Abstract: An opto-electronic, threaded parts inspection device. The device includes a source for generating a thin, planar beam of collimated light which is disposed on one side of a parts carrier. The laser light beam is rotatable about two axes, normal to one another and both normal to the longitudinal axis of parts passing through the beam. A sensor unit is disposed on the other side of the parts carrier so that the light beam falls thereupon. The threaded parts inspection device can be adjusted to pass light over different features of the threaded parts as they are moved past the inspection device by the parts carrier. By measuring how much of the light is interrupted by the profile of the passing threaded parts, it is possible to detect deviations in the pitch angle and major and minor diameters of the threaded workpieces.

Abstract: A diverter for redirecting a single member or portion of a generalized set of material passing thereby. The device includes an electromechanical actuator which moves from an extended to a retracted position. A flexible strip has a first end attached to actuator and a second end fixed with respect to the actuator. The device is positioned proximate a gravity slide down which a stream of material moves in a first direction. When the actuator moves from its extended to its retracted position, the resilient strip flexes out into the path of the moving material. Any of the material striking the flexible strip will be deflected into a second direction which diverges from the first direction.

Abstract: A hand-held, manually operable gauge for measuring the gap between opposing surfaces of a pair of spaced parts includes a pair of reciprocable gauge fingers insertable into the gap and respectively shiftable into engagement with the parts by a lever pivotally mounted on a handle. One of the fingers is stationarily mounted on the handle while the other finger is secured to a plunger slidably mounted on the handle and driven by the lever. Linear displacement of the plunger is translated by a rack and pinion to rotary motion for operating a potentiometer whose setting corresponds to the magnitude of the gap. A switch carried by the handle and activated by the lever produces a signal proportional to the potentiometer setting, which signal is delivered to a device for visually displaying the magnitude of the gap. A lost motion mechanism permits continued displacement of the lever after the gauge fingers have contacted the parts.

Abstract: An LVDT displacement transducer and a probe actuation arrangement integrated into a probe assembly. The probe assembly includes a tubular housing within which is mounted at one end an LVDT and within the other the probe actuation arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, an air pressure actuator arrangement is utilized and comprises a stepped diameter probe extension shaft having a smaller diameter section joined to the LVDT core element, and extending through a bulkhead bushing into a pressure chamber, the larger diameter section of the shaft passing out through the opposite end of the housing and serving to mount the probe sensor contact. The differential diameter of the stepped probe extension shaft is subjected to air pressure via an air fitting communicating with the air chamber and which acts against a return spring to enable self actuation of the probe extension shaft and attached core element.

Abstract: A pneumatic powered probe having a rod that extends into contact with the surface of a workpiece to gauge its position includes optics and electronic circuitry for generating a binary signal proportional to the position of the probe end. The circuitry includes a parallel channel optical mask that moves with the rod between a set of light emitting diodes and a set of photo-transistors, both supported on a circuit board. Transistor circuitry supported on the board converts the outputs of the photo-transistors into a binary parallel code which may be transmitted to a remote location upon receipt of an enabling signal by a plurality of gates in the device. The rod is connected to a cylinder which cooperates with a piston fixed to the device housing. Air admitted into the chamber between the piston and cylinder force outward motion of the rod. The optical mask is supported on the cylinder and moves with it relative to the diodes and photo-transistors to generate the position related signal.

Abstract: An electro-optical position transducer employs an optical mask having a number of parallel channels formed of alternating opaque and transparent sections extending along the direction of motion of a movable member. One channel has opaque and transparent sections, and the section lengths correspond to the smallest measureable increment. This channel generates the least significant bit of the code. A pair of channels, displaced linearly relative to one another, are provided for each of the higher order bits. Pairs of LED's and photo-transistors are provided for each channel and extend in a line normal to the length of the channel. The outputs of the photo-transistors are decoded so that all transitions between binary values in the output signal occur in synchronism with transitions of the least significant digit.