Abstract: The invention is disclosed as being embodied in the stationary storing and dispensing system for substantially square or rectangular objects and comprises at least two shelves (S) each having a bottom (20), a ramp (32), a finger guide (26), and and article restraining member (30), the shelves being assembled horizontally one above the other.

Abstract: A binding mechanism is provided having a plurality of carriers, each supporting a pair of engaging rods, slidably mounted lengthwise of a spine. A pinion member interfacing a plate with gear teeth mounted to one of the pair of engaging rods allows for movement of one of each of the pairs of engaging rods simultaneously.

Abstract: A storing and dispensing sytem for square or rectangular objects such as computer media cartridges and packages. The system includes a housing (10) forming a plurality of stalls (16), and an ejector (18) associated with each stall (16) and pivotally mounted in the housing (12) for dispensing the contents of the associated stall (16) upon manual actuation of the ejector (18).

Abstract: A sound isolating bearing has concentric inner and outer housings made of steel with a concentric shim between the inner and outer housings sandwiched by layers of a resilient elastomer. The longitudinal cross section of the shim is convex on both inside and outside surfaces with the same radius of curvature to allow cocking of the inner housing relative to the outer housing about a first point on the bearing axis midway between the ends and about a second pivot point outside the bearing in a plane midway between the bearing ends perpendicular to the bearing axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hollow, blow molded plastic panel for door and drawer fronts for storage cabinets having a recessed handle (16) of substantial keystone configuration in a surface (2). Also disclosed is a mold having a movable core insert (58) for forming the handle and a method of molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a removable, replaceable assembly for supporting a file system of the type which has a plurality of separator cards each of which is centrally apertured near its bottom to receive a locking rod. The cards are assembled behind the other. The assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel pivot rails (2, 4). Each rail has an upper pivot surface (6) lying in a common plane on which the bottom portions of the cards are supported for pivotal motion. Means (10, 36) join the pivot rails together and are located below the pivot surfaces of the rails. A locking rod (20) is located midway between the pivot rails of extends parallel to the rods and passes through the apertures in the separator card. Rod retaining means (24) extend upwardly from the joining means and are releasably engagable with the locking rod. The retaining means are apertured to position the rod between the rails at or below the plane of the pivot surfaces of the rails.

Abstract: A motion snubber comprises layers of elastomeric and substantially inextensible material stacked one on top of the other between a base and mounting plate, and is characterized by a rigid restraining pin disposed in a bore within the stack so as to restrain deformation of the elastomer. In one embodiment the bore is obliquely oriented with respect to the pin. In another embodiment the pin is contoured to accommodate angular motion.

Abstract: An adjustable device for supporting workpieces having two sets of relatively movable interleaved friction plates, one set attached to and movable with a work supporting plunger, the other being relatively stationary with respect to the plunger. The plunger and associated plates are moved into work supporting engagement by air pressure; the two sets of plates being clamped together by a hydraulic piston operated at right angles to the plates, to hold the plunger in the desired work supporting position of adjustment until the sets of plates are unclamped.

Abstract: An active vibration isolation system employing an electro-rheological fluid comprises a damper having a servovalve fluidically coupling a load supporting actuator to an accumulator. The servovalve includes an orificed plate arrangement, across which a voltage potential is impressed in accordance with a command signal derived from response sensors. The viscosity of an electro-rheological fluid contained within the servovalve reacts to the voltage potential so as to regulate the fluid flow. In this manner the damping coefficient is modulated to as to approximate a "sky-hook" damper.

Abstract: A positive indication of the closure state of a fingered gripper is provided by a sensor having a first element mounted for motion responsive to the primary finger driver and a second element operable in conjunction with the first element to provide, between the two, a positive indication of the gripper state.

Abstract: An overload protection device adapted to be secured between a robot arm and a tool, comprises a floating piston (20) within a cylinder (18). Hall effect sensors (124) are spaced around the cylinder wall and mating magnets (40) are spaced around the piston wall. The cylinder is pressurized to axially align the piston with the cylinder and to position each magnet in alignment with a sensor. When an overload occurs involving either the robot arm or the tool, the magnets are moved relative to the sensors causing the sensors to signal for depressurization of the cylinder. An electronic system (FIG. 27) responsive to the Hall effect sensor signals lights an "overload" LED D1 and triggers a timer circuit T1 which generates a timing pulse of fixed duration. During the duration of the timing pulse, the robot is de-energized. A red LED R is illuminated indicating the robot system is not ready to be operated. Also, a solenoid valve L1 is energized, cutting off the pressure to the cylinder.

