Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of articles within a work area including a plurality of work stations and for acquiring real time information relating to the status of articles in process. The system comprises a sorting conveyor for delivering articles to be processed to the work stations from a storage area, means at each work station for indicating that an unprocessed article is requested at the station, and computer means coupled to the sorting conveyor and to the indicating means for controlling the movement of articles from the storage area to the work stations in response to work station requests and for providing information, based on articles dispatched to each work station, relating to the status of articles in process.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed to accurately measure and analyze multiple component interfering gases which coexist in the stack gas effluent generated from a combustion process which utilizes a non-dispersive, narrowband infrared absorption technique. The apparatus includes a probe in the stack with an optical measurement cavity (34) through which the stack gases are passed. A transceiver (14) mounted to the probe includes an optical portion operatively associated with the measurement cavity including a chopped light source (54), (60), (62) for projecting beams of light into the measurement cavity and a detector (86) for detecting the attenuation of the gases to provide a measure of the extent of absorption of each gas of interest. A control unit, preferably remote from the transceiver, preferably a programmed digital computer, and preferably via a J-box (18) converts the electric outputs to a corresponding % modulation and in turn corrects for temperature, pressure and interference between gases.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension in which the air pressure in an air spring (28) is controlled by a valve (40) which in turn is responsive to the load at the end of a leaf spring (12) to balance the load on a leaf spring axle (14) with the load on a tag axle (30). A crank mounting (36) connects the end of the leaf springs (12) to the valve (40). The valve (40) has a fixed valve seat (132) and a movable valve seat (116) both of which seat against a movable flat valve element (150). The movable valve seat (116) is biased against the movable flat valve element (150) in part by the load on the leaf spring (12) so that the valve seat (132) and the flat valve element (150) will separate when the load on the leaf spring axle (14) increases. The flat valve element (150) is biased against the fixed valve seat (132) in part by the air pressure int he air spring as the flat valve element (150) closes against the fixed valve seat (132) when the load on the tag axle (30) is at least equal to the load on the leaf spring axle (14).

Abstract: A portable traffic signalling apparatus of the wheeled trailer type for temporary signalling at a traffic location for controlling the flow of traffic thereat. The apparatus includes a telescoping mast and a telescoping boom carried by the trailer for positioning at the traffic location. The telescoping action is performed without any large bending loads to permit the extended boom carrying a traffic signal to be moved over a traffic lane under traffic conditions after the traffic apparatus is erected alongside of the traffic location. The extended mast may also carry a traffic signal to be viewed by motorists along with the boom suspended traffic signal. The mast and boom can be telescopically collapsed to assume a storage position on the wheeled trailer after the need for traffic control has been eliminated to allow the trailer to be hauled to another location.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for controlling the velocity of articles on a gravity conveyor has a pneumatically operated actuator. During each cycle of operation of the brake a charge of air of limited volume is supplied to the actuator. The actuator is equipped with an air bleed which limits the actuator's period of action during each cycle. The charge of air is supplied by an accumulator, which is normally connected to a source of compressed air. An article actuated sensor and connected valve, upon being tripped by an article, isolates the accumulator from its air supply and connects it to the actuator activating the actuator but limiting its air supply to the charge stored in the accumulator before the valve was shifted by the sensor. The charge, once exhausted, is not replenished until the sensor is released by the article.

Abstract: A high production surface broaching machine, in which a plurality of parts are located and clamped simultaneously in broaching position, broached, and simultaneously unclamped and discharged into an outchute. The plurality of parts are moved horizontally into position below the broaching position, and are then raised into accurately located broaching position against horizontal locating and ejection bar means. After broaching, the bar means pushes the broached parts down into laterally open recesses in an elongated bar, which is then moved longitudinally relative to a cam which guides the parts out of the recesses into an outchute.

