Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved independent suspension system for vehicle wheels which may be used either for driven or non-driven wheels including dirigible wheels of a vehicle having front wheel drive. One of the independently suspended driven wheels is mounted on an end of a transversely extending stamped metal suspension arm pivoted about the other end for movement relative to a point on the vehicle chassis. The other driven wheel is mounted on a second transversely extending stamped metal suspension arm which also is pivoted for movement relative to a point on the vehicle chassis. The second arm mounts a differential which is connected through axle shafts to drive the wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-transportable truck mounted roller for paving or repairing paved roads. The invention comprises a lightweight roller and roller assembly mounted to the front end of a truck, and includes hydraulic cylinders or other means for raising and lowering the roller. In operation, the roller is lowered enough to displace the weight of the truck from the front wheels onto the roller, thereby providing a highly compressive paving force.

Abstract: A straight edge comprising a plurality of longitudinal members that are positioned together in slidably telescoping relationship. At least one longitudinal edge of the members forms a substantially straight edge throughout the telescoping range of the longitudinal members. The extended members preferrably are marked with graduations along the straight edge.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a heat exchanger core from a single elongated sheet of metal which is stamped to define longitudinally spaced corrugated sections and then is pleat folded between the stamped sections to define first and second groups of alternating fluid passages for indirect heat transfer between two fluids. During stamping of each corrugated section, edges of such section are clamped in place to define precise exterior dimensions and the corrugations are formed by stretching the metal to conform with a die. The stamped corrugations are shaped with triangular end reinforcements to control the location of the bends as the sheet is folded into the final shape of the core. Edges of the sections defining each passage in the first group are sealed together to prevent the fluids from leaking around such edges.

Abstract: An interface for use in serial digital data systems incorporates photo-coupling devices. The interface comprises three photo-couplers in the input and output circuits of a data station. Light emitting elements of two photo-couplers are connected in series with the driven element of a third coupler across a reference power supply. The driven element of the third coupler is connected to the output of one data station and also is shunted by the output from a preceding station. Either output causes a current flow to produce light outputs from the two light emitting elements. The light, in turn, operates the driven elements of the other two couplers. The driven element of one of the two couplers supplies data to the one data station, the driven element of the other coupler retransmits data to the next station. The interface is adaptable for use in a closed loop data system by adding a fourth photo-coupler.

Abstract: An improved film supply and take-up transport for use with a motion picture projector. At least two horizontal film platters are connected through bearing plates to a single vertical drive shaft. A circular film winding core is selectively positioned concentric with the shaft on one platter. The core engages a mechanism for locking the platter through the bearing plate to the drive shaft for operating the platter in a take-up mode. A motor is controlled to rotate the drive shaft for winding the film onto the core at the same rate that the film is advanced through the projector. Film is supplied to the projector from the center of a film coil on another platter which is coupled through its bearing plate to the drive shaft. An auxiliary motor is intermittently operated to initially accelerate the supply platter when the projector is first started and to control the supply platter speed to maintain a desired film supply rate.

Abstract: An improved microcomputer controlled winder for attenuating a plurality of streams of molten glass issuing from a bushing into fibers and for collecting a strand of such attenuated fibers into a package. A constant speed motor drives a winder collet through an electromagnetically actuated clutch. The microcomputer controls the phase angle firing of an SCR circuit which drives the clutch to in turn control the winder collet speed.

Abstract: An improved relocatable wiring system for supplying lighting and power to a floor area in a building is disclosed. A plurality of lighting fixtures installed in a ceiling structure for lighting the floor area are connected in one or more branch circuits. Each branch circuit is defined by a plurality of plural conductor branch circuit cables which distribute power to the fixtures. Connectors are permanently attached to the opposite ends of each branch circuit cable. A connector at one end of a cable is joined to a connector on the next cable in the branch circuit by a circuit connector module having two receptacles keyed to receive and interconnect the two connectors. The circuit connector module also has a connector which mates with a receptacle permanently attached to a lighting fixture, which connector is in turn connected to a lighting circuit in the fixture.

Abstract: An improved microcomputer controlled winder for attenuating a plurality of streams of molten glass issuing from a bushing into fibers and for collecting a strand of such attenuated fibers into a package. The microcomputer controls the winder speed in accordance with error between programmed data and a winder collet speed signal from a tachometer. The tachometer signal is modified to compensate for temperature variations in the bushing when a package is started after the bushing has been shut down for a period of time.

Abstract: A truck tractor and trailer combination is disclosed having air deflector shields extending from the cab to the trailer and a drag reducer shield enclosing the rear end of the trailer whereby air drag against the truck tractor and trailer is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An improved electric steam vaporizer having a container defining a liquid reservoir and a removable cover for the container. Two parallel electrodes depend into the liquid reservoir from a cap attached to the cover. The electrodes are attached to the cap by inserting into electrode-receiving openings formed in the cap, welding the conductor ends on a line cord to tabs which project through the cap, bending the tab to mechanically lock the electrodes to the cap and in one embodiment potting the tabs and line cord conductor ends with a sealing material. An electrode housing attached to the cap surrounds the electrodes to define an inner-boiling chamber, an outer water-filled insulating chamber, and a small volume annular surge chamber which surrounds the lower end of the boiling chamber.

