Abstract: An anti-friction worm-worm gear type speed reducer torque converter is disclosed. The speed reducer has a rotatably mounted worm gear adapted to mesh with a rotatably mounted worm incorporating a plurality of circulating rolling elements. In one embodiment, the configuration of the spiral thread of the worm is such that the balls incorporated in the load carrying side face of the spiral thread provide a substantially continuous substantially spiral shaped contact line with the load transmitting tooth of the worm gear. This is accomplished by providing the helicoid spiral thread of the worm with a flat, approximately bell shaped profile in the radial direction, with reference to the longitudinal axis of the worm, and by gradually modifying the trapezoidal dimensions of the spiral thread in axial cross-section.

Abstract: A fastener assembly, having a threaded male and female member, is disclosed. One of the members has substantially conventional threads and the other member has two threaded portions rotationally offset relative to one another. Direction of the offset determines whether a compressive or tensile preload force occurs in the assembled fastener. Magnitude of the preload force is controlled by the extent of the offset. One of the threaded portions includes at least two, preferably about four, tapered threads which permit gradual distribution of the preload force and thereby prevent plastic deformation of the threads. The assembled fastener is substantially vibration proof, and, due to the well controlled permanent preload force, is highly fatigue resistant.

Abstract: A rotary motion linear actuator is disclosed which is capable of substantial backlash or lost motion free operation. The rotary motion linear actuator includes a ball nut body having interior helical (Archimedes type) spiral grooves to contain a plurality of balls between the ball nut body and a rotatable shaft upon which the ball nut body is mounted in a substantially concentric relationship. A spiral slot is disposed in the ball nut body substantially parallel with the spiral grooves so as to effectively render the ball nut body capable of torsional deformation about its longitudinal axis, in analogy to a coil spring. The ball nut body carries an exterior torque tube or like mounting body, which holds the ball nut body in a predetermined torsionally deformed state. The balls disposed between the shaft and the ball nut body are therefore biased with a predetermined pre-load against the shaft, and the rotational axes of the balls are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant pipe bend or elbow for slurry pipelines is disclosed. The bend or elbow has a wall of enlarged thickness disposed in the exterior of the turn of the fluid flow, in the area where impingement of the interior wall of the elbow by solid particulate material is most likely to occur. The wall of enlarged thickness includes a plurality of spaced protrusions which form a plurality of indentations or pockets. Openings of the pockets are disposed in substantial alignment with the instantaneous trajectory of solid particulates transported in the slurry. The pockets become filled with captured solid particles when slurry is transported through the elbow. The particles act as a shield or buffer against further bombardment of the wall of the elbow by the particles. Leading edges of the protrusions optionally have a cladding of an abrasion resistant material, such as a hardfacing composition, and are disposed to have a favorable, usually large, impact angle with the solid particles.

Abstract: A throttling and shut-off valve assembly for slurry pipelines and the like takes advantage of a gravity induced concentration and velocity gradient which develops in a substantially horizontal flow of coarse slurries. The throttling and shut-off valve assembly includes a conduit which is disposed substantially horizontally and wherein a valve body is mounted in an elongated streamlined housing to seat against a valve seat. The valve body is actuable to move substantially axially in the conduit. Both the valve body and the streamlined housing are disposed substantially along the longitudinal center line or axis of the conduit, which is upwardly offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline from which the flow is directed into the valve assembly. The bottom wall of the conduit is level with the bottom wall of the upstream portion of the pipeline.

Abstract: A linear rotary bearing is disclosed which includes bearing race adapted to be mounted on a substantially cylindrical shaft in spaced concentric relationship with the shaft. A ball retainer disposed between the race and the shaft defines a plurality of longitudinally disposed ball channels. An outer housing is mounted on the exterior of the race. A plurality of longitudinally disposed ball return channels are formed between the housing and the race. An annular chamber is formed in each end of the bearing between the race and the housing. Balls placed into the bearing do not entirely fill the space available for the balls in the ball channels, ball return channels, and annular chambers. During linear motion of the bearing relative to the shaft the balls behave substantially like a fluid in the sense that they randomly move from the annular chambers into the ball channels and ball return channels to fill available space. Approximately 2.

Abstract: A gearless speed and torque converter is disclosed wherein a first member or input member fixedly mounted to a rotatable input shaft has an Archimedes spiral groove-bearing surface. A second member or output member fixedly mounted to a rotatable output shaft has an Archimedes spiral groove-bearing surface which is complementary to the spiral groove-bearing surface of the input member and is disposed adjacent thereto. The Archimedes spiral groove of the output member has a pitch different from the pitch of the Archimedes spiral groove of the input member. The input shaft and the output shaft are coaxially mounted relative to one another. A plurality of balls are disposed between the respective spiral grooves and are held therein solely by virtue of being captured in the intersecting spaces of the spiral grooves. During rotation of the input member, the balls move on a spiral track at a rotational speed which is an average of the rotational speeds of the input and output members.

Abstract: A linear bearing assembly is disclosed wherein a plurality of roller members continuously circulate to provide area-to-area contact between the load bearing surfaces. A stationary member of the assembly is an elongated member such as a shaft having a curvilinear bearing surface preferably of convex cylindrical curvature. A bearing race which substantially surrounds the cross section of the shaft has in its interior a plurality of bearing surfaces of substantially the same curvature as the bearing surface of the shaft. The roller members are configured to be complementary to the bearing surfaces of the shaft and of the race, and to roll between said bearing surfaces. The race transmits the load carrying forces to a bearing housing to which an object, such as a machine part, is mounted. The bearing race and the housing jointly comprise channels wherethrough the rollers continuously return to occupy their operative positions between the bearing surfaces of the race and the shaft.

Abstract: A densitometer apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for accurately measuring the density of a liquid and particularly of a slurry flowing in a pipeline. The apparatus includes a pipe section which is coupled to the rest of the pipeline by substantially friction and resistance free hydrostatic bearings in such a manner that the pipe section is able to move, at least to a limited extent, in a direction parallel with the earth's gravitational field. The weight of the pipe section is accurately measured together with the weight of the slurry or liquid contained therein by load cells, strain gauges or the like. A unique flow velocity meter is also disclosed. The flow velocity meter includes two densitometers positioned at a predetermined distance from one another on the pipeline, and measures the time it takes a density fluctuation pattern to travel from one densitometer to another.