Abstract: A pair of springs (14, 22) provide counteracting rotational bias to a movable contact arm (8) pivotally supported on a latched lever (10). A handle (4) is manually operable for reducing the force applied by one spring (22) to effect contact (6a, 8b) opening as a result of force applied by the other spring (14). Current sensing means (28, 34, 28a) are operable to release the latched lever (10) for releasing the pivot point (12) of the movable contact arm (8) whereby both springs (14, 22) work in a common direction to rapidly separate the contacts (6a, 8b). Arc gases are exhausted in the direction of separating movement of the movable contact arm (8) to utilize forces associated with arc gas pressure in a cummulative manner with the forces provided by springs (14, 22) to further increase the contact separation speed.

Abstract: An eddy current coupling (11) includes a housing (13, 15, 17), a rotor member (29), inductor drum means (25) rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the rotor member and coil means (41) for electro-magnetically coupling the rotor member and inductor drum means. The housing includes a non-circular central portion (13) having an opening at both ends thereof which is expandable in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation and first (15) and second (17) end members. The central portion of the housing defines a chamber (80) for receiving the rotor member, inductor drum means and coil means. The first and second end members include pilot surfaces (84, 90) thereon.

Abstract: A fluid jet ejector, such as is used in an inkjet printer head, is provided by a pair of spaced capacitor plates, one of which is a thin diaphragm, preferably of semiconductor material, such as silicon. The capacitor plates may be photolithographically developed. Impressing a time varying voltage on the capacitor causes the diaphragm to be set into mechanical motion. A reservoir containing fluid, such as ink, is contiguous the diaphragm and has a nozzle through which fluid exits responsive to diaphragm motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved semi-conductive heating cable having semi-conductive material surrounded by a jacket that is imparted with improved resistance to color change upon exposure to elevated temperatures and is able to minimize changes in the ambient electrical resistivity of the semi-conductive composition arising from exposure of the cable to elevated temperatures by reason of the jacket being made from a radiation crosslinked composition comprising a mixture of at least one elastomer with at least one polyolefin and at least one heat stabilizer wherein the preferred elastomer comprises either or both a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and at least one diene or an ethylene propylene rubber and the polyolefin is a polypropylene polymer.

Abstract: A thermally responsive shape memory effect (SME) element (4) is positioned adjacent a fixed heater (40) for moving away from the heater to a switch actuating "memory" position as current induced temperature increases, thereby establishing changes in heat transfer coefficient between the heater (40) and thermally responsive element (4) for each increment of movement. An intermediate switch actuating lever (22) is carried on a movable range adjustment lever (16) to vary pretravel of an SME driven plunger (12). The SME element is resettable against a fixed stop (2c) for achieving accurate repetitive resetting of the device.

Abstract: A constant load and constant contact force snap-action switch having a normally-closed movable operate contact on a flipper blade which has a compression strip that snaps through an S-curvature to a reverse buckled state to trip the operate contact open. The flipper blade is coupled through an insulating cap to the leaf spring mounted movable alarm contact to close the latter at the same time. A return spring biased reset lever resets the operate contacts on depression down a first amount, opens the operate contact without closing the alarm contacts on depression down a second amount for stop purposes, and trips the operate contacts open on lifting upwards for test purposes. On reset, lost motion in the coupling cap knocks the alarm contact open if welded. A selector is settable to select any of three functions for the reset lever, (1) reset-stop-test, (2) auto reset stop, or (3) reset test.

Abstract: A solenoid (28) is mounted to a frame (26) secured to panel mounting clips (24) of a pushbutton switch for snap-on attachment to the switch housing (2). The switch has a hollow central chamber and a hole (32) is formed in the lower end (6) adjacent the solenoid (28) whereby an operator cap (10) may be removed and a headed coupling rod (34) inserted through the hollow chamber of the switch to project out the hole (32) for connection to the solenoid plunger (28b). The operator cap (10) is subsequently replaced to permit manual operation of the switch or remote operation wherein the solenoid (28) is energized to pull the pushbutton operator (4) to a depressed position.

