Abstract: An improved pilot operated, spool valve includes a valve body with a spool that translates axially in a throughbore in the valve body. The spool is moved in response to air pressure in a first direction and is moved in the opposite direction by a combination of a mechanical biasing force and fluid pressure.

Abstract: An improved torque control and fluid shutoff mechanism for a fluid operated tool includes an output shaft with an axially slidable cam sleeve mounted on the shaft. The cam sleeve is coupled with a driven tool bit holder to provide a clutch connection. The cam sleeve is biased for engagement with a cam surface on the tool bit holder whereby during normal operation of the tool, the tool bit holder remains fixed relative to the cam sleeve. When a threshold torque acts on the tool bit holder, the tool bit holder rotates relative to the cam sleeve axially driving the cam sleeve to release a biased kickout sleeve from retaining a radially displaceable member. The radially displaceable member engages a throttle rod and a thrust pin. The throttle rod extends to a fluid control valve which controls inlet fluid. Release of the radially displaceable member from being retained by the kickout sleeve permits axial translation of the throttle rod to terminate fluid flow to the motor of the tool.

Abstract: A vacuum package tester is capable of providing data by which the internal pressure and volume of residual gas of a flexible wall vacuum package exposed to atmospheric pressure may be calculated. A container partially filled with liquid is surrounded by a deformation-absorbing enclosure. A vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the head space above the liquid, thereby causing a submerged package to expand. Pressure gauges record the respective pressures in the head space when the package expands by first and second known volumes. From this data, the internal pressure and volume of residual gas of said package, when exposed to ambient pressure and temperature, may be calculated. In use, the invention also performs an improved method.

Abstract: A screw feed mechanism includes a pivoting magazine positioned in a housing. The magazine includes a single throughbore which receives a single screw from a feeder hose and then pivots into alignment with a drive tool. The magazine is driven by a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a combined speed sensor and control valve for a rotary fluid motor such as a rotary vane air motor. Weights are pivotally attached to the opposite sides of the rotating output shaft of the air motor and are spring biased into engagement with an annular valve disc member positioned over the air inlet. Upon excessive speed of the shaft, the weights swing from engagement with the valve disc member and release the member. Air flow and air pressure within the air inlet passage cause the disc member to translate axially along the rotary shaft and close the air inlet. The air motor must be disassembled and the overspeed control reset prior to continued operation of the air motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the permeability of a material to passage of a fluid includes a pressure regulator for varying the pressure of a supplied fluid, a pair of jaws which may be clamped onto the material specimen, a solenoid valve arranged between the regulator and the jaws, and a collapsible container arranged to be inflated with such fluid as may pass through the clamped specimen during the test. The permeability of the test specimen is determined in terms of the length of time needed for a known volume of such fluid to pass through the specimen, when fluid at a test pressure is applied to a unit area thereof. The apparatus may further include a pressure switch arranged to sense an inflated condition of the container, and a timer to disable the apparatus until sufficient time has been provided to enable the container to return to its deflated condition. In use, such apparatus performs an improved method of measuring the permeability of the material to passage of such fluid.

Abstract: A vibration and noise attenuating construction for impact air tools, such as a chipper, includes axially reciprocal working and balancing members which move toward and away from each other. The end of one member defines a cylinder and cylinder chamber which receives a piston defined in the end of the other member. Pressurized air is introduced into the cylinder chamber causing the chamber to expand and the members to be translated axially from each other against the force of compression springs. Translation of the piston beyond an exhaust passage in the cylinder wall permits the chamber to exhaust whereupon the compression springs will drive the members toward their original position. The members constantly cycle in this manner to provide vibration attenuation.

Abstract: A smoke generator is adapted to be used with other apparatus for testing the peripheral seal integrity of a package. The smoke generator heats a fuel within a chamber and then aspirates smoke into a conduit through which fluid is flowing. The apparatus includes additional conduits operatively arranged to selectively flush the chamber of ash and other accumulated particulate material.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled pneumatic valve includes a chamber having a first nozzle of magnetic material in opposed relation to a second nonmagnetic nozzle. A cylindrical, permanent magnet, valve member may become seated upon one or the other of the nozzles in response to an electromagnetic field generated by a coil surrounding the first nozzle. A conduit from the chamber between the nozzles connects to a pneumatic load such as an air tool.

Abstract: A resettable overrun control valve includes a housing with a throughbore defining an inlet, an outlet and an intermediate valve seat. A valve disc is normally biased from the valve seat by a coil spring projecting the disc toward the inlet. An actuator stem connects to the valve disc and is responsive to a manually operable control rod projecting through the housing to engage the stem. Normal pneumatic pressure through the inlet permits air flow about the valve disc and through the outlet. If the pressure drop on the downstream side of the valve disc exceeds a predetermined limit, the valve disc is forced against the valve seat. This terminates air flow. Once the reason for the excessive air flow through the valve is corrected, the valve may be reset by actuating the manual rod against the stem. The biasing force on the valve disc is adjusted by means of a telescoping housing that cooperates with the valve body. The housing serves as an adjustable platform for the coil spring which biases the valve disc.

