Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a casing, a barrel, a piston, a plunger, a nozzle, a needle check and needle check spring, a rate shaping valve and a rate shaping valve spring. The barrel is disposed in the casing and defines a fuel plunger chamber as well as a rate shaping bore between the fuel plunger chamber and an outside of the barrel with a rate shaping valve seat therein. The plunger is disposed in part in the fuel plunger bore of the barrel. The nozzle is disposed in the casing and defines a tip of the fuel injector and also defines a fuel passage from the fuel plunger chamber to an injection orifice at an end of the tip. The needle check is disposed in the nozzle and operably blocks the orifice in a first position. A needle check spring is disposed in the nozzle between the needle check and a reaction member, biasing the check to the first position. The rate shaping valve is disposed in the rate shaping bore of the barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for crushing a portion of a corrugated plate in a selected area of the corrugations without blocking the grooves. In accordance with the method teeth are inserted into grooves on opposite sides of the corrugated plate and the corrugation ridges associated with such grooves are, axially adjacent such insertion, crushed to a predetermined thickness. The teeth are then withdrawn, the corrugated plate is indexed a desired number of ridges/grooves and the die members are again engaged with the opposite sides of the plate. The apparatus for crushing a plate includes a frame for supporting the plate, a feed apparatus for moving the plate at the desired time in the desired direction, and a forming apparatus for crushing plate ridges in a zone and obstructing, in a transition zone between the crushed ridges and the uncrushed ridges, ridge transverse movement into adjacent grooves.

Abstract: A method for monitoring welding of a workpiece includes selecting light of a predetermined wavelength from that emitted by plasma produced by the welding process, generating signals indicative of the selected light's intensity, and correlating those signals with the cross-sectional area of the weld. An apparatus for monitoring welding of a workpiece includes a filter for passing selected light of a predetermined wavelength emitted by plasma, a signal generator which produces signals indicative of the intensity of the selected light, and means for correlating the signals with the weld's cross-sectional area.

Abstract: In the subject invention an electronic control unit is used to control the air/fuel ratio in an engine combustion chamber in response to sensed engine parameters. More particularly, a magneto interface produces an ignition signal which is delivered to a spark plug. The spark plug is disposed essentially in the center of a combustion chamber, and it ignites an air/fuel mixture in the chamber in response to the ignition signal. A sensor such as an ion probe, for example, is further disposed in the combustion chamber longitudinally from the spark plug. The sensor produces an ionization signal in response to a flame front propagating past the sensor. A buffer circuit receives the ignition and ionization signals and produces a combustion signal in response to a time difference between the reception of these signals. The electronic control unit receives the combustion signal and calculates a combustion signal air/fuel ratio in response to the combustion signal.

Abstract: Automatic starting fluid injection systems are useful, for example, to aid in the cold-starting of diesel engines. In the subject invention, a microprocessor under software control is used to controllably inject starting fluid into an engine passageway, such as an intake manifold. During engine cranking, the microprocessor delivers an injection signal to a fluid delivery system to effect starting fluid injection into the engine passageway. When the engine starts, a subsequent injection time is calculated based on the sensed engine temperature. The microprocessor continues to deliver the injection signal to the fluid delivery system during the subsequent injection time.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle equipped with a pair of belts arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle's frame wherein each belt is entrained about an elevated drive wheel, a front and a rear idler wheel, and roller wheels arranged longitudinally between the idler wheels. Resilient front, intermediate, and rear struts connected respectively between the frame and a support apparatus of which the front idler comprises a portion, between the frame and one set of roller wheels, and between the frame and the rear idler wheel provide the vertical support for the vehicle's frame. Fluid interconnection of the front struts provides lateral load sharing during low speed vehicle operation and, during high speed vehicle operation, fluid interconnection of each front strut with its own accumulator provides independent suspension. Selective fluid interconnection of the rear strut with a recoil strut which provides the desired belt tension maintains belt to wheel engagement for high speed vehicular operation.

