Abstract: A high vacuum housing with a first and second housing part and in which the housing parts are secured together to form an interior housing chamber. In order to seal the housing parts, an annular outwardly extending sealing ring having a flat radial surface is formed on one of the housing parts. An annular alignment recess is formed on the other housing part which registers with and receives the alignment ring. A thin walled seal is disposed between the housing parts. When the housing parts are secured together by bolts, an outer periphery of the seal is compressibly sandwiched between the flat radial surface on the sealing ring and the flat surface on the second housing part thus sealing the window to the housing.

Abstract: A heat shield particularly suited for automotive use is manufactured by placing a metallic foil having a plurality of depressed channels provided about its outer periphery in a compression mold. Each channel, in turn, has a through opening. Thermoset material is then placed into the mold so that, upon mold compression, the thermoset material liquefies and covers one side of the foil and also so that a portion of the material flows through the foil openings so that the channels are embedded in the material to thus mechanically lock the foil and plastic together upon curing.

Abstract: Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a bend in an elongated member, such as a tube, at a predetermined target angle. The elongated member is first bent to an angle equal to the target angle plus a predetermined increment. The elongated member is then returned to the target angle and a value representative of the force necessary to maintain the elongated member at the target angle is inputted into a central processor. This inputted value is then compared with a threshold value and, in the event that the inputted value exceeds the threshold value, the predetermined increment is incremented and the above steps are repeated until the inputted value is less than the threshold value. An apparatus for performing the method of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An X-ray source is disclosed having an enclosure, typically made of metal or glass. A cathode assembly is contained within the enclosure and the cathode assembly has two through openings along a predefined axis. An anode is also contained within the enclosure at a position spaced from the cathode assembly. The anode, furthermore, has a face normal to the predefined axis so that a portion of the X-rays emitted from the anode pass through the cathode assembly opening and exteriorly of the enclosure.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for forming metal tubing and, more particularly, brake tubing. The system includes a mill for rolling a metal strip into a tube so that at least a portion of the strip overlaps itself. The strip is then brazed so that the overlapping portions of the strip fuse together and form the tube. Thereafter, the tube passes through a cooling tunnel which cools the tube to a temperature such that the tube can be coated with a corrosion resistant material, such as a zinc based material. An inert gas, such as argon, and/or a reducing gas, such as hydrogen, is introduced into the cooling tunnel to prevent or remove oxidation of the tubing as it passes through the cooling tunnel.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus is disclosed having a frame with a base and a vertical support secured to and extending upwardly from the base. A tank adapted to contain an electrolytic liquid is secured to the vertical support by an adjustment mechanism which enables the vertical position of the tank to be varied. A work holder is optionally pivotally secured to the top of the vertical support and movable between a work position in which the work support and work are aligned with the tank and an inspection position in which the work holder is laterally spaced from the tank. Electrical discharge electrodes are contained within the tank while a servo motor vertically moves the work support with its attached work against the electrodes to perform the machining operation. The electrical discharge apparatus is particularly suited for dental prosthesis applications.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for testing the integrity of tubing formed by extruding material through an extrusion die. The apparatus includes a source of helium gas which is fluidly connected to the extrusion die so that helium gas is continuously introduced into the interior of the tube as it is formed during the extruding process. The extruded tubing is passed through an elongated inspection housing open at each end. The inspection housing has a cross-sectional inside shape greater than the cross-sectional shape of the tubing thus forming an annular chamber between the tubing and the interior of the inspection housing. A helium detector constantly monitors the atmosphere within the annular chamber and, whenever helium is detected, indicative that the tubing has a leak or the fault, activates an alarm.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a fuel tank having a fill neck and a vent conduit. The fill neck defines a passageway having one end open to the fuel tank and the second end adapted to receive fuel. Similarly, the vent conduit also has one end open to the fuel tank while the other end forms a second vent opening for allowing vapors to escape from the fuel tank during a filling operation. A fuel valve is fluidly positioned in series with the fill neck passageway and, similarly, a vent valve is fluidly positioned in series with the vent conduit. Both the fuel valve and vent valve are movable in unison between an open and a closed position so that, in the open position, fuel flow can occur through the fill neck and, simultaneously, fuel fumes are exhausted through the vent conduit.

Abstract: A system for detecting a leak in a part having an interior cavity and at least one opening open to the interior cavity in which the interior cavity is pressurized with a preselected gas. The part is positioned within the test chamber while a carrier gas flows across the pan so that the carrier gas becomes intermixed with the preselected gas, if any, escaping through leaks in the pan. The gas flows directly through a turbulator which ensures homogenous mixing of the carrier gas and preselected gas, if present, and a baffle then converts the turbulent gas flow to a laminar gas flow. A gas sensor then detects the presence of the preselected gas in the laminar gas flow, indicative of the leak in the pan, and generates an appropriate output signal indicative of the presence of a leak in the pan.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling is disclosed of the type adapted for connection to a nipple having a radially inwardly extending recess formed at a position spaced from a free end of the nipple. The quick connect coupling includes a tubular and cylindrical body open at each end wherein one end of the body is dimensioned to slidably extend over the free end of the nipple to a connected position. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings which are in alignment with the nipple recess when the coupling is moved to its connected position. A spherical retainer is disposed in each opening and is radially movable between a locked and an unlocked position. A tubular and cylindrical locking ring normally urges the retainers to their locked position. Each housing opening has at least one side wall which extends substantially perpendicular from a predetermined diameter of the body. This enables the body to be molded from a two-part mold without the necessity of insert molding.

