Abstract: A collapsible cart comprises a base an adjacent one and a transverse axle mounting a pair of wheels. A collapsible basket is removably secured to the base and a handle socket extends upwardly from the other end of the base forwardly of the basket. A formed handle has one end portion removably nested and secured within the socket, with its other end projecting forwardly, its one end portion providing a central support for the cart.

Abstract: In a straight side press having a bed, a reciprocal slide, a power drive for the slide and apparatus for feeding a stock strip onto the dies, and a conventional die set, the improvement of modifying the press to function as a transfer press by replacing the conventional die set with a transfer unit. The unit includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced sequential dies upon a lower die shoe having a sub-plate secured to the bed to define a series of stations. A plurality of corresponding spaced sequential punches are mounted upon an upper die shoe and secured to the slide. A pair of slide bars are reciprocally mounted upon the lower die shoe outwardly of the dies mounting pairs of opposed workpiece gripping fingers adapted for engagement with the respective workpieces at each station. The transfer unit includes a slide bar translator mounted upon the sub-plate and has a reciprocal end plate connected to the slide bars for intermittently transferring the workpieces from station to station.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: An improved switching apparatus, having group couplers (30) and a loop arrangement (6) including a plurality of single loop lines, for communication of digital signals, particularly PCM signals, each comprising several bits at a fixed transmission rate to or from connection circuits (35, 36) connected to a plurality of group buses (31, 32) on each of which digital signals can be transmitted in parallel in a predetermined number of time compartments in cyclic repetition in pulse frames. The group buses (31, 32) are connectable by way of a respective one of the group couplers (30) to the line segments (25, 26) of a respective main bus associated with one of the main couplers (13, 14) connected to segments (7, 87) of the central loop arrangement (6). The two line segments (25, 26) of each main bus serve to transmit digital signals in different directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mapping the surface morphology of an object in order to detect and repair structural defects in the object or to distinguish surface features. A beam of light having a single frequency, such as a laser, is scanned across a plurality of locations on the object's surface and the light reflected from each surface location is received and analyzed by a spectrometer and a multi-channel analyzer. The refelected light originating from the laser beam which is absorbed by the surface is shifted in frequency by an amount determined by the type and concentration of molecular bonding of the surface material. The type and concentration of bonding for each scanning location is represented by a set of binary data which are then used to generate a composite visual display of the surface in which each pixel has a color and intensity determined by the set of binary data which represent the type and concentration of bonding.

Abstract: A method of ameliorating the residual stresses in a metallic duplex tube and the like and an apparatus therefor, wherein the duplex tube includes a main tube defining the outer tube, and a thermal sleeve defining the inner tube which is inserted to the outer tube, the thermal sleeve being welded onto the inside of the main tube at its root. The method comprises the steps of supplying cooling water in the duplex tube; fitting a restraining ring externally onto the outer surface of the main tube at a position corresponding to the thermal sleeve root; and heating the main tube from its outer surface so as to generate a temperature difference across the main tube wall.

Abstract: The combination of an index table journaled upon a support upon a vertical axis and a computer controlled hydraulic drive including a hydraulic motor connected to the index table. A manifold is mounted upon the support and has a pressurized hydraulic chamber with a hydraulic accumulator mounted upon the manifold in communication with its chamber. A hydraulic power supply is connected to the manifold for pressurizing the accumulator at a pre-set level. An electro-hydraulic proportional valve having a power connector and a hydraulic directional control valve has an intake connected to the accumulator and a pair of outlet feed conduits connected to the hydraulic motor for selectively receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from the proportional valve for feeding the motor at a predetermined flow, rate and duration for controlled rotational speed, acceleration and duration of incremental rotation of the motor and index table.

Abstract: A method of changing the mold assembly upon a plastic molding machine having fixed and movable platens mounting a mold assembly to be replaced which comprises the steps: positioning the replacement mold assembly upon a floor surface spaced from and in the plane of the fixed platen, aligning an overhead crane with a cable and support track within the plane for reciprocal movements of the crane and positioning the crane to overlie the machine and hooking the cable to the mold assembly. Further steps include disconnecting the fasteners between the mounting plates on the mold assembly and platens and with the platens separated, lifting the mold assembly from the platens and transporting the mold assembly in the platen plane and lowering the mold assembly to the floor surface in alignment with a replacement mold assembly.

Abstract: A wheel chair hoist assembly for a vehicle having a body, a roof and a door opening comprises a support bar suspended within the body, with a mount tube reciprocally mounted upon the support bar. A boom having a retracted position within the body is located parallel to the support bar and at one end is secured to the mount tube. A motor operated winch assembly depends from the mount tube, and includes a drum with a cable wound thereon, and projected through the boom. The cable terminates in hooks to support a wheel chair. A reversible electric motor is supported upon the mount tube and drives a pinion in mesh with a stationary rack gear for reciprocally feeding the boom from its retracted position to an advanced position through the door opening. A manual remote control selectively connects the vehicle battery to the motor and to the winch assembly for alternately advancing and retracting the boom, and for alternately lowering and raising the wheel chair.

