Abstract: A motor and fan apparatus a centrifugal fan including a generally circular impeller having a plurality of generally radial vanes. The apparatus also includes a common shaft on which the impeller and the rotor are mounted in axially spaced relation. A circular pan shaped cover encloses the impeller and has a centrally disposed inlet and a wall disposed around the periphery of the impeller in spaced relationship from the periphery of the impeller. A fluid barrier is disposed axially adjacent to the impeller. The barrier and the cover collectively direct fluid flow from the periphery of the impeller in an axial direction parallel to the shaft. The apparatus includes a housing disposed axially adjacent to the barrier. The housing has a generally toroidal shaped part and a smaller generally circular shaped part, the generally toroidal shaped part and the generally circular shaped part are disposed in generally concentric relationship.

Abstract: A door holder assembly for use with an associated electromagnet and an associated door having a pneumatic or hydraulic door closer mechanism mounted thereon which includes an elongated body having first and second axial portions. The apparatus includes a threaded member coupled to the first axial portion and to the second axial portion, the threaded member is coupled to one of the axial portions by mating threaded surfaces whereby relative rotation of the first and second axial portions varies the combined axial extent of the elongated body. The assembly further including a plate at one end of the elongated body and a base at the other end of the elongated body, the base and the plate are each mounted on the elongated body by means that allows relative angular movement therebetween. In some forms of the invention the first and second axial portions are disposed in telescoping relationship and each of the axial portions are cylindrical.

Abstract: An in-place flush-cleanable mixer system for mixing materials in a vessel. The mixer has an impeller connected to a mixer drive shaft, the impeller and shaft being mounted in an assembly which extends through an opening into the vessel and closes that opening. The assembly has a cylindrical hub with bearings which support the shaft and with an open passageway through which the shaft extends out of an open end of the hub. The open passageway is part of a confinement region which is terminated at its outer end by a confinement shell which separates inner and outer rotors of a magnet coupling. The inner rotor is connected to the mixer shaft, and the outer rotor is connected to a drive shaft. There are no dynamic seals which close the confinement region so that the working materials can be present throughout.

Abstract: A variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus for use in an automobile steering column as well as other applications which includes a first member which is generally T-shaped and has an elongated shaft and an elongated head each having an axis. The respective axes thereof are disposed substantially at a right angles. A second member includes a housing in which an elongated slot is disposed, the slot is dimensioned and configured for receiving the head of the first member. The head has side surfaces which are cylindrical section shaped and the sides of the slot are dimensioned and configured for receiving the head. The slot has a generally planar bearing surfaces on the sides thereof which engage the cylindrical section shaped surfaces of the head with sliding engagement therebetween. The head has surfaces at the axial extremities thereof which are spherical section shaped and which slidingly engage spherical section shaped members.

Abstract: A system for obtaining real time measurements of at least one variable, such as temperature, of a molten metal bath where the variable is measured by immersion of an expendable primary element. The system includes a data transmitting assembly which receives the output of the primary element and when that output is within a predetermined range, indicating a valid reading, transmits a digital radio signal indicative of the magnitude of the variable. A data receiving assembly operates to receive the transmitted radio signal and a display device responsive to the output of the receiving device displays the magnitude of the variable.

Abstract: An electric motor and motor cradle apparatus for holding the motor. The electric motor includes opposed slots on opposite surfaces thereof. The opposed slots are engaged by opposed ribs in the cradle assembly to hold the motor. The ribs may be coplanar and mutually abutting. In some forms of the invention the apparatus also include additional pairs of coplanar abutting ribs that are dimensioned and configured to engage the motor at surfaces spaced from the slot.

Abstract: Process for the remanufacture of transformers of the type having a coil/core assembly immersed in a tank of mineral oil. Contaminants such as water, air and dirt are removed from the coil/core assembly by means of a hot mineral oil bath which is maintained in a temperature range between the boiling point of water and the boiling point of the mineral oil, typically 212.degree. F. to 295.degree. F.

Abstract: A motor assembly apparatus which includes a housing, an output shaft, a brush assembly, a stator, and a male connector disposed within the housing. The male connector includes a first lug and a second lug and apparatus for connecting the male connectors to the brush assembly and to the stator. In some forms of the invention the male connectors are spade lugs which may be coplanar axially aligned, and the apparatus for connecting the male connectors may include a first planar portion and a second planar portion. The first planar portion is coplanar with the spade lugs in some forms of the invention and the second portion is disposed in oblique relationship to the first portion. The housing may include first and second slots dimensioned and configured and aligned respectively with the first and second spade lugs to allow entry of associated mating electrical connectors.

Abstract: Apparatus for double insulation of a motor output shaft and providing physical coupling which includes an elongated plastic resin member that includes apparatus for coupling to an associated motor shaft and apparatus for cooperation with an associated power transmission apparatus. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for cooperation with an associated power transmission apparatus includes opposed flat surfaces. In other forms of the invention the apparatus for cooperation with an associated power transmission apparatus includes apparatus for engaging a belt. The appatatus for engaging a belt may include two coaxial truncated cones disposed with the respective larger diameter ends thereof in end abutting relationship to define a crowned axial section. In other forms of the invention the apparatus for engaging a belt includes two axially aligned truncated conical sections disposed with the respective smaller diameter ends thereof disposed in end abutting relationship.

Abstract: A process and system which provides for the heatless or pressure swing fractionation of a gaseous mixture which comprises first and second fractionation columns containing appropriate adsorption materials, together with heat exchangers, and especially featuring a compressed gas pressure powered motor driving a compressor so as to recover energy released due to the pressure reduction in one of the process flow streams.