Abstract: An electrically insulated fluid coupling assembly is provided having a female portion of the fluid coupling constructed of an electrically conductive material and having an elongated tubular stem. The assembly includes a fluid conduit having an inner liner constructed of an electrically insulating material or in some cases a low level conductive material surrounded by a layer constructed of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal braiding. An elastomeric covering is also provided around the metal braiding. The coupling stem is insertable into the inner layer of the conduit while a tubular ferrule constructed of an electrically conductive material is disposed around the stem as well as one end of the conduit. Furthermore, the ferrule compresses the conduit between the stem and the ferrule thus connecting the fluid coupling and conduit together.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of activating a formed fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a corona discharge or an electrically formed plasma. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance and on top of and integral with, the fluorocarbon layer an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling is disclosed having a plastic housing with a first end, a second end and a throughbore extending between the ends of the housing. The housing also includes a radially inwardly extending abutment surface integrally formed with the housing around at least a portion of its first end. A fluid conduit defining a fluid passageway and open at one end is insertable into the first end of the housing so that the fluid passageway in the conduit registers with the housing throughbore. The fluid conduit also includes a radially outwardly extending bead formed circumferentially around the conduit at a position spaced from the open end of the conduit. Upon insertion of the conduit into the female housing, a metal retainer contained within the housing lockingly engages the conduit bead in order to secure the conduit and housing together. Fluid seals in the housing seal the housing and conduit together thus completing the fluid connection.

Abstract: A quick connect fluid coupling is disclosed for use with a tubular and cylindrical nipple having an annular recess at a position spaced from its free end. The quick connect coupling includes a tubular and cylindrical body open at each end and wherein the first end of the body is coaxially disposed over the nipple. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially extending openings which register with the recess and the nipple once the body is moved to its connected position. A spherical retainer is positioned within each radial opening and these retainers are radially movable between an inner locked position in which a portion of each retainer is positioned within the recess, and an outer unlocked position in which the retainers are spaced outwardly from the recess. A locking collar is disposed coaxially around the body and is axially movable between an extended and a retracted position.

Abstract: A soft x-ray imaging device is disclosed having a housing defining a housing chamber. A faceplate having a planar surface is secured to the housing so that the planar surface is positioned within the housing chamber. A phosphorus coating is applied to the planar surface of the faceplate for convening electrons to visible light. A microchannel plate for convening x-rays to electrons is secured within the housing chamber so that the microchannel plate is spaced from and parallel to the planar surface of the faceplate. An opening is formed in the housing in alignment with the microchannel plate and this opening is sealingly closed by a window which is made of a material substantially transparent to soft x-rays. This window also creates a vacuum tight housing chamber which is continuously evacuated by a pump.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of activating a formed fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a corona discharge or an electrically formed plasma. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance and on top of and integral with, the fluorocarbon layer an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

Abstract: A soft x-ray imaging device is disclosed having a housing defining a housing chamber. An optic post having a planar surface is secured to the housing so that the planar surface is positioned within the housing chamber. A phosphorus coating is applied to the planar surface of the post for converting electrons to visible light. A microchannel plate for converting x-rays to electrons is secured within the housing chamber so that the microchannel plate is spaced from and parallel to the planar surface of the optic post. An opening is formed in the housing in alignment with the microchannel plate and this opening is sealingly closed by a window which is made of a material substantially transparent to soft x-rays. This window also creates a vacuum tight housing chamber.

Abstract: A cover for an elongated fuel tank support strap is disclosed in which the cover is positioned in between the strap and the fuel tank. The cover is formed from an elongated top wall of plastic having a top which faces the gas tank, a bottom which faces and overlies the support strap and two spaced apart side walls. Each side wall includes an inwardly facing channel which entraps and lockingly engages the opposite sides of the support strap. In addition, the top wall has two longitudinally extending and laterally adjacent sections which obliquely intersect each other at a peak. Depression of the peak varies the spacing between the channels so that the cover can accommodate tank straps which vary in width within preset limits.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a nozzle restrictor assembly in a fuel filler tube. The method comprises the steps of attaching a restrictor plate to an inner surface of the fuel filler tube, coating the restrictor plate and the fuel filler tube, and inserting a closure plate through a first slot formed in the restrictor plate so that the closure plate is positioned to block the opening. A nozzle restrictor assembly is also provided which comprises a restrictor plate sized for insertion into a fuel filler tube and a mechanism for selectively closing an opening formed in the restrictor plate upon withdrawal of a fuel filler nozzle.