Abstract: A parallel beam brake apparatus for dual and triple axle trucks and a single beam brake apparatus for single axle trucks each comprise spaced, pivotably mounted bell crank levers which engage a fluid operable actuator between one pair of arms and engage a pair of push rods with the remaining arms. Improved spherical joints between the arms and the push rods facilitate force tranmsmission without allowing push rod rotation. A unique pivot geometry between the bell crank levers and the brake beams facilitates assembly and improves stress distribution between the levers and the beams. The actuator includes a slack adjustor mechanism in which a spiral power spring unwinds to drive a lead screw and take up slack or is wound by the rotating, translating lead screw to add slack.

Abstract: A noncontact switch couples power from A and B radio frequency sources to a load and an antenna in three modes. Mode I couples the A source to the antenna and the B source to the load; Mode III is B to antenna and A to load, and Mode II couples both A and B sources to the antenna. The structure includes a first 3dB, 90.degree. coupler coupled to the sources and a second 3db, 90.degree. coupler coupled to the load and the antenna. A third 3dB, 90.degree. coupler is coupled in a first path between the first and second couplers. A pair of reflective terminations coupled to ports of the third coupler are mechanically controllable to one of three phase-shift conditions; 0.degree. for mode I, 90.degree. for mode II and 180.degree. for mode III. A fixed phase shifter couples the first and second 3dB, 90.degree. couplers by a second path. Each reflective phase shifter is a coaxial circuit including the parallel combination of first and second series inductance-capacitance circuits.

Abstract: A control valve having three motor passageways and a combination sequence and regeneration valve in a common housing, wherein the combination sequence and regeneration valve operates to prevent fluid communication between the third motor passageway and an inlet passageway when the pressure in the inlet passageway is below a first predetermined amount and permits bidirectional fluid communication between the third motor passageway and the inlet passageway when the pressure in the inlet passageway exceeds that predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the control of a process using a distributed process controller wherein each controller receives during consecutive time slots of a scan cycle inputs from the process representing measured values of process variables to be controlled by the control loops of the system. Control is provided by the use of a preselected algorithm in each of the slots with the output of that algorithm being used to control certain of the loops or to provide input to another slot or to a control program. Control programs which can be written by the user are run sequentially in the background to provide additional loops of control or inputs to the slots so that the number of algorithms which can be used is increased without drastically increasing the equipment required.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically multiplexing the signals of several optical sensors when those sensors are of the type which utilize a single light input optical fiber for each sensor to send light to the sensor from a central monitoring station and a single signal output optical fiber for each sensor to communicate the light output of the sensor back to a single receiver in a central monitoring station. There is provided means which will sequentially introduce a predetermined amount of light flux into the sensors and thereby produce signal outputs from those sensors indicative of the magnitude of the quantities being measured. There is also provided means to communicate those outputs to a single common optical receiver.

Abstract: An improved sequence-and-relief valve comprises a housing (60), a plurality of conduits (42/44, 46, 53) opening into a bore (62) within the housing, a valve cartridge (64) with the bore, the valve cartridge having a central bore (66) in which a valve element (76) may be moved into and out of contact with seat (74) to control flow from a cylinder port (70) to a tank port (72) in response to changes in pressure acting at pump port (68) or at cylinder port (70). See FIG. 2.

Abstract: A photoelastic transducer is constructed with a photoelastic element receiving a 45.degree. polarized light beam with a wave plate providing a 90.degree. phase displacement in its orthogonal components. The element has reflective surface coatings to produce multiple internal reflections so as to lengthen the optical path, and increase the sensitivity of the unit. Analysis of the orthogonal outputs can be according to the difference divided by the sum with one of the outputs being multiplied by the ratio of the D.C. component of the other output to its D.C. component, for the purpose of compensating for changes in tramsmission of the two signals.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system is provided, including first and second bidirectional fluid actuated motors adapted to travel a predetermined amount in each direction. A directional control valve is placed in fluid communication with a supply of high pressure, hydraulic fluid and a reservoir and has a first operating position for directing the supply of fluid to the motors in a first direction of flow and a second operating position for directing the supply of fluid to the motors in a direction of flow opposite to the first direction of flow. A combination sequence and regeneration valve is in continuous fluid communication with the supply and the second motor for preventing the operation of the second motor until the first motor has reached its limit of travel and for regenerating fluid from one side of the second motor to the other side when the first motor has reached its limit of travel and the control valve is in its second operating position.

