Abstract: A storing and dispensing system for substantially rectangular objects having a tray (12) with a plurality of side-by-side cells (40). Each cell has a bottom (30) that terminates at a location (41) spaced from a rear guide (32) to create a supporting surface (42) and a gap (44) contiguous with the rear guide of the cell to permit an object in the cell to be tilted into the gap to gain better access to an object in an adjacent cell.

Abstract: An individual segment flow regulator is shown having a two landed spool and two landed bore, all with the same nominal diameter, a plug, a spring and a sensing passage from the main spool of the valve. Supply oil entering between the two lands of the bore is separated from a sensing pressure by one spool land which is slidable within the bore. The other spool land meters the supply fluid. The metering land of the regulator spool opens away from the valve bore land to allow supply fluid through and can shut off the supply. A spring chamber above the spool senses the load pressure which opens the metering spool, thereby increasing the flow and therefore the pressure drop across the main spool area opening. Feedback pressure developed at the bottom of the metering land of the spool is used to close down the regulator spool as the flow, and therefore the pressure drop, across the main spool increases beyond the pre-load force of the bias spring.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the positions of a set of points on a body and comparing those points to a set of reference points. The system includes a data acquisition apparatus comprised of emitters, receivers, and microprocessor controls. The emitters are mounted at various predetermined positions on the body, for example a vehicle body or frame, and are triggered in an optimal fashion by the microprocessors. Triggering generates a single acoustic burst signal from an emitter. An array of microphones acts as the receiver. After generation of the signal, the microprocessor initializes an external clock which measures the travel time of the signal from the emitter to the receivers. By repeating this process a number of times, data is acquired which yields the three-dimensional coordinates of a given point when processed by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A powered work clamping device including a housing with an upper and lower chamber and an intermediate chamber communicating with the upper and lower chambers, an upper and lower piston respectively residing in the upper and lower chambers, and wherein the lower piston has a section with reduced diameter slidably and rotatably operating in the intermediate chamber, an index rod projects from the lower piston into an index bore in the upper piston and a piston rod connected thereto. The piston rod projects from the housing and is secured to a work-engaging head. The head is rotatable and independently extendable depending upon operation of the upper and lower pistons and means for rotating the lower piston and actuated upon operation of a check valve served by one of two independently actuated two-stage directional control valves.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control valve includes a modulator-controlled solenoid assembly which selectively axially displaces a disc armature adjacent thereto. When not attracted by the solenoid, the armature is biased away from the solenoid by a wave spring. Movement of the armature opens and closes the outlet of a lower body member to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The armature is improved, having dimples on the face adjacent the solenoid assembly to minimize sticking. Additionally, the center pole of the solenoid is axially adjustable and can therefore be set for different valve performance levels. Assembly of the valve is quickly accomplished using pneumatic pressure under performance conditions for adjustment of and setting the initial displacement of the disc armature. Setting is accomplished by crimping the various components in an outer tube.

Abstract: The nut-runner has a power arm and a reaction arm constructed preferably as a casing, each of which is guided in a first end region so as to be pivotable opposite the other about a common axis. It has a clamp wheel with gearing mounted in a drilled hole in the first end region of the power arm so as to be rotatable about the axis, and a catch mounted on the power arm and interacting with this clamp wheel, said catch being in the engaged position when the power arm pivots in one direction, in which said catch engages with the teeth of the clamp wheel and slips over the teeth of the clamp wheel when the power arm pivots in the other direction. The nut-runner also has a hydraulic power cylinder consisting of a cylinder and a piston and acting between the two arms in the vicinity of their other end regions. The reaction arm encompasses the clamp wheel through a maximum of 180 degrees.

Abstract: An automatic, hydraulically actuated, sequencing valve for use with a pair of hydraulic acutators (e.g. double acting hydraulic cylinders) includes a valve body having a cylindrical bore therein. Cam members at either end of the bore are engaged by pins on the ends of a cylindrical spool, thereby rotating the spool 30.degree. each time it engages one of the cam members. A third cam member incorporated into the spool alternately locks open one of a pair of check valves as said spool is pressure shifted between the two bore cam members. The third cam member operates a locking system which permits only one of the two hydraulic cylinders to operate at a time and in sequence.

Abstract: The power screw driver has a power arm (2) and a reaction arm (1), as well as a ratchet wheel (7) and a multi-toothed pawl (8), that meshes with this ratchet wheel and that meshes with several teeth of the ratchet wheel (7) when the power arm (2) is in a rotational direction and when it is in the other rotational position, the pawl slips over the teeth of the ratchet wheel (7). Finally a hydraulic power cylinder is provided between the two arms (1, 2).The power arm (2) has a drive head (9), which is inside the cylinder bore hole (11) and engages in a recess (14) of the piston (13). The cylinder bore hole runs obliquely, in particular at a right angle to the power arm (2).

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a bench support, and an input bar pivotally mounted on the bench and movable through a work cycle in response to forces exerted by a user. A hydraulic actuator is connected to the input bar for developing a resistive force against the movement of the bar. An adjusting mechanism enables a user to vary the resistive force. A pressure transducer senses the pressure in the hydraulic actuator which is representative of the input force exerted by a user, and a potentiometer located at the pivotal connection of the input bar on the bench measures the angle of rotation of the bar which is representative of the displacement of the bar. The force and displacement input signals are employed by a microprocessor to generate output signals to a display showing the cycle count, the input force or the work accomplished by a user during each cycle.