Abstract: A sequential inhibitor (NOT) fluid logic device has a control input (a), a supply input (b), and an output (c). The output signal is terminated through output (c) from supply input (b) only when a control signal at control input (a) precedes a supply signal at supply input (b). The device includes a series of three plate members defining a connected cavity and chamber. An arrangement of valve seats in the cavity and chamber cooperate with a poppet and diaphragm. The area of the seats cooperative with the diaphragm and poppet insure the sequential operation of the device. An exhaust passage (d) may be actively integrated into a circuit utilizing the device to provide a combined OR fluid logic device and sequential inhibitor having an input (d), a supply input (b), a control input (a) and an output (c).

Abstract: Fluid logic elements are combined in various ways to provide staging, shift register and binary flip-flop functions. The elements used to provide the complex functions include a flip-flop element, sequential AND and sequential NOT elements in various combinations. For example, two sequential AND elements or two sequential NOT elements may be arranged with a single flip-flop element to provide a shift register or a binary flip-flop function. A single sequential AND element or a single sequential NOT element in combination with a single flip-flop element provide a staging function. Combinations of the multiple element devices provide enhanced control functions.

Abstract: An improved fitting for releasably connecting a plastic tube to a fluid logic element includes a ring member and a cooperating collet member. The collet member is generally cylindrical with a rigid collar at each end connected by an elastically deformable body section. A throughbore through the collet member includes barbs within the throughbore for gripping a plastic tube inserted in the throughbore. Outwardly extending projections from the middle of the body cooperate with cam surfaces of the ring member as the collet member is inserted into the ring member thereby controlling release of the plastic tube and insuring retention of the tube in the throughbore.

Abstract: A sequential AND fluid logic device has a first input (a) and a second input (b) with a single output (c). An output signal results whenever the input signals are provided sequentially to the first input (a) and the second input (b). The device includes a body member with a throughbore. An actuator is placed into the throughbore for cooperation with a first seat at one end of the throughbore. A diaphragm is arranged in opposed relation to the actuator and cooperates with the actuator. Another seat is cooperative with a poppet member at the opposite end of the throughbore. The area associated with the first seat is less than the active area associated with the diaphragm which, in turn, is less than the area associated with the other seat to assure sequential operation of the device.

Abstract: A hand-held grinder including a motor, a motor output shaft and a grinding tool mounted on the motor output shaft. Water is supplied from a source through a port into a sealed annular chamber surrounding the output shaft. A bore extends concentrically through the shaft between a point adjacent the annular chamber and the end of the shaft remote from the motor. Communicating bores extend radially through the shaft and through a collar keyed to the shaft from the concentric bore to the annular chamber. Additional bores, adjacent the end of the shaft remote from the motor, provide communications between the concentric bore and the outside of the shaft. Preferably, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of these last-mentioned bores is relatively less than the cross-sectional area of the concentric bore. Water dispensed through these communicating bores is atomized by rotation of the motor output shaft and grinding tool.

Abstract: A follower plate assembly for industrial drums includes an improved lip seal construction. The follower plate assembly has a projecting ledge to support a circumferential seal. The seal has a U-shaped cross section. The legs of the seal project radially into engagement with the container wall. The crown of the seal engages the follower plate. The ledge prevents axial movement of the seal. A circumferential band in combination with a ring or locking pins retain the seal on the follower plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for testing the strength of a seal provided between an underlying substrate material and an overlying sheet material of a container. The package is inflated through an inflation needle inserted into the container. The pressure in the container is sensed through a sensing needle inserted therein. The apparatus may be used to test the tensile strength of the seal, and the location of any leaks therein.

Abstract: A speed sensor is attached to the output shaft of the rotary vane air motor. The speed sensor includes a body member which is pivotally mounted at one end on the output shaft for movement about an axis parallel to the shaft axis. The opposite end of the body member is biased into engagement with a locking pin. So long as the shaft of the air motor does not exceed a threshold speed, the body member remains in the described position. Upon exceeding a threshold speed, the body member disengages from the locking pin due to centrifugal force acting thereon and then engages a movable shutter. In this manner, the shutter is moved by the body member to close air flow passages to the air motor.

Abstract: A muffler is integrally incorporated with a pneumatic tool by cooperating with the tool housing intermediate the air exhaust chamber for the air motor and atmosphere. An inwardly dished muffler shell includes an exhaust inlet for receipt of exhaust air from the air motor. The shell is selectively positionable and may be combined with screen and additional muffler material as well as a retaining plate in any of a number of combinations to provide distinctive muffling characteristics for the air tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat sealing a thermally-sensitive material to a substrate material includes a frame, and a pair of internally heated shafts mounted fast on the frame. A roller member is rotatably mounted on each shaft, and is arranged to be heated by the heating element within the shaft. The rollers are rotated in opposite angular directions so that an object interposed at the nip will be translated therebetween. The facing peripheral portions of each roller member have a sinusoidal cross-section, with the peaks of one roller member being aligned with the valleys of the other. The roller members are spaced from one another to provide a degree of frictional resistance with the materials to be bonded together. The cross-sectional configuration in the roller members serves to provide a plurality of ribbon-like seals between the materials, without propagating a bubble as such materials are passed between the roller members.