Abstract: Wear resistant articles, especially valve seat inserts for internal combustion engines, are produced as sintered metal compacts comprising interspersed microzones of prealloyed austenitic stainless steel and softer ferrous metal, the microzones of austenitic stainless steel containing carbides and carbonitrides. The sintered compacts can be made by forming a green compact from prealloyed austenitic stainless steel powder atomizate blended with softer powdered ferrous metal component and powdered carbon, and sintering the green compact.

Abstract: A device (100) for calibrating load cells is provided. Device (100) features an intermediate chamber (8) providing fluid communication between spaced-apart fluid chambers (4) and (6). Chambers (4) and (6) have respective upper open ends (5) and (7) with chamber (4) connected to a plunger member (12) by a flexible seal (14) and chamber (6) connected to a plunger member (20) by a flexible seal (18) such when dead weights W.sub.1, 2 . . . n are placed upon plunger (12) fluid pressure exerts an upward force (F) against plunger (20) for calibrating a load cell (2) placed between plunger (20) and a rigid frame (21) that is defined by the equation:F=(A.sub.R /A.sub.P)(W.sub.1, 2 . . . n +W.sub.P -S.sub.P)-W.sub.R -S.sub.RWhere:A.sub.R =area of plunger (20)A.sub.P =area of plunger (12)W.sub.P =weight of plunger (12)S.sub.P =resistance force of seal (14)W.sub.R =weight of plunger (20)S.sub.R =resistance force of seal (18).

Abstract: A releasable fastener (40) is provided that includes a base member (2) having a compressible portion (12) at one end adapted to be inserted into an opening in a panel or the like when compressed and to secure the fastener to the panel upon expansion and having means such as an open ended portion (6) extending from an opposite end thereof adapted to secure an article to the fastener as well as including a latch means (22) extending from body member (2) for engaging portion 12 and holding it in a compressed state to facilitate simultaneous removal of fasteners (40) from the panel opening when a plurality of such fasteners are involved.

Abstract: Provided is an improved fluid operated clutch control system (80) of the normally disengaged type and control system (100) of the normally engaged type that both employ a control valve (22) operative to selectively provide a fluid signal from a fluid pressure supply source (24) to a first fluid operated actuator preferably in the form of a piston (9) operative in the case of system (80) to overcome a reslient biasing device (26) and move the clutch to the engaged condition upon receipt by the control valve of an actuating signal normally provided either by depression of a clutch pedal (50) for a standard transmission or by a sensor (52, 53) for an automatic transmission and in the form of a piston (9A) for system (100) operative to overcome a resilient biasing device (26A) and move the clutch to the disengaged condition.

Abstract: A headlight adjuster gear assembly (100) is provided having a pair of angularly oriented intermeshed gear members comprising a driven gear member (4) adapted to be rotated and cause rotation of a driving gear member (4) which is operable upon rotation to adjust a vehicular headlight. Gear members (2, 4) are enclosed by a pair of housing members (80, 90) that are hinged together at one end and fastened at an opposite end by pins (28) or other suitable means to prevent loss of either or both housing members (80, 90) upon their detachment as well as provide improved resistance to their separation from torque arising during the adjusting process.

Abstract: A method of installing foil type electrical strain gages wherein adhesive is applied and the gage pressed about is periphery to provide a fluid pressure seal. The gage and the structure are then pressurized directly in a fluid pressure vessel chamber and the pressure maintained while the vessel is heated to provide full curing of the adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing different gear reduction ratios between a pinion gear (4) and ring gear (8) of a vehicular axle transmission (40) by application of trigonometric formulae heretofore thought unsuitable for such purpose.

