Abstract: An exit side pusher mechanism (10) for a flash butt welder (14) applies a pushing force which opposes the tendency of an leading strip (16) of steel to back away from a spacer bar (40) prior to welding. The pusher mechanism includes a rotating drive wheel (82) which frictionally engages the strip. The drive wheel is lowered into an engagement position by a pneumatically driven actuator (100). A pneumatically driven drive motor (84) rotates the drive wheel a preselected distance to advance the strip back towards the spacer bar.

Abstract: A frequency correction circuit includes a temperature sensor (100) disposed to measure temperature and produce temperature signals representing sensed temperatures. A data supplier (110) stores information items, receives digital input signals representing and produces a digital output information signal representing an item selected in accordance with the digital input signal. A control circuit (120) receives the temperature signals and receives the digital output information signal. The control circuit (120) produces control signals based on the temperature signals. A clock circuit (150) is disposed to generate a reference frequency signal. A digital synthesizer (130) receives the reference frequency signal and the control signals. The digital synthesizer produces an output frequency signal as directed by the control signals received from the control circuit (120).

Abstract: A frequency correction circuit includes a temperature sensor (100) disposed to measure temperature and produce temperature signals representing sensed temperatures. A data supplier (110) stores information items, receives digital input signals representing and produces a digital output information signal representing an item selected in accordance with the digital input signal. A control circuit (120) receives the temperature signals and receives the digital output information signal. The control circuit (120) produces control signals based on the temperature signals. A clock circuit (150) is disposed to generate a reference frequency signal. A digital synthesizer (130) receives the reference frequency signal and the control signals. The digital synthesizer produces an output frequency signal as directed by the control signals received from the control circuit (120).

Abstract: An electric resistance welder welds, hot reduces, tempers and planishes overlapped metal workpieces. The welder incorporates two transformers (50, 60) which are connected to two sets of wheel electrodes (26, 28 and 36, 38). Electric current from a first transformer (50) flows through workpieces (16) and returns through a second transformer (60). The first set of wheel electrodes (26, 28) creates a weld joint and the second set (36, 38), depending on the shape, area, and pressure of the wheels, either reduces the weld thickness, tempers the weld joint, or both. A control circuit (72) includes a current sensor (70) and power factor adjuster (80). The current sensor senses current flow through the first transformer during the welding process. As the current changes, particularly when the sets of wheel electrodes engage and disengage the workpieces, the power factor adjuster (72) adjusts the power factor to maintain constant heat to the workpieces.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing infectious waste includes placing the waste in a disposal apparatus which has an isolated volume for holding the waste. A dry granulated medium which has a disinfectant constituent is also placed within the isolated volume along with the waste. When the disposal apparatus is activated, an atomized mist is introduced into the volume and the waste, the medium, and the moisture in the mist are thoroughly blended together. The resulting destroyed waste is thoroughly moistened with the disinfectant solution which is formed by the mist and the disinfectant constituents of the medium. Then, the moistened, destroyed waste is heated to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to ensure efficacious sterilization of the waste.

Abstract: A device for detecting the passage of a ferromagnetic object through a predetermined space has a substantially circular base which circumscribes the space. An inner detector coil and an outer detector coil are concentrically mounted in coplanarity on the base. Voltages are induced on the coils in response to the passage of a nearby magnetic field, such as the small permanent magnetic field associated with a ferromagnetic object. A signal processing circuit compares the induced voltages on the coils to indicate passage of a metal object through the circumscribed space when the inner coil voltage exceeds the outer coil voltage.

Abstract: A system for cleanly storing and disposing of discarded and potentially contaminated articles comprises a disposable receptacle of specialized design and a selectively operable mount for securing the receptacle to a support while in use. The receptacle prior to assembly and deployment on the mount is a unitary nestable sequence of interconnected panels including a rear panel having a back wall, two side walls and a floor extending between the side walls at an acute angle to the back wall to form an open-topped reservoir for trapping fluid from discarded articles. Pivotably mounted to the floor of the rear panel is a face panel which folds into an opposing relationship with the back wall of the rear panel and, by mating with the edges of the side walls, forms above the reservoir an enclosure accessible through an opening formed between the top of the face panel and the top of the back wall.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving hazardous or infectious waste material which is nonreleasably sealable to prevent spillage or contamination. The receptacle includes a lower, imperforate base container for receiving and holding the waste material. A cover is provided which engages the base container in a nonreleasable fashion. The cover includes a recess having an aperture for receiving the waste material. A hinged lid is attached to the cover and includes a latch for nonreleasably securing the lid over the aperture to retain the waste material in the container. Preferably, the aperture includes a trough having converging, tapered walls to prevent spillage when the aperture is uncovered. The receptacle is made of polypropylene so that the waste material containing receptacle can be easily incinerated.

Abstract: Welding apparatus including a tube of high resistance material brazed between two electrical conductive tubes connected to the secondary of a resistance welding transformer. Also included is a plastic element having a head projecting through a hole of a metallic element. By initiating forcible contact between the tube and the head of the plastic element, such head is heated, softens and becomes upset to form an interlock with the metallic element.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously fusing both positive and negative side terminal posts of a lead acid storage battery having a pair of tombstones of L-shape. Each of the terminal posts has an inwardly extending projection extending into a substantially U-shaped opening at the top of the vertical legs of the tombstones. A pair of spaced induction coils are connected in series. A mold surrounds each coil for confining fused metal to fill the substantially U-shaped opening in the top of the tombstones for providing an integral connection between the terminal posts and the vertical portions of the tombstones when the terminal posts and tombstones are lifted into the molds and the induction coils are energized.

