Abstract: A power interruption protection system for AC electric motors. An electroresponsive relay (OL) in the energizing circuit of an electroresponsive main power contactor (MC) for an AC motor is responsive to deliberately deenergize the contactor if a power supply interruption persists for more than a few cycles of the supply frequency. A motor current level detector (CLD) monitors the motor current and if it falls below a predetermined level activates a pulse counter (CTR) to register pulses from a clock pulse generator (CPG) which produces pulses each half cycle of the supply frequency. If the pulse counter registers a certain number or more of such pulses an amplifier-driver (AD) energizes the relay to effect disconnection of the motor from the AC supply. The system is disclosed both as a stand-alone system, and as combined in a system affording current overload protection modes as well for AC motors.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the drive direction of an electrically-driven vehicle, the circuit having a plurality of spring return input switches (20) each actuation of which changes the direction of the vehicle, via a flip-flop circuit (21), an amplifier (22), and a relay (13); the direction contactor coils (10, 11) of the vehicle being connected in alternative circuits through the contacts of the relay (13).

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved valve selector assembly (10) for enabling and disabling the intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type having rocker arms (12 and 14) for opening and closing the valves in response to periodic forces pivoting the rocker arms about fulcrums (26 and 28) slidably mounted on studs (44 and 46). The selector assembly includes spring capsules (34 or 36) mounted on each stud and interposed between the associated fulcrum and a latch (38). The spring capsules are formed by stamping from sheet metal stock and the latch is a flat plate linearly movable between a valve enabling position preventing collapse of the spring capsules and a valve disabling position allowing collapse of the spring capsule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerative braking device (10) for an automotive vehicle. The device includes an energy storage assembly (12) having a plurality of rubber rollers (26, 28) mounted for rotation between an input shaft (36) and an output shaft (42), clutches (38, 46) and brakes (40, 48) associated with each shaft, and a continuously variable transmission (22) connectable to a vehicle drivetrain and to the input and output shafts by the respective clutches. The rubber rollers are torsionally stressed to accumulate energy from the vehicle when the input shaft is clutched to the transmission while the brake on the output shaft is applied, and are torsionally relaxed to deliver energy to the vehicle when the output shaft is clutched to the transmission while the brake on the input shaft is applied. The transmission ratio is varied to control the rate of energy accumulation and delivery for a given rotational speed of the vehicle drivetrain.

Abstract: A composite reinforced hose for conveying paint under pressure is provided with a core tube simultaneously coextruded from two or more thermoplastic synthetic polymers which are in intimate contact with each other. The inner layer of the core tube is nylon or other chemical resistant polymer which is substantially non-conductive and the outer layer is electrically conductive. The conductive polymer layer serves as a ground for static electricity.

Abstract: A thermal barrier for a diesel engine poppet valve is disclosed. The barrier includes a cup-shaped member having a shield portion spaced from the valve face and a cylindrical skirt portion welded to the valve head. The shield, skirt, and valve face define a hermetically sealed chamber which, when evacuated of gases, provides a heat conduction barrier for insulating the valve face from combusting gases. The chamber is preferably filled with a reinforcing to structurally support the shield and further insulate the valve face. The structural support may be in the form of an insulating material and/or a fabricated material having a low contact area with the shield and valve face.

Abstract: Tire pressure monitors are incorporated in vehicles having pneumatic tires to continuously or periodically measure the air pressure in the tires and to alert the driver should the pressure in one of the tires fall below a predetermined value. A self-contained generator-transmitter unit is affixed to each wheel, each unit monitoring the air pressure in the tire associated therewith and generating an RF signal when the pressure falls below a predetermined value. A receiver, located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, receives the signal(s) from the generator-transmitter units to indicate a low tire condition to the vehicle operator. The generators operate only during rotation of the wheels which effect relative rotation between two members in each generator, one member carrying a permanent magnet and the other carrying an inductor.

