Abstract: A dryer is provided with interacting heat transfer stator and rotor for improved processing capability. The stator comprises a stationary row of planar heat exchange banks supported within the vessel of the dryer. The rotor has a complemental number of annular heat exchange vanes interleaved between the heat exchange banks of the stator to create desired low-level agitation of the processed material as the rotor turns and to provide increased heat transfer efficiency. The vanes on the rotor and the banks of the stator each comprise an open grillwork of tubular members whereby the processed material may flow freely through the vanes and banks for additionally increased heat transfer efficiency and reduced residence time for the material.

Abstract: A gas shielded, flux-cored welding electrode for vertical or overhead welding as well as for horizontal or flat welding is disclosed having a generally tubular metal sheath and a core defined within the sheath, wherein the core includes a slag forming system based, primarily, on about 2-7.5% of the fluorides of calcium and/or strontium.

Abstract: A nozzle for a carbon dioxide snow cyclone separator shapes the swirling discharge from the separator to form a unidirectional downwardly directed flow. The nozzle passage is defined by an annular series of transversely concave, juxtaposed, elongate surfaces formed in the body of the nozzle, whereby the passage is scalloped in transverse cross-section. In preferred forms, there are four identical, laterally contiguous, surfaces in the annular series defining the nozzle passage, each of which extends through an arc of .pi. radians.

Abstract: A horizontal locator for a rail alignment device engages the sides of the rail head only at points vertically remote from the running surface of the rail whereby deformation of the rail head adjacent the running surface does not adversely affect the accuracy of the locator. A reference surface on the horizontal locator is adapted to engage the running surface of the rail to properly dispose the side-contact members with respect to the rail head.

Abstract: A transit wheel is disclosed comprising a body having a bore through the center thereof, a hub about the bore extending through a web to an outer portion, and an annular rim having a circular inside surface disposed against a circular outside surface of the outer portion. The inside surface of the annular rim and the outside surface of the outer portion are each provided with a circumferential groove, which grooves are substantially aligned when the annular rim is disposed against the outer portion. The transit wheel further includes a damping rod formed into a ring and disposed within the aligned grooves, with the ring traversing at least 95% of the circumference of the groove.

Abstract: A process for producing a shape memory effect alloy having a desired transition temperature. The process includes the steps of: providing at least one prealloyed powder of a shape memory effect alloy having a chemistry similar to that of the to be produced alloy and a transition temperature below the desired transition temperature of the to be produced alloy; providing at least one other prealloyed powder of a shape memory effect alloy having a chemistry similar to that of the to be produced alloy and a transition temperature in excess of the desired transition temperature of the to be produced alloy; blending said prealloyed powders; consolidating said blended powders; and thermally diffusing said consolidated powders so as to provide a substantially homogeneous alloy of the desired transition temperature.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly with open mode capabilities has markedly simplified construction. A shiftable ring on the shaft is axially biased against a complemental, stationary shoulder circumscribing the shaft to form a pair of radially spaced annular seals concentric to the shaft. A fluid pressure port on the shoulder intermediate the seals permits selective shifting of the ring away from the shoulder to open the annular seals and place the seal assembly in the open mode wherein the shaft may be rotated without wearing the seals. In preferred forms, the seal assembly is provided with a vent between it and the shaft bearing to relieve pressure against the bearing when the seal assembly is shifted to the open mode, and also to serve as a leak indicator.

Abstract: A cutter insert presenting eight positive cutting edges has a generally rectangular prismatic configuration to permit its securement in a tool holder having a conventional square insert-receiving pocket. The insert has a pair of opposed primary faces, and four rectangular side faces each having a pair of coplanar, flat lands in opposite corners thereof to permit positive location and clamping of the insert. Each side face also has a laterally opposed pair of positive beveled facets formed therein and intersecting the respective primary faces to define neutral cutting edges for the insert. An elongate groove extends intermediate the beveled facets of each side face parallel to the neutral cutting edges and functions as a chip breaker to provide freer cutting and better chip control. In preferred forms, a square pocketed tool holder is complementally configured to advantageously support the cutter insert in a manner to present a negative angle of attack at the work surface.

Abstract: A machine for applying particularly configured pieces of thermally-activated tape to a heated substrate, such as a continuous strip of lead frames, it is capable of long term, high speed operation without becoming fouled with tape pieces or residual adhesive. A drop-through die assembly to blank the tape pieces is mounted for reciprocal movement to and from the metal strip normally supported in spaced relation beneath the assembly. Cooling fluid is circulated through the die and stripper plate of the die assembly for dissipating heat generated in the punch during the blanking operation. This cooling feature together with the normally spaced arrangement of the die assembly and the heated substrate, serves to maintain the temperature of the punch well below the activating temperature of the tape, whereby the tendency of the punch to collect a build-up of adhesive and tape pieces is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A rotary freezer for cooling resilient golfball centers to a uniform, substantially rigid state is provided with a dispenser to permit dispensing of rigid centers in one-at-a-time fashion from a large batch of frozen centers in the freezer at a rate indepenent of the residence time. As the freezer drum rotates, paddles on the inner circumference serve to lift randomly-selected centers from the batch to a predetermined height for gravity loading onto an inclined rack forming a part of the dispenser. Centers on the rack are arranged in a rectilinear series leading to an outlet port where a metering assembly controls dispensing of the centers from the drum in one-at-a-time fashion at a rate determined by the operator. A gravity conveyor exterior of the freezer drum transports each dispensed center from the outlet to a work station where the winding process is to be initiated before the center returns to its resilient state.