Abstract: A base component for a fluid transfer device such as a hydraulic hand pump, cylinder or valve and a method of making the base component for such a device. The base component includes first and second base members having internal passages in communication with one another which subject the members to internal fluid pressure, and an encapsulating housing attaching the members together. In one form, the housing is composed of a moldable plastic material and surrounds both base members which are composed of extruded aluminum. In another form, the housing is integrally formed with one of the base members of a moldable plastic material and surrounds the other base member which is composed of extruded aluminum. In both forms structural members such as yoke members, which pivotally mount the piston and handle assemblies of a hand pump, may integrally be formed with the plastic housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a mobile vehicle that supports and positions a load relative to a docking structure, such as a patient relative to a medical diagnostic apparatus. The mobile vehicle includes a wheeled base, a carriage on the base, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the carriage relative to the base, a load supporting cradle slidably mounted on the carriage for movement in a longitudinal direction between an operative extended position and an inoperative retracted position on the carriage, and a hydraulic system for controlling the operation of the vehicle and its components. The vehicle includes co-operating members on the base and on the docking structure for properly aligning and positioning the vehicle with respect to the docking structure. The movement of the carriage may be accomplished either manually through a foot pump or through a hydraulic power interlock between the vehicle base and docking structure which is engageable upon docking.

Abstract: A hydraulic master-slave system for clutch actuation includes a clutch sensor system to continuously detect and measure clutch position and wear. One alternate preferred embodiment comprises a resistive strip and wiper assembly coupled to an electrical control circuit to control vehicle functions dependent upon clutch position and wear. A second alternate preferred embodiment employs an optical fence and optical interrupter designed to generate quadrature output to the electrical control circuit.

Abstract: A shock absorber and air spring assembly particularly adapted for use in a tilt cab suspension system. It provides the capability of remotely adjusting the amount of damping on the down stroke of the damper piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control valve includes a spool which has a first end having a first cross-sectional area. The opposite end of the spool has a reduced cross-sectional area. Modulated pressure is provided to a chamber at the first end of the spool and when it increases beyond the force of a biasing spring, an inlet port is connected to an outlet port. Feedback pressure acts on the differential area between a full cross-sectional area of the spool and a reduced area portion of the spool located within the outlet port. The feedback force on the spool is in proportion to the changing control force. A sleeve is provided at the end of the valve adjacent the reduced area portion of the spool, such portion and sleeve cooperating to provide a sliding seal. The outlet port will be coupled to tank whenever the modulated pressure falls below the combination of the spring force and the feedback pressure.

Abstract: A powered work clamping device includes a housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and a piston in the lower chamber connected to an index rod which projects into the upper chamber. The index rod is axially movable but not rotatably movable, and is biased to an upper position. A plunger extends from the housing and has a work engaging member at one end with a piston at its other end disposed within the upper chamber. The plunger is mounted on the index rod for axial and rotative movement, and is biased to a retracted clamped position. To unclamp a workpiece, hydraulic fluid is directed to a valve assembly within the device which sequentially delivers fluid first to the upper chamber to extend the plunger and then to the lower chamber to axially move the index rod and its piston to swing the plunger.

Abstract: A support for the drive components of a front wheel drive vehicle includes a frame adapted to be mounted on a jack, a pair of saddle beams mounted on the frame and being adjustable vertically and horizontally relative thereto for supporting the vehicle engine and transmission. An arm is pivotally mounted at each end of the frame and includes a vertically extending portion which is adapted to be secured to the front wheel hubs for holding the transaxles and wheel struts in position as the engine, transmission, drive axles and struts are removed simultaneously from the vehicle.

Abstract: A support base has an attachment device for being secured in a predetermined position on a frame. A first coupler is mounted on the support base for movement in two mutually perpendicular directions and a first elongate member, is mounted in the first coupler and extends in a direction normal to the plane defined by the directions in which the the first coupler is movable. A universal coupling is disposed at the remote end of the first member and includes a second coupling and a clamp for securing the second coupling in any angular orientation relative to the remote end of the first member. A second elongate member is longitudinally adjustable and is fixed to the second coupling so that the remote end of the second member may be three-dimensionally adjusted relative to the remote end of the first member.

Abstract: A portable electric driven conduit bender which accommodates rigid, IMC and thinwall conduit of various sizes in a single setup includes a rotatable, cone-shaped bending shoe, and a roller assembly for supporting conduit during bending. The bending shoe has a pair of arcuate-shaped die portions positioned diametrically opposite one another for shaping rigid and IMC conduit, and thinwall conduit, respectively, and each die portion has a plurality of bending grooves formed therein for accommodating various conduit diameter sizes. The roller assembly includes a roller unit for larger diameter conduit that has a split forming roller and a solid backup roller located side-by-side which cradle the conduit during the bending operation. One of the halves of the split roller is adjustable in its axial direction between a closed position for supporting thinwall conduit and a separated position for supporting rigid conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seal for a rotary hydraulic valve having an inner surface which is concave and spaced from the recess in the rotary core in which it is received. Two parallel troughs are formed in the inner surface between the edges thereof and the central flow passageway. In use, fluid under pressure enters the trough and distorts the seal both radially outwardly against the valve body and circumferentially outwardly against the sides of the seal recess.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet adapted to be connected to a pressure source and a chamber in which the pressure is to be regulated. An orifice is provided between the inlet and the chamber for metering the flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween. In addition, regulating means is provided adjacent the orifice and is movable in a timed relation in response to a series of pulse signals for changing the effective flow area of said orifice whereby the pressure in the chamber varies with the integral of the voltage pulses.