Helix Technology Corporation

Sharkninja Operating LLC

Ecrm Incorporated

Brooks Automation Gmbh

Euro-Pro Operating LLC

Alan L Weeks

Peter W Gaudet

Martin L Stein

Robert J Lepofsky

Gerald J Fortier

Steven C Rosner

Ognjen Vrdoljak

William Scott Hughes

Stephen R Matte

Kim C Reeves

Stephen R Matté

Jason Boyd Thorne

David B Jalbert

David Edward Roche

Niels O Young

Brian F Kaminer

Dmitry Layevsky

Philip A Lessard

Michael J Eacobacci

Graham J Higham

Chang J Yee

Paul Grandstrand

Gregory G Cappiello

Steven A Michaud

Claudia Joann Richardson

William Sand

Thomas David Reid Ford

Stephen R Matte'

Gustavo Fortes Chohfi

Stephen R Matt&eacute;

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include steam appliances and methods which apply steam and a liquid containing a cleaning agent to the floor via separate outlets. In some embodiments, the liquid containing a cleaning agent is applied to an area of the floor that is physically separated from a steam application area. The steam may be applied to the floor through a steam-permeable fabric. The liquid containing a cleaning agent may be heated before being applied to the floor or being mixed with steam.

Steam cleaning appliance

A floor treatment device may include a body portion comprising one or more pumps, one or more spray outlets, and one or more reservoir receptacles configured to receive one or more reservoirs. The one or more pumps are operable to be activated and direct liquids to the spray outlets. The device may include swappable heads, each comprising a body connector configured to mate with a head connector of the body portion. In an embodiment, the head connector may include a sensor system and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor system. When one of swappable heads is connected to the body portion, the sensor system is configured to detect the identity of the swappable heads connected, and the controller is configured to selectively activate, based on the identity of the swappable heads, at least one of the one or more pumps.

Floor treatment apparatus and method

Surface treatment pad

A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value. Otherwise the vent valve will have been opened, and a start-up sequence must be initiated. During shutdown, power to the pump drive motor is discontinued and the vent valve is opened before the roughing valve is closed.

Electronically controlled vacuum pump

A vacuum roller includes a roller having transverse holes and surface holes, in which each of the surface holes intersects with at least one of the transverse holes. A cap mates to a portion of the roller where the transverse holes are exposed. The cap has a cavity that aligns to at least one of the transverse holes and remains substantially stationary during rotation of the roller. A vacuum device evacuates the cavity.

Vacuum roller

A light scanner includes a beam deflector supported for rotary motion to deflect an incoming light beam into an image field in response to being rotationally aligned. A motor mechanically couples to rotate the deflector in and out of the rotational alignment. The beam deflector scans the image field with the deflected incoming light in response to being rotated. A gas permeable screen structure partially encloses a region adjacent the rotating beam deflector and reduces gas turbulence in the region of the deflector.

Method and apparatus for light scanning

Electronically controlled vacuum pump with control module

A cold trap includes a fluid conduit having a fluid flow path therethrough, a length along the fluid flow path and a width transverse to the fluid flow path. The width of the fluid conduit is greater than the length. A gate valve is formed integrally with the fluid flow conduit for opening and closing the fluid flow path. A cryopumping array having an outer rim surrounding a central opening is positioned within the fluid conduit downstream from the gate valve and transverse to the fluid flow path such that the fluid flow path extends through the central opening. The outer rim captures water vapor from the fluid flow path.

Water pump with integral gate valve

A cryogenically cooled water pump traps water vapor with a high probability but is open to non-condensing gases for high conductance to a turbomolecular pump. The preferred array is a single cylinder, having a length to diameter ratio of between 0.5 and 1, concentric with and near to an ambient temperature conduit. A center baffle, preferably of closed frustoconical shape, may be positioned at the center of the array over the upper bearing plate of the turbomolecular pump where it results in minimal reduction in conductance to the pump.

High conductance water pump

A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a turbomolecular pump with drive motor, a vent valve, a purge valve, a roughing valve, a heater and an electronic control module. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. Proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value. Otherwise the vent valve will have been opened, and a start-up sequence must be initiated. During shutdown, power to the pump drive motor is discontinued and the vent valve is opened before the roughing valve is closed.

Turbomolecular pump with valves and integrated electronic controls

Growing community of inventors

South Easton, MA, United States of America

Alan L Weeks