Abstract: A broaching machine for pot-broaching teeth or ribs on the exterior of a workpiece in which the workpiece is not suitable for having sliding contact with axially extending guide surfaces in the broach to maintain the workpiece centralized therein. The machine comprises a toothed pusher on which a workpiece is centered, the teeth of the pusher registering with the teeth formed in the workpiece by broaching slots therein, at least some of the pusher teeth having end surfaces extending radially beyond the teeth formed by broaching on the workpiece, to maintain the crests of the teeth or ribs on the workpiece in clearance as the workpiece moves through the broach.

Abstract: An accessory attachment for a conveyor has one or more straps mounted on the accessory which can be seated in openings in the side rail of the conveyor. Openings are provided at suitable intervals to permit accessory relocation along the conveyor. The lower end of the strap is inclined to form a cam finger to pull the accessory tightly against the conveyor to form a stop against further downward movement when the top of the strap engages under the wall forming the upper end of the opening in the conveyor rail to prevent unintentional upward movement. The strap has sufficient resilience to permit it to be flexed when it is desired to detach the accessory.

Abstract: A heading reference system (100) for sensing vehicle heading relative to fixed inertial space is mountable in a vehicle such as a land-based vehicle and includes a two-degree-of-freedom (TDF) dynamically tuned gyroscope (150) responsive to vehicle rotation about pitch and yaw axes for generating rate signals indicative of the rotation. A caging loop (160) generates force signals for torquing the gyroscope (150) to a null position. A pair of accelerometers (186, 187) are responsive to misalignment of the vehicle relative to a horizontal plane formed by the pitch and roll axes. Processor circuitry (180) is responsive to the force signals, the misalignment of the vehicle relative to pitch and roll axes, and distance signals generated by an odometer unit (140) to apply heading signals to an indicator unit (120) for visually indicating to a vehicle operator the directional heading.

Abstract: The specification discloses a conveyor facility including a continuously moving drive belt having upper and lower parts and a plurality of selectively rotatable control elements supported between the upper and lower drive belt parts. Each control element includes a peripheral configuration causing the elements to rotate in a transportation mode and remain stationary in an accumulation mode. Further included are vertically reciprocable pressure rollers for selectively lifting the lower part of the drive belt into engagement with stationary control elements to cause those elements to again rotate.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a backrest portion and a seating portion, each having a pair of movable lateral bolster sections mounted on opposite sides thereof to its frame assembly, wherein a manual adjustment mechanism for each pair selectively and simultaneously moves its bolster sections in a controlled fashion between first and second lateral support positions and wherein the adjustment mechanism maintains the bolster sections in both the first and second lateral support positions. Each of the bolster sections includes a rigid paddle which is embedded in the body of resilient material and which is hingedly connected to the frame assembly. The adjustment mechanism includes a handwheel which upon rotation causes its corresponding paddles to pivot with respect to its frame assembly, either toward each other or away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation.

Abstract: Improved multi-cylinder pumps wherein a plurality of co-planar positioned connecting rods are radially disposed about a crankshaft and wherein a plurality of generally cylindrical spool-like wrist pins are rotatively coupled to the connecting rods. The improvement comprises an assembly wherein the wrist pins have opposed end regions bordering a smaller diameter central region that contains one or more ring receiving grooves and which wrist pins are mountable in overlapping relation to retainer ring containing grooves formed in the connecting rods. Upon mounting retainer rings in the connecting rod grooves and inserting and rotatively locking the wrist pins in the connecting rods, the connecting rods, wrist pins and retainer rings are integrally locked together in radially extending relation.

