Abstract: A speed/torque enhancing power transmission is disclosed that translates slow rotating, high torque motion to high rotation, low torque motion or alternatively high rotating low torque motion to low rotating high torque motion and is suitable as a speed increaser for use in a device like a wind turbine. As a speed increaser the transmission has certain advantages, such as reduced weight and/or size compared to other units having the same performance characteristics. The speed increaser employs a pair of externally toothed spur gears orbiting in a non-rotating manner 180° out of phase inside an internally toothed ring gear. The input drives the ring gear and the orbiting spur gears drive separate eccentrics on the output shaft extending in opposite directions to provide dual output. In one embodiment, cross guide projections on the spur gear and cross guide projections on the housing engage slots in a swash plate.

Abstract: A speed/torque enhancing power transmission is disclosed that translates slow rotating, high torque motion to high rotation, low torque motion or alternatively high rotating low torque motion to low rotating high torque motion and is suitable as a speed increaser for use in a device like a wind turbine. As a speed increaser the transmission has certain advantages, such as reduced weight and/or size compared to other units having the same performance characteristics. The speed increaser employs a pair of externally toothed spur gears orbiting in a non-rotating manner 180° out of phase inside an internally toothed ring gear. The input drives the ring gear and the orbiting spur gears drive separate eccentrics on the output shaft extending in opposite directions to provide dual output. In one embodiment, cross guide projections on the spur gear and cross guide projections on the housing engage slots in a swash plate.

Abstract: A speed increaser is disclosed that translates slow rotating, high torque motion to high rotation, low torque motion and is suitable for use in a device like a wind turbine. The speed increaser has certain advantages, such as reduced weight and/or size compared to other units having the same performance characteristics. The speed increaser employs an externally toothed spur gear orbiting in a non-rotating manner inside an internally toothed ring gear. The input drives the ring gear and the orbiting spur gear drives an eccentric on the output shaft. In one embodiment, cross guide projections on the spur gear and cross guide projections on the housing engage slots in a swash plate. In another embodiment, cross guide projections on one side of a swash plate engage slots in the housing and cross guide projections on the opposite side of the swash plate engage slots in the orbiting spur gear; and, hardened wear plates and lubricant passages are provided on the swash plate cross guide projections.

Abstract: A gripper assembly includes a movable clamp member which is rotatable relative to a stationary clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed positions to grip an article of a selected size between clamp members. When a releasable clutch or retainer assembly is in an engaged condition, the clutch prevents rotation of the movable clamp member from any one of the closed positions back to the fully open position. An actuator assembly is operable to release the clutch to enable the movable clamp member to rotate back to the fully open position. The clutch includes a coil spring having a plurality of turns which grip surfaces connected with the stationary and movable clamp members when the clutch is in the engaged condition. The actuator assembly operates the clutch from the engaged condition to the release condition by applying a force to the turns of the coil spring urging the turns to flex in a direction tending to increase the diameter of the coil spring.

Abstract: A gripper conveyor assembly includes a plurality of grippers. A conveyor chain moves the grippers along a track from a pick up station to a receiving station. The conveyor chain has identical links. Any one link can be removed from the chain while all of the other links remain interconnected and enclosed by the track. Each of the links includes a body section with rollers which engage the track to guide movement of the body section along the track. Plug and socket type universal joints interconnect the body sections of the links. An opening having a length corresponding to the length of the body section of a link is provided in the track. When a link is rotated, through approximately 90.degree. at the opening, the plug and socket joints can be disconnected and the rotated link removed from the conveyor chain.