Abstract: Intercell fusing apparatus for use in a battery having flat tombstone type connections, each tombstone having a pair of vertically and horizontally outwardly extending portions of fusible material closely surrounding a vertical partition of electrically insulating material having a hole extending horizontally therethrough. It comprises a mold closely surrounding each pair of vertical portions of the tombstones and surrounding a partition portion above the hole, and a pair of interconnected coils preferably having double windings on each side of the partition to effect fusion of the tombstones within the mold when energized by a source of high frequency alternating current.

Abstract: In a storage battery having a plurality of electrically insulating vertical partitions, the method of the invention comprises sandwiching each partition, successively, between a pair of terminals of lead or other easily fusible material of the so-called "tombstone" type, that is, of "L" shape in which the vertical or riser portion of one terminal has a horizontal pin which extends through a hole in the partition and through a hole in the riser portion of the other terminal. An insulating sheet and induction coil are placed against the end of the pin by a fusing apparatus which is provided with a pair of arms which are pivotally operated by a fluid cylinder, one arm carrying the above-mentioned coil and insulating sheet and the other acting as a pusher.

Abstract: A method of making intercell connections in a lead-acid storage battery. The battery has a plurality of pairs of vertical risers of lead or other readily feasible material, each pair sandwiching an electrically insulating vertical partition. The method comprises forming a horizontal hole in a partition, squeezing together such as by hydraulic cylinders, a pair of risers against its corresponding partition and applying coils energized by high frequency electrical current against the outer surfaces of the risers adjacent the hole and simultaneously squeezing together said pair of risers against its partition so as to fuse the riser material adjacent the hole and introduce it through and fill the hole. High quality readily reproducible intercell connections are thus formed successively throughout the battery.

Abstract: A waste management system, including, a module forming a hollow cover having an open base and with the module including a passageway for receiving medical waste from the exterior to the interior. A disposable container is received within the open base of the module to have the container enclosed by the module. The module is locked in position on a wall mount which fully encloses the disposable container. A key plate is provided for disposition between the locking wall mount and the module to unlock the module from the wall mount and with the key plate locked across the open base of the module in substitution of the wall mount. A cart houses a large waste box and includes an opening into the interior of the cart for providing access to the waste box. The cart includes a cover structure disposed around the opening in the cart and with the cover structure including a cover plate over the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for induction heating "over-the-partition" intercell connections in a lead/acid storage battery by melting both lead risers so as to form a connection over the top of the insulating partition. A mold is suspended on top of the partition and an induction coil is supported on the mold so as to surround the top portion of the intercell lead risers. High frequency alternating electrical current is applied to the coil so as to melt the top portion of the lead risers so that upon fusion thereof in the mold and cooling, the tops of the risers are interconnected. The interconnection bridges the top of the risers and rests on top of the partition. The invention lends itself to mass production in a very short time as compared to present methods. Excellent fusion quality is reliably obtained as compared to present methods.

Abstract: An adhesive bonding press having a "C" frame which mounts upper and lower platens, one of which supports an induction coil mounted in a non-metallic tube. Adhesive is applied to coat the top surface of a lower metallic plate supported on the lower platen, after which a second metallic plate is laid thereon. Thereafter, the plates are clamped together by an air cylinder through upper and lower platens and tooling holders of the press, one of which includes an induction coil. High frequency current is then applied to the induction coil which rapidly heats the adhesive for 2 to 3 seconds. An air blast is then induced in the upper and lower tooling to rapidly cool the parts to room temperature. Spot curing takes place in the area axially of the induction coil which very firmly bonds the two plates together so that further operations in a production or automation line will take place immediately.

Abstract: In a flash butt welder for joining strip ends, the improvement for improving the quality of flash butt welds made in specialty grade steels, such as high strength low alloy, as well as for considerably reducing the upset current requirement, by applying a protective atmosphere of combustible gas, such as propane, natural gas, or hydrogen during the flash butt welding process. Welds free from any detectable defects can be made with lower upset current densities thus extending the equipment welding capacity.

Abstract: A Robot type resistance welder of very large capacity that enables the electrodes of the welder to be readily adjustable in the welding and retracting strokes and automatically controlled so as to retract when encountering an obstacle - also whereby the degree of retraction of electrodes may be selectively controlled and whereby the vertical elevation of the work plane may be varied during welding in accordance with the contour of the work, such as a curved panel. The respective electrodes of the spot welders have supporting arms which are pivotally interconnected together with an operating air cylinder. An adjustable stop is provided in the air cylinder to adjust the extent of retraction. The entire assembly including the pivotal supporting arms and inter-connected cylinder are provided with an adjustable stop for limiting the pivotal movement of the assembly. Such pivotal movement is cushioned by springs.

Abstract: A welding machine auxiliary transfer clamp for pushing the end of a coil against a spacer bar and including a pair of clamping elements, each including a cylindrical ram operated by fluid cylinder, there being a ball connection intermediate each fluid cylinder and its respective ram to enable the upper and lower rams to pivot freely about their longitudinal axis so as to prevent occurrence of a gap otherwise formed by lateral tilting of the coil, whose end is to be welded.