Abstract: The hydraulic coupler is used for connecting a valve to a tool used with a vehicle having a hydraulic pump and fluid communication with the valve through hydraulic plumbing. The hydraulic coupler comprises a coupler body having a base portion, a neck portion and a connector portion. The coupler body is two connector chambers in the connector portion which arc in fluid communication with two apertures, which when the hydraulic coupler is mounted on the valve, are in fluid communication with the valve. A connector assembly, typically of the quick-connect type, is mounted in each connector chamber and is configured to receive hydraulic plumbing to connect the valve to the tool. One embodiment provides that the coupler body is narrower than the valve on which it is mounted.

Abstract: This invention includes an undercarriage support and adjustment system for a tracked vehicle having first and second elongated outwardly extending members coupled to the vehicle, a first undercarriage bearing support coupled to the vehicle between the first and second outwardly extending members, and an undercarriage bearing support member slidingly coupled to the outer ends of the two support members and having a second undercarriage bearing support.

Abstract: A PTO assembly that supplies rotational motion to at least one piece of equipment used in conjunction with a power source. The power source can be mounted on a work vehicle or in a power station. The PTO assembly is coupled to the output shaft of the power source and comprises a PTO housing with an input shaft and an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced apart parallel relationship. Each shaft has mounted on it three gears with corresponding gears on each shaft intermeshed. The input shaft has the three fixed drive gears. The output shaft has a high gear ratio gear and an intermediate gear ratio gear mounted to freewheel until engaged to the output shaft by a splined shift hub moved by a single shift fork. The output shaft also has a low gear ratio gear mounted on an overrunning clutch which allows the low driven gear to freewheel when either of the high driven gear or the intermediate driven gear is engaged to the output shaft.

Abstract: A variable metering fluid control valve comprising a valve body having at least one work port and one exhaust port with the ports in fluid communication with a spool bore and an exhaust core, said exhaust core having an exhaust core land and a reciprocating valve spool in the spool bore to control communication of fluid between the work port and the exhaust core, with said valve spool having a land portion with a plurality of variable length metering notches, wherein the land portion of the valve spool remains in contact with the exhaust core land through the full stroke of the valve spool. The variable length metering notches may be varied in width, depth, and cross-section so that precise control of the fluid system is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the ride of a load carrying vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor, a controller, and an adjustable accumulator assembly. The sensor measures a load on a load holding hydraulic circuit. The controller is operatively connected to the adjustable accumulator assembly. The controller is capable of adjusting the precharge pressure in the accumulator in response to the load measured by the sensor.

Abstract: An improved rotary shaft seal assembly is disclosed herein. The seal assembly is disclosed in combination with an example of transmission components with which it may be used. The assembly provides a rotary seal for fluid flow between a stationary cylinder and a shaft which rotates within the cylinder. The shaft includes a porting groove and seal grooves on each side of the porting groove. The seal grooves each include a cast iron and a polymeric (such as Teflon®) seal which form seals between the shaft and cylinder on both sides of the porting groove.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for assembling two, mating, threaded containers. The threaded end of the first container is disposed in the threaded port of the second container. The second container is clamped to prevent rotation of the second container. A cam is rotated to engage a torque-applying assembly to produce relative movement between the clamp assembly and the torque-applying assembly. This effects sequential engagement and disengagement of the torque-applying assembly and the first container. The torque-applying assembly is rotated relative to the clamp assembly while engaged with the first container to effect threaded engagement of the containers.

Abstract: An intravenous container has a siphoning port which permits use with differently sized piercing pins. The container has an access port through which the piercing pin is inserted into the container. A siphon area is provided which is in operative relationship with the access port, is dimensioned to accommodate the piercing pin, and which is in fluid communication with the solution in the container. The piercing pin is inserted into the container through the access port and positioned within the siphon area to create a siphoning effect for maximizing the use of the solution in the container.

Abstract: A sealing device for providing a seal between two relatively rotatable bearing components includes an annular ring having a radially inner and a radially outer flange. The flanges extend axially to define an annular channel. An annular wiper element is disposed in the channel so as to axially extend beyond the flanges. The annular ring is positioned axially adjacent to the rotational interface between the two bearing components so that the annular ring rotates with one bearing component and the wiper element is in surface contact with the other bearing component.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool has a one-piece metal tube forming an air motor cylinder and an associated air inlet plenum. Air passages are formed between an inner housing, molded in situ about the motor cylinder tube, and an outer housing separately molded. The inner and outer housings are both formed from a non-metal composite material which contributes to operator comfort by its light weight, thermal insulation, vibration damping, and noise suppressing properties. The tool may be assembled to provide forward exhaust, rearward exhaust, or combined forward and rearward exhaust.

Abstract: An energy efficient steam rolled grain mill includes a preheater chamber, a steam chest, a roller mill and a cooler and dryer chamber. The cooler and dryer chamber is in direct head exchange relationship with the preheater chamber.