Abstract: An automatic resetting anti 2-BLOCK condition crane warning system gives audible and visual warning of an imminent 2-BLOCK condition and prevents occurrence of an actual 2-BLOCK condition by means of a control output signal. The warning system is further operable to permit override of the indication of and control against the 2-BLOCK condition. Three distinct audible and visual indications are provided for NORMAL, 2-BLOCK, and OVERRIDE system states. The system is further operative to automatically reset to a NORMAL state from either a 2-BLOCK or OVERRIDE state upon sensing a transition from a 2-BLOCK condition to a NORMAL condition.

Abstract: A temperature responsive drain valve (10) is disclosed for draining fluid lines (12) to prevent freeze up damage. The valve includes a housing (14) having a fluid passageway (15) therethrough. A temperature responsive thermal actuator (20) is mounted to the housing adjacent fluid inlet passageways (34). The actuator includes a temperature sensitive portion (22,23), which extends exteriorly of the valve housing and an output member which extends into the fluid passageway. A poppet valve member (42) has a self-aligning valve surface (46) and is mounted in the fluid passageway and biased toward a valve seat by a conical spring (47) which extends over a cylindrical portion (43) of the valve member. Cylindrical portion (43) is also guided by and extends through an opening (49) in a reaction plate (48). An outer biasing spring (51) reacts against the output member through a cage arrangement (54, 58, 67).

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive assembly (10) for an electrically powered vehicle (12). The assembly includes a transaxle (16) having a two-speed transmission (40) and a drive axle differential (46) disposed in a unitary housing assembly (38), an oil-cooled prime mover or electric motor (14) for driving the transmission input shaft (42), an adapter assembly (24) for supporting the prime mover on the transaxle housing assembly, and a hydraulic system (172) providing pressurized oil flow for cooling and lubricating the electric motor and transaxle and for operating a clutch (84) and a brake (86) in the transmission to shift between the two-speed ratios of the transmission. The adapter assembly allows the prime mover to be supported in several positions on the transaxle housing. The brake is spring-applied and locks the transmission in its low-speed ratio should the hydraulic system fail. The hydraulic system pump is driven by an electric motor (212) independent of the prime mover and transaxle.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch (10) employs a switch blade (22) having spaced thereon a set of service contacts (16, 20).One end of the blade is supported by a heat collapsible support (46) and a second set of contacts (26, 24), the contact sets being electrically in series. The service contacts are actuated by a slider (30) driven by a bi-metallic heat sensing element (32). A spring loaded button (52) biases the blade (22) against the collapsible support. Both sets of contacts (16, 20), (26, 24) are normally closed and upon the thermostat experiencing excessive temperatures the heat-collapsible support yields to the force of the bias spring (54) and causes the second set of contacts (26, 24) to open irrespective of the condition of the service contacts (16, 20).

Abstract: Various circuits and combinations of radiant energy responsive transducer means such as photovoltaic diodes connected to the gate of a depletion mode FET whose source and drain are connected to the gate and cathode of a thyristor, are disclosed to provide a semiconductor switch which is triggered into conduction solely by a small amount of radiant energy, without the need for a second triggering energy source, and which also affords immunity to unwanted dv/dt and temperature induced turn-on. Various modes of operation are disclosed, including the thyristor self-triggering into conduction, and/or being of the light-activated type itself and being directly triggered by impinging light, and/or being triggered by the light-responsive diode bias, and/or being triggered by a small bias supplied from a second set of photovoltaic diodes connected to the thyristor gate. Other combinations are disclosed providing zero-cross firing.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling drive cables and hoses used on a tree processing apparatus (10) wherein a processing head (14) travels along a horizontal boom structure (12). The processing head extend cable system (46) includes a single cable (80) which is attached at one end to the processing head and is reeved over sheaves (66, 68) attached to a hydraulic cylinder output member (55), over stationary idler sheaves (82, 86) over an adjustable idler sheave (84) and is attached at the other end to the processing head. The retract cable system (48) includes a single cable (89) which is attached at one end to the processing head, is reeved over a stationary idler sheave 93, over a sheave (70) attached to the output member (55), and is fixed at the other end to the boom structure. The adjustable idler sheave (84) is attached to a member (92) which can be adjusted relative to the boom to adjust the tension in both cables (80, 89).

