Abstract: In a state where a pair of protrusion portions of a ring portion is clamped by front end engagement portions of a pair of claw members (71) (72), the front end engagement portions of the pair of claw members are swung in a direction approaching each other about a pivotal supporting portion (80). A sliding body (77) slides with the contact of the front end engagement portion to the ring portion or to the protrusion portion thereof so as to follow a radial and circumferential displacement of the protrusion portion accompanying a diameter reduction of the ring portion.

Abstract: A tooling for fastening metal reinforcement on the leading edge of a turbine engine blade, the tooling including a blade support for receiving a blade while leaving surfaces of the leading edge of the blade disengaged; and a leading edge reinforcement support on which the blade support is designed to be mounted, and including two lateral wedges between which the metal reinforcement for the leading edge of the blade is positioned, the wedges being suitable for being capable of moving towards each other and apart from each other and each of them being provided with a suction grid for gripping the metal reinforcement, the leading edge reinforcement support further including heater elements for polymerizing an adhesive film applied on the leading edge surfaces of the blade.

Abstract: A main rotor blade assembly is provided including a spar which comprises a main section. A main core is positioned adjacent a trailing side of the main section of the spar. A tip assembly includes a main tip core and a tip end pocket core. The tip assembly is positioned adjacent an outboard end of the main core and the spar such that the main tip core is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the main core and the tip end pocket core is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the spar. At least a portion of both the main tip core and the tip end pocket core comprises a high density core. An upper composite skin and a lower composite skin extend over the spar, the main core, the main tip core, and the tip end pocket core. A portion of the upper composite skin and the lower composite skin has a thickness sufficient to be load bearing.

Abstract: A boot band for fixing a boot that is mounted to a constant velocity universal joint is clamped. The boot band and the constant velocity universal joint are aligned in phase with each other in a circumferential direction. An axial position of a clamping portion is thereafter aligned with an axial position of the boot band. Then, the boot band is clamped by the clamping portion.

Abstract: A wired circuit board assembly sheet has a plurality of wired circuit boards, distinguishing marks for distinguishing defectiveness of the wired circuit boards, and a supporting sheet for supporting the plurality of wired circuit boards and the distinguishing marks. Each of the distinguishing marks has an indication portion for indicating a specified one of the wired circuit boards.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, a rivet, and an elastic member. The second connecting member is positioned on the first connecting member, and defines a receiving groove. The rivet extends through the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and rivets the first connecting member and the second connecting member together. The rivet forms a riveting flange at an end adjacent to the second connecting member. The elastic member is received in the receiving groove of the second connecting member, and compressed by the riveting flange to generate a predetermined positive pressing force between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. A fastening device for manufacturing the fastening system is also provided.

Abstract: A self-raising form control system and method is provided that that may be used to form elevator shafts and other vertical building structures. The apparatus includes one or more form elements for defining an area to receive a formable material, such as concrete. Each element is attached to the form structure. A lift apparatus is provided for lifting the form elements. The lift apparatus comprises a measurement device for measuring the position of said lift apparatus relative to a fixed point. The lift apparatus is connected to the form structure. A control unit is provided for controlling the lift apparatus. The control unit is signal connected to the measurement device and is signal connected to the lift apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting device and a work method of the electronic component mounting device, capable of ensuring safety of an operator who accesses a work line through a door portion, and avoiding reduction of workability. A space defined by a base (11) and a cover member (14) is partitioned by a partition member (15) to define a plurality of work line storing spaces (SP1). A plurality of work lines (12) are stored in the respective work line storing spaces (SP1) individually. When any of a plurality of door portions (14a) provided in the cover member (14) so as to allow an access to an inside of the respective work line storing spaces (SP1) is opened, an operation of a work line (12) stored in a work line storing space (SP1) accessible through the opened door portion (14a) is stopped.

