Abstract: Apparatus for removably connecting a strain cell to a polished rod of a well pumping unit and for preventing the development of strain cell output signals due to bending of the polished rod. The strain cell is connected to a frame member which can be clamped to the polished rod where strain cell output signals are obtained due to a change in tensile load on the rod. A pair of hinges, between the frame member and the polished rod, minimizes the development of strain cell output signals due to bending of the polished rod. The frame member can be adapted to mount on a variety of sizes of polished rods. The apparatus can be removed or replaced without the use of special skills or special equipment.

Abstract: The disclosed cutting method and apparatus produces a pattern cut in web material by providing a generally conically-shaped rotatable anvil and oppositely disposed knife edge shaped to produce the pattern cut. The axes of symmetry containing the apex of the cone is positioned at an acute angle to the axes about which the cone is rotated. With the web positioned over the knife, the knife is brought into pressure engagement with the anvil thereby piercing the web substantially at a point. Rotation of the anvil effects progressive cutting as the anvil surface traces the cutting edge of the knife.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repeatedly testing wire rope and sheaves under simulated operating conditions is disclosed. The testing apparatus is capable of simulating many conditions under which wire ropes and sheaves are used in actual practice with cranes or the like including adjustments for varying rope tension, rope speed, sheave speed, sheave off-lead angles relative to the rope and to allow reverse bending of the rope. Sheaves of different diameter and different rope size and materials may be tested.

Abstract: An active data bus includes a plurality of multiplex terminals serially interconnected to form a closed loop. Each terminal is capable of assuming either a relay configuration wherein data received from a preceding terminal are retransmitted to a succeeding terminal or a transmit access configuration wherein the loop is opened at the terminal and locally-generated data are introduced therein. Each terminal is capable of functioning either in a diagnostic mode whereby system access is obtained by programmed action of the terminal's control microprocessor or in a user access mode whereby access is obtained without microprocessor action by virtue of hardware "capturing" an access window bit introduced by the last-accessing terminal. The last-accessing terminal functions to close the loop after introducing its data and before the access window has completely traversed the system. The access window is thereupon "trapped" on the closed loop and circulates until it is "captured" by the next accessing terminal.

Abstract: A constant motion swivel seal assembly having greatly improved useful life without leakage of fluid from a swivel joint. The seal assembly includes one or more annular sealing rings rotatably positioned between an outer joint member and an inner joint member. A wedge-shaped anti-extrusion ring mounted between the annular sealing ring and a gap between the inner and outer joint members prevents the sealing ring from extrusion into the gap. The anti-extrusion ring has a relatively large surface area in contact with the inner joint member and a relatively small surface area in contact with the outer joint member so the anti-extrusion ring remains in substantially the same position relative to the inner joint member. The relatively small area of contact between the outer joint member and the anti-extrusion ring allows the anti-extrusion ring to slide over the surface of the outer joint member as the outer joint member rotates relative to the inner joint member.

Abstract: A quick connect diagnostic system is disclosed for detecting the pressure and temperature of fluid streams flowing in fluid flow passages in engines or the like. A plurality of female portions of the quick connect mechanisms, which include foot valves, are permanently connected to different fluid flow passages in the engine. During normal operation of the engine dust caps are locked in the female portions and include at least one O-ring seal to cooperate with the foot valve to assist in preventing leakage. When testing for temperature or pressure of the fluids, temperature probes or pressure probes with transducers thereon, are inserted into the associated female portions causing O-ring seals to seal the quick connect coupling prior to contacting and opening the foot valves which subject the pressure probes to the fluid pressure in the associated passages, and which project the ends of the temperature probes into the flow streams being tested.

Abstract: A coupling and latching mechanism for a multi-section extensible boom that includes a manual section and is operable from a remote location such as the cab of a crane. The mechanism includes pairs of spaced jaw type couplings secured to adjacent boom sections and adapted to be selectively coupled to the piston rod or the like of an extensible ram for operating the boom either with the manual section extended or retracted. Remotely controlled latch locking blocks are provided to latch the manual section in a plurality of extended positons, or in a retracted position.

Abstract: A multi-section telescopic boom is disclosed having a base section supported for pivotal movement, a manual section telescopically received in said base section, a mid section, and a tip section which sections are progressively lighter from the base section to the tip section when excluding the weight of head machinery connected to the tip section. The heavy manual section is stored in the base section when a load to be transferred between two locations can be reached with the mid and tip sections extended thereby substantially decreasing the turning moment about the pivot axis due to the weight of the boom sections resulting in an increased load carrying capacity of the boom. The boom is preferably supported by a pendant line operatively connected to the outer end of the tip and base sections and trained within the boom to aid a single hydraulic ram to extend and retract selected sections of the boom.

Abstract: A method is presented, together with variations thereof, which provides for identifying single degree of freedom machine operating characteristics from machine power transfer shaft torque and angular velocity measurements, wherein solutions are determined within the physical coordinate domain. Apparatus is disclosed which provides for variation in torque and angular velocity at the power transfer shaft and the shaft is accessible, so that independent measurements may be made. The determination of machine characteristics is useful for verification of analysis, diagnostics, or on-line monitoring for conformance to machine model characteristics.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for the components of a street sweeper or the like is disclosed which includes a hydraulic pump and tank connected in series with the motor of an elevator, the motor of a pick-up broom, the motor of a right gutter broom, and the motor of a left gutter broom with each broom motor being driven in response to closing a by-pass valve. The system also includes a control circuit for raising and lowering the several vertically movable components and hydraulics locking them in selected positions. The hydraulic system further includes a hydrostatic drive system including a two-speed shift control assembly.

