Abstract:
An air compressor system is disclosed that includes a housing sized to enclose an air compressor pump as well as a dryer structured to remove moisture from air that is compressed by the compressor pump. The air compressor pump may be intermittently placed into operation, but the dryer itself is structured in one form to continuously maintain a heat exchanger in a desired temperature range in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. The heat exchanger of the dryer can include sufficient thermal mass such that a refrigerant pump of the dryer need not be operated continuously in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. While a cooling air flow can be created by operation of the air compressor pump, when the air compressor pump is not operated a cooling fan can be used provide cooling to the heat generating components of the dryer.
Abstract:
A resettable combination lock mechanism includes a plurality of outer lock dials and a plurality of inner lock dials. The rotation of a reset feature changes the relative axial position between the outer lock dials and the inner lock dials, allowing the combination of the lock mechanism to be reset. In one aspect, the outer lock dials are axially displaced upon rotation of the reset feature, exposing a visual indicator that is configured to indicate whether the lock is in a combination reset mode or is in a normal mode. The reset mode allows the combination to be changed. The normal mode allows the lock mechanism to be locked or unlocked to secure or release a desired item. In another aspect, the rotation of the reset feature rotates a visual indicator into alignment with a window to indicate that the lock is the reset mode or the normal mode.
Abstract:
Power tools with housings or hammer cases include a thin wall titanium shell tapering from a smaller forward section to a larger rearward section; with at least the rearward section having a wall with a substantially constant wall thickness and an interface flange that includes an outer perimeter profile that is curvilinear and defines a plurality of outwardly extending detents that provide an interference fit with the wall of the hammer case.
Abstract:
An angle impact tool includes a handle assembly extending along a first axis, a prime mover in the handle, an output shaft rotatable about the first axis, and a work attachment connected to the handle assembly. An output drive is supported in the work attachment for rotation about an output axis perpendicular to the first axis. A gear assembly including a spur gear is positioned within the work attachment to transfer torque from the prime mover about the first axis to the output drive about the output axis. An impact mechanism is positioned within the work attachment and includes a hammer and an anvil. The hammer rotates under the influence of the prime mover and is operable to periodically deliver an impact load to the anvil. The output drive rotates about the output axis under the influence of the impact load being transmitted to the output drive by the anvil.
Abstract:
A compressor system includes a gear box having a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a first driven gear. A prime mover is coupled to the first drive gear and is operable to input rotational power to the gear box and a compressor is coupled to the first driven gear and is operable in response to rotation of the first driven gear to produce a flow of compressed gas. A heat exchanger is positioned to receive the flow of compressed gas and a flow of fluid and is operable to cool the flow of compressed gas and heat the flow of fluid to produce a flow of heated gas. A screw expander is coupled to the second drive gear and is operable in response to the flow of heated gas to input rotational power to the gear box.
Abstract:
A hand tool RFI suppression system comprising a DC motor having a conductive housing, a power supply and a suppression circuit board supporting at least one suppression assembly and at least one ground circuit electrically coupled to the suppression assembly. The suppression circuit board is mounted to the motor housing with the at least one suppression assembly electrically coupled in parallel between the power supply and the DC motor and the ground circuit is electrically coupled to the motor housing. A method of suppressing RFI in a power hand tool is also provided.
Abstract:
A locking assembly for the spindle of a tool includes a locking member, a biasing member interconnected with the locking member, and a collar surrounding a portion of the spindle The spindle includes a spindle slot that receives the locking member to lock the spindle with respect to the tool housing The collar may be rotated into an unlocked position in which the biasing member holds the locking member out of engagement with the spindle slot The collar may also be rotated into a locked position in which a cam surface in the collar acts on the biasing member to apply a biasing force on the locking member toward engagement with the spindle slot The biasing member may deflect to accommodate rotation of the collar into the locked position with the spindle slot not aligned with the locking member.
Abstract:
A prime mover includes a shaft assembly that is supported for reciprocal movement between first and second ends of a stroke, and that includes first and second portions having a first material, and a third portion in between the first and second portions, having a second material, different from the first material. A single inductive proximity sensor makes a first indication when proximate the first material, and makes a second indication, when proximate the second material. A portion of the sensor is proximate the first portion when the shaft is at the first end of the stroke, the same portion of the same sensor is proximate the second portion when the shaft is at the second end of the stroke, and the same portion of the same sensor is proximate the third portion the entire time the shaft is in between the first and second ends of the stroke.
Abstract:
A rotating system includes a drive member and a driven member. The rotating system includes a coupling positioned to rotatably couple the drive member to the driven member and a housing surrounding a portion of the coupling to define an inside and an outside, the housing having a plurality of apertures. A fan is coupled to the coupling and operable to produce a flow of air from the inside to the outside via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and a guide tube is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures to guide a flow of air from the outside to the inside.
Abstract:
A bicycle lock (20) and a mounting member (26) secured to a portion (21) of the lock (20) such that the mounting member (26) is rotatable relative to the portion (21) of the lock. The mounting member (26) is provided with a tongue portion (52) for securing the lock (20) to the bracket (28) mounted on the bicycle. At least two position delineators (76) are provided on one of the mounting member (26) and the lock (20) and an engagement member (66) is provided on the other of the mounting member and the lock. The engagement member (66) is movable between a first position in which the engagement member (66) engages at least one of the position delineators (76) and thereby fixes the rotative position of the mounting member (26) relative to the portion of the lock (21) and a second position in which the engagement member (66) is lockingly disengaged from the position delineators (76) such that the mounting member (26) is free to rotate relative to the portion of the lock (21).