Abstract: An optimization apparatus capable of efficiently placing an electronic component. An optimization unit (203) determines a first assignment to the placement apparatus and calculates a first placement time required for placing all the electronic components assigned to the placement apparatus by the first assignment onto a circuit board by the placement apparatus. The optimization unit selects two placement apparatuses among a plurality of placement apparatuses, selects a type of an electronic component assigned for the selected placement apparatus, determines a second assignment by interchanging two selected times assigned, calculates a second placement time required for placing all the electronic components assigned to the placement apparatus by the second assignment onto the circuit board by the placement apparatus, and employs the one of the first assignment and the second assignment which has a smaller placement time.

Abstract: In a nuclear reactor, cooled by pressurized water, an apparatus is employed for replacing a section of a primary circuit primary pipe that interconnects first and second components of a primary circuit. The apparatus cuts out and removes a section of the primary pipe. Supports are provided for the end parts of a new replacement section in a position held by the removed pipe. The apparatus bevel welds the end parts of the new replacement section of the primary pipe to confronting corresponding ends of the remaining primary pipe. Means are provided to work within the pipe along the entire length of the interior surface of the primary pipe and is introduced through one of first and second components of the primary circuit to a location within the welded replacement pipe section.

Abstract: A truss fabrication system for fabricating trusses includes a table, a gantry press and an obstruction detection device. A top of the table receives truss components arranged with at least some connector plates engaging at least some of the truss members. The gantry press includes a gantry mounted for movement along a path relative to the table for pressing the connectors into the truss components for joining the truss members together. An obstruction detection device is mounted on the gantry for detecting obstructions in the path of the gantry. The detection device defines a vertical detection plane located a predetermined distance from the gantry and is adapted to detect the presence of all obstructions entering the plane at substantially the same time for stopping movement of the gantry.

Abstract: The maintenance device comprises a robot (2) for carrying out maintenance work in a remote-controlled or programmed way in the maintenance region. The robot (2) comprises a supporting part (2a) connected to a clamping support (3) secured to a means (4) of transporting the maintenance device (1) between an introductory region and the maintenance region. The clamping support (3) comprises clamping shoes (11, 13a, 13b) which can be moved in roughly parallel and opposite directions so as to clamp the maintenance device (1) in the maintenance region. The transport means (4) may be constructed in the form of a carriage comprising two motorized wheelsets. The device and the method of the invention make it possible in particular to carry out machining or inspection work inside primary pipes of a pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensing element in a sensing chamber defined by two cases, one of which is crimped to the other. An internal pressure of the chamber is affected by a crimping force. In the manufacturing process of the pressure sensor, the internal pressure is monitored during crimping the cases. To monitor the internal pressure, the sensing element of the pressure sensor is used. An output signal of the sensing element is sent to a crimping machine. The crimping machine controls a crimping force based on the output signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for assembling a polishing while inspecting for air leakage in the polishing head and an apparatus for performing the same. By the present invention, a polishing head may be tested for air leakage at each assembly step thereof, so that the polishing head may be assembled free of air leakage, thereby reducing testing time of the polishing head, and failure of the polishing head due to air leakage may be prevented. The apparatus includes a housing supporting the polishing head and having coupling lines coupled with ends of tubes provided in the assembled polishing head, or the polishing head being assembled. A pneumatic pressure regulating section selectively supplies positive pressure or vacuum to the tubes through the coupling lines. A sensor section detects the pressure and level of vacuum in the tubes. A determining section determines if there is air leakage in the polishing head.

Abstract: A first fixture of a transportable fixture apparatus incorporates a substantially porous first region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous first material layers, such as fuel cell layers, and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the first fixture and the first material layers. A second fixture incorporates a substantially porous second region adapted to receive one or more porous and/or non-porous second material layers and to facilitate formation of a vacuum between the second fixture and the second material layers. A stop arrangement protrudes from one or both of the first and second fixtures, and is situated peripheral to the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact. The stop arrangement defines a cavity adapted to effect compression of the first and second material layers when the first and second fixtures are brought into contact.