Abstract: A shape memory effect (SME) spring (20) is thermally responsive to currents sensed in itself or in a heater element (66) to pivot an actuator (16) against a bias spring (22) to operate a switch (32) in response to sensed currents above a given level. The actuator (16), bias spring (22) and SME spring (20) are carried by a pivotally mounted support beam (12) which is driven by an ambient temperature compensation mechanism (40,52) to change the amount of switch actuating travel of the actuator (16) in response to ambient temperature changes. The ambient temperature compensation mechanism comprises a pivotal lever (42,54) translationally coupled (42a,54a, 12b) to the support beam (12). In a first embodiment the lever (42,54) is driven by a temperature sensitive bimetal (46), and in a second embodiment it is driven by a temperature sensitive SME spring (58) biased to a reference position by an adjustable (62) spring (60).

Abstract: A variable mechanical advantage/variable effective length shifting mechanism (30) is provided, preferably for shifting a synchronized positive clutch transmission. A compound mechanism comprises a first member (34) in the form of a variable mechanical advantage/variable effective length first class lever having a first lever portion (34), a second lever portion (42) and a fixed pivot axis (38), and a second member (44) in the form of a second class lever pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (70) extending substantially parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis. A pivot pin (48) extending substantially parallel to the first and second pivot axis is slidably received in axially extending slots (46 and 84) provided in the first and second members, respectively. A resilient biasing member (58) is provided for resiliently biasing the pivot pin axially away from the first pivot axis and axially toward the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A positive drive and an improved clutch actuating mechanism for use therein is disclosed. The positive drive has a housing (10) retaining a pair of spaced drive clutches (54 and 56) which lock a pair of axles (18 and 20), respectively, to housing (10) for one-to-one rotation. The clutches are moved from the disengaged to the engaged mode by axial movement of drive couplings (30 and 32) which include cam members (38 and 40) respectively. Input torque is transmitted from the housing to the cam members by means of a shaft (48) and the axial forces required to engage the clutches are transmitted from the shaft to the cam members through engagement of a shaft cam surface (49) and a ramp cam surface (51). In accordance with the invention, the engaging cam surfaces are defined by a common locus of generating lines (101-106) such that the cam surfaces are in surface-to-surface contact, rather than line contact or point contact, over the entire range of pivotal movement of the shaft, relative to the cam member.

Abstract: A dual vacuum control signal generator (10) is supplied by separate vacuum sources (34, 85) and employes a solenoid coil operative upon receipt of modulated pulses (148) for switching a valve member (192) between opposing vent seats (142, 196) for controlling venting to create plural vacuum output control signals supplied to connectors (16, 14) for connection through conduits (68, 78) to separate vacuum actuators (60, 70) for individually controlling the position of engine carburetor fuel metering rod (49) and idle mode throttle position cam (88).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing heat conduction between an article being treated in a vacuum and a support member by providing a gas under pressure of about 0.5 to 2.0 Torr between the article and the support member. The method and apparatus are described for use in a semiconductor wafer ion implantation system wherein the wafer is clamped to the support member which is cooled. A seal can be provided between the wafer and the support member adjacent the periphery of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the atomic mass of ion species selected by the analyzing magnet (14) of an ion implanter (10). A signal proportional to the magnetic field of the analyzing magnet is obtained by means of a rotating coil (36), and this signal is used to calculate the atomic mass by means of the equation: Atomic Mass=KB.sup.2 /V where B is the magnetic field, V is the ion beam energy at the analyzing magnet, and K is a proportionality constant. The rotating coil (36) is driven by a synchronous motor (38) powered by A.C. line voltage, and the output voltage is converted to a frequency signal proportional to the magnetic field and the line frequency. The frequency signal is counted over a time corresponding to the period of the line frequency to cancel out the line frequency dependence of the frequency signal. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a microprocessor is utilized to evaluate the B and V signals and to calculate the atomic mass.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated speed governor (26) moves an engine throttle member (10) for controlling the speed of a vehicle. The governor includes a pneumatically operated actuator having an output connected to the engine throttle member. A pivotally mounted valve member (44) is positioned intermediate a vacuum supply orifice (46) and an atmospheric air orifice (48) and supplies a pneumatic signal to the actuator. An internal speed sensor (82) responsive to vehicle speed has an output member (100) which reacts against an improved, self-wiping minimum speed switch (102) and a set-speed control member (52) which in turn reacts against the pivotally mounted valve member (44) for varying the position of the valve member as the vehicle speed tends to fall below or rise above a predetermined set speed.

