Abstract: Apparatus for applying a product to a plurality of workpieces having a variety of sizes and shapes. An imager captures an image of each workpiece and develops image signals which a systems controller and a processor use to regulate delivery of a product to each workpiece. The apparatus reduces overspray and waste while providing coverage of each workpiece by the product.

Abstract: A high-resolution vision system for a detailed inspection of parts. A charge coupled device provides high-resolution in both an X and a Y axis. Data from the charge coupled device resulting from a standard part is stored in compact form. Compact data from a part being inspected is compared with the compact data from the standard part to determine if the tested part is good or not.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus having a sky window in a device for pressing two materials together during a welding operation. The pressing device holds a plastic lid material snugly against a plastic container during the welding operation. A laser-transparent window in the pressing device allows a laser beam to be directed through the pressing device to a junction between the lid material and the container. The laser beam is converted into heat to weld the lid material to the container.

Abstract: An inexpensive method for extracting high quality juice from fruit while obtaining a high yield. The unfinished products are pressed in a small screen finisher to obtain a finished liquid and a wet pulp. The wet pulp is hard pressed in a large screen finisher to produce a pulpy liquid and a dry pulp and the pulpy liquid is recycled through the small screen finisher to produce a finished liquid.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite door to custom fit a predetermined door opening. A template is formed by spraying a quick hardening foam on a door jam of the door opening. The template is moved a base member of the tool and the base member adjusted to conform to the shape of the template. A mold is formed using the template and base member. Composite material placed inside the mold and on top of the base member forms a door to custom fit the door opening.

Abstract: A drum rotation indicator for indicating the speed of raising and lowering a load by a crane winch. A rate generator connected to the winch develops electrical pulses having a frequency proportional to winch rotational speed. A solenoid having a movable plunger is mounted in the cab of a crane where the vibration of the plunger can be sensed by a crane operator. Pulses from the rate generator are amplified and coupled to the solenoid to cause the plunger to vibrate at a rate corresponding to pulse frequency.

Abstract: A universal sterilizer for processing products packages in a wide variety of types and shapes of containers. Fluids for sterilizing and cooling products in the containers are directed horizontally toward the sides of the containers to provide uniform processing of the products. This can be used with either batch process of products or used in a continuous type sterilizers. Small quantities of water can be pumped around the system to reduce cost of operation.

Abstract: A line-up vision system for testing the alignment of a workpiece in a holder of an automated machining apparatus. A light source illuminates one portion of the workpiece and keeps another portion of the workpiece dark. A light colored backdrop provides a sharp edge along the dark portion of the workpiece for a camera directed toward the backdrop. As the workpiece is rotated slowly the camera observes any movement of the sharp edge to determine if the workpiece is properly positioned in the holder of the machining apparatus. If the workpiece is properly positioned the camera provides signals which cause the apparatus to proceed with machining operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A compact well head adapter having a uniform design for a variety of well casing sizes. An annular adapter body includes a lower portion threaded for connection to a well casing, an upper portion threaded for connection to a fluid conductor, and a bore for the transfer of fluid between the casing and the fluid conductor. A removable annular shield is removably connected to the upper portion of the adapter body to protect the upper threaded portion from damage in handling. The lower threaded portion can be varied in size to fit different size well casings and the upper portion remains the same size for connection to the fluid conductor and to the annular shield. The adapter is supported by a swivel to facilitate rotation of the adapter as the adapter is threaded onto the well casing.

Abstract: A device for allowing a 25 mm or similar gun to be cycled through its automatic or semi-automatic mode without live ammunition and without interrupting each cycle because of a misfire. The device is entirely electric and requires no mechanical attachments to the gun and no adjustments of the gun. The device is portable and can be quickly and easily connected to and disconnected from the gun. The device uses signals from a source of gun control signals to develop a sear solenoid voltage which simulates signals developed by gun recoil caused by live ammunition. The simulated signals enable the gun to operate without stopping due to a misfire.

Abstract: A constant motion swivel seal assembly having greatly improved useful life without leakage of fluid from a swivel joint. The seal assembly includes one or more annular sealing rings rotatably positioned between an outer joint member and an inner joint member. A wedge-shaped anti-extrusion ring mounted between the annular sealing ring and a gap between the inner and outer joint members prevents the sealing ring from extrusion into the gap. The anti-extrusion ring has a relatively large surface area in contact with the inner joint member and a relatively small surface area in contact with the outer joint member so the anti-extrusion ring remains in substantially the same position relative to the inner joint member. The relatively small area of contact between the outer joint member and the anti-extrusion ring allows the anti-extrusion ring to slide over the surface of the outer joint member as the outer joint member rotates relative to the inner joint member.

