Abstract: An optical slip ring assembly couples an optic signal from a rotating source to a stationary detector. The rotor of the optical slip ring comprises rotor optic fibers each having a first end coupled with the optic signal source and a second light-emitting end which is aimed at the stator optic fibers. The stator optic fibers each have a first pickup end mounted in the stator block and are positioned in a radially symmetric array surrounding the rotor. An optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by the stator fibers.

Abstract: A shock and vibration sensitive switch includes two E-shaped electrodes mounted on opposite sides of a cavity. Two inertia weights are supported by the electrodes in an electrical parallel arrangement to provide redundant current paths. The redundant current paths allow proper switch operation in the event of failure of one of the current paths. The switch is hermetically sealed to prevent moisture and the contaminants outgassed by the switch lead wires from entering the interior of the switch.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining the concentration of oxygen in the product gas of an oxygen enriching system includes differential pressure regulator means for reducing the pressure of the product gas, for regulating the pressure of the product gas at a preset level, and for referencing the regulated pressure to atmospheric pressure. Solenoid valves allowing product gas to pressurize the monitoring system in a first condition and to allow product gas to vent the monitoring system to the atmosphere in a second condition are also included. Restrictive orifices upstream and downstream of a bed of molecular sieve material eliminate pressure spikes in the monitoring system.

Abstract: A contact mounting press for mating press fit electrical contacts with plated-through apertures in an electrical circuit board comprises a vertically displaceable press head which forcefully displaces the contacts into the plated-through apertures. The press head includes a device for gripping the contacts and a contact locator including a locating tool having a plurality of notches, and a wire which opposes the tool. The locating tool and the wire are brought together to positively locate each contact within one of the notches and the press head with the contact locator means are lowered in a rigid single motion to insert the ends of the contacts into the circuit board apertures. A control device separates the locating tool and the wire to disengage the contacts after the ends of the contacts have been inserted into the circuit board apertures, and further downward motion of the press head forcefully displaces the contacts into the circuit board to achieve a press fit.

Abstract: Self-contained breathing apparatus comprising a portable tank containing a supply of breathing air under high pressure, a main pressure regulator for reducing the pressure of air from the tank to a moderate level, a face mask having a demand valve mounted thereon which receives air from the main pressure regulator through a main supply hose and which controls the pressure and flow thereof to meet the users requirements, a bypass pressure regulator and flow control means which receives air from the tank and which controls the pressure and flow of air to the mask, through a separate bypass hose, to provide breathing air to the mask in the event of a fault in the main breathing circuit. The bypass hose is attached to the bypass pressure regulator and flow control by means of manually operable quick disconnect fitting, enabling emergency sharing of the air supply by a second, similarly equipped user.

Abstract: A locking pivot connection for removable ejector latches for an electrical connector comprises a pair of opposed pivot pins located on each end of the connector. Each pivot pin comprises two opposite flat sides and two opposite curved sides, the thickness of the pivot pin measured between the flat sides being less than the thickness of the pivot pin measured between the curved sides. A pair of circular pivot cups are located on opposite sides of the ejector latch, and a pair of entry slots on opposite sides of the ejector latch join the outer edge of the ejector latch with the pivot cups. The entry slots have a width slightly larger than the thickness of the pivot pin measured between the flat sides of the pivot pin to allow the ejector latch to be slid onto the pivot pins in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the flat sides of the pivot pins. The ejector latch may be locked onto the pivot pins by rotating the latch to skew the entry slots relative to the flat sides.

Abstract: A monitoring system for determining the concentration of oxygen in the product gas of an oxygen enriching system comprises a plurality of pneumatic nor gates. Means are provided for coupling the outlet port of each gate to the control port of the subsequent gate to form a closed loop and a plurality of molecular sieve beds are pneumatically connected one each to the control port of the nor gates. The molecular sieve beds adsorb oxygen from the product gas to attenuate the rate of pressure change in the control ports and thus, the oscillation frequency of the monitor. The oxygen concentration of the product gas may be inferred from the oscillation frequency of the monitor.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which receives the end of a fiber optic cable. The optic fiber of the cable is located in an axial bore in the terminal face of the ferrule, and an annular central portion defined by a groove which surrounds the axial bore is radially inwardly pinched to position the optic fiber in the center of the terminal face.

Abstract: A friction welding machine for welding first and second tubular workpieces together comprises a workhead assembly having a rotatable chuck for forcefully displacing the first workpiece into frictional engagement with the second workpiece. The workhead includes a shear mechanism having a shear tool mounted for selected displacement along the chuck's rotational axis. A shear cylinder of the shear mechanism positions the shear tool at a selected ready position within the first tubular workpiece preparatory to a welding operation, advances the shear tool upon completion of the welding operation into the second tubular workpiece thereby shearing the freshly formed internal weld flash, and retracts the shear tool to a remote position after shearing.

