Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes either four wheel mountable alignment heads or two alignment heads and two retroreflectors or two alignment heads alone together with a control console and display. A main process unit is included in the console for performing calculations and for controlling systems function control components communications sequences. Each console function control component includes its own controller. The control console further includes a CRT display module and optional voice instruction and printer output modules. A bar code reader is available for quick specifications entry. Communications and decision making instructions are downloaded from the controller in each console function control component to the main processing unit at initialization. Communication between the heads and the console is accomplished either through the use of conducting cords or infrared transmission and reception.

Abstract: A lower bead breaker quick release for a tire changing machine includes a manually overpowered spring lock mechanism that keeps the lower bead breaker in position during lower and upper bead breaking operations. Manual compression of the spring lock allows the lower bead breaker pivot shaft to be positioned axially to allow complete removal of the lower bead breaker from the tire changing machine. A manually actuated, friction locked lower bead breaker attitude adjustment is also provided.

Abstract: A line-up vision system for testing the alignment of a workpiece in a holder of an automated machining apparatus. A light source illuminates one portion of the workpiece and keeps another portion of the workpiece dark. A light colored backdrop provides a sharp edge along the dark portion of the workpiece for a camera directed toward the backdrop. As the workpiece is rotated slowly the camera observes any movement of the sharp edge to determine if the workpiece is properly positioned in the holder of the machining apparatus. If the workpiece is properly positioned the camera provides signals which cause the apparatus to proceed with machining operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A hand operated control for a rough riding vehicle is disclosed and includes a truncated sphere having a soft hand grip movably mounted thereon. A position sensing mechanism is partially encompassed within said truncated sphere and is connected to the soft hand grip and a computer for sending control signals to the vehicle. The soft hand grip is held from movement by firmly gripping the hand grip to the truncated sphere, and is controllably moved relative to the truncated sphere about a center within the grip of the hand to transmit control signals to the vehicle such as direction of movement signals when the grip on the hand grip is relaxed.

Abstract: A system and method provides a continuous supply of clean air at a desired temperature to the crew members of a combat vehicle when in an environment contaminated by nuclear, biological or chemical warfare agents. The contaminated air is initially compressed by energy received from the exhaust gases from a combustion power unit of the vehicle, the initially compressed air is then cooled to increase its density and is then compressed and cooled a second time before being passed through a pressure swing adsorbent system which continuously removes all known contaminants from the air, and is then expanded and changed in temperature to provide clean air at a desired temperature to personnel within the vehicle. The energy released from the air during expansion is used to compress the air the second time thereby providing a very energy efficient system.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vibratory exciter having a non-linear elastomeric compression spring mounted in four quadrants around an electromagnet. The spring having curved armature contact surfaces of different heights on laterally opposite adjacent quadrants for providing selectable non-linear stiffening and deflection rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for testing the integrity and acceptability of the seal of a package before or after it has been sterilized by any chosen conventional process which may include heat sterilization of a sealed package, aseptic packaging or irradiation. Testing is accomplished by subjecting the package or container to a controlled external pressure, preferably a linear actuator, sufficient to create a selected level of internal pressure. Any suitable means may be used to determine the rate of pressure change within a selected time interval. Upper and lower limits of pressure change determine whether the seal is acceptable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism, associated with a thermoplastic bag making machine, for preparing a strip of thermoplastic to produce bags having the upper edges of the bag mouth formed in a sinusodial shape such that the peak of such shape is substantially equi-distant relative to the side edges of the bag. While the disclosed bag machine is of the type that advances the web strip incrementally, shaping of the web strip in the sinusodial shape occurs while a portion of the web strip is advanced at substantially constant velocity. A mechanism is provided for maintaining constant tension in the web despite the constant and intermittent feeding of the web.

Abstract: An autoloading method and apparatus is disclosed for a turret mounted gun that is pivoted horizontally relative to the turret and must be lowered to a substantially horizontal 0.degree. position for loading selected cartridges from a magazine conveyor, ejecting empty cartridge cases and misfired cartridges from the gun and turret, assisting in replenishing cartridges from outside the turret into the magazine, and off-loading cartridges from the magazine. A partition divides the turret into two compartments with a gunner and a commander located in one compartment and the mechanical components of the autoloader and breech of the gun located in the other compartment. When the gun is returned to the 0.degree. position for ejecting an empty case, the site of the director system remains on target. The turret is preferably mounted on a military land vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft loader has an elevatable deck supported on scissor-type supports and urged into the elevated position by a hydraulically actuated lifting structure. The lifting structure incorporates two supports that move vertically on chain members when the cylinders are actuated.