Abstract: An improved door structure and the method for forming such structure is disclosed. Individual rectangular door panels are formed from glass fiber reinforced plastic with a lip along at least one exterior edge for abutting a surface against which the door panel seals when the door is closed. A seal is attached to the door panel adjacent the lip for resiliently engaging the abutting surface. Internal wood and prestressed steel reinforcement strips extend along at least the long sides of the door panels to prevent the door panels from twisting or sagging. The interior of the door panel is reinforced with a honeycomb formed from a resin impregnated corrugated cardboard. Voids in the honeycomb may be filled with solid or particulate insulation.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger is constructed with a core formed from a single elongated sheet of metal which is stamped to define longitudinally spaced corrugated sections and then is pleat folded between the stamped sections to define first and second groups of alternating fluid passages for indirect heat transfer between two fluids. During stamping of each corrugated section, edges of such section are clamped in place to define precise exterior dimensions and the corrugations are formed by stretching the metal to conform with a die. The stamped corrugations are shaped with triangular end reinforcements to control the location of the bends as the sheet is folded into the final shape of the core. Edges of the sections defining each passage in the first group are sealed together to prevent the fluids from leaking around such edges.

Abstract: A method for optically determining the stress-optical constants of optically isotropic and anisotropic materials. A collimated beam of monochromatic light is directed at the tip of a crack in a thin plate specimen under plane-stress from a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the specimen and to the direction of the stress. Reflected and transmitted stress-optical constants are determined from a ratio of the diameters of transmitted and reflected caustics from the specimen and the known Poisson's ratio and modulus of elasticity for the specimen.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic nebulizer for administering a medicament aerosol to a patient. Output from an oscillator is connected through a series inductor to a transducer adjacent a reservoir which generates aerosol from the medicament. The inductor is tuned for series resonance with the bulk capacitance of the transducer. An impedance change in the transducer when liquid is removed or consumed from the reservoir reduces the power delivered to the transducer and prevents transducer damage.

Abstract: An improved transport system for a motion picture projector which permits either intermittent or continuous drive of a film advancement sprocket. The transport is capable of use selectively with film having, for example, either two or four perforations per picture frame. During normal operation of the projector, the sprocket is intermittently driven to advance the film through a gate while a shutter interrupts the projection light. For automated film rewind through the projector, the sprocket is driven at a continuous speed which is preferably higher than the average speed in which the film is intermittently advanced through the projector.

Abstract: A skipping exercise device is disclosed. The device comprises a rectangular frame formed from a lightweight synthetic resinous material to define two long sides and two short sides. The two long sides are each hinged at points equidistant from a first short side located from such first short side between one-ninth and one-third the length of the long sides. An abrasion resistant sleeve is positioned over such first short side and, optionally, a rotatable handle is positioned over the second short side.

Abstract: An optical electronic ignition system for industrial internal combustion engines. Light reflective markers on an optical timing disc rotated by the engine are sensed by a timing module to generate an electric pulse for initiating each spark. Each pulse simultaneously energizes optical scanners in separate distributor modules for each combustion chamber. Only the scanner scheduled to fire by reflective alignment of a separate distribution marker located elsewhere on the timing disc will trigger a related capacitive discharge ignition circuit associated with the related combustion chamber. More than one scanner may be scheduled for simultaneous firing. A single conductor carries both uniform capacitor charging current and trigger signals to the capacitive discharge ignition circuit associated with each combustion chamber. An inductive loop in the low voltage lead to an ignition coil in a capacitive discharge ignition circuit provides a signal for operating a timing light.

Abstract: An electronic vacuum modulator is disclosed for controlling air flow to a throttle valve modulator mechanism for limiting the maximum speed of an engine and, optionally, for also limiting the maximum vehicle speed. An electric signal having a frequency proportional to engine speed is converted into an electric signal which smoothly and progressively controls a solenoid valve as the engine speed increases over a narrow range at a predetermined maximum engine speed. The valve is controlled such that the modulator mechanism progressively closes a carburetor throttle valve in the engine to limit the engine speed by limiting the available power. Optionally, a vehicle speed signal also is converted into an electronic signal which smoothly and progressively controls the solenoid valve as the vehicle speed increases over a narrow range at a predetermined maximum vehicle speed.

Abstract: An improved variable speed pulley for adjusting the drive ratio between two shafts interconnected through two pulleys and a V-belt. The variable speed pulley has a hub which is attached through to one shaft with a collet. A number of keys of generally square cross sections with two opposed chamfered corners are located at each end of the hub in V-shaped axially directed keyways spaced around the periphery of the hub and in correspondingly spaced V-shaped keyways around interior openings through each of two sheave halves to permit axial movement of the sheave halves on the hub. Bushings retain the four keys within each sheave half. The bushings and the keys are of a compliant material to prevent fretting corrosion. The keys engage the bushings to prevent the bushings from rotating with respect to the sheave half and hub. A helical spring located within a spring housing is compressed between each sheave half and an adjacent one of two retainer rings located in grooves near each end of the hub.