Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes a non-rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders with wiring and a rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders with wiring and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and rotating electrical power member to align the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders to slide on paired inside and outside surfaces during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes a non-rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and rotating electrical power member to align the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

Abstract: An improved counter-rotating (CR) differential electric motor assembly is utilized to power an aircraft vehicle or fan for moving a gas and includes two oppositely rotating propellers that may be mounted to horizontal flight and vertical lift-off aircraft or a fan housing in spaces similar in size to mounting spaces for traditional motors having only one propeller and includes a hollow central shaft and slip ring assembly that is mounted either within, slight above, or total above oppositely rotating components and around the hollow central shaft.

Abstract: A rotational slip ring assembly for an improved counter-rotating (CR) differential electric motor assembly is utilized to power an aircraft vehicle or fan for moving a gas and includes two oppositely rotating propellers that may be mounted to horizontal flight and vertical lift-off aircraft or a fan housing in spaces similar in size to mounting spaces for traditional motors having only one propeller and includes a hollow central shaft and slip ring assembly that is mounted either within, slight above, or total above oppositely rotating components and around the hollow central shaft.

Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes a non-rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and rotating electrical power member to align the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes a non-rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders with wiring and a rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders with wiring and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and rotating electrical power member to align the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission cylinders to slide on paired inside and outside surfaces during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes multiple electrical conduction assemblies with each having a fixed exterior electrical connection disk and rotating interior electrical connection disk mounted around a non-electrically conducting spindle that has a central aperture and a central axle running through the center of the spindle with one end of the central axle connected to the selected application and the other end of the central axle connect to a supporting structure mount and an oiled porous/sintered disk sandwiched around the spindle between the interior and exterior electrical connection disks of each conduction assembly to allow easy rotation between each exterior electrical connection disk and each rotating interior electrical connection disk.

Abstract: A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes multiple electrical conduction assemblies with each having a fixed exterior electrical connection disk and rotating interior electrical connection disk mounted around a non-electrically conducting spindle that has a central aperture and a central axle running through the center of the spindle with one end of the central axle connected to the selected application and the other end of the central axle connect to a supporting structure mount and an oiled porous/sintered disk sandwiched around the spindle between the interior and exterior electrical connection disks of each conduction assembly to allow easy rotation between each exterior electrical connection disk and each rotating interior electrical connection disk.

Abstract: A universal traction device for movement over even and uneven supporting surfaces that includes an all-terrain wheel having a circular wheel assembly with a plurality of spoke-containing components arrayed around an outer perimeter wheel edge and control means for extending spokes from the spoke-containing units when encountering an obstacle that the vehicle is to traverse and retracting the spokes when the spokes are no longer required for traversing the obstacle.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus and method for reorienting and assembling individual ones of flat articles, such as envelopes, into horizontal rows of articles which are vertically oriented, on edge, and stacked in facing relation. Envelopes are delivered horizontally and seriatim, to an article rotation assembly. The rotation assembly reorients the envelopes into a vertical, on-edge orientation, and feeds them individually to a helical drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a pair of parallel, counter-rotating, helical screws, mounted on a pivotally suspended sub-frame. The screws transport the envelopes in spaced relation to an accumulating conveyor. The conveyor has movable brace plate, transversely positioned over a pair of conveyor belts. A roller on one end of the plate rests upon one of the belts. Successive envelopes are delivered to and stacked against the brace plate. As the pressure increases, the sub-frame pivots away from the plate until a predetermined limit is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting indicia on articles. The indicia act to identify a group of articles, having a common characteristic. The articles may be address panels used in mass mailings. Particular address panels, representing the beginning or end of a zip code or a postal delivery route, are pre-marked with one or more special indicia. The apparatus includes a scanning station, a computerized system controller, and a marking station. The scanning station includes a video camera, a video analyzer, a camera controller, and a video monitor. The video camera is programmable by using the camera controller and the video monitor, to scan only a predetermined operative scanning area of each article. The video analyzer assess each pixel within the scanning area and adds up the total number of pixels having a desired characteristic. If the pixel count satisfies predetermined criteria correlating to the presence of an indicia, the article is electronically tagged by the system controller.

Abstract: A billing statement system comprising a billing statement having a plurality of sheets or pages of multiple lengths or which are otherwise of multiple sizes and/or shapes. The billing statement preferably comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one sheet is of different, generally larger, size than the other sheets, and in which the larger sheet has a first region with a consumer's mailing address on one side and a provider's mailing address on the reverse side, and a second region which contains detail or summary information on the charges due. The billing statement system includes a collator apparatus for collating billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths, and a folder apparatus for folding collated billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths.