Abstract: A submarine weapon handling system and method includes a storage tray, ramming tray, and transfer tray. Each tray has a plurality of rotatable bands received in grooves in the trays and are movable between an open weapon receiving position and a closed weapon clamping position. The storage tray and ramming tray are stationary and the transfer tray is movable. The transfer tray is moved into contact with a weapon secured in the storage tray, the bands of the transfer tray are rotated around the weapon, and the bands in the storage tray are rotated from closed to open position permitting the transfer tray to move a selected weapon into the bands of the ramming tray which are then rotated into weapon clamping position while the bands of the transfer tray are opened permitting the transfer tray to be moved away from the ramming tray.

Abstract: A weapon dolly is disclosed for use in a submarine to handle weapons such as torpedos or the like. The dolly includes a base section having an arcuate weapon supporting surface formed from light composite material having a recess formed therein. A composite arcuate band is movable between a weapon clamping position above the base section and a stowed position slidably received within the base section below the weapon supporting surface. Arcuate links and clamp means with an associated positive locking mechanism are provided for clamping the weapon between the band and the base and for quickly releasing the weapon for movement into a launching tube or the like.

Abstract: A hand held cutting tool is disclosed for use in cutting articles, especially when the tool is to be used in confined quarters while protecting the operator from being cut by the tool. The tool includes a motor which drives the cutter only when one hand of the operator grasps the motor housing and closes a trigger. Portions of a cutter and cutter guard project out of a small housing, and the guard normally encompasses the projecting portion of the cutter. When it is desired to expose the projecting portion of the cutter to perform a cutting operation, the other hand of the operator must grip a portion of the tool remote from the exposed portion of the cutter and must actuate a valve or handle to expose and maintain the guard in the exposed cutting position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sterilizing apparatus adapted to practice methods of sterile cooling of packaged food products or fluids. Following sterilization a variety of procedures to effect sterile cooling are presented. Sterile cooling is accomplished by sterile fluids, such as water, a solution of selected chemicals and water or sterile air which also may be combined with sterilizing gases.

Abstract: A data bus system includes a plurality of serially connected active terminals configured to receive data and either retransmit the received data or transmit new data to the next adjacent terminal. The terminals are configured in a diagnostic mode to configure the system optimally at turn-on or in the event system faults occur, and are configured in a user access mode once optimum configuration is attained. The system is under control by one terminal at any one time during the diagnostic mode and any terminal is capable of being the control terminal. For operation in the user access mode a cyclic period is defined during which a portion of the period is set aside for synchronous transmissions and another portion of the period is set aside for asynchronous transmissions. Both synchronous and asynchronous users are thereby accommodated by the bus.

Abstract: An automatic level device for sensing the height and pitch of an aircraft and for adjusting a loader platform to align with the aircraft. An umbilical cord connected between the platform and the aircraft includes a tube partially filled with mercury and having a plurality of electrodes spaced along one end of the tube. As the height of the aircraft changes the mercury contacts a different number of electrodes and the electrodes provide signals for adjusting the level of the platform and aligning the platform with the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming up-standing expanded metal from high carbon steels or high carbon alloy steels. The steel is induction heated to a hot forging temperature prior to being formed into expanded metal, and the expanded metal may thereafter be hardened to a hardness greater than that of the base metal from which it was made.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting on a crane or other construction equipment for detecting the presence of an electrical power line. A reference pickup coil mounted on an upper machinery works or other portion of the equipment generates a reference signal proportional to the strength of a magnetic field in a work area. Other pickup coils mounted on a crane boom or other portions of the equipment which may extend into closer proximity to power lines develop signals which are compared with the reference signal. When any of these signals exceed the reference signal by a predetermined amount a warning signal is developed. Coils having the proper ratio of core length to diameter and having coil winding which extend along approximately half the core length provide output signals which have a predictable amplitude.

Abstract: The disclosed sterilizing apparatus makes use of mobile cars containing a quantity of packages. The cars are continuously intermittently advanced to a package loading position, to an inlet lock where pressurizing and preheating of the car and its contents occur, to a sterilizing chamber for a sufficient period of time to effect sterilization, to a discharge lock that depressurizes and partially cools the car and its contents, to an atmospheric cooling station, to a water discharge station and then to a package unloading station.

Abstract: A work set up method and apparatus is disclosed for use with tape controlled machine tools including quick connect ball locks which accurately lock one or more fixtures and workpieces to a work table. The tape is indexed with one ball lock and controls the machining of the workpiece. The fixture and workpiece may be locked to the table of other tape controlled machines for performing other machining functions on the workpiece. A second embodiment includes a work set up apparatus in combination with a drill holding mechanism and at least one multiple spindle drilling head secured to the vertically movable head of a multiple drilling head machine. Depending upon the complexity and size of the workpiece and the number of drills in the second embodiments, set up time is reduced from a prior art time of between about 4-16 hours to between about 5-20 minutes in accordance with the present invention.