Abstract: A variable-frequency feeder control using a single oscillator to develop signals for moving materials in either one of two directions. An output signal from the oscillator is applied to a first timing circuit which develops signal pulses for driving a horizontal electromagnetic drive coil. The first timing circuit controls the duration of the signal pulses which determine the amplitude of power to drive the horizontal coil. The output signal from the oscillator is applied to a second timing circuit which developes a phase shifted signal to control the phase between the power applied to the horizontal coil and the power applied to a vertical drive coil. A third timing circuit uses the phase shifted signal to develop signal pulses for driving the vertical coil and controls the duration of the drive pulses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for entering control points relative to a dynagraph of a well pumping unit using the position of a beam and a pen holder of an XY plotter. The beam and/or the pen holder is physically moved to a desired location and an "enter" button is pressed to enter a value corresponding to an X or a Y position and another button is used to enter the other corresponding position value. The entered point is used to control operation of the well.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and subsequent playback of selected dynagraphs for wells employing sucker-rod pumping units to determine well faults which cause well shutdown. Calibration data from well monitoring equipment is stored in a first "endless tape" type of memory during calibration of the well and operation data from the monitoring equipment is stored in a second "endless tape" memory during well operation. After well shutdown the stored data can be retrieved and the operation data stored immediately prior to well shutdown compared with calibration data to determine what type of fault caused well shutdown.

Abstract: A constant motion pipe swivel joint having a greatly improved useful life without leakage of fluid from the joint. The swivel joint includes a plurality of sealing discs rotatably positioned between an outer joint member and an inner joint member. One side of each disc is coated with a material having a low coefficient of friction and the other side of each disc is bonded to a layer of elastomeric material such as rubber. The discs are pressed together by the inner and outer members to provide a seal which prevents leakage of fluid from the joint. The rubber stretches to allow small degrees of rotation of the joint without any slippage of one disc over another, and the surfaces of the discs are free to slip over each other to allow a large amount of rotation of the outer joint member relative to the inner joint member.

Abstract: A swivel joint having improved bearing and seal life includes a pair of annular inner members each rotatably mounted in the bore of an annular sleeve with the ends of the inner members spaced from each other. An overrunning clutch between a first inner member and the sleeve allows the first inner member to rotate in a first direction relative to the sleeve, but prevents rotation in a second direction. Another overrunning clutch between the sleeve and the second inner member allows the sleeve to rotate in the second direction relative to the second inner member, but prevents rotation in the first direction. Bearings and seals mounted between the sleeve and the first inner member experience unidirectional rotation in the first direction and bearings and seals between the sleeve and the second inner member experience unidirectional rotation in a second direction. The overrunning clutches prevent oscillatory motion of the seals and bearings, and decreases wear and failure of the seals and bearings.

Abstract: A system for transferring fluid between two marine tankers, including a first articulated loading arm mounted on the first tanker and a second loading arm or other suitable receiver mounted on the second tanker. The first loading arm is guided into operating contact with the second arm or receiver by laser tracking and ranging equipment, and by a computer which computes the location of the end of the first loading arm relative to the second arm or receiver. After the first loading arm and the receiver are connected together, the computer calculates the position of the outboard end of the first loading arm, compares this position to a set of safe operating boundaries, and provides a warning signal whenever the end of the arm moves outside any of these safe boundaries. When the end of the first arm moves outside a critical boundary the computer provides a disconnect signal which shuts down the loading operation and disconnects the first loading arm from the second arm or receiver.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for hydraulically controlling subsea well equipment, such as valve operators, connectors, and other hydraulically actuated devices, with a significantly smaller number of hydraulic pressure source lines from the surface to the subsea location of said well equipment and for providing return signals to indicate the state of operation of said well equipment using the same hydraulic lines. The apparatus includes a plurality of hydraulic AND-gate logic elements and a plurality of hydraulic valves mounted near the well equipment. A pair of hydraulic lines between the hydraulic valves and a surface vessel or other surface facility provides control for the various valve operators, connectors and other hydraulically actuated devices, while a third hydraulic line provides power to operate the various devices. The same pair of control lines can be used to transmit signal information from the various devices on the sea floor to the surface vessel to indicate the operating status of these devices.

Abstract: A pipe swivel joint for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of separate fluids between a plurality of inlet conduits and a plurality of corresponding outlet conduits comprises a plurality of stacked sections or stages of staggered diameter which are readily removable for repair and service. Each of the removable stages includes an annular inner element having a radially extending inlet port therethrough, an annular outer element rotatably surrounding the inner element and one or more seal plates connected to the axial ends of the inner element. An annular fluid flow passage for each section is defined by the outer surface of the inner element, the inner surface of the outer element and the surface of the connected seal plates. Each of the fluid flow passages is connected to an outlet conduit by a radial outlet port through the outer member and the fluid flow passage is connected to an inlet conduit by the inlet port through the inner member.

Abstract: An offshore loading system especially suited for transferring petroleum products from a floating production vessel to a marine tanker. The system comprises a cantilevered support boom mounted on the deck of the production vessel, a fluid conduit extending generally horizontally along the boom from a riser on the deck of the production vessel, an articulated loading arm connected to the outboard end of the horizontal conduit, and a multiple swivel joint for connection between the outboard end of the loading arm and a pipe manifold on the deck of the marine tanker. The inboard end of the loading arm is connected by swivel joints to the outboard end of the horizontal conduit to facilitate pivoting the loading arm in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane.