Abstract: A machine is disclosed which will test an elongated round cross-section workpiece by bending the workpiece as it is rotated to determine if a breakable area such as a welded area will break. Broken workpieces are discarded but those testing satisfactorily proceed through the machine for a straightening operation to straighten the entire workpiece, including the breakable area. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Abstract: An inverter drive circuit is disclosed wherein the inverter is a pulse width modulated inverter. The inverter includes a regulator circuit to regulate the width of the pulses which control the conduction of first and second controllable semiconductors in the inverter. The regulator is controlled by the output of the inverter in a feedback arrangement with a current limit circuit as well as an instant current limit to limit the output. A turn-on circuit is utilized to act through a drive transformer to turn on the controllable semiconductors as required. A turn-off circuit acts on the drive transformer and turns off the turn-on signal. A set and reset circuit is provided using first and second drive transformers for first and second controllable semiconductors in the inverter. One transformer is set in order to provide the turn-on and then this transformer is energized in the opposite direction to saturation to obtain a reset.

Abstract: A thread rolling machine is disclosed wherein a continuously adjustable thread means is used to adjust the relative phase timing between two thread rolling dies and the feeding of a workpiece by the feed means. This timing substantially eliminates any mismatch of thead rolling by the two dies. A double ended thread rolling machine is also disclosed with timing of the two dies relative to the feed of a workpiece accomplished at one end of a workpiece and then the continuously adjustable thread means is used to adjust the relative phase timing of the thread rolling operation on the other end of the workpiece. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A thread rolling machine is disclosed wherein a continuously adjustable timing screw is used to adjust the phase of the feed of a workpiece relative to the instantaneous position of a rotary die cooperating with a stationary die. This timing substantially eliminates any mismatch of thread rolling by the two dies. The rotatable timing screw adjusts the peripheral position of a cam follower relative to a feed cam by moving the fulcrum point of a bell crank lever on which the cam follower is carried. Rotation of the timing screw adjusts the peripheral position of the cam follower relative to the feed cam. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A controlled glassware-forming machine is disclosed which has a plurality of individual machine sections each capable of individually forming glassware. Fluid actuators such as pneumatic pistons and cylinders are connected to move the various machine elements within each of the individual sections. These actuators are used to open and close the molds and to move the invert-revert arms, for example. The initiation of the movement of these machine elements is by way of a plurality of main valves to start and stop the movements. These valves are controlled by solenoids in turn controlled by electronic outputs of a computer or control means. The speed of movement of the machine elements is controlled by variable aperture valves such as needle valves, and a power means is provided to vary the aperture of such needle valves, also controlled by outputs of the computer.

Abstract: A drive system is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in the glass industry. The drive system is for a plurality of conveying mechanisms to support and to move a load which may be discrete glass objects or a strip or sheet of glass. An electrical line shaft is created by using a plurality of squirrel cage synchronous motors which are connected to drive the conveying mechanisms, whether they be transfer mechanisms for discrete objects or rolls for conveying the strip of glass. One or more electrical inverters supply power to the motors so that not only are the motors operated in synchronism but also in phase register. Thus where discrete glass objects are conveyed the phase register of the transfer mechanisms between glass machines prevents glass breakage, and where rolls are conveying a strip of float glass, the phase register prevents difference in phase rotation of the rolls which could mar the surface of the float glass.

Abstract: A machine is provided to straighten both the stem and the head of flanged stem workpieces such as poppet valves by rolling the stem of the workpiece between a rotary die and an arcuate stationary die. The flange of the workpiece being larger than the stem overlaps the rotary second die to have a first path of a contact portion of the flange. A straightening roller is journalled for orbiting movement on a rotary straightening member and the straightening roller has a contact area movable in a second path intersecting the first path to engage the flange and bend the workpiece cyclically. This bending effects a straightening of such flange. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.