Abstract: A compact, high-efficiency, J-tube carbon dioxide snow hood has a novel diffuser at the discharge end of the J-tube for providing a well-confined, concentrated snow deposit at a reduced exit velocity. The diffuser includes a pair of juxtaposed, axially upright cylindrical baffles which intercept the fine-particle snow discharge from the J-tube in a manner to create counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow. An upright cylindrical tube circumscribing the cylindrical baffles, and depending substantially beyond the lower ends of the baffles, forms a mixing chamber where the segregated counterswirling currents of carbon dioxide snow interact to form desired larger-particle snow which is then passed from the chamber in a confined, low velocity, downwardly directly discharge.

Abstract: A method and machine are disclosed for screen printing acid-resist mirror inversion images in registration on opposite sides of a metal web with a degree of precision sufficient to permit the incorporation of screen printing techniques in the fabrication of lead frames, electromagnetic core laminations, and other metal plate products by chemical milling processes. A matched pair of upright screen stencils supported in spaced relation on opposite sides of the web is provided with a cooperable pair of squeegees for printing through the image areas of the stencils. The directly opposed squeegees are mounted on a common reciprocable carriage for conjoint movement such that printing on opposite sides of the web is effected synchronously. In preferred forms, a web drive is provided for incrementally advancing the web between the stencils and for holding the web under tension during printing.

Abstract: A flexible mechanical coupling for torque transmission is capable of being connected and disconnected by only manual manipulation. The collar of the coupling has diametrically opposed cutouts in its sidewall for loosely receiving complementally shaped resilient locking members which in turn are held in place by a sleeve telescopically disposed over the collar. Flats formed in the shaft beneath each cutout are engaged by the respective members for locking the shaft and the collar against relative rotation. A removable roll pin passing through the shaft and the resilient members restricts axial movement between the collar and shaft. The sleeve is releasably restrained in position over the locking members by a pair of manually removable elastic bands on the collar. One embodiment of the invention provides the manual connection feature for both shafts in the coupling, while in the preferred embodiment only one shaft in the coupling has this feature.

Abstract: A tire pressure gage for integral mounting on the wheel of an aircraft tire is provided with failsafe features to reduce the likelihood of sudden tire pressure loss through catastrophic failure of the gage. A pressure relief valve vents the case when the threshold pressure is sensed to thereby preclude long-term pressurization of the case should a slow leak develop in the bourdon tube of the gage. A flow-actuated valve in the port leading from the tire to the bourdon tube, seals the tire against pressure loss through the gage when a fast leak is detected such as might occur upon rupture of the tube. The pressure relief valve includes an ejectable plug normally visible externally of the gage case, the presence or absence of the plug providing a positive indication of whether or not the gage case has been pressurized.

Abstract: A digital displacement transducer to provide a digital output linear related to the displacement of a reference surface of an object. An eight track tape unit is coded with information related to displacements of 1/256 of an inch and applied to the reference surface. Means are then provided to assume the coded information of the tape unit; the means are of lesser coercivity than the tape unit. The information means is pulsed so that the information contained is the same, and a read out head is provided to read out which information was shifted, and thereby indicate the position of the reference surface of the object. A method is also provided to encode the information in the information means, switch the information therein, and obtain a read out.

Abstract: A spherical fitting for intercoupling multiple sections of pipe has integral, radially extending, pipe-receiving outlets formed on the spherical body of the fitting. Each outlet is provided with an annular bevel on its outermost end for mating with a respective pipe section in a manner to present a joint configured to permit utilization of a full penetration circumferential weld. In an alternate application, the spherical fitting may be employed as a connector to join structural members in a tubular trusswork such as an offshore oil drilling platform.

Abstract: A slice control circuit senses the angular position of a blade employed to slice products, such as bacon or cheese. The position information is utilized to correctly position the product relative to the blade to obtain uniform slices. When slicing is interrupted the product is withdrawn from the blade to prevent nonuniform slices. When slicing is resumed the circuit inserts the product into the blade path at the correct point of blade rotation to resume production of uniform slices. A voltage controlled oscillator maintains the product movement in synchronism with blade velocity.

Abstract: The method of making a metal lead frame wherein a metal lead frame blank is stamped or etched from a metal strip so as to provide a die attach pad and a plurality of leads attached to the pad. Prior to separating the leads from the pad a retainer is applied to the leads adjacent the pad so that the leads are held in fixed positions during and after their separation from the pad.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated welded tubular coupling particularly adapted for use in the construction of offshore platforms comprises a tubular elbow tangentially secured to a straight pipe segment solely along the line of intersection therebetween. A cutout or opening in the backwall of the elbow is configured to complementally receive a portion of the periphery of the pipe to enhance the integrity of the interconnection between the latter and the elbow. The opening has a marginal edge which defines a continuous line of contact with the pipe for welding of the components to form a unitary coupling. In preferred forms, the elbow presents a 90.degree. arc and is arranged such that each leg forms approximately a 45.degree. angle with the pipe. In another embodiment, the elbow extends through 135.degree. and is attached to the pipe in a manner to form approximately 90.degree. and 45.degree. angles between the respective legs and the pipe.

Abstract: Scraped-surface heat exchangers and similar apparatus employing scraper blades hinged to a shaft so as to scrape a fluid being processed from an elongated cylindrical wall are improved so as to obviate any need either for separate bearings at opposite ends of the shaft or for special skids to be used in disassembly and reassembly and so as to allow the blades to be biased against the wall without separate springs. Each blade bears on the wall not only at its leading or scraping edge but also at a trailing or bearing surface, so as to center the shaft and facilitate its rotation, so as to hold the edge in uniform relation to the wall, and so as to bias the edge of the blade against the wall.