Abstract: A glass frit comprising about 60% by weight of glass formers, 30% by weight of monovalent fluxes and 10% by weight of divalent fluxes; the glass formers consisting essentially of SiO.sub.2 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; the monovalent fluxes consisting essentially of Li.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O; the divalent fluxes being selected from the group consisting of CaO, SrO, BaO and PbO; and trace elements not exceeding 10% by weight. Preferably the glass frit has the following composition, in terms of oxides:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 49% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 12% Li.sub.2 O 3.6% Na.sub.2 O 14.4% K.sub.2 O 11.4% CaO 5% SrO 1.85% BaO 2.75% ______________________________________The glass frit has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 7.2.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. F. (13.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C.) over the range from room temperature to 600.degree. F. (316.degree. C.). It is useable to make a slip where it can be fired at temperatures around 950.degree. F. (510.degree. C.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tensioning an endless, inextensible, elastomeric ground engaging belt into frictional driven engagement with a driver wheel structure, oscillatably supporting an axle on which an idler wheel structure associated with the drive wheel structure is mounted, and accommodating recoil of the idler wheel structure. Such associated wheel structures are arranged on each lateral side of a vehicular main frame and are entrained by the ground engaging belt. The idler wheel structures are rotatably mounted on opposite ends of the axle extending laterally relative to the main frame. The axle is oscillatably mounted to the main frame about an oscillation axis parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis to accommodate uneven terrain and about a vertical axis to permit substantially independent recoil of the respective idler wheel structures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively tensioning an endless, inextensible elastomeric belt entrained about a cooperating drive structure and idler structure having respective axes of rotation. A roller frame joined to a vehicular main frame supports the idler structure and constrains movement thereof to a longitudinal recoil path. The drive and idler structures are biasingly separated by a compression spring which exerts biasing force thereon in opposite longitudinal directions through a drive strut and an idler strut, respectively. The idler strut is connected to the idler structure longitudinally in front of the idler's axis. The length of one of the struts is adjustable to provide the desired tension in the spring and, thus, the entraining belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laterally severing an asphalt layer to form a ribbon, separating the asphalt ribbon from an underlying base, elevating the separated asphalt ribbon, and fracturing the elevated asphalt ribbon by bending same. A cutting member having a leading edge which is insertable between the asphalt ribbon and base provides separation thereof along a lateral line. A ramp and elevating structure elevatingly guide the separated asphalt ribbon into a pair of breaker drums which are rotatable in opposite circumferential directions. Each breaker drum has protruding teeth which are arranged in laterally separated circumferential rows with the teeth in adjacent circumferential rows being preferably arcuately offset. Corresponding circumferential rows on the opposed breaker drums are laterally aligned and the teeth in those rows engage opposite surfaces of the asphalt ribbon during rotation of the breaker drums.

Abstract: A log skidding vehicle (10) having a winch (18) controlled by a lever (20) on which is mounted means (50) for simultaneously actuating a transmission neutralizer (46) and a brake apparatus (38). The actuating means (50), when engaged by the operator, causes a winch brake control valve (32) to transmit compressed air to the brake apparatus (38). Simultaneously therewith, the actuating means (50) causes a transmission neutralizer control valve (42) to obstruct air flow to a transmission neutralizer (46) and thus cause a transmission (48) associated therewith and its shift lever (49) to move to a neutral position. By mounting the actuating means (50) on the winch control lever (20) operator visibility of the skidded load is improved and the operator's comfort is enhanced. In moving the transmission (48) and its shift lever (49) to neutral the utilizing vehicle will not, without additional operator action, move subsequent to disengagement of the brake apparatus (38).

Abstract: A mounting bracket (14,14') for attaching an axle housing (10) to a frame (16,16') includes a rigid column structure (26,26') attached to each of a front (22) and a rear side (24) of the axle housing (10) and having a longitudinal opening (30,30'), a plate (40,40') arranged above and below the column structures and axle housing, and threaded fasteners (50,52) which extend through the upper plate (40,40'), lower plate (40,40'), and frame (16,16'). The plates (40,40') are each attached only to the ends of the column structures (26,26') while the column structures (26,26') are attached to the front (22) and rear (24) sides of the axle housing (10) about a neutral axis (25). A continuous, endless weld joint (36,36') is deposited in a closed loop figure which is laterally bounded by a wall (34,34') of the column structure (26,26') defining the longitudinal opening (30,30') to join each column structure (26,26') to the adjacent axle housing side (22,24).

Abstract: A system for ensuring that hydraulic valves are in an unactuated position during starting of an engine. An ignition switch, when suitably positioned, delivers a starting signal to a starting motor operationally coupled to the vehicle engine. A relay system responsive to the starting signal energizes a solenoid structure which permits the valves to move to their unactuated positions or, alternatively, a relay which obstructs the starting signal to the starting motor in response to a signal from a switch network indicating at least one valve is in an actuated position.

Abstract: A flexible cable (24a) connected at one end to a throttle lever (not shown) is displaceable in a telescoping manner relative to a protective sheath (22) and is pivotally connected at its second end to a connecting lever (28,28'). The connecting lever (28,28') and a portion of the flexible cable (24a) reside within a housing (12) which is attachable to a mounting member (14). The connecting lever (28,28') has splines which are circumferentially engageable with a splined governor shaft (16,16') which protrudes from the side of the member (14) and extends into the housing (12) through an opening (12a). A cover (32) is attachable to the housing (12) in closely spaced axial relationship with the connecting lever (28,28') so as to prevent its disengagement from the governor shaft (16,16'). The connecting lever (28,28') extends into the opening (12a) to insure access to the connecting lever (28,28') when it is disengaged from the shaft (16,16').

Abstract: A pivotable arch structure (18) having an integral log bunk (30) is pivotable at one end (P) thereof relative to a main frame (15). The log bunk (30) includes several longitudinally arranged bunk webs (36) which are bolstered by laterally arranged support beams (38) connected thereto. A bumper (40) is arranged adjacent the end of the bunk webs (36) near the pivot axis (22). The longitudinal disposition of the bunk webs (36) promotes longitudinal log travel thereon while the bumper (40) guides logs initially engaged therewith in a direction to promote their subsequent engagement with the bunk webs (36). The longitudinally arranged bunk webs (36) also provide high operator visibility for various pivotal positions of the arch structure (18).