Abstract: A lining wear indicator for a disc brake of the type including a transversely disposed bridge bar carried on the outboard end of a push rod assembly and bearing against the inboard face of the inboard brake pad. The lining wear indicator comprises a pair of pins secured at their outboard ends to the respective radially outer ends of the bridge bar and extending axially inboard through aligned bores in the inboard web of the caliper to provide, as a function of the length of pin exposed inboard of the inboard caliper web, a measure of the remaining thickness of the brake pads.

Abstract: A flow control device (10) is disclosed for achieving precision flow control over a wide range of inlet pressures. The device is particularly suited to household appliance applications where energy savings through hot water conservation are imperative. The device comprises a pressure responsive valve member (88) having a flanged portion (92) sealingly connected by a diaphragm (94) to the walls of a fluid chamber (68) defined by housing portions (14), (18). Flow passageways (104) are formed through diaphragm (94) and flange (92). A flow restricting opening is defined by the space between a control orifice (70) and an end surface (91) on the valve member. An axial passageway (106) in the valve member communicates outlet fluid pressure to a compensating chamber (86) sealed from fluid pressure in the control chamber by a diaphragm (112) mounted thereacross and to one end of the valve member (88).

Abstract: A thermal barrier (10) fixed to a valve head (12) of a diesel engine poppet valve (14) is disclosed. The barrier includes a thin sheet metal cap 18 having a concave shield portion 18a, an annular fold or corrugation (18b) circumscribing the shield portion, and a cylindrical skirt portion welded to the valve head. The cap and the face portion (12a) of the valve head define an evacuated chamber (20) which is preferably filled with an insulating material (24) which also provides structural support for the shield portion.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a cover assembly (38) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complementary shear surfaces (30, 31, 56, and 57) in the clutch and cover. During relative rotation between the clutch and cover, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to primary (76) and secondary (77) fluid storage chambers. Independent fluid temperature responsive control valves (120 and 190) provide for selective communication between the storage chambers and the operating chamber to effect modulation of the total fluid flow whereby dual speed operation of the clutch is achieved.

Abstract: A single-acting, clearance sensing slack adjuster for brakes is provided. The slack adjuster includes a displaceable brake actuation assembly (28), a rotatable driving member (52), a rotatable intermediate member (60) and a rotatable driven member (56). The driven member is in driving relationship with a rotatable adjustment member (50) which is rotatable in a given direction to advance a brake friction member (32) to maintain the running clearance (38) within predetermined limits. A linear to rotational motion assembly (76-80) is provided to rotate the driving member in the slack decreasing direction of rotation in response to greater than predetermined movement (82) of the brake actuation assembly. A first coil clutch (20) couples the driving and intermediate members while a second coil clutch (72) couples the intermediate and driven members.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a cover assembly (38) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complementary shear surfaces (30, 31, 56, and 57) in the clutch and cover. During the relative rotation between the clutch and cover, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to primary (76) and secondary (77) fluid storage chambers. A fluid temperature responsive control valve (190) provides for selective communication between the storage chambers and the operating chamber to effect modulation of the total fluid flow whereby quasi dual speed operation of the clutch is achieved.

Abstract: A method of continually monitoring the heating value of a fuel gas, and the apparatus for carrying out this method. The method includes mixing a fuel gas of known heating value with a combustion-supporting gas, putting the mixture through a combustibility meter, adjusting the mixture to 100% or some fixed portion thereof of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas, substituting a fuel gas of unknown heating value without changing the air to gas ratio and using the percent LEL now indicated by the combustibility meter to calculate the heating value of the unknown fuel gas. The apparatus for carrying out this method includes a combustibility meter (10) having a sensing transducer (12), a source of certified known fuel gas (30), a source of unknown sample fuel gas, a mixing system (14) for mixing these gases with air in controllable ratios, and an instrument (28) for recording the heating value of the unknown fuel gas.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a lower housing portion (20) having an exhaust gas inlet (24) and an exhaust outlet port (28). An upper housing member (30) has mounted therein an upper flexible diaphragm (48) biased by a spring (72) a predetermined amount in an upward direction, and a lower diaphragm (76) which is also biased by a spring (102) a predetermined amount in a downward direction. The upper and lower diaphragms define a control chamber (108) which is communicated with an engine intake manifold vacuum source. An axially movable valve member (90) is connected to the lower end of a valve stem (88) which is in turn connected to the lower diaphragm.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (42) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (30 and 56) in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to a storage chamber (76). Fluid is returned to the operating chamber via bleed ports (94) which are selectively restricted by an electromagnetically controlled valve (88). A control system (110) senses vehicle coolant temperature and actuates the valve as a function thereof.

Abstract: Thermal barriers (10, 26) fixed to mushroomed heads (12, 28) of poppet valves intended for diesel engines are disclosed. Thermal barrier (10) includes an insulating material (18) bonded to a face portion (12a) of mushroom head (12), a sheet metal shield (20) covering the insulating material, and a flange (22) clamped over the outer periphery of the shield and welded to the valve head. Thermal barrier (26) includes an insulating material encapsulated in a sheet metal sheath defining an evacuated chamber (32) which covers a face portion (28a) of the mushroom head (28), a sheet metal shield (30), and a flange portion (28b) integrally formed with the mushroom head and spun over the shield during final assembly to clamp the shield over the encapsulated insulating material. The flanges in both embodiments make line contact with the shield to minimize heat flow from the shields to the flanges and hence to the valve head.