Abstract: A method for transposing the time of an event as read at a remote station with one clock to the time frame of another clock at a master station when the clocks are not synchronized and are of insufficient accuracy to provide measurements to within a few microseconds relative to other time measurements which are likewise transposed to refer to the master clock. A list of TV line 10 synch pulse times are maintained at the master for a specific number of recent line 10 pulses. Along with the time reading for the event, the line 10 synch pulse time as read at the remote is sent to the master. The list of line 10 synch times maintained at the master is examined to find the time by the master clock for the same line 10 and the difference between the time by the remote clock and the time by the master clock is used as an indication of the time correction factor to be applied for the transposition.

Abstract: A diaphragm for pressure transducers which will be suitable for measuring small differentials is constructed by perforating, either partially or completely, the diaphragm material. The resulting diaphragm will require very small pressure differentials to obtain full scale deflection as compared with an unperforated diaphragm. The ideal configuration for the perforations is a series of convoluted slots etched completely through the diaphragm material from an inner radius, which may define one plate of a capacitive type transducer, to an outer radius near the periphery of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is etched all the way through, it is covered with a thin plastic film, which may be cemented to the diaphragm or just sealed to it at its edges.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer assembly for measuring flow in dirty and solids bearing fluids utilizes small barrier diaphragms located at the pressure taps of a flow measuring restriction. The barrier diaphragms are of minimum size and minimum thickness with a minimum volumetric compliance and are connected to a pressure receiving body by equal length capillaries of minimum i.d. A measuring transducer with a diaphragm having low volumetric displacement for measured differential pressures and having minimum volume diaphragm cavities is connected to the capillaries by equal and minimum volume cavities in the pressure receiving body.

Abstract: A one shot voltage to pulse width converter is provided for producing a digital representation of an analog input signal voltage. The circuit includes an integrating amplifier circuit whose output is kept at a reference potential except when it is being ramped up in response to connection of an input signal to the integrating amplifier during a fixed input sample period or down after the fixed input sample period expires. The circuit also includes a comparator connected to compare the output of the integrating amplifier to the reference potential with the output of the comparator switching an output circuit between two different levels so that the pulse width of the output is related to the magnitude of the input signal. When the input signal is not connected to the integrating amplifier its output is held at reference potential by a negative feedback from the comparator output to the integrating circuit input.

Abstract: A device for immersion in a molten metal to determine a parameter of the molten metal including a parameter determining element and a first elongate section. The first elongate section is a replaceable section including a paper tube having a refractory coating on its outer surface. This replaceable section includes a first connector at one end thereof for detachably receiving the parameter determining element and for mechanically and electrically connecting the parameter determining element thereto. The replaceable section further includes a second connector at its other end with the second connector being electrically connected to the first connector. Also provided is a second elongate section having a third connector at one end for detachably receiving the second connector and for mechanically and electrically connecting the third connector to the second connector.

Abstract: An electrostatically bonded capacitive pressure measuring transducer constructed with a silicon diaphragm member sandwitched between a top silicon support plate and a bottom silicon support plate each of which has a via hole extending therethrough, a thin layer of borosilicate glass interposed between the diaphragm and each of the support plates, a metallized deposit extending through the via holes and over a part of the surface of each of the glass layers opposite the diaphragm to form with the diaphragm two variable capacitors which will be electrically contacted by spring loaded plunger type contacts, and a layer of platinum silicide deposited on the top of the silicon diaphragm and the top of each of the silicon plates as an electrical contact coating providing a contact surface for the plunger type contacts.

Abstract: A ball valve is provided which has a ball stem machined to have a through hole connecting the inlet and outlet port of the valve body when the stem is in a first rotational position. The valve body has a drain port which is aligned with the axis of the stem. When the stem is rotated 90.degree. the drain is connected to both the inlet and outlet ports. This connection is provided by a slot extending over 180.degree. of the periphery of the ball end of the stem in a plane normal to the axis of the through hole.

Abstract: An anti-rotation locking assembly is provided for preventing rotation of a surface such as in a housing member with respect to a threaded shaft as on a body to which the housing member is threadably mounted. There are provided two opposing flats or relief surfaces on the end of threaded shaft extending beyond the housing surface. A recess is provided in the surface around the hole for accepting a locking c-ring. The recess has a non-circular profile in the plane of the surface to prevent rotation of the ring in the hole. A ring having an outer profile matching that of the recess is provided. The ring has outer dimensions and a shape to its sides which will cause its periphery to engage and cam over the sides of the recess. A threaded nut is provided for threading on the shaft over the ring to press the sides of the ring into the recess so as to cause the ring to grip the flats and engage the sides of the recess upon tightening.