Abstract: A wide belt orbiting sander having an improved workpiece conveyor system, wherein a plurality of resiliently biased platen segments are utilized to apply a force against the underside of the upper conveyor flight in oppositely disposed relationship to the sanding heads. The platen includes a number of individual segments, each segment occupying a certain finite portion of the transverse dimension of the conveyor, and with each of the platen segments being mounted for rocking and pivotal motion about both longitudinal and transverse axes. Wide belt sanders equipped with the improved conveyor system of the present invention are capable of handling a wide variety of workpieces including workpieces of variable and varying dimensions.

Abstract: An automatic flexible diskette picker for selectively ejecting flexible diskettes, one-at-a-time, from a stack of such diskettes. The picker comprises a stationary deadplate upon which a hopper containing a plurality of stacked diskettes of a given size is disposed. A gate device is affixed to the deadplate at a forward edge thereof and the gate has an aperture pattern for allowig the exit of diskettes of differing width and height dimensions therethrough, one-at-a-time. A motor-driven picker plate is disposed on the deadplate and reciprocally movable toward and away from the gate. The picker plate has a plurality of stepped vertical pick surfaces formed therein for accommodating diskettes of differing sizes. Thus, the device may be used to unstack, at different times, hoppers filled with floppy disks of the different sizes presently commercially available.

Abstract: In combination with a detachable fluid coupling arrangement for fluid transmitting conduits and including a female coupler and clamping portion and a male adaptor portion to be releasably received and retained within said female coupler portion. The female coupler portion comprises a body portion with a fluid transmitting bore formed therein, with the bore having at least one elongated alignment slot formed generally parallel to the flow axis, and with a pair of clamping cams pivotally secured to the wall of the female portion. The male adaptor portion comprises a generally tubular body having a fluid transmitting bore formed therein and with a radially extending locking lug formed along one end of the adaptor for mating engagement with the alignment slot of the female coupling portion.

Abstract: A microstrip attenuator comprising a block of lossy material which is preferably impregnated with ferrite particles and having a groove of a predetermined height and width dimension formed in the bottom surface thereof defining a tunnel and positionable upon a microstrip transmission line assembly, such that the microstrip element of the assembly passes through the tunnel, but is in non-contact relation with respect to the surface-mounted microstrip element. The degree of attenuation afforded by the attenuator is primarily a function of the aforementioned length and height dimension of the tunnel formed in the block of lossy material.

Abstract: A system for directing a plurality of lighting instruments in accordance with an operator designed sequence. The system includes a control module and a plurality of satellite modules where each satellite module is, in turn, connected in a controlling relationship to a further plurality of drive motors which are mechanically connected to the light assemblies for directing the beams to move in accordance with a stored program of presets contained in the memory of a microprocessor in the control module.

Abstract: A measurement circuit for carrying out a method of compensation, in particular for a piezoresistive pressure transducer with a measurement bridge (7) and a following output/differential amplifier (15) further comprises a current supply circuit (13). To enable an optimal temperature compensation for the measurement bridge (7) with maximum resolution of the pressure measurement signal, a digitalized compensation circuit with an analog/digital converter (21), a memory (23) and at least one digital/analog converter (25, 27) is connected ahead of the output/differential amplifier (15). The temperature dependent voltage difference/input signal at the measurement bridge (7) is digitalized via the following converter (21) and converted to compensation values stored in the memory (23). These values are converted into an analog compensation signal in a converter (25, 27). For analog measured value determination per se, only error compensation is carried out in digitalized fashion (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A surge suppressor for dampening undesired pressure surges in a fluid handling system and using a tubular, elastomeric diaphragm disposed in a hollow chamber of a housing to separate the chamber into two isolated zones, one being exposed to the fluid exhibiting undesired pressure surges and the other being pressurized with a compressible fluid. This arrangement obviates problems caused by wrinkling or folding of the generally planar diaphragm used in prior art pulsation dampeners.

Abstract: In accordance with a first arrangement, a non-coherent, pulse radar transmitter emits N-sequential signals of differing frequencies at predetermined time intervals, the transmitted pulses being directed toward a given target area of interest. Further included is a radar receiver for detecting and processing the composite radar return signal samples of N differing frequencies which are reflected from a plurality of point scatterers located in the area of interest. The varying D.C. interference signal of the plural radar return signal samples occasioned by the differing frequencies are detected and a one-dimensional Fourier transformer is performed on that composite radar return signal samples to facilitate target identification. A programmed processor is used to dervie a plurality of feature characteristics from the Fourier transform of the detected radar return signals and the features so computed are compared with features characteristic of known potential targets on a best-match basis.

Abstract: An add-on wheel/axle assembly for truck-type vehicles for reducing the effective axle load of the vehicle allowing the carrying of greater payloads without violating governmentally imposed road restrictions. The assembly includes a hydraulically actuatable articulated arm assembly where one end of a first arm link is pivotally joined to opposed sides of the truck frame proximate its rear end and with wheels mounted on stub axles affixed to the other ends of said arm assemblies. A cross-member offset by a predetermined distance from the stub axles joins the arm assemblies together and a hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled between the truck frame and the articulated arms for extending and retracting the wheels between a ground-engaging disposition and an elevated disposition. Tie bars and associated bell cranks also cooperate with the articulated arms to draw the wheels in a straddling disposition relative to the truck frame when the wheels are in their elevated disposition.

