Abstract: A machine (144) for crimping terminals onto conductors, is disclosed which automatically compensate for different conductor density and terminal sizes for maintaining a desired crimp height for each different combination of sizes. The machine (144) includes a compensating unit (146) that is interposed within the drive mechanism to automatically alter an otherwise fixed distance (162) in the drive mechanism. The compensating unit (146), when combined with the ram, includes a pair of opposed resilient beams (158, 160) that deflect when sufficient axial loading is applied to the ram during the crimping operation. This deflection results in the altering of the fixed distance (162) and, therefore, the altering of the shut height (164) of the machine (144).

Abstract: An electrical housing (12) for a circuit board assembly (14) comprises interfitting upper and lower housing members (16,18) along which the circuit board assembly is disposed when the housing members are fitted and secured together. End members (56,58) are secured to the respective ends of housing (12) with outer ends of connectors (52,54) extending through slots (65) in the end members. Jack screws (64) have shafts (66) extending through holes (63) of the end members, through channels in the housing members formed by opposing arcuate recesses (40,48) in the housing members (16,18) and clips (69) are pressed onto the shafts (66) to secure and capture the jack screws (64) in housing (12).

Abstract: A hand-held crimping tool is disclosed having an air cylinder which retains thereto a head member, and has a moveable piston which is attached to a cam member. The cam member is receivable through the head member, and a crimping tool is fixed to the head member, whereby the cam member is cooperable with the crimping tool to move die surfaces towards one another for the crimping actuation of a wire terminal. The head member includes a pawl assembly, whereby the pawl member is cooperable with a ratchet surface provided on the cam member, whereby the cooperation of the ratchet and pawl determines the axial movement of the cam member relative to the head member, which also determines the crimping force exerted on the terminals to be crimped.

Abstract: A machine (10) for processing electrical wires (80) during the manufacture of a product includes a wire feed mechanism (28) and a wire movement measuring mechanism (82). A wire guide apparatus (122) is disposed between the feed and measuring mechanisms to limit lateral movement of the wire (80). The wire guide apparatus (122) includes wire guiding surfaces (228, 248) that are adjustable to accommodate wires having different outside diameters within a range of diameters. The wire guide apparatus (122) includes a block (128), attached to the machine (10), having a fixed guide surface (200) and two opposed rails (132,134) in sliding engagement with the block. Each of the sliding rails (132, 134) includes a movable guide surface (228, 248) that cooperates with the fixed guide surface (200) to constrain lateral movement of the wire (80) during feeding.

Abstract: A machine (10) is disclosed for inserting terminals (22) into a substrate (14). The machine (10) includes an insertion head (90) having an improved mechanism for shearing the terminal (22) from its carrier strip (26). The shearing mechanism includes a die (124) and opposing punch (130) arranged to cooperatively engage the terminal to sever it from its carrier strip. A pair of pivoting cam arms (154), each having a die side cam surface (164) and a punch side cam surface (166), are arranged to move the die (124) and punch (130) into shearing engagement with the terminal upon pivoting of the two cam arms. A pair of followers (168, 170) are in following engagement with the die side and punch side cam surfaces (164, 166) so that when the followers are moved vertically by a linear actuator (184), the followers cause the cam arms to pivot.

Abstract: A magnetic press (10) for performing a manufacturing operation includes tooling (60) operatively connected to reciprocating parts comprising rods (22), and a magnet (41) connected to the rods (22) through a stationary plate (31). A control circuit (200) electrically operates a reciprocating magnet (41) and a stationary magnet (51) for inducing flux fields of attraction in the magnets (41,51), and for reversing the polarity of the flux fields to eliminate residual magnetism and for cushioning the landing of magnet (41) on a return stroke. FIGS. 2 and 4.

Abstract: A machine (10) is disclosed for processing an insulated wire (12), to sever the wire into a feed end (178) and an eject end (180), and to remove a selected portion of insulation from each of the ends. The machine (10) includes a wire cutting and stripping unit (22) including a left blade (64) having first and second spaced cutting edges (148, 154) associated therewith and a right blade (64') having third and fourth spaced cutting edges (148', 154') associated therewith. Additionally, a mechanism (60, 62, 126) is provided for moving the left and right blades (64, 64') in converging directions (170, 172) toward each other so that the first and third cutting edges (148, 148') effect the severing of the wire (12).

Abstract: A machine (10) is disclosed for processing an insulated wire (12), to sever the wire into a feed end and an eject end, and to remove a selected portion (132) of insulation from each of the ends. The machine (10) includes a wire cutting and stripping unit (22) including left and right cutting and stripping blade holder assemblies (42, 44). Each holder assembly includes three sets of cutting and stripping blades (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63) for severing and stripping three different wire gage sizes. Additionally, a mechanism (60, 62, 126) is provided for rotating the left and right holder assemblies (42, 44) so that selected blades converge toward each other to effect the severing of the wire (12). After severing the wire, the left and right holder assemblies (42, 44) are further moved in the converging directions so that appropriate blades move into insulation cutting engagement with the feed side end and the eject side end.

Abstract: A mechanisms (18) is disclosed for feeding electrical wire (24) in a lead making machine (10) and for positioning the end of the wire with respect to an applicator press (14) for termination. The mechanism includes a wire feed unit (42) mounted on a platform (40) that is pivotable from a position adjacent a wire cutting and stripping unit (34) and a position adjacent the applicator press (14). Two concentric drive shafts are provided, the outer shaft (44) being hollow and the inner shaft (62) being within the outer shaft. The inner shaft is drivingly coupled to the feed unit while the outer shaft is rigidly attached to the platform. A single actuator motor (196) drives both the inner and outer shafts (62, 44) through a coupling (204) that selectively couples to and decouples from each. The coupling includes an air cylinder (218) and two clutches 230, 232) that operate to lock one shaft in position while permitting the other shaft to be rotated by the motor.