Abstract: An optical slip ring assembly couples an optic signal from a rotating source to a stationary detector. The rotor of the optical slip ring comprises a rotor optic fiber having a first end coupled with the optic signal source and a second end portion having one side adapted to form a light-emitting area of a selected length. The stator comprises a plurality of stator fibers each having a first pickup end and a stator block for mounting the fiber pickup ends in a radially symmetric array opposite the light emitting area of the rotor whereby an optic signal transmitted from the source through the rotor fiber is picked up by the stator fibers.

Abstract: A strip of body-carry electrical contacts formed by a progressive die from flat strip stock comprises a series of identical electrical contacts integrally joined by central contact carrier segments. The contact carrier segments are displaced relative to the plane of the contact strip such that the interface between each carrier segment and each electrical contact is partially severed. Accordingly, the contact strip will withstand normal manufacturing processes and the carrier segments may be removed from the contact strip to separate the contacts without a metal cutting operation.

Abstract: An improved mandrel chuck for the backstop assembly of a friction welding machine holds a first interiorly lobed workpiece as a second rotating workpiece is displaced into forceful engagement therewith. The improved chuck comprises a main body portion, an end portion rigidly fixed to the main body portion, and an intermediate portion mounted between the main body portion and the end portion, all of the chuck portions having similar exterior lobes in a configuration which complements the interior lobes of the first workpiece. A hydraulic actuator rotates the intermediate portion relative to the main body and end portions to interiorly grip the first workpiece wherein one end of the first workpiece projects from and is proximate to the chuck end portion, whereby the chuck will not contribute to any outward bowing or distortion of the workpiece end.

Abstract: A single channel optical slip ring assembly comprising first and second optic fibers, a first lens optically coupled to one end of the first optic fiber for collimating a light signal into a parallel light beam having a selected diameter substantially larger than the first and second optic fiber, a second lens optically coupled to one end of the second optic fiber for focusing a collimated light beam having the selected larger diameter into the second fiber end, and means for rotatably mounting the first lens to the second lens so that the lenses are axially aligned along the axis of rotation and are separated by a selected gap for axially transmitting a collimated light signal therebetween whereby the first and second fibers are optically coupled during relative rotation.

Abstract: A slip ring and brush assembly comprises a gold plated slip ring surface and a bundle of conductive fibers in the 2 to 3 mil size range. During use, gold transfers from the ring to the fibers, and the resulting gold-on-gold contact interface of ring and brush is extremely noise free and long wearing.

Abstract: Parallel columns of gas adsorbent beds to evolve an effluent gas enriched in a first component of a feed gas. Each column consists of the serial arrangement of a first bed of molecular sieve material selective to the first component, a plenum and a second bed of molecular sieve material selective of a second component of the feed gas. During one column pressurization the beds of another column are regenerated. More particularly, gas evolved from the second bed of the pressurized column is counterflowed through the second bed of the other column to the plenum of that column where it is subsequently mixed with feed gas and used as feed for the first bed of that column.

Abstract: A water conservation system for a plating line comprising a series of treatment tanks and a plurality of rinse tanks utilizes timed inlets for admitting fresh water to each of the rinse tanks for a short period of time immediately following the introduction of a part into the rinse tanks. A sediment tank receives the discharge from each of the rinse tanks via overflow ducts, and a holding tankreceives overflow from the sediment tank. The contents of the holding tank are transferred to a treatment tank for batch treatment. A logic circuit controls sampling and testing of the treatment tank to determine the PH condition thereof and to initiate the addition of a predetermined amount of an appropriate neutralizer to the treatment tank.

Abstract: A cant angle sensor comprises a conductive, nonmagnetic pendulum suspended from the shaft of a resolver for limited angular travel in the slot of a C-shaped magnet. When the angle of the sensor changes, the pendulum seeks a new vertical null, and the C-shaped magnet exerts a viscous hystersis damping force causing the pendulum to quickly come to rest without oscillation. The rotor magnet wire of the resolver is connected directly to output terminals to avoid friction due to brush contact on the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A single channel optical slip ring assembly comprising a hollow rotor shaft selectively dimensioned for receiving a fiber optic cable, a rotor bushing mounted in the rotor shaft and having an axial bore for receiving an optic fiber of a fiber optic cable, a stator cylindrical member selectively dimensioned for receiving a fiber optic cable, and having on one end an axially extending collar, a stator bushing mounted within the stator proximate the collar having an axial bore for receiving an optic fiber in each end thereof, means for rotatably mounting the bushing end of the rotor shaft within the collar of the stator cylindrical member so that the rotor bushing bore and the stator bushing bore are aligned along the axis of rotation and the bushings are separated by a selected gap, a gauging bore in the stator bushing which orthogonally intersects its axial bore, means in the stator cylindrical member for permitting access to the gauging bore, a stator fiber optic cable in the stator cylindrical member having

Abstract: A connector mounting press includes a vertically moveable insertion head and a moveable bed which supports a printed circuit board including a plurality of press fit connectors. The bed is indexable to locate a selected connector under the insertion head. Alignment pins on the insertion head accurately position the connector for receipt of a pair of combs which engage and individually press the contacts of the connector into the printed circuit board.