Abstract: A fixing band-tightening apparatus comprises a holding section for gripping a shaft section at both ends in an axial direction, the holding section being provided rotatably in a circumferential direction in accordance with a driving action of a rotary driving source, a stopper section arranged in a lateral direction substantially horizontal with respect to the holding section, for positioning a projection of a fixing band in the lateral direction except for a vertical direction, and a band-tightening section for forcibly nipping the projection of the fixing band positioned by the stopper section to tighten the fixing band.

Abstract: A fixing band-tightening apparatus comprises a holding section for gripping a shaft section at both ends in an axial direction, the holding section being provided rotatably in a circumferential direction in accordance with a driving action of a rotary driving source, a stopper section arranged in a lateral direction substantially horizontal with respect to the holding section, for positioning a projection of a fixing band in the lateral direction except for a vertical direction, and a band-tightening section for forcibly nipping the projection of the fixing band positioned by the stopper section to tighten the fixing band.

Abstract: A portion (14a, 14b) of a chip remover (14) is defined to be vibratory to give an NC machine tool (MT1) a vibration transferable onto a surface (FS) of a work (13) under a finishing by the NC machine tool (MT1), a decision is made whether the NC machine tool (MT1) enters the finishing, and vibration of the vibratory portion (14a, 14b) is controlled, as the decision is true.

Abstract: The safety device includes an opening/closing cover which isolates a takeout part and an accommodating part of a component feeder unit from each other and which has a sensor for detecting a closed state. The component feeder unit includes the component accommodating part, a feed-out part and the takeout part, and sensors for transmission through voids common to the plurality of set component feeder units. Upon a detection by any one of the sensors during the operation of the machine, the machine is halted. For replacement of the component feeder units, a changeover switch is pressed, by which the detecting function is paused for a specified time period. Thus, a safety device which allows the component feeder units to be replaced even during the operation of the machine can be obtained.

Abstract: A machine for automatically applying snap fasteners on a support, such as a fabric, comprises a sensor for sensing the instantaneous value of the riveting pressure applied to the machine punch elements.

Abstract: The safety device includes an opening/closing cover which isolates a takeout part and an accommodating part of a component feeder unit from each other and which has a sensor for detecting a closed state. The component feeder unit includes the component accommodating part, a feed-out part and the takeout part, and sensors for transmission through voids common to the plurality of set component feeder units. Upon a detection by any one of the sensors during the operation of the machine, the machine is halted. For replacement of the component feeder units, a changeover switch is pressed, by which the detecting function is paused for a specified time period. Thus, a safety device which allows the component feeder units to be replaced even during the operation of the machine can be obtained.

Abstract: A pressing device for joining workpieces has a pressing tool and a motorized drive for actuation of the pressing tool over a pressing distance, as well as a control device which has a drive control device for influencing the drive. The drive control device has a malfunction detection device which has an actual value sensor which is suitable for detecting, as the actual value, a physical magnitude which is correlated with the pressing resistance. At least one limit value profile for the actual value is retained in the malfunction detection device, and it has a comparison device which, during a pressing, checks whether the particular actual value lies on the permissible or impermissible side of the pertinent limit value profile. The malfunction detection device comprises a signal device and/or a shutdown device for the drive, which are/is activated if the actual value lies on the impermissible side of the pertinent limit value.

Abstract: A machine for automatically installing a molding strip onto the edge of a door panel. The door panel is covered with a soft, flexible material such as vinyl or cloth. The molding strip has a channel formed therein, which receives the edge of the door panel. A compression mechanism compresses the material in front of the molding strip as the molding strip is pushed by a drive mechanism onto the door panel edge the distance of the molding strip. The compression mechanism and the drive mechanism move in unison so that the compression mechanism is continuously compressing the material just in front of the molding strip as the strip is installed on the door panel edge.

