which includes a roller-cam assembly having a shaft (14), a ring (12) rotatably disposed about the shaft, and at least one roller (16) disposed between shaft and ring. The roller (16) is configured such that, upon rotating the ring relative to the shaft, the roller interferes with the ring and the shaft to convert and effect storage of mechanical energy created by the relative rotation of the ring and the shaft. Preferably a plurality of spaced rollers are positioned between ring and shaft. A cam geometry (20) which is symmetrical or asymmetrical is provided on the shaft, the ring, the roller, and combinations thereof. A rotational energy storage device having a back-up ring with alternating thin and thick cross-sectional areas is further provided which is indexed to provide regions of low and high stiffness regions against each roller.
Abstract:
A drill rod changer assembly for a drill rig includes an elongated support shaft (5) having a housing (20, 30) at each end for retaining ends of drill rods, the support shaft being adapted for removable attachment to a drill rig structure (3), a carousel-type drill rod spacer (120) on the shaft and a pair of gripper arms (70, 74) adapted for removable attachment to a drill rig structure at spaced apart positions adjacent each end of the support shaft. A hydraulic actuation device (40) rotates the support shaft and carousel drill rod spacer between a rod storage position and a rod usage position. Each gripper arm is moved between the drill rod storage and usage positions by hydraulic actuation devices on each arm. Each gripper arm carries a sliding gate member that opens and closes the housings in response to movement of the gripper arm. The support shaft, and each gripper arm assembly being supplied as modularized assemblies that can be individually attached and removed from a drill rig to expeditiously change between various lengths of drill rod.