Abstract: The multiple sheave mechanism is primarily intended for use on the outer end of a long boom of a crane. The mechanism includes a plurality of sheaves that have hubs supported for rotation on a shaft by anti-friction bearings. Each of the hubs have a cylindrical inner flange on one side and a cylindrical outer flange on the other side, and the hubs are axially spaced from each other with the outer flanges overlapping the inner flanges. The outer flange on one end sheave overlaps an annular retainer, and a second retainer overlaps the inner flange on the other end sheave. The cooperating flanges and retainers define circuitous passages which are filled with lubricant for providing a mechanical seal and a fluid seal which minimizes entry of dirt, dust and other debris into the bearings and maximizes the interval between required relubrication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for packaging articles in two portions of film which are fed between outer and inner annular film clamping mechanisms with the outer clamping mechanism firmly clamping the film portions while stretching the film over the article. The inner annular clamping mechanism then clamps the periphery of the film portions together immediately inward of the seal area, and the outer clamps release the film allowing an annular hot knife to seal and sever the film portions in a relaxed area. A low inertia film drive system is also provided with the film supply rolls on one side of the clamping mechanisms being continuously driven while brush rolls on the other side of the clamping mechanisms are intermittently driven. The low inertia film drive system also includes components for assuring that the film is stressed longitudinally and transversely to remove wrinkles therefrom, and to assure that the film portions are sealed and severed in a completely relaxed area.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting changes in inclination or acceleration is disclosed. In its preferred environment the apparatus is used to determine the position of the sucker-rod of a sucker-rod pump. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a magnetic-field sensor such as a linear output transducer which provides a linear output signal, and a cantilever spring having a counterweight and magnet on its free end disposed adjacent the linear transducer. Oscillation of the walking beam of the pump causes the spring supported magnet to move relative to the sensor producing linear output signals which are processed by other means to determine the position of the sucker-rod at all times. The apparatus may be used in other environments to determine either changes in inclination or changes in acceleration.

Abstract: A data bus system having enhanced survivability includes a plurality of serially connected active terminals which may be configured in a user access mode to service users coupled thereto or a diagnostic mode during which the terminals undertake an analysis of the condition of the system and a determination is made of the optimum available system configuration. Complementary redundant transmission paths extend between each terminal and the terminal adjacent together with a bypass transmission path which couples each terminal with the terminal beyond the adjacent terminal. The bypass paths in conjunction with the complementary transmission paths operate to allow a greater number of faults to occur in the transmission paths without bus degradation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the angle of a pivoted, pendant supported extensible boom and the mast-boom angle between working positions and a transport position. The structure for controlling the angle includes a wire rope driven by a winch and trained over a boom supporting hoist and over a pendant take-up hoist which includes a floating sheave assembly connected to an extensible portion of the boom by a fixed length pendant. Another fixed length pendant determines the mast-boom angle when the boom is in working position, and a floating sheave stop is pivoted to the mast in position to cradle and/or abut a portion of the floating sheave assembly for enabling complete control of the mast when moved between its transport position and working positions relative to the boom.

Abstract: A street sweeper has floating support apparatus for supporting both a pick-up broom and a pair of laterally and forwardly disposed gutter brushes beneath a sweeper framework and for providing controlled broom and brush pressures on the surface being swept. A ball bushing and vertical shaft provide gutter brush suspension and spherical bearings and support arms provide pick-up broom suspension. The gutter brushes and pick-up broom are directly driven by hydraulic motors mounted on their respective suspension structures. Debris is directed inwardly on the swept surface by the gutter brushes toward the path of the pick-up broom. Laterally disposed dirt shoes lie adjacent the ends of the pick-up broom to prevent debris from flowing around the ends of the broom, whereby debris is further guided inwardly toward the pick-up broom for propulsion toward an elevator for transfer into a framework mounted debris hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counterbalancing a load carried by a crane by a counterweight suspended from the mast of the crane. A counterweight height control system is provided for maintaining the counterweight a few inches above the ground during operation, which system may be manually overridden by operator actuated controls. A pair of spaced counterweight positioning winches on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the crane's upper works move the counterweight toward or away from the vertical axis of rotation of the upper works in response to operator actuated controls and also provides side forces on the counterweight for minimizing swinging of the counterweight.

Abstract: A street sweeper has floating support apparatus for supporting both a pick-up broom and a pair of laterally and forwardly disposed gutter brushes beneath a sweeper framework and for providing controlled broom and brush pressures on the surface being swept. A ball bushing and vertical shaft provides gutter brush suspension and spherical bearings and support arms provide pick-up broom suspension. The gutter brushes and pick-up broom are directly driven by hydraulic motors mounted on their respective suspension structures. Debris is directed inwardly on the swept surface by the gutter brushes toward the path of the pick-up broom. Laterally disposed dirt shoes lie adjacent the ends of the pick-up broom to prevent debris from flowing around the ends of the broom, whereby debris is further guided inwardly toward the pick-up broom for propulsion toward an elevator for transfer into a framework mounted debris hopper.