Abstract: An electronic device mounting apparatus prevents an error at the setup time prior to startup of the apparatus and enables mounting of proper electronic devices without a mistake. A cartridge and a lane of a cartridge mounting rack have a cartridge side connector (upper electrode portion, connection plug, lower electrode portion) and a lane side connector (fixed plug) which are electrically connected when the cartridge is installed on the lane. An error detecting circuit is formed by employing these connectors as part thereof. The error detecting circuit determines whether or not the installation position of the cartridge is appropriate depending on the conductive state or non-conductive state from a power supply to a warning buzzer when the connectors are connected.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a leading-edge sheath onto a helicopter main rotor blade subassembly, including a lower assembly having a leading-edge sheath contour nest configured for supporting the leading-edge sheath, opposed carriage members connected to a base, wherein each of the opposed carriage members supports a plurality of suction cups and is capable of synchronized translational movement relative to the leading-edge sheath contour nest between an engaged position wherein the plurality of suction cups are in abutting engagement with the leading-edge sheath, and a disengaged position where the plurality of suction cups are disengaged from the leading-edge sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a helicopter main rotor blade subassembly which includes a lower airfoil skin, a core, an upper airfoil skin, and a spar assembly having a tip end and a root end, the apparatus including a lower assembly including a base having a contoured upper airfoil nest, wherein the contoured upper airfoil nest has a root end and a tip end, at least two guide ramps disposed proximal to the contoured upper airfoil nest, wherein at least one of the guide ramps is disposed proximal to the root end and at least one of the guide ramps is disposed proximal to the tip end, and a plurality of leading-edge pusher cams disposed proximal to the contoured upper airfoil nest.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade includes a compaction fixture for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath onto the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compaction fixture includes a lower assembly having a contoured upper airfoil nest mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly having a pressure bag affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combination to a structural support truss. The contoured upper airfoil nest includes a plurality of tooling pins for locating an upper composite skin in aligned combination on the contoured upper airfoil nest and a plurality of pusher pins for chordwise alignment of a spar assembly in the contoured upper airfoil nest. Spar stanchions affixed to the support structure provide spanwise alignment of the spar assembly in the contoured upper airfoil nest.

Abstract: A press and assembly machine has a die set which has guide posts securely mounted on a base plate, and a cylinder plate securely mounted on top portions of the guide posts, and a movable plate slidably mounted on the guide posts. A cylinder is mounted on the cylinder plate. A piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the movable plate. A pick-and-place device is mounted on the base plate. The pick-and-place device comprises a pair of guide rails mounted on the base plate at opposite sides of the lower die, opposite sliding members slidably mounted on the guide rails, a connecting member connecting the sliding members, a reciprocating cylinder for reciprocating the connected sliding members, and a plurality of gripping actuators provided on the opposite sliding members. The gripping actuator has opposite gripping cylinders, opposite gripping fingers operated by a piston rod of the corresponding cylinder for gripping a work. A parts-feeder is provided for feeding works one by one to the pick-and-place device.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade includes a compaction fixture for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath onto the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compaction fixture includes a lower assembly having a contoured upper airfoil nest mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly having a pressure bag affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combination to a structural support truss. With the upper and lower assemblies in locked combination, the pressure bag is pressurized to compact the assembled blade subassembly components. The sheath spreading/insertion apparatus includes a movable stanchion, upper and lower elongate carriage members mounted in synchronized movable combination with the stanchion, and a row of suction cups mounted in combination with each carriage member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling multiple component products using automated assembly equipment having predetermined locations for loading of components or component compartments. The invention includes a component identifier which reads indicia of component identity from components or component compartments, and a location indicator which indicates a proper location for loading and identified component or component compartment. The invention also contemplates a sensor that senses the placement of components or component compartments in the locations of the assembly machine, and a disabling device which disables the assembly machine if components or component compartments are misplaced.

