Abstract: A gravity operated conveyor comprises a workpiece supporting trolley having at least two independent unpowered wheels for supporting the trolley on a track. One of the wheels engages the track when the trolley is empty and the other engages the track when the trolley is loaded with a workpiece. Each wheel has a speed retarding mechanism operably connected therewith so that the speed retarding force on the trolley is greater when the trolley is loaded than when the trolley is empty.

Abstract: An escapement having a pair of retractable stops spaced apart lengthwise of a downwardly inclined track along which workpieces are conveyed. The upstream stop is supported for pivotal movement lengthwise of the track so that its leading end is adapted to engage in the cleavage space between a pair of abutting workpieces when the stop is extended regardless of whether the cleavage space is located in exactly the same position for each pair of successive workpieces.

Abstract: A circuit for indicating angular position of a rotary member comprising a resolver including an amplitude stabilized sine-cosine generator coupled to quadrature windings of the resolver for providing a d.c. signal which varies as a linear function of the position of a rotatable member coupled to the resolver. The d.c. signal is fed to a plurality of comparators for comparing such angular position to a plurality of predetermined angular set points. The comparators are coupled to a priority encoder for indicating angular position of the rotary member. The encoder includes a switch array and a plurality of exclusive-OR gates for programming the encoder to provide a zero output at an arbitrary position of the rotary member. A digital voltmeter calibrated in angles of member rotation is coupled through a plurality of momentary contact push-button switches for normally receiving the d.c.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a work supporting trolley provided with multiple wheels of different diameters fixed to a shaft that operates a retarder for applying a retarding torque to the wheels proportional to their angular velocity. The conveyor track consists of multiple, laterally spaced, resiliently flexible rails on which selective wheels of the trolley are adapted to roll. The axial spacing of the tracks and wheels simplifies the location of the two centers of gravity of the loaded and unloaded trolley.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: A gravity chuting system having track sections in the form of thin, upright, spring tempered steel rails on which a plurality of rollers are mounted to provide a supporting and conveying surface for workpieces. Similar spring tempered retaining rails on the track sections extend downwardly toward the workpiece supporting rollers and are adjustable vertically relative to the rollers by means of vertically elongated slots.

Abstract: A static load is reciprocated vertically by a crankshaft connected to the load by a wrist pin at one end of a connecting rod. Bearings are interposed between the wrist pin and the load and also between the wrist pin and the connecting rod. The wrist pin is rotated about its central axis by a chain drive from the crankshaft.

Abstract: For use in a work processing line for workpieces, a workpiece storage system including a topologically closed loop track means having downwardly sloping surfaces coupled with elevators and lowerators in the loop, and work holding, gravity-operated pallets to run on said tracks having track engaging wheels equipped with retarding means responsive to wheel angular velocity and utilizing wheels of different diameters on the track depending on the loaded or unloaded condition of the pallets to control the speed of the pallets. Auxiliary track means, pallet loaders and unloaders, and switching mechanisms are incorporated in the system with elevators and lowerators to allow the storage system to function between multiple work processing lines, between single and multiple lines or between multiple and single lines to increase the flexibility of a work processing activity and reduce downtime.

Abstract: A lathe type piston turning machine wherein a single point cutting tool is controlled simultaneously by two separate cams to generate a desired contour on a piston which varies in both radial and axial cross section.

Abstract: A storage and conveying unit having two helically shaped guideways on which workpieces are adapted to be supported in a position inclined slightly to the vertical. One of the guideways is mounted on an outer cylindrical support and the other guideway is mounted on an inner cylindrical support. The guideways are parallel and uniformly spaced apart in a direction axially of the storage unit. The inner cylindrical support is reciprocated in a helical path parallel to the helical inclination of the guideways to advance the workpieces in the direction of their inclination.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor of the lift and carry type includes a transfer bar having work carriers thereon programmed to engage and advance or bypass workpieces resting on stationary rails by means of bell cranks which are engaged or bypassed in response to the position assumed by workpiece sensing members at the successive stations during that portion of the conveyor cycle when the workpiece transfer bar is elevated to lift workpieces resting on the stationary rails.