Abstract: Case packer apparatus including endless driven conveyor, article gripper, and carrier bars for the article gripper which depend therefrom and where the conveyor has a downwardly extending reach connecting a pickup station to an article deposit station, the carrier and gripper being operatively connected to the conveyor as case packer groups spaced longitudinally of the conveyor, and where leading and trailing cross bars engaging rows of leading and trailing articles carried by each article group are present and where positioning structure for the cross bars secure them to end carrier bars of and/or to end portions of the carriages of the case packer groups in different manners.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for rotating two tables around the central axis stationary shaft of a braiding machine having a set of strand carriers mounted on the rear side of a first table and another set of strand carriers movable around the front side of the first table for rotation by a second table. The drive mechanism is connected to a power input shaft extending substantially parallel to the stationary shaft and toward the rear side of the first table and includes a series of six sprockets, a postshaft and three chains so that the two tables are rotated in opposite directions in response to rotation of the power input shaft.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the central axis stationary shaft and power input shaft of a braiding machine having a set of strand carriers mounted on the rear side of a first table, another set of strand carriers movable around the front side of the first table for rotation by a second table, and a drive mechanism for rotating the tables in opposite directions. The mounting assembly has a frame base, a frame stanchion for mounting the central axis stationary shaft and having a medial lattice opening, a drive torque tube extending from the lattice opening and housing and rotatably mounting the power input shaft, and, an arcuately adjustable means projecting into the lattice opening for support of the rear end of the drive torque tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a set of braiding machine front strand carriers around the front side of a first table carrying a set of contra-rotating rear strand carriers on the rear side. Strands from the rear carriers pass through arcuate slots in the first table. A second table is in front of the first table. The tables rotate in opposite directions. The apparatus of the invention has a shuttle for mounting each front carrier, with an arcuate slide tang having a length less than the distance between any two first table slots and carrying a radially inner drive block with two actuator slots. A circular shuttle mounting track carried on the first table front side has inner and outer roller segments between any two first table slots engaging the shuttle slide tangs. A circular actuator cam track carried on the first table has a set of inwardly directed V's with an apex inwardly of an inner end of each table slot. A set of shuttle drive assemblies is mounted on the rear side of the second table.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control of relative strand movement, without significantly affecting or altering strand tension, on a braiding machine with two sets of carriers for a strand supply bobbin being rotated in opposite directions and being generally axially aligned, as a set of front and rear strand carriers and supply bobbins. A set of rear strands pass through peripheral and radially arcuate slots in a carrier mounting table and are guided prior to movement into the slot by a set of cam actuated swing arms movable in a common plane perpendicular to the machine axis. The rear strands move through an arc segment relative to the machine axis for interweaving with a set of front strands. The interwoven rear and front strands are led to a circular ring at the front of the machine having an effective diameter coincident with the rotational axis of the front bobbins. The interwoven strands are then pulled from the machine to a "work center" for tight braiding around a core or mandrel.

Abstract: A carrier for a strand supply bobbin used on strand fabricating machines. The carrier has a raisable and generally circular cap (32) housing a sleeve (37), a disc (38), a ring (39), a compression spring (40), a leaf spring (41), an actuator rod (42), a collar nut (43), a retainer cup (44), a planar reaction surface (45), an actuator plug (46) and freely movable force transmitting elements (47), as operative elements for bobbin control during letoff of strand material. Radial movement of the force transmitting elements (47), to brake or clutch the supply bobbin is determined by (i) the position of the bobbin control actuator rod (42), (ii) the position of the bobbin control actuator rod (46), and (iii) the position of the bobbin control disc (38) within the raisable cap (32) on the carrier.

Abstract: A steam trap of the type having a dual fulcrum lever. A planar surface on which the fulcrums pivot is integral with the valve orifice, and as a result the spacing between the valve orifice and the pivot plane can be easily controlled.

Abstract: An article casing or uncasing apparatus having a conveyor for moving cases through a fixed course wherein a driven case supply conveyor deposits cases onto a driven supply conveyor that has an axially extending opening therein, a driven star wheel positioned in such axial opening parallel to the longitudinal axis of the same and having teeth that protrude upwardly from the case supply conveyor as the star wheel is rotated, the supply conveyor and star wheel being driven in the same direction at upper portions thereof but with the supply conveyor being driven at a faster linear speed than the star wheel or the case supply conveyor to urge the leading end of input cases into engagement with a tooth of the star wheel which retards downstream movement of the case for timed release of a case by continuing drive of the conveyor and star wheel for controlled downstream delivery of individual cases in the apparatus for further processing therein.

