Abstract: A frame for the housing of an electric motor having a top cavity that extends axially along the upper interior portion of the frame and beneath the top wall of the frame. The top cavity functions as a conduit box through which access is provided to the electrical leads of the motor, thus eliminating the need for a separate conduit box attached to the exterior of the housing. The frame also includes an axially extending, corner channel along each of its four corners. The frame is adaptable for both closed and open housing cooling arrangements.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine includes a stator fixed with respect to a housing structure and a rotor fixed with respect to a driven shaft. The stator includes a magnetically permeable core having a plurality of parallel winding slots containing conductive windings. Coilheads are located at opposite axial ends of the magnetically permeable core where the windings turn to extend down a parallel winding slot. The motor is equipped with electrostatic shield arrangements in the winding slots and coilheads to reduce capacitive coupling between the stator and rotor during operation.

Abstract: Lead wires of large electric motors are routed through annular shrouds located inside of the motor housing to surround respective stator coilheads. Each of the shrouds includes at least one attachment portion defining an opening for passage of the leads. In one embodiment, a support element defining a lead channel aligns with the lead opening. The support element includes a mounting structure for attachment of a conduit box thereon. A seal arrangement having a planar seal element may be provided in the lead channel to support and separate the individual leads, while providing a seal to inhibit passage of cooling air from the housing interior into the conduit box. In another embodiment, a cover arrangement is attached directly to the attachment portion of the shroud. The cover arrangement may include a flexible gasket juxtaposed to a rigid cover plate.

Abstract: A clip assembly used in testing electrical equipment includes a mechanical actuator to provide mechanically assisted clipping of electrical leads in a manufacturing environment. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator takes the form of a fluid-actuated cylinder such as a pneumatic cylinder. The clip assembly includes a spring to urge the test clip into a clamping position. Upon activation, pressurized fluid is directed to the cylinder, causing a force to oppose the spring and move the test clip into a release position.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner ring and outer ring defining opposed raceways having a plurality of bearing elements disposed therebetween. The bearing assembly includes an improved sealing arrangement having multiple primary seals for providing sealing with the rotating inner ring. In preferred embodiments, the multiple seals include a rolled riding seal and an oblique contact seal having a center lip therebetween. Unlike the other two primary sealing lips, the center lip preferably provides no more than light engagement with the bearing inner ring.

Abstract: An expandable arbor is provided for assembling a plurality of laminas into a lamination, wherein each lamina has a central opening and a plurality of slots extending radially from the central opening. The arbor includes a base portion and an expandable core that is disposed to extend axially from the base portion. The arbor further includes a plurality of key holders disposed around the core. Each key holder is configured in the form of an elongated shaft that extends axially from the base portion and has a polygonal transverse cross-section. Each key holder is further configured with a plurality of faces, and each face defines a key receptacle therein for holding a key.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine having an improved arrangement for sealing lead wires. A housing structure of the electromechanical machine includes a tubular lead conduit, such as a short pipe section, through which the lead wires extend. A resinous sealing compound, such as an epoxy, is located within the tubular lead conduit. The lead wires are thus potted, and a predetermined degree of isolation is provided between the inside of the machine housing and the ambient environment. Preferably, the inner surface of the tubular lead conduit defines a labyrinthine structure, such as a series of parallel grooves, to further enhance the sealing function.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus is provided including an improved end cover. The end cover has a cup element for receipt over the end of a shaft supported by the bearing apparatus. An arm element extends from the cup element and may define a slot for receipt of a suitable threaded member, such as the bearing's lubricant fitting. When the lubricant fitting is tightened, the end cover will be maintained in the desired position on the bearing housing.

Abstract: An improved speed reducer having a temperature sensing device electrically connectible to an external monitoring device. The temperature sensing device is supported by the speed reducer housing and extends at least partially into the speed reducer interior area to a predetermined location. The predetermined location is below a minimum lubricant supply level within the speed reducer interior. The temperature sensing device is responsive to the temperature of the lubricant fluid within the speed reducer and is configured to communicate information indicative thereof to an external monitoring device, which may include an alarm or a downstream processing device.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying wire from a spool includes a support for holding the spool, a sensor mounted on the support and detachably secured to an end of the spool for detecting supplying of the end of the wire from the spool, and a controller for precluding supplying of wire from the spool when the sensor detects supplying of the end of the wire. The support may hold a plurality of spools and include a plurality of sensors and indicators for sensing and indicating spool depletion. Wires may follow a wire feed path to a winder including a first portion extending generally vertically from the support, a second portion extending generally vertically from the winder, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: An adaptable mounting arrangement is provided for securing a shaft to a hub of a speed reducer or other mechanical power transmission device. The hub is configured having a pair of tapered interior surfaces converging to a location approximately at the midpoint of an axial bore defined in the hub. A pair of counterbores are also defined in the interior surface of the hub at opposite axial ends thereof. One or more tapered sleeve members may be provided to engage the tapered interior surfaces defined in the hub. Alternatively, annular bushings may be provided in each of the counterbores when the hub is to be secured to a screw conveyor drive shaft or the like.

