Abstract: An improved wrist mechanism for a robot arm is disclosed. A first drive mechanism is provided which includes a hollow upper knuckle portion adapted for rotation about a first axis. The upper knuckle portion terminates in an angled end. A second drive mechanism is provided which includes a first hollow torque tube journalled in the upper knuckle portion for rotation relative thereto and a lower knuckle portion having an angled end journalled to the upper knuckle portion curved end for rotation about a second axis. The first torque tube and the lower knuckle portion engage each other for rotation together, and the first and second axes of rotation intersect at a first point. A third drive mechanism includes a second hollow torque tube journalled in the first torque tube for rotation relative thereto, an intermediate drive member journalled in the lower knuckle portion curved end, and an output tube journalled in the lower knuckle portion for rotation about a third axis.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for forming a composite spark plug electrode having a thermally conductive metal core embedded within a corrosion-resistant metal sheath. Initially, a composite billet is formed by positioning a mass of the thermally conductive metal within a cup formed from the corrosion-resistant metal having a closed end and an open end. The corrosion-resistant metal at the open end of the cup extends further than the thermal conducting metal. The composite billet is passed open end first through an extrusion orifice. A head may be formed on the end of the resulting extrusion for welding to a wire terminal or an end of a wire terminal is positioned within the open cup end prior to passing the cup through the extrusion orifice for mechanically bonding the extrusion to the terminal. Excess metal on the end of the cup may be removed from the resulting composite electrode or it may be sheared from the electrode and repositioned axially along the electrode to form a shoulder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite spark plug center electrode having a sparking tip composed of a precious or semi-precious metal and a method for producing same is disclosed. A right circular cylindrical billet of a corrosion-resistant material is initially formed into a cylindrical cup having an opened end and a closed end. A small conical recess may be formed in the center of the exterior of the closed end during the formation. A hole is next formed in the closed end of the cup. A right circular cylindrical billet of a high thermal conductivity material is next inserted within the opened end of the cup and pressed to fit tightly against the sidewall and bottom of the cup cavity to form a composite billet. An insert formed of a precious or semi-precious metal is then inserted within the hole and pressed to fit tightly therein. The opened end of the cup is formed inwardly to partially encase the billet therein.

Abstract: A fluid tip and air cap assembly for use in a spray gun is disclosed. A spray cap having a central opening also defines an internal threaded opening. A fluid tip is connected to the spray cap by a plurality of mating threads. A tip member of the fluid tip is concentrically and axially aligned, in a predetermined relationship, with the central opening of the spray cap.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a pressed body (54) with a bore (56) therein and with a notch (58) in the exterior surface thereof. The body (54) is formed by isostatically pressing particulate material (52) in an elastic mold (14) so that the material (52) is compacted into a self-supporting mass. Used in conjunction with the elastic mold is a mold closure and core holder member (32) to which is fixed a rigid core (42) and a resilient notch defining bar (44).

Abstract: A method for assembling a spark plug 20, 66 which includes providing a ground electrode 24 on a spark plug shell 22 having a predetermined final configuration and position and then mounting an insulator 34 in the shell. The distance from a step 38 in an insulator bore 37 to the ground electrode is measured. Based upon this measurement and a desired dimension for a spark gap 56, the dimension on a center electrode 48, 68, 74 between a shoulder 50, 76 and a tip 52, 80 is adjusted so that when the center electrode is disposed in the insulator bore with the shoulder seated on the bore step, the tip forms the desired spark gap with the ground electrode. The center electrode then is assembled into the insulator.

Abstract: A pneumatic switch (25) responsive to the vacuum in a closed crankcase (20) of a reciprocating piston engine (15) for indicating when there is less than a predetermined quantity of oil (21) in the crankcase. The switch includes a housing (30) defining a cylinder (35), a closed end (48) and an open end (74). A piston (36) reciprocates and rotates in the cylinder through a path determined by a cam (51) and a follower (52). Crankcase vacuum is applied to a chamber (47) between the piston and the closed housing end to move the piston against a calibrated spring (50). An electric switch (70, 71 and 76) indicates when the piston is in the portion of its path of motion when the engine is operating and there is less than the predetermined quantity of oil in the crankcase.

