Abstract: A platform stabilization system utilizing a small free running gyro, gimballed to the platform, as the reference element. Optical means are used to generate error signals in a torque free subsystem for sensing misalignment between the reference gyro and the platform. A system of magnetic rods and surrounding electrical solenoid coils are used to initially position the reference gyro. The reference gyro to platform gimbals are located within the structure of a second gimbal system mounting the platform to a pedestal mount. The close spacing of the axes from the platform yields a minimum swept volume of the pedestal in operation. Torque motors located in the pedestal are coupled to the platform gimbal by means of flexible cables. The motors are controlled by amplified signals from the optical error sensor signals. The result of this design is an extremely compact, high speed, low mass, low cost, stabilized platform system.

Abstract: A connector to provide a fast-make coupling by which releasably to interconnect a control device to a push-pull control cable assembly. The control device has at least a sheath member and a plunger movable longitudinally within a passage through the sheath member. A connector housing is substantially permanently secured to the casing of the push-pull control cable assembly and releasably attached to the sheath member so as to be longitudinally aligned with the passageway therein. A shuttle plug, which is secured to the core of the push-pull control cable assembly is slidably received within the connector housing and the passageway in the sheath member to which the connector housing is releasably attached. A lug is presented from the plunger and interacts with a socket in the shuttle plug to effect an interconnection that is readily engaged and released, but only when the connector housing is not attached to the sheath member.

Abstract: A fluid actuated gyroscope having a hollow rotor provided with apertures defining nozzles through which compressed fluid within the housing flows to the interior of the rotor before being discharged. This flow causes the rotor to spin up to speed rapidly. Also described is a caging piston which, with its associated apparatus, performs the dual function of providing a passageway for venting the interior of the rotor during spin up and for caging and uncaging the gimbals.

Abstract: A floated gyroscope having a float pivoted within a housing for limited rotational movement is provided with a rotational limit control for limiting rotation when the gyroscope is not in use. The rotational limit control includes a locating pin mounted on either the float or the housing, and cooperating limit arms mounted on the other of the float and housing.

Abstract: A spherical inertial platform has a plurality of rotary torquer units spaced around the periphery thereof for torquing the platform relative to its housing in response to stabilization signals thereby to stabilize the platform. The torquer units, which may comprise ball shaped rotors which are torqued in response to stabilizing signals fed to armatures associated therewith, provide a mechanical coupling between the housing and the platform so as to impart the stabilizing torquing forces to such platform; an effective gear ratio being provided between the torquer units and the platform.

Abstract: A throttle control linkage adapted for connection to the governor mechanism of an engine preferably comprises a slotted quadrant slidably mounted on a pin attached to a support member. The quadrant is held in a selected position on the support member by a frictional device comprising at least one elastomeric member compressed against a side of the quadrant by spring means, preferably in the form of a pair of back-to-back Belleville washers.

Abstract: An improved remotely controlled externally mounted motor vehicle mirror includes a mirror assembly having a housing which is rigidly affixed to a motor vehicle. A movable mirror element is movably positioned within the housing. The horizontal and vertical positions of the movable mirror element within the housing can be selectively adjusted by a control lever within the motor vehicle so that a driver of the motor vehicle can view the area to the left and rear of the motor vehicle. A vertical slide plate and a horizontal adjustment screw are provided to establish a reference position for the control lever and consequently, the movable mirror element in which the movable mirror element has a certain vertical and horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A crank shaft for a multi-cylinder, short stroke internal combustion engine in which the diameters of the crank pin and of the shaft journal overlap each other, and in which the crank web decreases in thickness approximately from the center of the crank pin with increasing distance from the shaft center. In the crank webs within the region of the crank pin, relief bores are provided the axes of which are inclined with regard to the axis of said shaft journals. The relief bores are designed as blind bores with a flat bottom surface and with a circumferential surface merging with the flat bottom surface along a rounded surface section. The merging portion nearest to the area of the respective pertaining shaft journal is located approximately in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crank shaft and approximately in the middle between the crank pin and the shaft journal. With a diameter ratio of the crank pin to the shaft journal of about 0.

Abstract: A manually controllable linkage is provided for selectively adjusting the swash plate of a reversible flow, variable displacement pump of a hydrostatic transmission. The linkage includes a speed and direction selecting part for selectively moving the swash plate so as to effect forward, reverse and neutral driving conditions in the transmission, and a neutral return part for overriding the speed and direction selecting part for quickly returning the swash plate to its position for effecting the neutral driving condition in the transmission. The speed and direction selecting part of the linkage includes input and output sections interconnected by a motion-moderating section which regulates or governs the maximum speed at which the output section and, hence, the swash plate may be moved regardless of the speed manually imparted to the input section.