Abstract: The system accordingly strictly accounts for all rivets and prevents a rivet from being removed for any reason and not accounted for. This assures that no free rivet will find itself within the workpiece being riveted.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cylindrical fuel pellets into tubular fuel rods includes pellet segregation means for detecting and segregating an undersized pellet prior to its entry into a fuel rod. The segregation means includes a pair of laterally separated guide rails adapted to support the lateral side edges of the advancing pellets, and such that a pellet of undersized diameter will drop to a level below that of the properly sized pellets. A lateral shoulder is positioned at the downstream end of the guide rails for engaging and holding any dropped pellet so that it cannot advance into the fuel rod. Also, a pellet deflecting plate is positioned at the upstream end of the guide rails, to interrupt the contact between adjacent pellets and thus assure that an undersized pellet is not carried along the guide rails by the adjacent pellets.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing automobiles, for example, has a plurality of self-propelled carriages for carrying workpieces respectively thereon, the self-propelled carriages having respective first emergency shutdown circuits, and a plurality of automatic machines for processing the workpieces on the self-propelled carriages, respectively, the automatic machines having respective second emergency shutdown circuits, respectively. When one of the self-propelled carriage malfunctions, the first emergency circuit thereon is energized to interrupt movement of the self-propelled carriage along the production line, and operation of the automatic machine which processes the work-piece on the stopped self-propelled carriage is stopped in response to a signal which energizes the first emergency shutdown means on the self-propelled carriage.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting apparatus using a band carrier for feeding electronic parts incrementally, the carrier being a strip having many recesses disposed at equal intervals each holding an electronic part and a tape covering the recesses. The apparatus has a support for horizontally supporting the carrier with the coating tape on the top side; a separator for separating the tape from the carrier; and a pickup device for picking up the electronic parts one by one from the recesses in the carrier and by carrying the electronic parts and placing them in position on a circuit board for continuously and stably mounting the electronic parts on the circuit board.

Abstract: An automatic piercing nut assembling arrangement mounted at a ram of a press together with ordinary stamping dies and/or other assembling arrangements of the same type. A device is provided for temporarily suspending an automatic supply of piercing nuts to the assembling arrangement when it is necessary to suspend the operation of the press ram and/or press due to working conditions in the other devices on the press ram and/or the press. The device is effective so as to cause a punch of the automatic piercing nut assembling arrangement to physically block the piercing nuts so as to prevent the piercing nuts from entering a feed path of the punch.

Abstract: In a quilting machine adapted to drive two mating parts of a quilting button through a work piece and engage these parts, an improved button part holder has spring-loaded pivotally-mounted retainers for holding a male button part and evenly releasing same as the part is very rapidly driven from the holder by the machine.

Abstract: A machine for inserting quilting buttons of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,174 includes a male button drive mechanism and a female button drive mechanism in axial alignment with positive and rapid acting button feed means for very rapidly driving a female button part through a pad or the like and driving the male button part into the female button part so as to secure the quilting button in extension through such a pad. The invention is particularly directed to very rapid quilting operations.

Abstract: In the operation of punching a performed stop blank onto a pair of coupled fastener stringers placed over a stationary die, a sensor is provided which moves up and down over the die to sense mechanically the presence of any foreign matter such as the operator's fingers between the punch and die. The punch is permitted to descend fully onto the stringers on the die only after the sensor has completed its downward stroke. In the apparatus of the invention the up-and-down motion of the punch is effected as by an air cylinder via a lever, and the sensor is coupled to another lever which is spring loaded to follow the motion of the punch lever, in such a manner that the sensor travels faster than the punch. Limit switches are employed to prevent the full descent of the punch where necessary.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade includes a compaction fixture for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath onto in combination with the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compaction fixture includes a lower assembly having a contoured upper airfoil nest mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly having a pressure bag affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combination to a structural support truss. The contoured upper airfoil nest includes a plurality of tooling pins for locating an upper composite skin in aligned combination on the contoured upper airfoil nest and a plurality of pusher pins for chordwise alignment of a spar assembly in the contoured upper airfoil nest. Spar stanchions affixed to the support structure provide spanwise alignment of the spar assembly in the contoured upper airfoil nest.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade includes a compaction fixture for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath onto in combination with the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compaction fixture includes a lower assembly having a contoured upper airfoil nest mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly having a pressure bag affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combination to a structural support truss. With the upper and lower assemblies in locked combination, the pressure bag is pressurized to compact the assembled blade subassembly components. The sheath spreading/insertion apparatus includes a movable stanchion, upper first and lower second elongate carriage members mounted in synchronized movable combination with the stanchion, and a row of suction cups mounted in combination with each carriage member.