Abstract:
In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.
Abstract:
Provided in some embodiments is a system that includes a gas compressor including an engine, a compressor driven by the engine, and a vapor absorption cycle (VAC) system driven by waste heat from the compressor, wherein the VAC system is configured to cool at least one medium. In other embodiments is provided a method that includes generating waste heat while compressing a gas, driving a vapor absorption cycle (VAC) system with the waste heat, and cooling at least one medium via the VAC system.
Abstract:
Illustrative embodiments impact tools with torque-limited swinging weight impact mechanisms are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a swinging weight impact mechanism may comprise a hammer configured to rotate about a first axis and pivot about a second axis different from the first axis, the hammer having a void formed therein, and an asymmetric anvil disposed partially within the void, the asymmetric anvil being configured to rotate about a third axis when impacted by the hammer. The asymmetric anvil may comprise a cylindrical body and a lug extending outward from the cylindrical body. The lug may include a first impact face extending along a first plane that intersects the third axis and a second impact face extending along a second plane that does not intersect the third axis, where the second plane intersects the first plane along a line that passes through the cylindrical body of the asymmetric anvil.
Abstract:
A pressure pulse dampener for a compressor system is disclosed herein. The pulse dampener includes a housing having inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. A radially expanding annular passageway is formed downstream of the fluid inlet. A toroidal passageway is formed downstream of the annular passageway, the toroidal passageway being configured to direct fluid in a generally circumferential path around the central body. A connecting passageway is formed through the central body to provide fluid communication between the toroidal passageway and the fluid outlet.
Abstract:
In at least one illustrative embodiment, an adjustable joint comprises a housing, a pair of wedges arranged in the housing, and a threaded fastener engaged with at least one of the pair of wedges. The housing may include a first cavity that is sized to receive a spherical end of a shaft and a second cavity that is sized to receive a tube. The pair of wedges may be arranged between the first and the second cavities. The threaded fastener may be configured to (i) move the pair of wedges away from one another when rotated in a first direction and (ii) move the pair of wedges toward one another when rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Abstract:
Illustrative embodiments of power tools with reversible, self-shifting transmissions are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise a motor having a motor shaft, an output shaft configured to be coupled to a tool element to rotate a fastener, and a transmission coupled between the motor shaft and the output shaft to transmit rotation from the motor shaft to the output shaft in a low-speed, high-torque mode and in a high-speed, low-torque mode. The transmission may be configured to self-shift between the low-speed, high-torque mode and the high-speed, low-torque mode in response to a change in a torque required to rotate the output shaft in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction.
Abstract:
In at least one illustrative embodiment, a diaphragm pump may comprise a housing defining a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber, and a hydraulic fluid chamber, a first flexible diaphragm separating the first pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a second flexible diaphragm separating the second pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a rod mechanically linking the first flexible diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragm such that an expansion of one of the first and second flexible diaphragms exerts a contraction force on the other of the first and second flexible diaphragms, and a piston disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber and configured to reciprocate to cause a hydraulic fluid contained within the hydraulic fluid chamber to alternately exert an expansion force on the first and second flexible diaphragms.
Abstract:
An exemplary apparatus includes a sensor array configured to sense a gas stream temperature, pressure, and humidity. The sensor array includes a plurality of sensors, each configured to sense at least one of the gas stream conditions. The apparatus further includes an electronic control unit comprising a memory storage device, a condition evaluation module, a display module, and a wireless transmission module. The memory storage device stores a plurality of condition parameters, each condition parameter corresponding to one of the gas stream conditions. The condition evaluation module is configured to determine if one of the sensed conditions violates one of the corresponding parameters, and is further configured to output a warning command in response to the determining. The display module is configured to display information relating to at least one of a sensed condition and a condition parameter. The wireless transmission module is configured to wirelessly transmit data relating to at least one of the warning command and one of the sensed conditions.