Abstract: In short stroke dynamoelectric machine coil and wedge inserting apparatus wherein a plurality of elongated blade elements are detachably retained upon respective wedge guide members for adjustment of the blade elements to accommodate stator core members of different lengths, a longitudinally extending surface portion of each blade element adapted for abutting engagement with a respective wedge guide member has at least one opening formed therein extending obliquely at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade element to frictionally receive one end of a retaining pin. Each wedge guide member is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced and aligned apertures extending obliquely at the same predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the wedge guide member to selectively receive with a slip fit the end of a retaining pin projecting from the obliquely extending opening of a respective blade element.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for converting electrical energy into acoustical energy and vice versa in which a single multi-layer piezoelectric transducer drives (or is driven) a flat diaphragm secured at its edges in a housing. The piezoelectric transducer is a multi-layer wafer which is secured to a flexible sheet which in turn is secured over an aperture in the diaphragm. The piezoelectric multi-layer wafer has its central portion constrained from movement which increases its edgewise movement to twice its unconstrained value. The movement constraint is provided by a post on the housing which is cemented to a central aperture in the wafer. It has been found that there is a maximum ratio of the post diameter to the wafer diameter for optimum performance of the speaker.

Abstract: A fail-safe, self-checking ignition and control system for a gas burning apparatus having a pilot burner which is initially ignited by electric ignition means upon a need for operation of the apparatus and which in turn ignites a main burner after a flame is established at the pilot burner, the gas flow to the pilot burner being through a first valve and the gas flow to the main burner being through a second valve receiving its gas supply from the first valve. Energization of the ignition means and the two valves is controlled by circuit means of the system including a time delay device, two relays, and solid state flame detecting means. Each time the system is initially energized upon a need for operation of the gas burning apparatus, it tests the critical components of the system and acts to prevent operation of the apparatus if the failure of any such critical component is detected.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly adapted for use with a printed circuit. The lamp socket assembly of the invention includes a tubular socket portion which receives and retains the lamp and which also is attached to a base member in a conventional manner. The tubular socket portion also includes a plurality of longitudinal flanges which cooperate with corresponding notches in an aperture in the printed circuit board to allow the socket to be locked onto the printed circuit board by inserting it and twisting it. The novel feature of a lamp socket in accordance with the invention lies in the inclusion of a resilient ring around the tubular socket portion which provides a biasing force to urge the socket away from the printed circuit board so that the frictional engagement of the flanges and the printed circuit holds it in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping insulation from wire. The wire stripping apparatus of the invention is capable of being used by itself or in conjunction with an automatic wire cutting machine. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotal power driven members which actuate a pair of reciprocating cutting heads. Near the end of an operating cycle, while the cutting heads are still closed, the entire power driven unit is moved axially away from the wire to strip the insulation from it by the same pivotal power driven members.

Abstract: A control system for a gas burning apparatus having a pilot burner which is initially ignited by electric ignition means upon a need for operation of the apparatus and which in turn ignites a main burner after a flame is established at the pilot burner, the gas flow to the pilot burner being through a first valve and the gas flow to the main burner being through a second valve receiving its gas supply from the first valve. The control system includes flame relay switching means responsive to the presence and absence of flame at the pilot burner and actuated when the control system is initially energized to open the first valve while preventing opening of the second valve and to energize a holding circuit which maintains the first valve open and enables opening of the second valve when the flame relay switching means is subsequently deactuated in response to the establishment of a pilot flame.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for making electrical connections to the flat electrical conductors of ribbon type electrical cable. In the connector assembly of the invention, the insulation is removed from a portion of the ribbon cable so as to expose the flat electrical conductors. The exposed portion of the flat electrical conductors is axially twisted so that the plane defined thereby is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the ribbon cable. A housing member encloses the portion of the ribbon cable from which insulation has been removed and supports electrical terminal means which mate with the twisted electrical conductors.

Abstract: An override assembly for preventing the stoppage of an actuator member if a load bearing member jams or for allowing manual override movement of the load bearing member if it is manually moved against the movement of the actuator member. The assembly includes a plastic bushing which forms a socket for a ball member formed on the end of the actuator member and a spring clip which normally maintains the ball in the socket. If a jam occurs, the spring clip allows the socket and ball to disengage one another.

Abstract: A speed control system for use in a continuous strip manufacturing apparatus such as a continuous casting and rolling apparatus having a plurality of work means including roll stands through which metal rod or other elongate material is continuously moved. The control system includes a function generator providing a speed control signal to the speed regulator means of one roll stand which is linearly proportional to the speed of the preceding work means and which is also linearly proportional to the sum of an operator selected arbitrary signal voltage proportional to a desired speed ratio of the one roll stand to the preceding work means and a looper signal voltage proportional to the variation from a preselected position of the position of a loop of elongate material formed between the one roll stand and the preceding work means.

