Abstract: A face seal assembly (10) having an intermediate seal ring (38) is disclosed. The intermediate seal ring (38) is disposed between a pair of opposing metal seal faces (36,37) of the seal assembly (10) so that the faces (36,37) contact opposite sealing faces (39,40) on the ring (38), instead of each other. Means (44) are provided for rotating the intermediate seal ring (38) at a speed which is proportionately less than the rotational speed between the opposing seal faces (36,37). This rotation of the intermediate ring (38) reduces the velocities of the contacting seal faces. The face seal assembly (10) is thus capable of use in higher speed applications without incurring scoring of the seal faces.

Abstract: An improved articulate chain (10) including pivotally interconnected sections (12,14,16) of spaced, coacting links (18,20,22) having the chain driving members (54) intermediate the pivot connections (58,60) to reduce the chain loads thereon. The links (18,20,22) are locked together in a common plane (56) by integral externally splined projections (82) extending therefrom into the internally splined drive bushing (96) to resist torque loads and increase the structural integrity of the chain (10). The links (18,20,22) are releasably coupled together to permit expeditious disassembly and reassembly thereof for servicing.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00504 Sec. 371 Date July 16, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed July 16, 1979A method and apparatus for assembling an articulated track chain (10) affording controlled minimum end play, the chain (10) comprising a plurality of coacting, overlapping pairs of oppositely disposed links (20,22,24,26) having integral interconnecting pin and sprocket engaging members (16,18). An apparatus (122,124) for locating the coacting, overlapping pairs of links (20,22,24,26) at a preselected position on the pin (16,18), regardless of the variations in the link thickness due to manufacturing tolerances is disclosed.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/01036 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 3, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date. Dec. 3, 1979 PCT FiledAn end face seal assembly (10) has a seal ring (36), a support ring (42), and a resilient load ring (44) having individual preselected properties. The load ring (44) and the support ring (42) have improved cross-sectional configurations and have a precise geometrical relationship to each other and to the joint (12) in which they are received.

Abstract: A flash control molding is provided for use in association with a pattern for forming a casting cavity in a metal casting mold. The flash control molding includes an elongated strip of pliable material having a predetermined cross sectional configuration to define a thick portion for forming a flash control chamber in the mold, and a thin edge along one side of the thick portion to form a restricted opening between the flash control chamber and the casting cavity so that a casting subsequently produced in the mold is formed with controlled shaped flash which has a built-in fracture line immediately adjacent the casting proper, thereby making the flash easily and cleanly removable from the casting.

Abstract: A pressure limiting arrangement is disclosed for automatically reestablishing full clutch engagement pressure to a hydraulic pressure actuated clutch of a vehicle whenever the operator, by the manipulation of an inching valve, attempts to slip the clutch above a predetermined partial engagement pressure and includes a mechanical biasing device connected to the inching valve and effective in overriding the manual control thereof to shift the valve to its full clutch engaging position, an actuator connected for effecting the disengagement of the biasing device to allow normal operation of the valve, and a control system to effect the selective operation of the actuator and including a first device responsive to a predetermined application of the manual control member of the valve to effect the initial disengagement of the biasing device and a second device responsive to the predetermined partial clutch engagement pressure to effect the reengagement of the mechanical biasing device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for reducing the noise generated by the meshing of an endless track and a drive sprocket of a track type vehicle including a pair of annular treads of resilient material. The treads are mounted about the peripheries of a respective one of a pair of cylindrical wall members provided on opposite sides of the sprocket for positioning the treads in radially aligned relationship with a respective one of the inwardly facing rail surfaces provided on a respective one of the double chains of the track. The treads are sized so that, in a free state, their outer peripheries are positioned radially outwardly of the normal position of their respective rail surfaces when the track is fully seated with the sprocket so that the rail surfaces engage and compress the treads before the track comes into full mesh with the sprocket, thereby alleviating any impact therebetween.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system is provided for reducing the content of oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust of a diesel engine. The system is effective in recirculating variable amounts of exhaust gas back through the engine in relation to engine load by being operatively controlled in response to predetermined settings of the engine's fuel supply system.

Abstract: A rotatable track supporting member for a track-type vehicle has a hub rotatably carried upon a track frame of such vehicle and a rim which is constructed from segmented resilient material so as to reduce the amount of noise generated by the running engagement between the rim and an endless track chain mounted for movement about the track frame.

Abstract: An improved hoisting arrangement is provided for raising and lowering a load supporting carriage upon a front lift mast of an industrial lift truck which arrangement removes the normally vertically disposed carriage hoisting jack from between the upright channel members of the lift mast and positions such jack in a horizontal, rearwardly extending relation with respect to such lift mast so as to provide the lift truck operator with greater forward visibility.