Abstract: Structure for and a method of automatically gaging gears including structure for and the method of rotating a master gear and a work gear in tight mesh for a single revolution of the work gear sensing parameters of the gears in tight mesh including the angular position of a master gear and work gear in rotation about their axis of generation, center to center distance between the master gear and work gear and the angular deviation of the axis of rotation of the master gear in mesh with the work gear from its position with the gears unmeshed, developing electrical signals representative of the parameters sensed, and checking the shape of the work gear as a function of the electric signals developed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of articles within a work area including a plurality of work stations and for acquiring real time information relating to the status of articles in process. The system comprises a sorting conveyor for delivering articles to be processed to the work stations from a storage area, means at each work station for indicating that an unprocessed article is requested at the station, and computer means coupled to the sorting conveyor and to the indicating means for controlling the movement of articles from the storage area to the work stations in response to work station requests and for providing information, based on articles dispatched to each work station, relating to the status of articles in process.

Abstract: A traffic control device constructed as a one-piece traffic channelizing device of a plastic material. The device includes a bottom having a plurality of flexible flap elements for receiving and storing a ballast thereon. The flexible flap elements are responsive to a substantial impact to the traffic control device to cause the ballast to be released from the flexible flaps while the device is impacted to a horizontal position adjacent its original position. The device is adapted to mount warning lights and to be stacked including with the warning lights mounted thereto. The stacking of the traffic control devices does not effect the desired action for the flexible flaps.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor is equipped with sensors which respond to article movement by pivoting about a vertical axis as the result of having a pair of laterally spaced wheels on opposite ends of a shaft with one wheel driven by the propelling member and the other by an article supporting roller. The first wheel is larger than the second wheel and is attached to the shaft while the second wheel is connected to the shaft by a one-way clutch. Pivotal movement of the sensor results from differentiation between the relative speeds of the wheels.

Abstract: A retractable clothesline device for storing the clothesline when in a fully retracted position and enabling the clothesline to be readily extended from its retracted position for use, said device comprising an outer housing having a plurality of openings therethrough and a spool disposed within the housing having at least two outwardly extending axially spaced radial flanges. The spool includes an inner surface with outer edges defining a central axial opening. A hub with an opening therethrough is secured to the inner surface of the spool between the outer edges. At least one clothesline extending through at least one opening in the housing is provided with the clothesline having at least one end secured to the spool between the two flanges such that the clothesline is stored on the spool when in a retracted position. A handle, slidably disposed on the clothesline, is provided for extending the clothesline from a retracted position.

Abstract: A source of a duobinary data signal is connected to a remote point by a coupling network having a high pass characteristic and transmission line. The data signal received at the remote point is subtracted from a delayed version thereof to derive the change representative signal, which is utilized at the remote point to regenerate and/or detect code violations of the data signal. Preferably, the received data signal is subtracted from a version thereof delayed by one bit time period. Circuitry generates an indication of a violation when, after assuming one extreme level in a given bit time period, the change representative signal again assumes the same level before assuming the other extreme level during a bit time period separated by an odd number of bit time periods from the given bit time period. Circuitry may also convert the change representative signal back to the duobinary data signal.

Abstract: A conveyor drive chain is equipped with pads of a high friction, resilient material. Each pad has a body secured to and overlying one link of the chain and has an extension at each end overlying the adjacent chain link. The extensions are wedge shaped, lengthwise of the chain, having one side face extending at an angle to the axis of the chain whereby the extension portions of two adjacent pads are seated side-by-side with the line of separation between them laterally inclined across the chain.

Abstract: An optical rate sensor (200) is disclosed for use in inertial reference systems to measure rates of angular rotation with substantially high resolution and sensitivity. The sensor (200) comprises a passive ring Sagnac interferometer (201) with a multiturn fiber optic ring (232) through which counter-propagating optical waves are transmitted. A nonreciprocal time variant phase modulation is applied to the waves along with periodic effective transposition of ring ports. The waves are combined to produce a "zero order" fringe pattern having an intensity varying in accordance with the relative phase between the counter-propagating waves. An intensity signal is derived from the fringe pattern having a phase offset corresponding to the Sagnac induced phase shift which in turn is linearly proportional to the angular rotation rate of the passive ring. Sampling, averaging and estimation circuits detemine the offset by detecting zero-crossing locations of the signal.