Abstract: A bath of molten metal is provided, from which a flow is removed. The flow circulates through an unheated conduit to a selected location remote from the bath, and then back to the bath. A depending conduit portion having a heated valve is provided at the selected location. Operation of the valve allows a predetermined amount of the molten metal to be directed into a casting mold.

Abstract: A bearing take-up apparatus is adapted to utilize a bearing assembly having a conventional flange bearing housing. The apparatus includes a bearing carrier mounted for slidable movement between a pair of parallel guide rails. The bearing carrier may be formed of a unitary piece of sheet metal according to known metal forming techniques. The bearing assembly is mounted to the bearing carrier to support a rotatable shaft. The bearing carrier is moved to a desired position along the guide rails utilizing an elongated transmission screw or the like. The arrangement facilitates replacement of the bearing assembly in the field.

Abstract: An improved bearing apparatus including a housing having a bearing assembly contained therein. A sensor device is mounted to the housing for detecting the rotational rate of the shaft. The sensor device may be configured as a magnetic-type sensor operative to sense variations in magnetic characteristics produced during rotation of an annular detection element. Alternatively, the sensor device may be an optical sensor for detecting variations in optical characteristics produced by shaft rotation. In some presently preferred embodiments, the detection element is a nut or collar also utilized to effect securement of the bearing assembly to the shaft. Preferably, the shaft terminates at an interior location of the housing. In this case, the housing may include an end wall or cap for covering an end of the shaft.

Abstract: Bearing assemblies supporting the shaft of an electrical rotating machine are electrically insulated from the bearing housing. For each bearing assembly, a portion of the housing defines a receptacle into which an insertion ring is positioned. The gap between the insertion ring is filled with an appropriate insulative material, such as a nonconductive binding compound or an insulative polymer. In a preferred construction, nonconductive binding compound is located between spacers of insulative polymer. In another preferred construction, a nonconductive coating is applied to the outer surface and the remainder of the gap is filled with nonconductive binding compound. Insulative polymeric material may be used without binding compound in some embodiments. The bearing assembly is maintained in the insertion ring.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for selectively directing a line of sight between a residence location and locations within a substantially hemispherical field of regard. The apparatus includes a stator which supports a first stage for rotation about a first axis of rotation. A second stage is supported by the first stage for at least partial rotation about a second axis of rotation. The first stage and the second stage include respective mirrors which direct the line of sight between the residence location and the locations in the field of regard. The first stage and the second stage are each operatively rotated by one or more foundation-based drive motors or the like. A drive train arrangement is preferably utilized to transfer motive power from the stationary drive motor to the second stage.

Abstract: A bearing system includes a lubricant circulation apparatus to provide a continuous supply of lubricant fluid to a bearing device. The bearing device may be a hydrodynamic sleeve bearing having a bearing housing defining a sump for maintaining lubricant fluid therein. An oil ring may be situated about the mechanical shaft supported by the bearing device to deposit oil on top of the shaft during rotation. In addition, a bearing inlet is defined at a location radially above the shaft, with a bearing outlet being defined at a location radially below. The bearing outlet is in fluid communication with a reservoir of the lubricant circulation apparatus. A pump communicates with the reservoir to draw lubricant fluid therefrom and deliver it to the bearing inlet. Preferably, the pump draws lubricant fluid from the reservoir at a rate greater than can be passed through the bearing housing.

Abstract: A bearing assembly including an improved clamping arrangement for effecting securement to a rotating shaft. The bearing assembly includes a bearing inner ring member and a bearing outer ring member having a plurality of bearing elements located therebetween. A second extension portion extends from the greater diameter end of a tapered inner surface defined in the inner ring member, the second extension portion defining a circumferential receiving groove. A tapered adapter having a tapered outer surface, generally complementary to the tapered inner surface, is received in the inner ring member. The tapered adapter includes a first extension portion extending from the greater diameter end of the tapered outer surface and defining outer threads thereabout. A nut is provided having a first axial portion defining inner threads for engaging the outer threads of the first extension portion.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for selectively directing a line of sight between a residence location and locations within a substantially hemispherical field of regard. The apparatus includes a stator which supports a first stage for rotation about a first axis of rotation. A second stage is supported by the first stage for at least partial rotation about a second axis of rotation. The first stage and the second stage include respective mirrors which direct the line of sight between the residence location and the locations in the field of regard. The first stage and the second stage are each operatively rotated by one or more foundation-based drive motors or the like. A drive train arrangement is preferably utilized to transfer motive power from the stationary drive motor to the second stage.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic sleeve bearing for supporting the shaft of a relatively large electromechanical machine. The bearing includes a base element and a cap element matable about the shaft to produce the bearing housing. The bearing housing when assembled includes a shaft receiving portion through which the shaft extends and a sump portion for containing a lubricant fluid. The design of the present invention minimizes the axial length of the shaft receiving portion to approximately that of the bearing liner contained therein. As a result, the weight of the cap element will be significantly reduced over many prior art constructions. Respective lubricant seals are attached at opposite end faces of the shaft receiving portion. The lubricant seals and the end faces are configured to permit lubricant fluid to flow directly back into the sump. The lubricant seals may be installed in a plurality of angular orientations, which may be particularly useful if a selected sensor device is installed thereon.