Abstract: In a dynamoelectric machine including a rotor of electrically conductive material having a plurality of axially extending slots for receiving electrical conductors, there is provided apparatus in each slot for electrically insulating the conductors from the rotor. The insulating apparatus comprises a substantially U-shaped insulating member of an aramid paper extending axially along the length of the slot. The base of the U-shaped insulating member is held in position by a sub-slot cover formed of an extruded plastic material which has an inner member covering an axially extending sub-slot located beneath each of the conductor slots of the rotor and an outer member which fits over the top of the base of the U-shaped insulation member and latches into the inner member.

Abstract: A bearing for a large rotating shaft machine is subject to differing conditions of operations. In order to accommodate these differing conditions of operation, the lubricant flows throughout the bearings may have to be changed. The prior art method of changing flow distributions throughout a bearing would be to remachine orifice passageways formed in the base ring. The present invention overcomes this difficulty by proposing a standardized base ring and multi-variable orifices which can be remachined and reinserted into the base ring with minimal difficulty and machining.

Abstract: A control system for a steam turbine employs complementary-sized nozzle groups receiving steam in a sequence which employs the smallest possible sized group receiving steam from a control valve of the smallest possible capacity as the governing valve. All other control valves remain either fully open or fully closed. An optimum path may be followed to select a highest-efficiency transition between valve combinations.

Abstract: A steam turbine-generator system includes a reheater bypass valve which cooperates with both a high- and low-pressure bypass valve in the early stages of turbine loading to divert steam in a bypass flow from a high-pressure turbine to the input of a reheat turbine without passing the steam through a reheat portion of the boiler. The pressure and temperature drops in the high-pressure turbine are controlled by the setting of the pressure threshold of the low-pressure bypass valve. A check valve prevents steam flow into the reheat portion of the boiler until a desired operating condition is attained. The steam flowing to the reheat turbine directly from the high-pressure turbine is at a sufficiently low temperature to avoid temperature insult to the rotor of the reheat turbine. Once the turbine is partially loaded, the reheater bypass, high-pressure bypass and low-pressure bypass valves are closed to establish a conventional reheat turbine configuration.

Abstract: A recirculation apparatus is employed to recirculate a portion of the feedwater in a vertical-tube economizer to reduce the likelihood of reverse flow and steaming at startup and/or low load. A recirculation valve, opened at low load, directs part of the water from the economizer outlet back to the inlet of the boiler feed pump via a deaerator. The recirculated water not only increases the pumping head across the economizer tube planes, but also reduces the temperature rise of the increased water flow rate passing through the economizer tubes which now enters the economizer tube bank at an elevated temperature. The reduced temperature rise in a given single pass through a tube plane consequently reduces the buoyant force which opposes the pumping head in downflowing tube planes. Additionally, the amount of water being recirculated at these light load conditions results in a total boiler feed pump flow which is well within the capacity of a given pump size without consideration of the present invention.

Abstract: A slot armor for insulating the slots in the rotor of a dynamoelectric machine from the windings contained in the slots includes a high-dielectric film on at least one surface thereof. A layer of a tough lubricating solid is coated on the exterior surface of the film. The lubricating solid prevents abrasion of the film by radial motion of the windings with respect to the slot armor or radial motion of the slot armor with respect to the slots. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a substrate of glass fiber/epoxy composite has a polyimide polymer film bonded to the surface thereof. The lubricating solid coating on the external surface of the polyimide polymer film is an FEP fluorocarbon.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and securing a plug-in electronic unit or the like to or from an avionics tray comprises a threaded spindle carrying a transverse pin at one end thereof and having an arrangement of three concentric sleeves located about the spindle. Stop members are provided to limit the movement of the sleeves in both axial directions along the threaded spindle. A rotatable grip is fitted about the innermost of the three concentric sleeves at that end of the sleeve remote from the transverse pin. A ring member is positioned about the middle of the three sleeves and cooperates with an extended flange of the latter to define an annular recess which contains a resilient element. A torque-limiting arrangement is provided between the rotatable grip and a co-operating surface portion of the middle of the three sleeves.