Abstract: A control linkage for controlling operation of a control valve of a remote hydraulically operated device is mounted in a vehicle cab and includes a control lever located between the vehicle seat and a door to the cab so as to be within easy reach of a seated operator. When in a normal working position, the lever is located such that it may present an obstacle to operator entry and exit and may be accidently bumped so as to effect actuation of the control valve.

Abstract: A gyroscopic instrument which may be a compass includes a hollow sphere enclosing at least one motor-driven gyroscope and floating in an electrically conductive liquid within the inner surface of revolution of a vessel surrounding the sphere at a distance therefrom providing for a gap therebetween. A motor-driven pump circulates the liquid through an inlet of the vessel, through the gap, through an outlet of the vessel and through a passageway back to the pump. The surfaces confining the gap have pairs of opposite conductive electrode portions for conducting electrical energy to the motor-driven gyroscope or gyroscopes. The liquid circulating through the gap exerts a bearing pressure on the sphere holding it spaced from the inner surface of the vessel. For this purpose the gap has a relatively narrow bearing zone communicating with the inlet and a relatively wider zone communicating with the outlet.

Abstract: A choke control assembly for use in connection with dual carburetors or the like has a linearly reciprocal slide member carried by a body adapted to be secured to a mounting panel. A swingable lever is secured at one end of the slide member with a pair of control cables secured at an opposite end thereof. The lever is selectively swingable from a normal, non-choke position to either of two alternate over-center positions to shift the slide member against the bias of a spring which maintains corresponding cam surfaces of the lever in abutment with the body. The slide member includes a crossarm adapted to receive a pair of laterally disposed cables in order that two carburetors may be simultaneously controlled by the action of the single lever.

Abstract: A drilling machine capable of rapid change over for drilling different parts, and which has stations for simultaneously, or sequentially, drilling holes in a particular part. The unit includes means for positively positioning the part, and gripping the part, and rotating or indexing the part to different rotational positions for the drilling operation. Control means are utilized for positively and precisely positioning the part for the various drilling operations.

Abstract: A drilling machine capable of rapid change over for drilling different parts, and which has stations for simultaneously, or sequentially, drilling holes in a particular part. The unit includes means for positively positioning the part, and gripping the part, and rotating or indexing the part to different rotational positions for the drilling operation. Control means are utilized for positively and precisely positioning the part for the various drilling operations.

Abstract: A camming system for a copier machine for providing multiple paths for a cam follower from a start of scan position. The camming system includes a cam, a cam follower, and a drive to drive the cam follower to and from a start of scan position while in contact with the cam. The cam is adapted to be rotated about the center of curvature of the cam follower axis during rotation of the cam so that the cam follower always starts its path from the same start of scan position.

Abstract: A foot pedal assembly with a return spring and having a lever to which the spring is connected and which has a link connected thereto and connected to the foot pedal arm, whereby lesser foot force is required in proportion to the depressing of the pedal itself. The foot pedal is arranged for operating a hydraulic brake of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedal command device with variable reduction for a master-cylinder type pressure emitter. The device includes a pedal articulated on a lever that is pivotally movable about a shaft and recalled by a spring. The pedal includes at one of its ends a cam that actuates a pusher articulated on the lever, which pusher commands a pressure emitter such as a vehicle brake master cylinder by means of a thrust member and a rod.

Abstract: A system for transferring motion between locations remote with respect to each other by a push-pull control cable assembly. The system employs a motion conversion unit at either or both control and controlled station, said units serving to convert rotary motion into linear motion, and vice versa. That is, a force transfer shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing of the motion conversion unit to receive, or impart, rotary motion, and the core element of the push-pull control cable assembly -- which receives, or imparts, linear motion -- extends into, or through, the unit in transversely spaced relation with respect to the shaft. That portion of the normally flexible core element which extends into, or through, the unit is made rigid to impart columnar strength. A crosshead is secured to the rigidified portion of the core element and is slidably received within a first guideway presented from the housing to minimize lateral loading to the rigidified portion of the core element.

Abstract: An anti-rattling device which also preloads the actuated device and includes a link supporting and guiding the actuated device, with the anti-rattling mechanism including a resilient roller positioned to engage a cam surface on the link, the cam surface being eccentric to a pivot point for the link.

Abstract: Piston-crank mechanism for internal combustion engines, which comprises a piston, a crank-shaft having a crank-pin, a connecting rod for connecting the piston with said crank pin, an externally toothed gear disposed in side-by-side relationship with respect to the connecting rod and supported for rotation on a pin member extending axially from the crank pin, an internally toothed stationary gear having a member of teeth twice that of the external gear and meshing with the external gear, a pair of rotating balance weights provided on the external gear at the opposite sides thereof in such a manner that they will be in the lower position when the crank pin is in the top dead center, and revolving balance weight means provided on the crank shaft on the side opposite to the crank pin.