Abstract: In order to circulate a two-phase system (a suspension of solid particles in liquid) in a large (e.g., 100 ft. diameter) and shallow tank (e.g., where the liquid level, Z, to tank diameter, T, ratio is 0.4), a cluster of side entering mixers is used and a desired flow pattern (much like that obtained from a top entering mixer) along the bottom and top of the material in the tank and vertically along the walls of the tank is obtained by (a) rotating an end mixer in the cluster in opposite sense to the other mixers, (b) spacing the mixers so that the interference is reduced between the flow produced by the mixers at the wall of the tank opposite from the mixers, and (c) by tilting the mixers so that the flow intersects the bottom near the wall of the tanks opposite from the mixers.

Abstract: A communication system in which a controller is coupled over a communication path with two or more transponders, at least two of which transponders have different addresses, which controller and transponders communicate by periodically transmitting a broadcast message simultaneously to all transponders, transmitting an acknowledge message indicative of a new input received by at least one of the transponders, and individually polling all of the transponders using a polling technique which incorporates time periods to allow communication between the controller and a selected transponder, wherein the polling is only activated subsequent to the transmission of the acknowledge message. Periodic polls of all transponders in sequence provide supervision of the integrity of the system.

Abstract: A radio frequency crosspoint switch module for use in a matrix comprising: a housing adapted to provide grounding; a pair of orthogonally related crosspoint switches disposed within the housing at either end thereof, each crosspoint switch including three movable blade contacts and three sets of fixed contacts, one set of fixed contacts being disposed on, and in contact with, the housing; a pair of coaxial connectors coupled to each of the ends of the housing, each connector having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, each pair of coaxial connectors being disposed on a common axis to be connected in a through connection mode when a respective switch is in a first position, such that two of the movable blade contacts are in contact with the second and third sets of fixed contacts attached to, or forming part of, the inner conductors of the first and second connectors respectively; a third coaxial connector being rotatable, extending between the ends of the housing, and orthogonally related to the two pai

Abstract: In order to determine a rail's neutral temperature, the length of an unconstrained piece of steel (or "gage") is compared with a similar length of railroad track rail which is constrained and thereby deflected at most temperatures because of the track structure's tie-in to the earth's surface. The gage represents the length that the counterpart piece of rail would be if it were not constrained by the track's connection to the earth's surface. The difference in length is an analog of an associated rail characteristic, such as the number of degrees that the rail's instantaneous temperature (e.g., in degrees F) is above or below the rail's neutral temperature. Length comparisons are made with precision measuring devices configured to directly read out in conventional units the rail characteristic being considered, such as pounds of force or rail neutral temperature in degrees F.

Abstract: A continuous sheet of metal leaf advanced at a constant rate is moved at variable velocity through a rotary die stamper such that between stamps the metal leaf moves at a velocity which is slower than the velocity of a substrate web; but just prior to stamping the metal leaf is accelerated by contact between the metal leaf and a raised die rotating at the velocity of the substrate web so that when the stamp occurs the metal leaf is traveling at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the substrate web. Varying the velocity of the metal leaf has the effect of minimizing the distance the metal leaf travels between stamps which conserves consumption of the metal leaf. Separate means for accelerating the leaf prior to stamping and decelerating the leaf after stamping also may be provided.

Abstract: An alarm system in which a pair of transmission lines are disposed in a loop to define two channels of transmission from a controller to a group of interconnected detectors, the improvement comprising a spaced group of line fault isolators interleaved with respective sub-groups of detectors and connected across the lines for sensing a short circuit on the transmission lines so as to isolate the short circuit condition; the isolators including an arrangement for switching, in response to a signal transmitted from the controller, those isolators which are physically located adjacent to the short circuit without interfering with the operation of other detectors in the loop.

Abstract: A low-voltage electric heating device for application in a carburizing furnace is provided with an outer housing or sleeve for replaceable disposition within the furance, the outer housing radiating heat directly into said furnace; at least one current path conductor is positioned within the outer housing, the current path conductor being electrically connectable to a source of power and electrically insulated from a substantialy part of the outer housing. The heat radiated from the heating device is concentrated in the lower part because a current path has in series at least the current path conductor and at least a corresponding part of the outer housing, the resistance of the lower part of the outer housing being relatively large with respect to the remainder of the current path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for protecting, installing and removing a fragile device having a screw threaded mounting end. The apparatus includes a housing surrounding the fragile device having an open end with a screw threaded portion which is threaded in a direction opposite to the screw thread mounting end of the fragile device. An end ferrule is attached to the mounting end of the fragile device and has a screw thread portion adapted to threadingly engage the screw thread portion of the open end of the housing. The method is practiced by inserting the fragile device into the screw threaded open end of the housing and threadingly engaging the ferrule with the housing in a first direction to a desired level of torque. The screw threaded mount of the fragile device is then threadingly engaged in a screw threaded mounting hole by turning the housing in the same direction until the fragile device and the ferrule seats.

Abstract: A card reader system for reading a fare card containing data, the card being adapted for insertion into the reader; the operation is such that the card is held in a fixed position while it is being read and while other operations such as erase, write, and the like are being performed. The reader assembly is moved past the card to read the data and perform the other operations and the data representative of the amount of fare already paid is stored and a balance due or remaining is calculated and is written on the card. Preferably, the card has a magnetic stripe carrying the data, and the reader includes a magnetic head, as well as an optional thermal (marking) head. Solenoids are used to clamp in the fixed position and to eject the card after clamping is released.