Abstract: A wheeled trailer for installing a perforated film erosion barrier from a perforated foil supply roll into the earth and along an elongated furrow path. The wheeled trailer includes frame means for supporting the system for movement along the path, with a plow shoe being disposed forwardly of the frame to create a open furrow to receive one edge of an elongated perforated film, and with a pivotal boom being provided at the rear portion of the frame for supporting a furrow-covering disc. A hydraulic ram and cylinder are provided for arranging the path of the furrow-covering disc, with the furrow-covering disc depositing soil into the furrow for covering and burying one edge of the elongated perforated film.

Abstract: A flame retardant formulation for application as an aqueous working dispersion onto surfaces of normally combustible materials. Upon exposure to elevated temperatures and/or flame, the formulation creates a substantially continuous protective film as it undergoes a transition of composition, with the protective film generally encapsulating and/or enveloping the surface of the article onto which it is applied. In addition to being insulative, the film excludes oxygen from the surface of the substrate, and is capable of radiating infrared and visible light when exposed to elevated temperatures. In the formulation, and upon exposure to elevated temperatures and/or flame, the material releases forms of chlorine, bromine, and phosphorus, for the protection that these materials provide. In addition, antimony oxide is present for its protective property, together with hydrated alumina for its water-release capability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous direct reduction of iron ore concentrates utilizing metallic aluminum as a reductant material. The reactant mixture is ignited, and the reaction is permitted to proceed within the confines of a refractory lined vessel, with the exothermic heat of reaction being utilized to maintain superposed layers within the vessel, including a bottom-most layer of molten metallic iron, an intermediate layer of molten slag, and an upper layer of active semi-molten reactant, with suitable means for tapping of molten slag and metal products.

Abstract: An apparatus for field application of particulate solids from an elongated boom carried on a self-propelled vehicle wherein the discharge rate of the particulate solids is accomplished through the utilization of a metering control system. The metering control monitors the rotation of a delivery screw for controlled application rate with the application rate being proportional to vehicle speed, and wherein the application rate is rapidly responsive to changes in rate of speed of the vehicle. A variable capacity fluid pump is driven from the vehicle final drive shaft, with the pump supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor providing the energy for driving the metering screw. The variable capacity pump is preferably an axial piston pump having a variably positionable swash plate.

Abstract: A binder ingredient for pelleted feeds comprising a direct binding agent present as a dry thin film layer or coating upon a solid particle of organic nutrient-filler. The dry thin film layer or coating comprises a water soluble lignin sulfonate such as calcium lignin sulfonate, while the organic nutrient-filler comprises granular dried reed sedge peat. The binder is mixed with the feed ingredients in a desired range, such as in the range of approximately 2 percent by weight, to form a pelleted feed.

Abstract: A bag closing container device applies a strip of closure tape to a container, and sews stitches through the tape and container walls, as the container is moved past a closure station. A first sensor, located near an encoder disc driven by the container transport motor, generates a signal proportional to the container transport speed. An idler roller frictionally engaged with the closure tape carries an indicator wheel, which generates in a second sensor a signal proportional to the tape speed. The thread used in stitching the containers is wrapped around a detector wheel on its way to the closure station, and is frictionally engaged with the wheel. Wheel rotation generates in a third sensor a signal proportional to thread speed. The device includes a microprocessor which receives the signals as inputs, continually compares container transport speed and thread speed, and generates a thread fault indication if the thread and container speeds deviate from a preselected ratio.

Abstract: A capacitive accelerometer system for detecting changes in G-forces and for producing a digital count value proportional to such changes. An oscillator-driven capacitive transducer of a unique design produces a voltage variation whose amplitude and frequency characteristics are a function of the direction and magnitude of the applied G-forces. The transducer itself comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel plates disposed on opposite sides of a beam-supported movable plate which responds to changes in acceleration forces. The modulated signal is then demodulated and applied by a semiconductor switch actuated by a pulse from a microprocessor to a voltage-controlled current source. The current source varies the discharge rate of a precision capacitor.

Abstract: A control system for an optical fiber laser power delivery system wherein the system employs a tip assembly for the optical fibers which provide focusing and beam divergence, mechanical protection for the optical fibers, and in addition functions as the source of a condition responsive signal useful in monitoring and controlling the system operation. The tip assembly utilizes a synthetic sapphire lens or window having incident laser radiation and temperature dependent fluorescing property useful in generating a signal utilized in a feedback control system for the laser system. The improved tip assembly accordingly has application as an optical fiber shield as well as a signal source for the control and monitor portion of the laser system.

Abstract: A multi-layered tactile sensing skin is provided for a robotic arm or the like. The skin includes adjacent layers of electrically insulative film having opposed contiguous surfaces. An electrically conductive carbon based compound is applied uniformly to one of the surfaces, while the other surface is selectively coated with silver oxide to form a series of pairs of first and second electrically conductive regions separated from one another by a dielectric gap. The carbon based conductor bridges the gap betwen the conductive regions in each pair, permitting flow of electrical current between the regions. The current flow increases with an increase in pressure over the interface between the layers of film, and the amperage increase can be utilized to trigger a signal to the robot power supply, to decelerate, stop or reverse arm movement.