Abstract: A spherically shaped combustion chamber is machined in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine by revolving one or more cutting tools simultaneously about two axes; one axis being the central axis of the combustion chamber and the other axis being inclined thereto. The tools have a cutting point and a cutting edge extending from the cutting point. The tools are supported so that each cutting point passes through the axis of the combustion chamber, and, when each tool is located in its radially outermost position relative to the axis of the combustion chamber, the cutting edge of the tool cuts an annular surface around the periphery of the spherically shaped portion of the combustion chamber, which, at the bottom face of the cylinder head, corresponds in diameter to that of the cylinder bore.

Abstract: A machine tool spindle bearing assembly employing front and rear bearings each having radially compressed rolling elements between an inner race press fitted on the spindle and an outer race press fitted into a section of a thermal adaptor mounted on the spindle housing through a heat barrier section. The combined masses of each outer race and the section of the thermal adaptor supporting the outer race are related to the total mass of the rolling elements of the bearing so that, in response to the heat generated by the rolling contact forces between the rolling elements and the outer race, the mean diameter of the track of the outer race increases to twice the increase in diameter of a rolling element. The thermal barriers of the thermal adaptors are radially rigid; the thermal barrier of the front thermal adaptor is axially rigid and the thermal barrier of the rear thermal adaptor is axially flexible.

Abstract: A workpiece having an enlarged head and a stem extending therefrom is conveyed in a gravity chute while supported vertically in a ring-shaped pallet with the head supported on the top side of the pallet and the stem extending downwardly through the pallet. The pallet and workpiece are then directed through a downwardly curved orienting chute and come to rest on stop surfaces wherein the workpiece is inclined downwardly, its head foremost, and the axis of the pallet is horizontal. In this position the workpiece is centered with respect to the aperture in the pallet so that the workpiece slides downwardly out of the pallet through an unloading chute. At the lower end of the unloading chute the workpiece falls through a contoured aperture into a downwardly inclined delivery chute which extends in the direction opposite to the unloading chute.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer mechanism having a plurality of successive stations each provided with a fixture for locating and clamping a workpiece supporting pallet in a precise position for performing a machining operation on the workpiece. The transfer mechanism is of the lift and carry type so that the pallets are transported with a minimum amount of sliding wear on the locating surfaces. The precise location of the pallet is obtained by two clamping mechanisms.

Abstract: A machine for machining brake drums wherein the cutting tool is cyclically retracted axially on its rotating spindle at a rate corresponding to the axial feed rate of the spindle and then quickly advanced on the spindle to the same extent so that the tool marks on the machined surface comprise a series of circular, rather than helical, grooves with relatively short, axially inclined grooves connecting the successive circular grooves.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor retarder includes a housing having a cylindrical cavity in which a rotor connected with a rotatable member of the gravity conveyor rotates. The housing includes an annular reservoir surrounding the cavity and separated therefrom by an annular wall provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending, restricted passageways so that, regardless of the circumferential orientation of the housing, any air in the cavity will migrate upwardly therein, through the restricted passageways and accumulate above the liquid level at the upper end of the reservoir.

Abstract: A boring machine has two spindle driven boring bars mounted on a common slide and supported by separate quills, each of which is movable relative to the slide. A stop on each quill locates its respective boring bar relative to a locating surface on the workpiece so that a cutting tool on each boring bar can be fed radially to machine the face of a counterbore at the desired depth relative to the locating surface on the workpiece. The machine includes a compensating mechanism for adjusting the cutting tools on each boring bar to compensate for tool wear.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer machine of the type including a plurality of regularly spaced machining stations is disclosed. Workpieces are advanced to the successive machining stations by means of a transfer bar powered to have a rectangular walking beam motion. The transfer bar is provided with nests or carriers for supporting the workpieces and is adapted to be retracted and remain in a position wherein the nests are located midway between the machining stations while the workpieces are being machined.

Abstract: A workpiece elevator is disclosed having a series of workpiece carriers thereon which move in an endless vertical path and from which workpieces are discharged by gravity. On each carrier there is mounted a latch mechanism which selectively blocks or opens the outlet end of each carrier. The elevator includes a plurality of outlet chutes for receiving workpieces from the carriers. Members are mounted on a stationary part of the elevator for selectively actuating the latch mechanism as the outlet of each carrier aligns with an outlet chute in accordance with the workpiece requirements of the outlet chute.