Abstract: A system for determining the current carrying capability of one or more overhead power transmission lines monitors one or more spans of each line on real-time basis and identifies the span having the lowest current carrying capacity which in turn establishes the maximum capacity of the entire line. The thermal state of each monitored line span is determined by measuring the conductor temperature, line current, solar radiation, ambient temperature, and in some cases wind speed and wind direction. These parameters are monitored by a sensor-transmitter unit that may be removably clamped on the line conductor which may range in size from one to several inches in diameter, and includes a radio transmitter for transmitting sensed data to a receiving substation.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for automobile vehicles disables the vehicle's starter ignition system unless a coded resistive element is inserted into the device by the vehicle's operator. A control system senses the value of the coded resistive element and enables the starter system if the sensed value is correct. A latching circuit latches-in enablement of the starter system after an arming switch is activated and the resistive element has been removed, serving to provide a valet function. A lock-out circuit prevents enablement of the starter system for a prescribed time period following an unauthorized attempt at enabling the system, as when an incorrect resistive element is inserted into the device. The device employs a normally closed relay to enable the starter system so that failure of those portions of the device which are most likely to fall does not affect normal operation of the starter system.

Abstract: A riveting or self-fastening element such as a stud for permanent attachment to a panel preferably having a preformed panel opening, including the method of attachment and the panel assembly. The self-attaching element includes an annular barrel portion having a conical external surface which is press fitted in the panel opening to deform the panel opening and form a mating conical internal surface preventing further penetration of the fastening element into the panel. The free end of the barrel portion, which is preferably cylindrical, is simultaneously deformed outwardly in a die member having an annular die cavity, forming an annular rim which is U or hook-shaped in cross section, wherein the free end is biased against the panel preventing pull-out of the fastening element. The fastening element, method of attachment and panel assembly is particularly adapted for relatively thick metal panels, including panels having a thickness greater than 0.1 inches.

Abstract: A system for determining the attitude of an airborne platform such as a terrain image sensor includes a digital image correlator for comparing successive overlapping, instantaneous images of the terrain which are recorded by a second, two-dimensional image sensor whose image plane is oriented parallel to that of the terrain image sensor. The second sensor generates an instantaneous master image and a subsequent slave image which at least partially overlaps the master image in terms of the terrain which is viewed. The master and slave images are approximately registered and a correlation is performed. A plurality of points on the slave image are correlated with the corresponding terrain points on the master image. The correlation is performed by selecting a plurality of spatially distributed patches of pixel arrays which are mathematically superimposed on and are moved about the slave image to determine the locations where the maximum of gray scale correlation occurs.

Abstract: In a cleaning cassette for cleaning an electromagnetic transducer head of a cassette tape deck, having a cassette housing capable of being inserted in the cassette receptacle of the deck, a cleaning head movably mounted in the cassette housing, and a drive system coupled to the cleaning head, the drive system comprising a drive motor (52, 152) arranged inside the cassette housing (2, 102) and mechanically linked to the cleaning head (22, 122).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a reaction apparatus having an externalized heat exchange mechanism by which heat may be added to or withdrawn from a reactant mixture. In one aspect, the present invention includes a cased well which extends approximately 5000 feet vertically into the earth in which at least one reaction vessel is suspended from a support plate at substantially ground level surface. The reaction vessel comprises an outer closed-end tube in which an inner open-end tube is disposed in a concentric manner to define an annulus which is in flow communication with the bore of the inner tube. Substantially parallel to the reaction vessel and also suspended from the ground level support plate, is a conduit which extends into the chamber defined by the well-casing.

Abstract: A steering system for an articulated vehicle has pivotal wheel steering such as front axle wagon-wheel steering, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle, and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of front wheel pivot relative to the vehicle and the degree of articulation of the vehicle. These signals are detected by a microprocessor controller which in turn controls the sequence of actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated sequentially so that small directional changes of the vehicles are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle. Operation of the axle and articulation actuators is controlled by a manual steering unit having a conventional hydraulic steering valve, with sequencing being provided through manipulation of a hydraulic fluid diverter valve.

Abstract: A turbo compound engine including driving power transmission means for drivingly connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a power turbine provided in an exhaust gas passage, so as to secure an adequate braking force, which is relatively weakened by an improvement in engine performance, by activating a power turbine by means of the driving power transmission means during exhaust braking, thereby transforming the work of the power turbine to braking force of the crankshaft in order to increase the entire braking force of the engine.

Abstract: According to the present ivention, a combustion chamber of internal combustion engines comprises: a main combustion chamber which is created by recessing the piston top; a swirl chamber which is contiguous to said main combustion chamber via a passage; and a fuel injection nozzle to supply atomized fuel into said main combustion chamber and swirl chamber. Because of the above arrangement, a relatively quick combustion takes place in the swirl chamber and a relatively sluggish combustion takes place in the main combustion chamber. As a result, the generation of HC, NOx, or smokes are suppressed while improving an output, a fuel consumption rate, and a thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A blower comprises a unit blower housing of molded plastic material having a circular outer wall and laterally spaced front and rear walls, defining an impeller chamber and a tangential outlet upon a first axis adapted to receive a flexible hose. The outlet defines with an end portion of the outer wall a reverse curved cut off edge extending between the side walls. An opening in the front wall is arranged upon a second axis at right angles to the first axis and receives an air inlet cone secured to the housing by a plurality of threaded inserts molded into the housing. An electric motor upon a support has a drive shaft extending through the rear wall. The rear wall is mounted upon and secured to the motor and an impeller is positioned within the housing and axially mounted upon the motor shaft and has an air intake receiving the air inlet cone.