Abstract: A clutch control system and clutch assembly utilizing same includes a comparator (10) for receiving a signal (A) corresponding to actual engine speed from a sensor member (6) and a signal (D) corresponding to desired engine speed from a sensor member (8) to provide an output signal (A-D). Signal (A-D) is provided to a summer (16) as well as a differentiator (14) which operates upon (A-D) to provide the differential with respect to time ##EQU1## which is received by summer (16) which provides the function signal ##EQU2## to an actuator (2) which utilizes the functional signal to control clutch (4). The functional signal may also include one or more weighting factors such as (K.sub.1) to control the magnitude of signals (A) and/or (D) and/or (A-d) and/or ##EQU3## in the manner desired.

Abstract: A dual station printer mechanism (10) including a first feed roller (22), a second feed roller (24), drive means (16) having an output shaft (20) for driving the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) and coupling means in the form of one-way clutches (34, 36) for selectively coupling and decoupling the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) from the output shaft of the drive means. Mechanism (10) further preferably includes a first pressure roller (68) normally biased against first feed roller (22) and a second pressure roller (80) normally biased against second feed roller (24) for enabling effective movement of first and second data carriers respectively therebetween to a position between a printhead 70 and a print bar 72 at which printing occurs.

Abstract: A constant bending moment device (70) for strain gauge measurement of a force (F) upon an object (32) by means of bending moment. Device (70) is provided with a base member (30) that is adapted to engage object (32) and has a pair of spaced-apart column members (34, 36) extending away from the side of base member (30) facing away from object (32). Column members (34, 36) have respective substantially parallel neutral axis (38, 40) and respective moment arms (37, 39) that extend generally orthogonally towards each other in overhanging relationship to base member (30) and merge at a common portion (24) therebetween having a loading axis (46) that is substantially parallel to neutral axis (38, 40) and equidistant therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster (60) employs a drive member (22) having a helical groove (28) into which a pin (42) extends from a fixed frame (10) to transfer a rotational torque to a reaction member (30) secured to an adjustment nut member (12) for rotating and enabling nut member (12) upon application of the brake to advance a thrust member (2) threadingly engaged with nut member (12) a distance sufficient to maintain a substantially constant clearance between a frictional layer (5) and a surface (6) to be braked. An engagement means such as frictional layer (33) is disposed between drive member (22) and reaction member (30) and groove 28 is provided with an inclination angle (.theta.) such that the combination enables slippage to occur between members (22) and (30) upon engagement between surface (6) and frictional layer (5).

Abstract: Disclosed is a shift control (60) for operating an automatic engine transmission from a remote location preferably by means of a flexible cable (12) that is adapted to prevent an operator from shifting from and through a neutral position (N) while the engine speed is above a predetermined value. Shift control (60) has a control arm (2) that when moved in opposite directions in a plane along a frame (3) to various gear positions is operable to rotate a plate (26) having an arcuate extension (28) having an opening (32) therethrough through which a pin (34) is able to extend and prevent movement of arm (2) when the engine speed is above the predetermined value and which in a retracted condition preferably maintains a sliding contacting relationship with extension (28).

Abstract: A holographic method for determining rotational effects upon either gear of gears (1, 2) of a gear set having respective mutually orthogonal rotational axis (C.sub.1, C.sub.2). Particularly, a holographic recording medium or element 12 is secured to gear (1) so that is rotates in synchronization therewith about axis (C.sub.1). Gear (2) is illuminated by a pulsed collimated light beam (L) emitted from a source (14) such as a laser. Beam (L) is reflected from gear (2) as object beam (0) substantially parallel to axis C.sub.2 and means such as a semi-reflective mirror 16 having a slit (18) is provided for directing a reference beam (R) and object beam (0) towards element (12). Development of element (12) after exposing it to beams (R and 0) at two different rotational conditions provides interference lines (f.sub.1, f.sub.2) enabling a viewer of the holographic image of gear 2 to determine the effect of rotation thereupon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic brake adjustment assembly (50) for maintaining a desired disengaged clearance (c) between a frictional brake lining (17) and a moveable object to be braked. Assembly (50) includes a cam member (2) that is moved in opposite axial directions upon the respective engagement and disengagement of the brake by the operator causing a cam follower (10) to move a nut (16) in corresponding opposite axial directions which in turn is threadingly engaged with and operates to move a piston (18) in opposite axial directions along a frame (24) and accordingly cause brake lining (17) to move towards and away from the object to be braked.

