Abstract: A tube joint including a male end which has a rounded inner edge having its original surface finish and a female end which is expanded to receive the male end. The male end is formed by chamfering the end outer diameter and flaring the end inner diameter until the end inner diameter is substantially rounded. The female end is expanded so its inner diameter is only slightly greater than the outer diameter of the male end.

Abstract: A hot shearing apparatus for shearing heated round or flat section bars or rods, in particular light metal bars, to obtain cut bars or billets comprises a drive unit, fixed and movable shearing members, a drive means for producing the shear forces, an abutment means, an ejector means, and a transfer means for the sheared billets. Shearing rings are used as the shearing members. The ratio of the diameter to the length of the shearing rings is greater than one. Thus the diameter is relatively large as compared to the length. This permits high quality cuts and, at the same time, trouble-free operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A preheating furnace having a furnace chamber for preheating an extended metal piece, comprising a transportation means for the metal arranged in the furnace chamber, at least one treatment chamber in the furnace chamber for containing and treating the metal; at least one pressure chamber in the furnace chamber into which hot gas is blown under pressure; and a plurality of rows of slot-type nozzles arranged laterally symmetrically from the metal and extending through a partition which subdivides the furnace chamber into the treatment chamber and the pressure chamber. The slot-type nozzles adduct hot gas to the metal so that warping of the metal is prevented, and the nozzles have elongated openings disposed with the longer axis of each opening transverse to the longitudinal axis of the metal.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic thermostat is provided which is capable of generating from a variable pressure air supply a pressurized air signal indicative of ambient temperature. The thermostat is used in conjunction with an air flow regulator in an air distribution system and utilizes as an air supply a portion of the air flow being distributed. The thermostat utilizes a pressure reducing valve which is referenced to pressure downstream from the air flow regulator, a flapper and nozzle pneumatic mechanism activated by a bi-metallic lever, and a self-aspirating arrangement which insures the bi-metallic lever is continuously sensing the true ambient temperature.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating device for use in fluid handling systems which is capable of maintaining substantially constant flow rates over a wide range of variations in system pressure. The device includes a housing having disposed therein a conduit whose lateral wall includes one or more apertures of a predetermined configuration. A piston is disposed within the conduit and is axially displaceable, in response to pressure differentials, throughout the portion of the conduit wherein the apertures are located. A spring mechanism having a specified non-linear coefficient of stiffness is employed to yieldably resist downstream displacement of the piston. The piston and aperture together form a variable area flow passageway through which substantially all the fluid must pass. A pneumatic, thermometric mechanism may also be employed to displace the piston within the conduit in response to changes in temperature and independent of pressure variations.

Abstract: A valve for mixing liquids having different properties, maintains a selected flow ratio of the liquids despite pressure changes in the inlet lines, allows discharge through either of two outlets and permits regulation of the flow rate through either of the outlets. The valve includes a balancing poppet which senses pressure changes in inlet lines and adjusts flow rate to compensate therefor, means for regulating the ratio of two liquids entering the valve and a diverter for selecting the one of the two outlets and for regulating the flow rate through either of the outlets.

Abstract: Apparatus to override the primary pneumatic circuitry of an air distribution system during warm up cycles. Means are provided for nullifying the pressure signal, indicative of ambient temperature, to which the flow controller responds. In the preferred embodiment, the override means comprises a bimetallic helical element which operates to bleed the pneumatic thermostat's air supply, thereby reducing the temperature indicative signal to zero.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system is provided to process amplitude and phase signals of image motion in an image plane. The camera includes a focusable objective lens, optical means, oscillating means, sensing means, and a servo. Light rays reflected from an object to be focused upon are received and refracted by the objective lens to the optical means which has a rear nodal point. The optical means receives and refracts the light rays to form an image of the object in an image plane. The optical means is oscillated about the rear nodal point by the oscillating means. While the optical means is being oscillated the image remains stationary in the image plane when the objective lens is focused upon the object, but is transversely displaced and oscillates in the image plane when the objective lens is not focused upon the object. The sensing means detects and processes amplitude and phase signals generated by image motion in the image plane and directs the servo to drive the objective lens into focus.

Abstract: This invention relates to photographic apparatus having means for automatically moving a lens along an axis for properly focusing on an object. The apparatus includes a light emitter for transmitting a train of light signals toward the object at a constant angle relative to the axis, and a pair of movable photoreceptors disposed in spaced relationship with the emitter in the apparatus. The photoreceptors are adapted to receive the light signals upon reflection thereof from the object, and are further adapted to produce electrical signals corresponding to the amount of light received. An operational amplifier is adapted to receive the electrical signals produced by the photoreceptors, and produce a difference signal corresponding to the difference in strength of the electrical signals.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic thermostat is provided which is capable of generating from a variable pressure air supply a pressurized air signal indicative of ambient temperature. The thermostat is used in conjunction with an air flow regulator in an air distribution system and utilizes as an air supply a portion of the air flow being distributed. The thermostat utilizes a pressure reducing valve which is referenced to pressure downstream from the air flow regulator, a flapper and nozzle pneumatic mechanism activated by a bi-metallic lever, and a self-aspirating arrangement which insures the bi-metallic lever is continuously sensing the true ambient temperature.

Abstract: An automatic focusing mechanism for adjusting the focus setting of the objective lens of an optical instrument such as a photographic camera. The adjustable focusing cell of the objective lens is coupled to a pivotal reception means so that the focus setting of the objective lens is maintained coincident with the distance between the camera and an object to be photographed when the longitudinal axis of the reception means is in alignment with a reflected light beam image transmitted from the camera to the object from an emission means spaced from the reception means. A rangefinder circuit controls the pivotal motion of the reception means so as to maintain its longitudinal axis in alignment with the reflected light beam image through variations in camera-to-object distance.

Abstract: An improved dual beam rangefinder is used with an optical instrument having an objective lens with an afocal lens cell and a prime lens cell. A pair of spaced reflecting means are positioned intermediate the lens cells to intercept selected portions of the lightrays passing therethrough and transmit these rays to a viewfinder focal plane. One reflecting means is used in conjunction with a masking element which occludes off-axis rays from the reflector such that the reflected image therefrom at the focal plane is of finite size and positioned generally coincident to the central portion thereof.

Abstract: A fixture installation assembly adapted to be hung from support means secured to a surface member is disclosed. The assembly includes a pair of side panels, adapted to hang substantially vertically from the support means, having an attachment member near the lower end. The assembly also includes a bottom panel having an attachment member near each end thereof. One of the attachment members comprises latching means and the other comprises latch engagement means so that the bottom panel is supportively secured to the side panels for spacing the fixture a predetermined distance from the surface member.

Abstract: A vertical record card can be held at selected levels in sound recording or reproduction association with a recorder-player adapted for cassette contained record tape.

Abstract: Highway safety devices comprising an array of energy absorbing barrier units each preferably comprising a dispersible mass, effective, when struck by a vehicle, to bring the vehicle to rest at a rate of deceleration tolerable to the vehicle occupants without imposing an overturning or lifting moment on the vehicle.