Abstract: A touch plate assembly for a digital control device. The touch plate is sectioned off into a plurality of touch switch areas, each of which represents certain information to be entered into the control circuit. The touch plate and a printed circuit board, carrying the detection circuitry are held in place by a housing which may carry other circuitry as well. Electrical connections between the detection circuitry and the touch switches are made by resilient spring contact members rigidly mounted on the circuit board and soldered in place as a component. A combination shield-filter assembly is bonded to the back of the touch plate. The shield-filter assembly includes a metal-polyester laminate having windows therein, through which the spring contact members make electrical contact to contact areas on the touch plate. In addition, certain portions of the metal layer are removed so that light from a light source located on the printed circuit board may be seen by the user of the control.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the oxygen content in continuously cast metal. The control system includes means for sensing the oxygen content of the molten metal at a first point upstream from the casting mold, either means for measuring the rate molten metal enters the casting mold or means for supplying molten metal to the casting mold at a constant rate, oxygen addition means for adding oxygen to the molten metal before it enters the casting mold, and control means for controlling the oxygen addition means in response to both the rate metal is supplied to the casting mold and the oxygen level of the molten metal at the first point. In the method of the invention, oxygen is added to the molten metal intermediate the first point and the casting mold in response to the oxygen content of molten metal at the first point and the rate molten metal enters the casting mold.

Abstract: A spring clip over-ride mechanism for screw drive actuators which convert rotary motion to linear motion. The screw drive actuator of the invention has a tubular rotatably driven member and a screw threaded rod axially located inside the tubular member. The tubular member has a plurality of apertures therein. The spring clip of the invention surrounds the tubular member and biases a ball occupying each aperture into engagement with the threads on the rod member such that under normal conditions the balls drivingly engage the threaded rod to convert the rotary motion of the tubular member into linear motion of the rod member. In the event the rod member jams, the spring clip overload mechanism of the invention allows the driving balls to move radially outwardly so as to disengage themselves from the rod threads.

Abstract: In a circuit of the type in which a command signal actuates a semiconductor switch which, in turn, actuates a load device and in which a clock signal is available, a protection circuit for protecting the semiconductor switch located in series with the load from excessive current in the event the load device is short circuited. The protection circuit includes a sensing circuit for sensing the voltage level at a point intermediate the semiconductor switch and the load. The protection circuit interfaces between the command signal and the clock signal in such a manner that the semiconductor switch is repeatedly momentarily energized if the load is shorted and a command signal is present.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid relay assembly in which all the electrical connections are located on one end thereof. The solenoid relay assembly of the invention is attached to a printed circuit board by a spring clip member. The relay assembly of the invention includes a bobbin with an electromagnetic coil wound thereon, a stationary core located in the bore of the bobbin, and a movable core slidably located in the bore which is attracted to the stationary core when the electromagnetic coil is energized. An electrical contact is located on the opposing faces of the stationary and movable core members such that an electrical circuit through the two is completed when the coil is energized. A bias force on the movable core member is provided by a spring which urges the movable core away from the stationary core. A pressure plate member carrying a plurality of electrical contacts thereon makes electrical contact to the spring which, in turn, is electrically connected to the contact on the movable core member.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the oxygen content in a fluid, particularly a molten metal, by galvanic action. The probe assembly of the invention utilizes the thermal expansive properties of the probe components to increase the physical contact pressure between the solid electrolyte and its reference electrode so as to increase its reliability, ruggedness and lifetime.

Abstract: A control system for a microwave oven includes a programmable digital logic control circuit which enables a user to program information into the digital logic control circuit. The digital logic control circuit of the present invention allows a user to program information into the control, relating to the amount of time the magnetron tube is to be energized. The control also allows the user to select the power level or duty factor at which the magnetron is energized from three different levels, thus providing a choice to the user as to whether the magnetron is to be operated in a defrost mode, a slow cook mode or a cook mode. The control of the present invention allows the oven to be operated in a single stage manner whereby the microwave oven is operated in the defrost, slow cook or cook modes for the amount of time programmed into the control by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing magnet wire in slots respectively defined by the blades of coil transfer apparatus thereby to form a dynamoelectric machine field winding. The wire is pushed through a rotating nozzle having a dispensing exit which directs the wire along at least a first predetermined path having sections respectively aligned with the open ends of two of the slots whereby the wire is pushed into the two slots. The relationship of the rate of wire pushing to the nozzle angular velocity is selectively controlled to determine the size and shape of the predetermined path and hence the desired configuration of the resulting coil. In a preferred apparatus and method, the nozzle is rotated at alternately increasing and decreasing speeds while the wire is pushed at a constant rate to form a coil having an alternately increasing and decreasing the nozzle.

Abstract: A high pressure safety valve which automatically closes when high pressure conditions exist. The high pressure valve includes a diaphragm valve and a snap acting assembly connected to the diaphragm valve which acts to snap it closed when a high pressure condition is detected. The safety valve of the present invention may also include a relief valve which opens when the diaphragm valve closes to relieve pressure at the outlet of the safety valve. In addition, the safety valve of the present invention can be manually reset only after the high pressure condition has been corrected.

Abstract: The conductor wire in a dynamoelectric machine armature and the like is insulated by a single ply longitudinal wrapping of insulating material stretchable at least 12% in a longitudinal direction and at least 8% in a transverse direction without rupturing. The edges of the longitudinal wrapping are overlapped and adhesively bonded together.

Abstract: A control system for a microwave oven includes a programmable digital logic control circuit which enables a user to program information into the digital logic control circuit. The digital logic control circuit of the present invention allows a user to program information into the control, relating to the amount of time the magnetron tube is to be energized. The control also allows the user to select the power level or duty factor at which the magnetron is energized from three different levels, thus providing a choice to the user as to whether the magnetron is to be operated in a defrost mode, a slow cook mode or a cook mode. The control of the present invention allows the oven to be operated in a single stage manner whereby the microwave oven is operated in the defrost, slow cook or cook modes for the amount of time programmed into the control by the user.