Abstract: When tensioning a gasketed joint, the drive system applies rotational force to a threaded fastener while the monitor and control unit continuously compares a torque-related variable to a shutoff point. When the shutoff point is reached the control system reduces the drive system power, preferably to zero. After a preselected time pause the drive system is re-energized and applies another torque application until the torque-related variable again reaches the shutoff point. When the gasket is adequately compressed so that further torque applications cause insignificant increases in gasket compression, the tensioning operation is terminated. Feedback is provided by tension-related variables such as incremental angle of turn and/or incremental elapsed time of the torque application to determine when the tensioning cycle is complete.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a vane motor has a cylindrical rotor body having front and rear shafts extending axially from the front and rear rotor faces, respectively. The rotor is rotatably supported in front and rear bearings and has radial slots extending axially along the rotor body. Radially slidable vanes are provided in each radial slot, and a rear end plate is fixed to the rear face of the rotor body so as to rotate with the rotor and to completely close the slots on the rear face of the rotor. A spacer is provided at the front face of the rotor body to provide clearance for a front end plate which radially circumscribes the front spacer so as to close the radial slots at the front face while still permitting relative rotation between the spacer and the front end plate. The spacer may be integrally formed with the shaft or may be of a separate piece fitting to the shaft.

Abstract: A roller element for a powered-roller tarnsfer system has a plurality of lubricant pressure relief areas about or in the bearing surface to increase and provide consistent rotary drive power transmitted from a powered axle to the roller.

Abstract: A tilt valve cartridge for a pneumatic mechanism has a cylindrical housing having two open ends, an annular valve seat secured in one open end, a valve member in tiltable contact with the annular seat and having a valve stem which extends through the valve seat and protrudes from the end of the cylinder, a spring to hold the valve member in a normally closed relationship with the valve seat, a sealing element secured to the cylindrical housing on its exterior surface so as to seal the interface between the cartridge and the mechanism, and retention feature to capture the valve member and valve biasing spring within the cylindrical cartridge. The modular cartridge feature simplifies installation and replacement of the valve in the inlet air passage of the pneumatic mechanism.

Abstract: A radical flow mechanism is provided having a symmetric housing assembly defining a hollow rotor chamber. A symmetric shaft and rotor assembly is supported for rotation in the rotor chamber. A plurality of radial flow paths are defined by the rotor and the housing assembly. The assembled module may be powered by a pressurized motive fluid that flows radially inward to rotate the rotor. Alternatively, the rotor may be driven by an external power source so that a working fluid increases in potential energy as it moves centrifugally outward. The assembled module is symmetric about the rotor member so that the rotor can be orientated for either direction of rotation and so that power takeoff or power connection can be to either side of the module. Also, the module is constructed so that the seals are located at an interface having a low pressure differential and the bearings are located adjacent an area encouraging heat dissipation.

Abstract: The powered ratchet wrench 10 is constructed of several components. A throttle lever 20 controls the air flow to a rotary air motor 30. The rotary output of the motor is transmitted to the hammer assembly 40 of an impact clutch mechanism. A spring 50 biases an anvil shaft 60 into association with the hammer assembly 40. The anvil can be directly driven by the motor through the hammer assembly or can be driven intermittently by a series of rotational impacts from the hammer assembly. The rotation of the anvil shaft causes the reversible ratchet mechanism 70 to rotate in the desired direction, thus tightening or removing a threaded fastener. Only a small reaction force is transmitted by the tool to the operator once the fastener is tightened.

Abstract: A containment system for a radial flow turbine assembly includes a housing assembly, and a turbine rotor journalled for rotation about an axis and having a hub portion and a generally tapering disc portion extending radially outward from the hub portion. An annular nozzle assembly normally secured in the housing assembly against rotation forms a tapered rotor chamber within which the rotor rotates with minimum axial and radial clearance between the rotor and the chamber. A plurality of support struts extend axially inward from the nozzle assembly to a minimal axial and radial clearance with the hub portion of the rotor and forms a first stage of containment. The rotor must first break through the nozzle struts and separate the nozzle assembly. A rotatable nozzle assembly then absorbs some of the force by rotating in the housing assembly and containment ring. An armored containment ring stops the fragments that escape the nozzle assembly and finally, an outer housing provides still further containment.

Abstract: The powered ratchet wrench 10 is constructed of several components. A throttle lever 20 controls the air flow to a rotary air motor 30. The rotary output of the motor is transmitted to the hammer assembly 40 of an impact clutch mechanism. A spring 50 biases an anvil shaft 60 into association with the hammer assembly 40. The anvil can be directly driven by the motor through the hammer assembly or can be driven intermittently by a series of rotational impacts from the hammer assembly. The rotation of the anvil shaft causes the reversible ratchet mechanism 70 to rotate in the desired direction, thus tightening or removing a threaded fastener. Only a small reaction force is transmitted by the tool to the operator once the fastener is tightened.