Abstract: Invention relates to an on-board electrical generator system that may be retrofitted to existing railroad vehicles, such as freight cars, box cars, and the like, where rotation of the vehicle's axle powers the system. A preferred use thereof is to charge the battery for the electrically controlled brakes on the vehicle. Such vehicles typically include a chassis, having plural axles mounted thereon, and a journal box or adaptor block having a projection generally aligned parallel with the axles. Each axle contains a pair of wheels, which are inwardly mounted from the respective axle ends and rotatable with the axle. The generator includes a rotor fixed for rotative movement relative to a stationary stator, whereby such relative movement causes electric currents to be generated in the stator containing the generator in a non-rotatable housing.

Abstract: A terminal applicator (10) is provided for attaching terminals to electrical conductors. The applicator (10) includes a frame (12) having a base plate (28) and two upright plates (34,38) extending upwardly from the base plate. The two upright plates (34,38) are rigidly attached to each other along a surface (42,44) adjacent an edge of each so that they form a right angle. One end of each of the upright plates (34,38) is rigidly attached to the base plate (28) at right angles thereto. A ramway (50) is rigidly attached to one of the upright plates (34) and is in sliding engagement with an opening (94) in a ram (14). The ram (14) is arranged for reciprocating motion toward and away from the base plate (28) and includes outer surfaces (112,114,116,118) for mounting crimping tooling and cams (120) or other power takeoff devices.

Abstract: An electrical an (10) for the icing-susceptible stator vane stage (16) located in an air inlet section (12) of a turbomachine (not shown). A plurality of stator vanes (20) which are electrically isolated from a plurality of structural shrouds (30, 32) are grouped in one continuous, or a plurality of contiguous arcs about a fanshaft which is generally coincidental with the turbomachine's longitudinal axis (X--X). Low voltage alternating current is provided by an alternator (not shown). This current is directed through a plurality of electrical conductors (26) and is further distributed through each stator vane (20) which is either electrically conductive or employs an electrically conductive medium disposed proximate to an icing susceptible surface of an airfoil contour (21). The electrical current flow, which is generally directed in a radial orientation through each stator vane (20) causes a direct electrically-resistive heating effect to the airfoil contour surfaces (21) of the stator vanes (20).

Abstract: A retention system for a rotor blade (10) utilizes the combinatioin of a fixed retention flange (13) and a removable retention plate (16) with a closed-sided retention member (12). This system enables the rapid replacement or removal of the rotor blade (10) for inspection, maintenance, or replacement purposes without requiring removal of surrounding major engine components or structural members. The rotor blade (10) is installed in a retention member (12) contained in a rotatable hub (not shown) by inserting an outwardly extending portion (20) of a shaped blade root (22) of the rotor blade (10) below a radially-inwardly projecting shaped flange (13) peripherally disposed within the interior of the retention member's structure. A removable shaped retention plate (16), which is releasably secured to, and adapted to mate with, the retention member (12), then captures and secures another outwardly extending portion (21) of the shaped root of the rotor blade (10) with a releasable fastener (18).

Abstract: A rotor blade (1) is disclosed which recenters itself in relation to the rotatable hub in which it is installed. Imposition of an external force (A) upon the rotor blade (1) creates a moment (M) which acts about the rotor blade's root (2). Recentering is accomplished by centrifugal forces acting through an offset distance (C) resulting from rotation of the blade root (2) about a shaped retaining pin (6), achieving an enhanced opposing restorative moment (M') on the rotor blade (1). The rotor blade (1) contains an arcuate bearing suface (8) within a chordwisely disposed slot (7) in the rotor blade's root (2). This arcuate surface (8) bears against a mating arcuate surface (9) with a smaller radius of curvature lengthwise disposed on the shaped retaining pin (6).

Abstract: A composite rotor blade (2) with airfoil surfaces (4) used in rotary machines and a method for making the rotor blade (2) are disclosed. The rotor blade (2) includes a spar (8) with a root (12) which incorporates chordwise distributed recesses (13) which capture the composite laminate (16) which forms external airfoil surfaces (4). The root recesses (13) are sized so as to capture the volumetric bulk of the composite laminate (16) below the loadbearing surfaces (21) of the root (12) which fits into a complementary shaped recess (7) located within the rotatable hub (14). The method includes the steps of forming a composite rotor blade (2).

Abstract: An optical positioning method and system (1) indicates achievement of a desired distance between a sprayhead (2) and a workpiece (4). The desired distance is indicated when a primary light pattern (16) converges with a secondary light pattern (20) directed from other than a coaxial orientation. A procedure for programming a workpiece's contours is described, which also allows for visual verification of the program.

Abstract: A method and system (1) for adjusting the curvature of an electrical relay armature (4), and the energizing voltage level of the electrical relay (2) in which it is contained, is disclosed. The adjustment system (1) uses a rotatable carrier (16) from which an extendable cam (22) with a shaped bearing surface (23) directly communicates with, and provides necessary adjustment to, a curved armature section (8) of a misconfigured relay armature (4). The necessary adjustment is determined and controlled by a controller in combination with an energizing level determining device.