Abstract: A container handling attachment is provided for lift trucks and the like to permit such trucks to load and transport relatively large horizontally disposed cylindrical objects. The attachment includes a pair of sleeve members which are slidably received over the forks of a conventional lift mast to permit easy attachment thereto. The attachment also includes a pair of lifting lugs which are selectively positionable in underlying engagement with a pair of longitudinally spaced lifting bars provided on the object. Latching means are positionable around such lifting bars to prevent their disengagement from the lifting lugs. Bumper stops are also provided for engagement with the legs of the object to prevent rotation of the object about its longitudinal axis when it is raised from the ground.

Abstract: An emergency brake system is provided for a vehicle having separate fluid operated front and rear wheel service brakes and a control system with separate front and rear fluid conduits for individually conducting pressurized fluid to effect the application of the service brakes. The emergency brake system includes an emergency brake and a pressure differential detecting device connected to each of the fluid conduits for detecting a difference in the fluid pressures of the conduits. The detecting device is connected through apparatus to the emergency brake to effect the automatic application of the emergency brake when the service brakes are applied and the difference in the pressures of the conduits is beyond a predetermined value.

Abstract: A combined fluid motor and pumping apparatus including a unitary multi-land piston device having a motor piston end slidably mounted in a motor portion of an elongated tubular housing and an opposite pump piston end slidably mounted in an opposite pumping portion of the housing wherein the working area of the motor piston end is provided with a greater effective working area than the pump piston end so that upon directing a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure against the motor piston end of the piston device the pumping portion is effective to pressurize a work system to a higher pressure than the pressure at the source of fluid with the housing incorporating a fluid reservoir in the motor portion for making up fluid losses in the pumping portion.

Abstract: A dual hydraulic motor drive system is provided for powering a material loading elevator of a self-loading scraper vehicle. Such drive system includes a pair of hydraulic motors which are disposed in a fluid circuit having a blocker valve movable between a first position to direct fluid pressure to just one of the motors to provide high speed, low torque operation of the elevator and a second position to direct fluid to both of the motors to provide low speed, high torque operation of such elevator. Actuator means responsive to loading resistance affecting the elevator being effective to automatically position the blocker valve in its first position during normal loading conditions and to shift it to its second position when severe loading conditions are encountered so as to prevent stalling of the elevator.

Abstract: A final drive bearing arrangement is provided for rotatably mounting a sprocket carrying hub about a nonrotatable sprocket shaft for a final drive assembly of a crawler tractor. The bearing arrangement includes an annular bearing cage for mounting a tapered roller bearing on the outer end of the hub and has an inner sleeve portion positionable in closely slidable relation about a cylindrical portion on the sprocket shaft adjacent its distal end. A nut screw threadably mounted on the distal end of the shaft is effective in securing the cage thereon and in adjustably exerting a predetermined axial preloading force on the bearing through the cage to obtain the maximum life from the bearing.

Abstract: A framework is provided for a relatively large off-highway truck which has front wheels supported by independent suspension struts positioned on opposite sides of the engine. The framework includes a pair of longitudinally disposed, laterally spaced main side rails and a superstructure which provides an upper, transverse bridgework interconnecting the side rails to add transverse rigidity in a manner which does not obstruct overhead accessibility to the engine. The superstructure also provides radial support for the upper ends of the struts to minimize twisting of the main side rails by moment loads created by the wheels. The superstructure further supports a roll-over protective structure for the operator cab of the truck in a manner which minimizes the transmission of severe impact loads in the event of rollover to the main frame.

Abstract: A lock valve assembly is provided in a hydraulic control system for a double acting hydraulic jack which is adapted to permit the desired substantially unrestricted flow of inlet fluid selectively to either end of the jack under all operating conditions and is automatically self-conditioning to either restrict when necessary or not to restrict the flow of outlet fluid from either end of the jack as may be required.

Abstract: A yieldable vehicle step is provided having a rigid foot support member pendantly supported from the side of a vehicle frame by a pair of relatively strong, but deflectable legs. Each leg is constructed from a chain and an outer deformable stiffener member circumposed about such chain. The outer member affords sufficient lateral rigidity or stiffness to the legs so as to minimize undue swinging movement of the step when in use, but which automatically returns to its suspended position whenever deflected by contact with an obstruction during movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator is provided in the hydraulic system of an electric vehicle, such as a lift truck, for conserving its battery power by minimizing the frequency of energy draining pump start-ups during operation. Pressurized fluid stored in such accumulator is utilized for powering any of the various hydraulically actuated work elements employed on the vehicle when the pump is not being run. The system further provides for automatically starting and stopping the pump to keep the pressure in the accumulator within a predetermined operating range and for starting the pump when required to achieve the desired actuation of a particular work element.