Abstract: A tension indicating and cone lock washer (10) for use in connection with a headed fastener (B) and a bearing surface (S) is provided. The washer has a generally annular body (12) with an aperture (14) therethrough. The body is of a generally frustoconical cross-section. A generally radially extending through slot (22) is provided and the remaining material aligned with the slots define at least one web (24 or 26). The washer is intended to crack along the webs at a first compression force and to act as a lock washer and not completely flatten until a second compression force, greater than the first compression force, is applied thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for retracting and securing the grapple head (22) of a grapple skidder (10) for travel over rough terrain in an unloaded condition. A pair of cables (94, 96) of equal length are attached to the grapple head at points laterally spaced from the vertical pivot axis of the grapple head. The cables extend through a guide member (100) on the grapple arch (20) and are wound together onto a winch (24) mounted on the skidder frame (14). The guide member has a relatively large opening (106) flared outwardly and downwardly facing the grapple head, and a relatively smaller opening (108) flared outwardly and downwardly facing the winch. In normal operation of the grapple, the cables are left slack. When the grapple head is to be secured for travel, the cables are winched in. Since the cables are wound together, they retract together regardless of the relative tension in each cable, such that the grapple head automatically becomes centered square to the back of the skidder when the cables are winched in.

Abstract: A log skidder winch control system (10) includes a manually actuated master cylinder (22) connected to the winch drum brake release cylinder (18) to allow the winch cable (44) to be winched out gradually independent of the vehicle hydraulic system. The master cylinder is connected in the hydraulic line between the winch control valve (34) and the drum brake release cylinder, and normally serves only as a conduit for oil flow to the brake release cylinder when the control valve is put in a "free spool" condition. With the control valve is neutral the master cylinder can be manually actuated to pressurize the brake release cylinder to provide gradual release of the winch drum brake (26).

Abstract: A ratchet lever hoist (10) which includes an overload clutch (19) enclosed within the hoist handwheel (16). The handwheel is driven through a spline connection with the input drive hub (24) of the hoist, and carries a plurality of first clutch disks 94. Second clutch disks (100) are carried by a load brake drive member (34) and frictionally engage the clutch disks (94) through friction disks (106) bonded to the second clutch disks (100). The clutch is preloaded to a torque capacity corresponding to the rated load of the hoist or a predetermined value over the rated load, such that the clutch will slip, preventing rotation of the load brake drive member when the torque capacity of the clutch is exceeded.

Abstract: A storage/retrieval machine (10) is provided with equipment to adapt the machine for use in fighting fires in a warehouse in which the machine is installed. A plurality of platforms (26, 30) and access ladders (28, 32) are provided along the length of the machine mast (14). A standpipe (34) having a connection (36) to a central fire extinguisher fluid source extends along the mast, and hose and nozzle assemblies (38) are provided at each platform. To provide power to the machine to move it to the location of the fire, an auxiliary drive motor (61) is mounted on the storage/retrieval machine, and an auxiliary power supply (46) mounted in a waterproof housing (48) and supported on its own wheels (50, 52), is engageable with the storage/retrieval machine for movement therewith.

Abstract: An improved radial flow parallel plate plasma etcher, whose more uniform etching rate of wafers is due to radially decreasing the spacing between the electrodes wherein the gap between the electrodes is greatest at the circumference and smallest at center of the electrodes.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the drive direction of an electrically-driven vehicle, the circuit having a plurality of spring return input switches (20) each actuation of which changes the direction of the vehicle, via a flip-flop circuit (21), an amplifier (22), and a relay (13); the direction contactor coils (10, 11) of the vehicle being connected in alternative circuits through the contacts of the relay (13).

Abstract: Apparatus for handling drive cables and hoses used on a tree processing apparatus (10) wherein a processing head (14) travels along a horizontal boom structure (12). The processing head extend cable system (46) includes a single cable (80) which is attached at one end to the processing head and is reeved over sheaves (66, 68) attached to a hydraulic cylinder output member (55), over stationary idler sheaves (82, 86) over an adjustable idler sheave (84) and is attached at the other end to the processing head. The retract cable system (48) includes a single cable (89) which is attached at one end to the processing head, is reeved over a stationary idler sheave 93, over a sheave (70) attached to the output member (55), and is fixed at the other end to the boom structure. The adjustable idler sheave (84) is attached to a member (92) which can be adjusted relative to the boom to adjust the tension in both cables (80, 89).

Abstract: A control system for use with dependent hydraulic clutches in which an accumulator valve (22) is used to provide improved engagement characteristics for the hydraulic clutch assembly (10). The accumulator valve includes back-to-back pistons (96, 100) separated by an outer spring (102) and an inner spring (104). Movement of the pistons provides an initial fast fill of the clutches, followed by a period of cushioned engagement, and then complete engagement. The dual spring arrangement provides two distinct periods of cushioned engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for processing trees includes a hollow boom structure (12), a processing head (14) mounted for movement along the boom and an actuating cylinder assembly (38) which is mounted inside the boom structure. The cylinder includes a body member (50) and support means (52) engageable with the inside of the boom which support the body member for linear movement along the boom. A reeved cable system interconnects the actuating cylinder assembly with the processing head such that the actuating cylinder and the processing head move in opposite directions along the boom when the actuating cylinder is pressurized. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cylinder assembly includes opposed piston assemblies (40, 42) and means associated with the piston rod (54) of one piston assembly (40) for selectively transferring hydraulic fluid from a source to the head ends of both piston assemblies and to a central chamber (60) defined between the piston assemblies.