Abstract: A brake system for wheeled vehicles, especially lift trucks having one motorized drive wheel driven by a vertically mounted electric motor through a gear train. The axis of the motor is offset from the steering axis of the wheel and a disc brake is mounted at the end of the motor shaft remote from the gear train. The reaction of the disc brake is grounded to the truck frame.

Abstract: A transistor circuit (18) is series connected with a solid state switching device (14) and a load (4) controlled by that device (14) to protect that device (14) from overcurrents resulting from short circuits such as across the load (4). The transistor circuit (18) detects the overcurrent and switches to a high impedance state in response to that detection. The circuit (18) is self-resettable to restore to the low impedance state each half-cycle of applied voltage, thereby to automatically restore the switching device (14) to normal operation immediately upon removal of the short, and is set to initially respond to a level of current sufficiently high to preclude switching in response to inrush currents. Initial switching of the circuit (18) to its high impedance state latches a reduced level detection circuit (R1-R2-Q4) in the transistor circuitry (18) whereby the latter switches to its high impedance state upon detecting lower overcurrent values for each successive half-cycle until the short is removed.

Abstract: An arc extinguishing structure for a circuit breaker (2) wherein an arc chute is provided with a pair of transverse barrier plates (38) spaced apart to provide a centrally located opening (40) and spaced away from an upstanding wall (4a) of the breaker housing (4) so as to direct ionized gases associated with an electric arc drawn between separating contacts (8,20) through the arc plates (36) and central opening (40) against the upstanding wall (4a) thereby to be redirected along the wall (4a) and exhausted to the atmosphere through unrestricted openings (6a,4b) provided at opposite upper and lower ends of the wall. The barriers (38) project into the areas of the passageways (6a,4b) to prevent direct access to the switch contacts (8,20) through the passageways and to increase the length of the exhaust path for the arc gases.

Abstract: Current limiting stationary (2) and movable (6) contacts are arranged to provide spaced, parallel oppositely directed current paths therein whereby fault currents generate electromagnetic forces for repelling the movable contact (6) from the stationary contact (2). An electrically resistive arc runner (20) has an arc transfer segment (20a) disposed along the path of movement of the movable contact (6) and is biased at one end (20b) into current carrying engagement with a stop (22) on stationary contact (2). The other end of the transfer segment (20a) is connected through a major length of the arc runner (20) to the stationary contact (2) at a point distinct from stop (22). An arc drawn between the contacts (2, 6) at separation initially passes current to the transfer segment (20a) and the stationary contact (2) through stop (22).

Abstract: A screw (14) axially abuts an oblique surface (10a) of a clamping member (10) to drive that member at a right angle to the axis of the screw (14) to clamp a conductor (6) against a conductive terminal member (4a) within an electrical switching device. A coiled band spring (12) has the coiled ends received within recesses (10a) in the opposite surfaces of a clamping member (10) and the central portion of the band spring looped around a supporting member (8) for the screw (14) to bias the oblique surface (10a) into engagement with the end of the screw (14). The band spring (12) is received within shallow grooves (8b and 10b) in the supporting and clamping members to cooperate with the grooves in restricting movement of the clamping member (10) to linear movement at right angles to the axis of screw (14). The restrictive and guiding functions of the band spring and grooves can be supplemented or substituted for by the configuration of a surrounding housing for the connector members.

Abstract: A positive drive having a housing (10) retaining a pair of spaced drive clutches (54) and (56) used to lock axles (18) and (20) respectively to housing (10) for one-to-one rotation. The clutches move from the engaged to the disengaged mode via axial movement of drive couplings (30) and (32) which are forced to the respective engaged positions by a shaft (48) secured for rotation with the housing. The shaft acts on cams (38) and (40) on the drive couplings to cause rotational and axial movement of the couplings. Rotational movement of one drive coupling relative to the other drive coupling is prevented by a balking clamp (76). The clutches (54) and (56) are inserted within the housing through a window (14). The axles are retained by "C" clips (80) contacting spline couplings (26) and (28).