Abstract: Article packing or unpacking apparatus, including two correlated driven conveyors, the first for articles and the second for moving cases through a fixed course having a horizontal section and with both conveyors having fixed orbits, the article conveyor being in a vertical plane above the horizontal section of the second conveyor; and article grippers are positioned by carrier bars engaged with the article conveyor, which grippers depend from the carrier bars in a lower reach of such article conveyor. A pair of control arms are individually secured to each carrier bar at different ends thereof to engage guides as the article conveyor is moved downwardly towards an inflection area so that the article grippers are presented on vertical axes as they are moved into, along with cases moving through the horizontal section of the case conveyor fixed course.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve that is particularly adapted for use with steam at high pressures and temperatures. The valve embodies a main valve seat member that is provided with a valve seat and flow control means disposed downstream of the valve seat to prevent development of zones of excessive velocity of flow through the valve seat and to prevent excessive noise in operation. The position of the main valve spool that controls flow through the main valve seat is controlled by a piston operating in a cylinder and the supply of fluid under pressure to the cylinder is controlled by a pilot valve assembly. The main valve seat member and the main valve spool and the pilot valve assembly can readily be removed from and replaced in the housing of the valve without breaking the connections between the housing and external fluid conduits.

Abstract: A filler head for delivering a preselected volume of product to a container, the head having a charging cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder to define a product chamber therein. Product is delivered under pressure through a passage to the chamber, the piston being movable under product pressure in a direction enlarging the chamber. Adjustable stop means limit chamber enlarging movement of the piston to determine the preselected volume. A plug entering the passage as the piston approaches the end of its discharge stroke restricts the discharge of product to reduce turbulence. A piston valve is movable between the product passage and an outlet passage, in one position interrupting the delivery of product to the chamber for discharge of product from the chamber through the valve to the outlet, and in another position closing the outlet and permitting delivery of product under pressure to the chamber. The piston valve is removable as a unit from the head, for ease of cleaning.

Abstract: An indexing and synchronizing clutch mechanism is disclosed which allows a driven shaft to be stopped in a precise indexing position and to be restarted from the indexing position in exact synchronization with a drive shaft. The mechanism comprises a rotatable drive wheel having an engagement means and a rotatable driven shaft. A pawl means is mounted on the driven shaft for rotation with the shaft. The pawl means is also movable into and out of engagement with the engagement means on the drive wheel whereby the driven shaft is rotated in synchronization with the drive wheel. Actuatable means are provided for moving the pawl means into and out of engagement with the drive wheel. A fixed stop is mounted adjacent to the drive wheel and is adapted to prevent rotation of the pawl means and to hold the position of the pawl means when it is moved out of engagement with the drive wheel by the actuatable means whereby the drive shaft is held in an indexing position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a housing in which any one of a plurality of steam trap valve assemblies may be installed and which may be machined to accommodate a plurality of different inlet and outlet conduit configurations. The housing includes a main body through which a central cylindrical passage extends. Flanges extend radially outward from the main body at opposite ends of this passage and serve to connect the main body with the top and bottom members. The main body also includes a pair of additional passages which are parallel to the central cylindrical passage and a pair of bosses which extend radially outward. The top and bottom are made from identical castings and each comprises a circular portion adapted to mate with a flange on the main body and a boss extending diametrically from the perimeter of the flanges across at least past its center. The bosses on both the main body and the top and bottom may be machined to provide a plurality of different fluid flow paths and inlet and outlet connections.

Abstract: A speed reducer is disclosed for providing large reductions in shaft speed in an efficient manner. The speed reducer is adapted to be mounted on the end of a source of input power, such as a motor or other prime mover, and comprises a gearing arrangement in a housing. A rotatable input shaft extends into the housing at one end from the motor, and a coaxial rotatable output shaft extends from the speed reducer from the other end of the housing. The gearing arrangement includes a driven internal gear operatively connected to rotate the output shaft, a driving spur gear which engages the driven internal gear, means on the input shaft for eccentrically orbiting the internal gear, and means for maintaining the driving spur gear nonrotating with respect to the housing. A multiple gearing arrangement may be used to provide a greater speed reduction. In the multiple gearing arrangement, means for maintaining one of the gearing elements nonrotating with respect to the housing are mounted on both ends of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for article deposit and/or removal from carrier cases and comprising a pair of endless carrier conveyors operatively positioned on an upper portion of a frame in adjacent parallel relationship for movement through a fixed course extending longitudinally of the frame; a plurality of positioning members or carrier bars for article grippers are operatively connected to the carrier conveyors for movement therewith, which positioning members extend transversely of the frame and have the article grippers depending therefrom; and a pantograph that extends longitudinally of the frame is present for each set of carrier bars corresponding to the array of articles in the cases to be processed, the pantograph has a leading and a trailing end with different ends being secured to different ones of the conveyors for movement therewith.