Abstract: A tactile load sensing transducer for providing a continuous electrical readout indicative of the contact and the location of the load on a load receiving plate substantially simply supported by a plurality of reaction supports on the member. Each reaction support includes a member having a preferably integrally formed connecting portion of reduced transverse section so as to be substantially incapable of resisting moments generated by load plate deflection. Each support preferably has a generally "L" shaped configuration with the preferably integrally formed plate connecting portion formed adjacent the free end of one leg of the "L" so as to create bending strains in the support. Strain gages are provided on each support to sense the bending strains therein and, the gages on each support are connected in a common Wheatstone bridge to provide an indication of the reaction load on the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic slack adjuster (50) for maintaining a substantially constant clearance (C) between a braking member and a rotatable braking surface in a brake released condition between a braking member (8) having a frictional layer (1) and a rotatable braking surface (12) of the type including an elongate power screw (2) having threads (4) threadingly engaged with threads of a rotatable nut member (6). Clearance (C) is maintained upon application of the brake by an operator by means of an adjustment member (16) that is preferably in splined engaged relationship with nut member (18) and causes nut member (6) to rotate and advance braking member (8) in a clearance correcting direction upon application of the brake of an operator by means of a drive train driven by power screw (2) preferably comprising a first drive means (20) integral with power screw (2), rack means (22), second drive means (24) and third drive means (34) operably engaged with adjustment member (16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a stroboscopic method of determining the quality of meshing between respective teeth of two or more gears. By way of example, a method is disclosed by which a standard is established by directing an adjustable pulse rate light beam (L) from a stroboscopic light source (18) towards a region (R) generally encompassing the location of meshed engagement between respective teeth (6; 8) of a pair of gears (2, 4) rotating at a predetermined rpm that are selected on the basis that they possess degree of mesh engagement quality desired for such gear pairs.

Abstract: A load plate is rigidly supported by a central pedestal strain gaged for bending about a central axis. In one embodiment, the pedestal is mounted to the center of a yoke bar supported by two legs strain gaged for comprehensive loads only the sum of which is indicative of the magnitude of the plate load. The legs are supported by base webs strain gaged for bending about a central axis orthogonal to the axis of pedestal bending. The output of the bending strain gages enables determination of the coordinates of the load location on the plate from the central axis axes.In a second embodiment, the pedestal is supported by a block rigidly attached to the end of a cantilevered member extending at right angles from the pedestal. The cantilever member is strain gaged at two longitudinal stations for reading the differential of the bending strain to thereby determine the shear loading, or plate tactile load.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical shifter (80) for use with a hydraulic transmission (62) of the type employing a clutch and having first and second valve members (C, D) that in the same and opposite open and closed conditions provide at least one range of gear ratios for driving an output member such as an engine drive shaft (64). Shifter (80) includes a control arm (9) positionable by an operator along a frame (10) that includes a pin (24) operated by an actuator (32) which extends into an arcuate cam opening (22) in frame (10) operative to prevent arm (9) from being moved from a highest gear ratio of a first range of gear ratios beyond a lowest gear ratio of a second range of gear ratios without disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: An improved rotary transducer (60) featuring a rotary member (2) rotatably mounted in a housing (4). Member (2) is preferably provided with a section (8) adapted to enhance measurement of stresses or other parameters of interest imposed upon member (2) under operating conditions preferably by means of one or more strain gages (32) forming one or more legs of a wheatstone bridge preferably mounted on member (2). Excitation voltage for the wheatstone bridge and/or the output voltage therefrom is delivered across an electromagnetic field between a magnetic stator member (16) fixed to housing (4) and a rotor member (18) secured to member (2).