Abstract: A double cardan universal joint having a pair of annular ring yokes pivotally connected by a tubular coupling yoke. Specific examples are provided of using the double cardan universal joint as a non-constant velocity joint in a three universal joint steering system whereby a the three universal joint system operates at constant velocity.

Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material from a container. The metering device includes an electromechanical solenoid connected to a pivoting metering bar. When the solenoid is energized, the metering bar is pivoted away from an outlet aperture, permitting the flow of material from the container. When the solenoid is de-energized, a spring causes the metering bar to pivot into contact with the outlet aperture, closing the outlet aperture and stopping the flow of material from the container.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle having a steering column including adjustment and clamping mechanism, for example a clampable mechanism to allow for reach adjustment of the steering column and for clamping the column at a desired reach position. An energy absorption mechanism is provided to absorb energy upon collapse of the steering column in a crash situation, there being a resilient-loaded pawl and ratchet mechanism associated with the adjustment and clamping mechanism, acting as a primary means in the crash situation to transfer energy from the column to the energy absorption mechanism. A handle acts both to clamp and unclamp the adjustment and clamping mechanism and to bring the pawl and ratchet mechanism into and out of engagement.

Abstract: Deflecting vanes, confronting the blades of the impeller-inducer, and fixed in the housing, inhibit the formation of a vortex upstream of the impeller-inducer. Too, the vanes direct the recirculation flow back into the central zone of the pump. The impeller-inducer is force-fed by its own recirculation.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly with means to absorb energy transmitted by the steering column upon collapse, including a deformable U-shaped wire clip engaged around a pair of pins. A skid member adjoins the clip and is coupled to the steering column so that, upon collapse of the steering column, the skid member is urged in a direction to deform the wire clip by drawing it over the pins. The clip and skid member are accommodated in a fixed mounting bracket for the steering column.

Abstract: A fluid impeller for us in applications requiring superior cavitation erosion resistance. The impeller has a body fabricated from a castable metastable austenitic steel alloy which has a preferred chemical composition in the range of 17.5-18.5% chromium, 0.5-0.75% nickel, 0.45-55% silicon, 0.2-0.25% nitrogen, 15.5-16.0% manganese and 0.1%-0.12% carbon. Quantitative testing has shown cavitation resistance of four to six times that of standard boiler feed pump materials. A method for making cavitation resistant fluid impellers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line torque meter for use with an absorption dynamometer in which the twist of a rotating shaft that transmits torque from an engine to an air dynamometer is measured by a single sensor on the adjacent stationary structure. The torque shaft is supported at the dynamometer end by a splined attachment to the shaft of the dynamometer and at the engine end in a pair of preloaded angular contact ball bearings. Torque from the engine causes the shaft to twist. Attached to and rotating with the shaft are two sleeves with projecting teeth, one sleeve attached at each end of the torque shaft. The projecting teeth are interleaved and are located so that both sets of teeth can be sensed by an adjacent single sensor. When the shaft is twisted by the applied torque, the teeth on the two sleeves are angularly displaced with respect to each other. This angular displacement is measured as a phase shift in the signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A steering shaft coupling comprising: an outer tubular shaft member, a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member, the outer tubular shaft member having an inner peripheral wall and the inner shaft member having an outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes transmitting torque between the shaft members, and a biasing member between the inner shaft member and the outer tubular shaft member, the biasing member causing a force opposing the transmitted torque.

Abstract: A regrind deflector for an apertured screen in a hammermill has a plate extending along substantially the entire length of the screen and having a straight surface smoothly blending to a curved surface, the straight surface beginning at an inner surface of the screen and substantially tangent thereto and extending outwardly to the curved surface which curves back inwardly to the inner surface of the screen and intersects therewith at an angle of less than 90 degrees. The number of deflectors required depends on hammermill size and operating conditions as well as characteristics of the feed material to be processed.

Abstract: A rotary filter valve is provided with a variable restriction of the timing plate which minimizes bypass gas entering the vacuum system during emergence of the filter elements from the submerged condition.

