Abstract: A hydraulic fluid shock dampening system is disclosed for a shearing press to minimize shock and vibration imposed on the press following breakthrough of the material being sheared by cutting die components carried by the press bed and slide. The system includes cylinder and piston units interposed between the press bed and slide each providing a variable volume fluid receiving chamber from which fluid under pressure is expelled during movement of the slide toward the bed to achieve a shearing operation. A flow sensitive shutoff valve is responsive to accelerated movement of the slide upon breakthrough to block fluid flow from the chambers and thus restrain further slide movement toward the press bed. In preferred structural embodiments of the system, the cylinder and piston units, shutoff valve and fluid pressure accumulator components are structurally associated with a bolster plate mountable on a press, or with die components mountable on a bolster plate.

Abstract: In a switching device having first and second conductor elements and an operating mechanism shiftable to and from a first position wherein the conductor elements are electrically connected to each other to establish a conductive path therebetween. The device includes a body of mercury, and a mercury wettable porous member between the mercury body and the first conductor element so that the mercury from the body may be forced through the porous body to establish the above-mentioned electrical connection. When the shiftable mechanism is shifted into the first position, the mercury is withdrawn from the first conductor element by the wettable porous member to disconnect the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrical apparatus including a built-in capacitor for suppressing the generation of or preventing high frequency energy generated internally of the apparatus from being radiated externally of the apparatus through the power supply wires. The connector includes a fixed insulating housing adapted to be mounted on the conductive case of the apparatus and an electrically conductive member extending therethrough having one end exposed to the outside of the fixed housing for detachable connection to a movable connector and the other end extending through the case for connection to the electrical apparatus on the inside. The fixed housing has on the side adjacent to the apparatus case a cavity with mid portions of the conductive member extending along one wall thereof.

Abstract: The releasable strap connector has a female connector and male connector, the latter having one or more prongs insertable in pockets of the female connector; a rocking bar has cut-away portions intersecting said pockets to interlock with correspondingly cut-away portions of the prongs of the male member, and a manipulating yoke lever for rocking the bar into a releasing position where the bar is withdrawn from said prongs.

Abstract: A modular linear transducer assembly is mounted between relatively displaceable piston and cylinder members of a hydraulic roll gap control arrangement in a four-high rolling mill stand. The piston and cylinder members have coaxial openings centrally therethrough which receive the modular transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes axially displaceable sleeve and plunger members, one of which is attached to the piston member and the other to the cylinder member for displacement therewith. The plunger supports a low voltage differential transformer coil having an axial passageway therethrough, and the sleeve member supports a core rod which extends into the coil passageway. Relative displacement between the piston and cylinder members imparts corresponding relative displacement between the coil and core rod to produce a signal indicative of roll gap change.

Abstract: A replacement torque rod assembly for field and maintenance installation which includes ball joint assemblies, each having a housing rod extending therefrom to position in butting relation after being cut to a dimension to span a predetermined distance for assembly and a telescoping sleeve overlying the abutting ends and welded to said ends to provide a rigid torque rod for field installation.

Abstract: An ice-making heat pump system is disclosed which includes a number of evaporator freezing plates, each of the plates having two fluid passageways therein. One of the passageways is arranged to conduct boiling refrigerant fluid for freezing water on the surfaces of the plate. The other passageway is arranged to conduct warm condensed refrigerant for harvesting ice formed on the plate surface. A fluid valve arrangement is also provided to connect the plates with the rest of the system so that ice can be selectively formed and released from the outer surfaces of the freezing plates.

Abstract: A press drive mechanism is disclosed having primary brake and clutch disc assemblies concentric with respect to the output shaft of the mechanism, and a concentric fluid operated piston-cylinder assembly for alternately actuating the brake and clutch mechanisms. A pre-assembled auxiliary clutch unit is adapted to be removably mounted on one end of the output shaft in order to increase the torque capability of the drive mechanism, and the auxiliary clutch unit includes a fluid operated member cooperable with the primary actuating mechanism to achieve simultaneous operation of the primary and auxiliary clutch units.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for detecting flaws in sheet material of the character which increase the surface height of the sheet material. The apparatus includes a pair of horizontally parallel driven lower rolls and three upper rolls each mounted on a corresponding pivotal bracket. Two of the upper rolls are associated with one of the lower rolls and are axially spaced apart therealong, and the third upper roll is associated with the other lower roll and positioned therealong to span the space between the other two upper rolls. Each of the upper rolls is rotatably supported by the corresponding bracket for pivotal movement toward and away from the lower roll. Each upper roll bracket is provided with a pair of adjustable stop screws, one adjacent each of the opposite ends of the corresponding upper roll, and each adjustable stop screw carries a switch actuator screw which is adjustable relative to the stop screw.