Abstract: An improved platform (10) for mounting a motor (13) and a driven device (11) to facilitate adjusting tension on a drive belt 20. The motor (13) is mounted by means of bolts (14) which pass through a motor base (30) and slots (26 or 27) in the mounting platform (10) and engage openings (32) in a sub-plate (31). A screw (22) positions the sub-plate (31) to tension the belt (20). Two of the mounting platform slots 26 are offset relative to two other mounting platform slots 27 to maintain motor alignment as the belt tension is adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a position sensor which can be utilized as a height sensor in an automatic vehicle suspension system. The sensor comprises a telescoping assembly including an elongate shaft having one end which is axially slidable within an outer housing. The telescoping assembly is connected between sprung and unsprung vehicle frame members. The outer ends of the shaft and the housing are each provided with a unique bifurcated socket unit and an associated retaining clip for attachment to a ball element connection point on the associated vehicle frame member. A pair of magnets are carried by the shaft and are adapted to generate a first magnetic field having one polarity and extending axially along a first portion of the shaft and a second magnetic field having an opposite polarity and extending axially along a second portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A method for sensing when the quantity of oil in the crankcase of a reciprocating piston engine is inadequate for proper lubrication while the engine is operating. During engine operation, the crankcase gas pressure cycles between positive and negative values as the piston reciprocates. Positive crankcase gas pressures are vented through a check valve. The resulting cyclic vacuum in the crankcase has a peak and average magnitude which is a function of the quantity of oil in the crankcase. For a constant speed and substantially constant load engine, the crankcase vacuum can be used to indicate the approximate quantity of oil in the crankcase. For constant or variable speed and load engines, a drop in the crankcase vacuum below a predetermined level can be used to automatically stop the engine prior to damage by inadequate lubrication.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved diaphragm pump having two material pumping chambers. The material pumping chambers are operated by two working fluid chambers which are separated from the material pumping chambers by two diaphragms. The diaphragms are interconnected to provide that the two material pumping chambers alternatively receive and discharge the material to be pumped. A control valve controls the stroke reversal of the improved diaphragm pump. The control valve is actuated by the pressurized working fluid which is being discharged from a pressurized fluid chamber. Further valving provides for a portion of the pressurized working fluid being discharged from a pressurized fluid chamber to be reused and introduced into the exhausted fluid chamber to initiate expansion of the exhausted fluid chamber. The pre-pressurization of the exhausted fluid chamber reduces the amount of source air required at the beginning of the stroke.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a reinforced hose. A tubular core is extruded and then heated in a microwave oven to at least partially cure the core. While the core is still hot, a powdered hot-melt adhesive is electrostatically coated onto the core and forms a fusion bond with the core. The coated core is cooled, a reinforcement is applied to the core, an optional outer coating is applied and then the composite is heated to finish curing of the hose and to melt the adhesive to bond the reinforcement to the core.

Abstract: A digital odometer having a mechanical memory in the form of an encoder supplies binary data to a logic control and memory which may be a microprocessor. Both total distance and trip distance are stored in memories in the logic control and memory and are supplied to digital displays.

Abstract: An improved control circuit for protecting a high voltage DC electrostatic system from arcing by removing the high voltage from the electrostatic system under incipient arcing conditions. A signal having a voltage proportional to the instantaneous high voltage current in the electrostatic system is established. DC components and unwanted noise and unwanted AC components are removed from the signal to leave only signal components relating to the rate of change of the current in the high voltage system and information indicative of incipient arcing conditions. When the remaining signal exceeds a predetermined reference level, high voltage is removed from the electrostatic system.

Abstract: An electronic control for electrically operated brakes utilizing solid state electronic components to control the braking mechanism in a towed vehicle. A transducer develops a control signal corresponding to the braking effort desired, and may be actuated by the hydraulic brake system of the towing vehicle or, alternately, may be actuated from the brake foot pedal itself or from a manual control. Power is applied to the brakes as a pulsating voltage, the pulse width of which is varied in response to the control signal. The pulse width is decreased with increasing currents to limit the power in the circuit when a short occurs in the towed vehicle brake circuit. The electronic control also may be used in other applications.

Abstract: An improved electromagnet assembly is disclosed for use in electrically actuated drum brakes. The electromagnet assembly has a cup shaped stamped metal housing. A center pole is mounted in a central opening in the housing which has stepped edges so as to alternately engage the center pole and form arcuate gaps about the center pole. A flux washer is positioned on the center pole to bridge the gaps for increasing the efficiency of the electromagnet. A solenoid winding is positioned within the opening defined by the housing, the flux washer and the center pole and the opening is closed with a friction material.

Abstract: An improved dual polarity substitution circuit for energizing a secondary load, such as an incandescent lamp, upon failure of a primary load. Dual polarity is achieved through the use of parallel PNP and NPN transistors, one of which conducts so long as the primary load is functional. Upon failure of the primary load and interruption of current flow in the conducting one of the transistors, a bidirectional switch such as a triac is fired to energize the secondary load.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying power to at least two heater filaments of two glow plugs in a diesel engine, or to a heater of one glow plug and a ballast load having substantially the same maximum rated voltage as the filament, is disclosed. The power source has a supply voltage greater than the maximum rated voltage of the filament and sufficiently high to cause an overheating temperature capable of burning out the filament under continuous operation. A switch is operable in a first position to prevent the application of the supply voltage to the apparatus, operable in a second position to apply the supply voltage to the apparatus, and operable in a third position to maintain the condition of the second position and to apply the supply voltage to the apparatus and to a starter for the engine.

Abstract: A glow plug for accelerating the ignition of fuel in a combustion chamber of a diesel engine is disclosed. The glow plug comprises a shell releasably engagable with a head of a combustion chamber of the diesel engine, and an electrically conducting, tubular heater carried by and electrically connected to the shell. The heater has an open end within the shell, and an opposed closed end extending longitudinally therefrom. The glow plug also comprises a heating filament disposed within the heater adjacent to the closed end and electrically insulated from the tubular body thereof. The heating filament has a first end electrically connected to the closed end of the heater and a second end; it is one which heats to a predetermined design temperature when a specified voltage is applied thereto. The glow plug also comprises an insulator carried by the shell, and a terminal assembly carried by the insulator.