Abstract: In a mail inserter machine including at least one subassembly with a component driven in reciprocating fashion, an apparatus for inserting a sheet into an envelope. The apparatus comprises a movable gripper jaw assembly, an envelope vacuum cup assembly, an envelope opener assembly including a nozzle in communication with a gaseous fluid supply source, and an insertion assembly. An electrical control circuit is adapted to issue electrical control signals to the respective assemblies, in such manner that the occurrence and duration of the control signals determine relative periods of operation of the assemblies during a cycle of operation of the apparatus and over a range of speeds of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a mail inserter having a 360 degree operational cycle and a plurality of subassemblies, a computer issues a plurality of electrical control signals having predetermined rotational positions and durations within the operational cycle at a given inserter speed. Solenoids, actuators and other driving devices are responsive to the control signals to determine the operation of the subassemblies. A device measures the operation speed of the inserter, and the computer adjusts the rotational position of each control signal within the operational cycle according to the inserter speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computerized control of a "Phillipsburg-type" mail insertion machine. The mechanical timing and drive mechanisms of the prior art inserter are replaced with a programmable computer, solenoid valves, and pneumatic cylinders, or other suitable drivers. The computer's software includes a plurality of programmed look-up tables. An operational delay look-up table includes electro-mechanical lag times for the pneumatically driven stations/sub-assemblies of the inserter. Also provided are look-up speed tables, which include start and stop angles for actuation of each of the pneumatic cylinders. A first look-up speed table includes actuation data appropriate for operation of the machine within a relatively slow range of speeds. Four additional look-up speed tables provide correct actuation data for successively higher speed groups, up to 10,000 insertion cycles per hour.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one control signal data look-up table for a mail insertion machine having a 360 degree cycle of operation and capable of variable operating speeds within a given cycle. The mail insertion machine possesses predetermined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components. The method entails creating a baseline control signal data look-up table for a first operating speed based upon pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times. The look-up table comprises a start angle and a stop angle within the 360 degree cycle of operation. The start and stop angles are then compensated for a second operating speed based upon the pre-determined electro-mechanical lag times for extending and retracting mechanical components and the first operating speed. A second control signal data look-up table is then created by writing the compensated start and stop angles that correspond to the second operating speed into the second control signal data look-up table.

Abstract: For use with an envelope inserter, a sheet packet hold-down apparatus, comprising a stopping mechanism or guide for stopping the leading edge of the sheets, a hold-down button of substantially hemispherical shape, wherein the hold down button is positioned before the stopping mechanism or guide, a bias device for resiliently supporting the hold-down button, and a conveyor apparatus for transporting the sheets to the stopping mechanism or guide.

Abstract: A billing statement system comprising a billing statement having a plurality of sheets or pages of multiple lengths or which are otherwise of multiple sizes and/or shapes. The billing statement preferably comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one sheet is of different, generally larger, size than the other sheets, and in which the larger sheet has a first region with a consumer's mailing address on one side and a provider's mailing address on the reverse side, and a second region which contains detail or summary information on the charges due. The billing statement system includes a collator apparatus for collating billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths, and a folder apparatus for folding collated billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computerized control of a "Phillipsburg-type" mail insertion machine. The mechanical timing and drive mechanisms of the prior art inserter are replaced with a programmable computer, solenoid valves, and pneumatic cylinders, or other suitable drivers. The computer's software includes a plurality of programmed look-up tables. An operational delay look-up table includes electro-mechanical lag times for the pneumatically driven stations/sub-assemblies of the inserter. Also provided are look-up speed tables, which include start and stop angles for actuation of each of the pneumatic cylinders. A first look-up speed table includes actuation data appropriate for operation of the machine within a relatively slow range of speeds. Four additional look-up speed tables provide correct actuation data for successively higher speed groups, up to 10,000 insertion cycles per hour.

Abstract: A bulk mailing system for controlling and processing mailing envelopes containing selected combinations of documents and inserts comprises a programmable computer controller, a plurality of printers, a controller interfaced collator for merging document pages from the printers, a document folder, and a controller interfaced inserter for filling the mailing envelopes with the selected combinations of document pages and inserts. Associated with the inserter are devices for marking the edges of envelopes with desired information indicia and for wetting and sealing the flaps of selected envelopes. Further, the controller verifies that the correct document forms, inserts, and mailing envelopes are matched and inserted into the mailing envelopes. Additionally, the controller selects and includes any desired combination of enclosures and inserts in the mailing envelopes.