Abstract: A unitary, self-enclosed electric switch having a pivotally mounted subactuator (6) that actuates the contacts (18 ) and carries a locking element (24) that normally catches on the switch housing (4k) to lock the switch in "off" position. A combined actuator and lock release member (8) is snap-in mounted on the subactuator and has push-to-unlock means (8b, 8c, 22) that releases the off-lock to allow pivotal actuation of this actuator and the subactuator in unison from "off" to "on" position. This actuator is normally spring-biased (22) into ineffective position from which it must be pushed in to unlock the switch and is removable to prevent unauthorized use of the switch. The subactuator has an upward extension (6h) that serves as a handle to enable the switch to be moved from "on" to "off" position even when the actuator has been removed, this extension serving also to trap the actuator bias spring (22) to retain it in place when the actuator is removed.

Abstract: An improved shiftable change speed transmission is provided. The improved transmission is preferably provided with at least one countershaft having countershaft gears thereon disposed in meshing engagement with main shaft gears encircling the transmission main shaft. Gears are selectively axially movable relative to the associated shaft by conventional means for effecting shifting of the transmission. The axially movable gears cooperate with clutch rings which surround and are supported on and for rotation with the associated shaft by splines, preferably the clutch rings also are axially movable relative to the associated shaft and are resiliently urged in a direction toward the respective gear with which same cooperates, whereby shifting of the axially movable gear toward its respective clutch ring causes resilient axial movement of the latter until synchronization is achieved to permit the clutch ring to move axially in response to said resilient urging and engage the main shaft gear.

Abstract: A fluid mixing valve is disclosed having three pressure operated pilot controlled solenoid operated valves (12, 14, 16) mounted on a unitary valve housing (10) which defines a primary fluid passageway (74) an outlet (76), and two inlet fluid passageways (81, 85) connectable to separate pressurized fluid sources. The solenoid valves selectively control fluid flow from the inlet passageways to the primary passageway which also functions as a mixing chamber. Flow control orifices (78, 80, 82) integrally molded into the valve housing are disposed intermediate the primary fluid passageway and the respective inlet passageways for limiting the flow rate to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for processing trees includes a hollow boom structure (12), a processing head (14) mounted for movement along the boom and an actuating cylinder assembly (38) which is mounted inside the boom structure. The cylinder includes a body member (50) and support means (52) engageable with the inside of the boom which support the body member for linear movement along the boom. A reeved cable system interconnects the actuating cylinder assembly with the processing head such that the actuating cylinder and the processing head move in opposite directions along the boom when the actuating cylinder is pressurized. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cylinder assembly includes opposed piston assemblies (40, 42) and means associated with the piston rod (54) of one piston assembly (40) for selectively transferring hydraulic fluid from a source to the head ends of both piston assemblies and to a central chamber (60) defined between the piston assemblies.

Abstract: A control system for use with dependent hydraulic clutches in which an accumulator valve (22) is used to provide improved engagement characteristics for the hydraulic clutch assembly (10). The accumulator valve includes back-to-back pistons (96, 100) separated by an outer spring (102) and an inner spring (104). Movement of the pistons provides an initial fast fill of the clutches, followed by a period of cushioned engagement, and then complete engagement. The dual spring arrangement provides two distinct periods of cushioned engagement.

Abstract: A two-piece sheet metal nail (10) comprising a one-piece shank portion (12) and a one-piece head portion (14) which may be quickly and manually assembled without the requirement for specialized tools is provided. The shank portion (12) includes a pair of oppositely extending wing members (32 and 34) adapted to cooperate with a pair of tabs (46 and 48) provided on the head portion (14) to self-lockingly assemble the shank portion (12) to the head portion (14).