Abstract: The reciprocating slide of a mechanically driven press has a ball and socket type interconnection with the connecting rod of the press drive mechanism. The socket component of the interconnection provides a rotatable adjusting screw threadedly interengaged with an annular piston received in a cylinder component on the slide. A locking nut threadedly engages the adjusting screw and is rotatable relative thereto and to the piston to lock the adjusting screw against displacement relative to the piston. During normal press operation the locking nut is biased against a shoulder on the cylinder by hydraulic fluid under pressure in a variable volume chamber between the piston and cylinder components. In response to an overload on the slide, a pressure responsive relief valve releases hydraulic fluid from the chamber and enables relative movement between the piston and cylinder components and thus between the slide and connecting rod.

Abstract: A tow tractor having a pair of front steerable wheels and a pair of rear steerable wheels is provided with attachment means for selectively connecting it to a vehicular trailer either by an articulated draft connection to permit swiveling movement therebetween or by a rigid unitary connection for operating the tractor and trailer as a straight truck. Steering mechanism is provided on the tractor for selectively affording four-wheel simultaneous steering of both said front and rear pairs of wheels in the same direction, or conventional front wheel steering only of the front pair of wheels while maintaining the rear pair of wheels locked in normal straightahead running position.

Abstract: In an industrial mechanical press, anti-friction gibs are provided to replace conventional V-type bronze gibs without requiring extensive rebuilding of the press. Linear roller bearings, and their associated flat races, are substituted for plain bronze gibs which enable zero clearance to be obtained between the press slide and frame, thereby effectively reducing off-center die loading and friction on the slide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the relative magnetic relationship between a Hall Effect switch with a given operating field strength and a permanent magnet to operate the switch and having a magnetic field with a field strength greater than the operating field strength. This invention can be used for adjusting the toggle point of a combined Hall Effect switch and magnet or the dwell between the operate point and release point of the switch. This method or apparatus comprises the steps of determining the actual switching point or dwell of a combined Hall Effect switch and operating magnet, which switching point or dwell is controlled by the combination of the field strength of the magnet and the operating field strength of the switch, determining the difference between the actual switching point or dwell and a desired switching point or dwell and then modifying the magnetization of the permanent magnet to shift the actual switching point or dwell toward the desired switching point or dwell.

Abstract: An improved ignition system including a member rotatable about an axis and having a permanent magnet with an outwardly extending flux field carried by the member to create a flux field rotating in a given angular path concentric with the axis of the rotating member. In the system there is provided a circuit for creating a sparking voltage upon a rapid change in current in at least a portion of the circuit and switching means for causing the rapid change in current upon actuation of the switching means. The improvement includes a device for storing sparking energy, the switching means includes a solid state device for discharging the storage device upon receipt of a firing signal and a Hall Effect switch activated by a selected D.C. biasing voltage and mounted at a given position with respect to the annular path of the rotating flux field. The Hall Effect switch initiates the switching means to discharge the storage device and cause sparking of the ignition system.

Abstract: A device for creating a sparking voltage across the electrodes of a spark plug of an internal combustion engine comprising a rotatable member carrying a permanent magnet having an outwardly extending flux field movable in an annular path, a transformer having a first winding for creating a current change of a spark creating level and a second winding connected across the electrodes, a Hall Effect switch activated by a D.C. biasing voltage and having an output energized when the switch is exposed to a flux field, switching means for rapidly changing current flow in the first winding only when the switching means is actuated, means for actuating the switching means when the output of the Hall Effect switch is energized, and means for mounting the Hall Effect switch at a selected location where the switch is exposed to an actuating flux from the rotating permanent magnets when the rotating member is at a selected angular position. In accordance with another feature, the D.C.

Abstract: The reciprocating slide of a mechanically driven press has a ball and socket type interconnection with the connecting rod of the press drive mechanism. The socket component of the interconnection provides a rotatable adjusting screw by which the shut height of the slide is adjustable, and a locking nut threadedly engages the adjusting screw and is rotatable relative thereto and to the slide to lock the adjusting screw against displacement relative to the slide during operation of the press.

Abstract: This box type belt adjuster includes a box open at least at one end so as to form a passage therein for a belt or other webbing around a cam which latter is supported on a transverse shaft in the box. A snap-on cap covers the inner end of the passage and encloses a space for a yoke engaging the cam for turning it in the passage. The height of the passage and the distance between the risers of the cam are so related that when the cam is turned to move the risers toward the opposite top and bottom of the passage the clearance is slightly less than the thickness of the belt or webbing whereby when the cam is so turned the belt is jammed between the top and bottom of the passage and the risers of the cam. A manipulating extension extends from the lever to the outside of the cap for turning the cam in a direction to increase the clearance between the risers and the respective sides of the passage.

Abstract: A torque rod replacement assembly which includes ball joint assemblies, each having a projection arm, one of which telescopes into the other, weld slots being provided for permanent assembly, and graduation being provided on the telescoping parts to facilitate accurate adaptation to a vehicle being serviced.