Abstract: A steam injection device for a vertical steam conditioning chamber for particulate material has one or more hollow modules having substantially conical tops and open bottoms arrayed along a support column extending from below the conditioning chamber to a point above the chamber. Steam for conditioning is supplied preferably through the support column in such a way that it uniformly permeates the particles along the height of the conditioning chamber as well as across its cross section. Additionally, by employing modules having other than symmetrically conical tops, it is possible to impart an irregular flow path to the particles being conditioned in the chamber. This permits uniform exposure of the particles to the steam in the conditioning chamber and, thus, promotes uniform conditioning.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic device for generating negative pressure excursions in a pulp slurry during fine screening, includes a plurality of half-foil members disposed on a substantially cylindrical outer surface of a rotor. The rotor is mounted within and co-axial with a substantially cylindrical screen having a circumferentially continuous apertured zone to define an annular screening chamber between the rotor and the screen. The half-foil members are collectively at least axially co-extensive with the apertured zone and have a leading edge which, also collectively, is inclined at a spiral angle relative to the axis of the rotor such that during rotation, the collective leading edge of the half-foil members conduct large particles downwardly through the screening chamber. A selection of hydrodynamic foil configurations is provided in order to adapt to a wide range of pulp types and screening conditions.

Abstract: A pellet mill for pelleting feed product, has a pelleting die with a plurality of extrusion holes for extruding the feed product; rollers, rotatable relative to the pelleting die, for forcing feed product through the extrusion holes; provision for intensively mixing and shearing the feed product before introducing the feed product to the pelleting die; and a device for positively conveying the feed product into the provision for intensively mixing and shearing.

Abstract: A steering shaft coupling comprising: an outer tubular shaft member, a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member, and a plurality of wedges located between the outer tubular shaft member and the inner shaft member. The plurality of wedges being locking wedges wherein the wedges tend to be retained in the spaces between the shaft members upon application of torque from one shaft member to the other shaft member through the wedges.

Abstract: A steam injection device for a vertical steam conditioning chamber for particulate material has one or more hollow modules having substantially conical tops and open bottoms arrayed along the vertical centerline of the chamber, each supported by at least one hollow leg attached to the chamber wall. Steam for conditioning is supplied to the modules through the support legs by means of a manifold which distributes steam to steam ports in the chamber wall. Additionally, by employing modules having other than symmetrically conical tops, it is possible to impart an irregular flow path to the particles being conditioned in the chamber. This permits uniform exposure of the particles to the steam in the conditioning chamber and, thus, promotes uniform conditioning.

Abstract: A camshaft and method of manufacturing thereof wherein the camshaft has a plurality of first zones having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thicker wall segments and a plurality of thin wall sections. Axially spaced cams are mounted on a hollow tube about the zones. The thicker wall segments are deformed outward to mechanically secure the cams to the hollow tube. The outer diameter of the hollow tube thin wall sections are not deformed when the thicker wall segments are deformed.

Abstract: An anti rewet deck is provided for press rolls used to increase consistency of fibrous pulp slurry from approximately 4 percent up to about 30 to 50 percent. This is accomplished by biasing the location of the drainage holes in the roll shell to the forward edge of the drainage compartments within the roll shell. To avoid the necessity for handing of the rolls, a mechanism is provided for accomplishing the purposes of minimizing rewet at practical production rates by providing baffle plates which effectively orient the draining pattern in the desired direction. Such baffles can be permanently or removably installed once the desired handing of the rolls is determined.

Abstract: A horizontal cylindrical sifter is provided, including a housing with an inlet for feed material of mixed size at a first end, an outlet for coarse material at a second end, a cylindrical screen for sifting the mixed feed material to separate the coarse material from fine material mixed therewith, the screen extending from the inlet to the outlet of the housing and having a rotatably driven shaft extending along an axial centerline of the cylindrical screen, agitator arms extending substantially radially outwardly from the rotatably driven shaft and having mounted at outer radial extremities of the arms agitator blades for rabbling the mixed feed material on the screen, and the improvement, in combination with the sifter, which provides for adjusting the agitator arms to alter an angular orientation of the agitator blades.

Abstract: A multistage centrifugal pump having a last stage diffuser which acts as a compensator to load the suction and intermediate pressure gaskets during pump operation and pump stand-by. The last stage diffuser is designed as a spring which deflects under varying conditions and imparts a spring force on the channel rings during assembly, stand-by and other operating conditions.