Abstract: An improved valve disabler and disabler control for a multi-cylinder engine having individually pivoted rocker arms and an intake and exhaust valve pair for each cylinder. Each intake and exhaust valve of half of the valve pairs is associated with a selectively operable valve disabler. Each disabler includes slideable fulcrum means, a spring biasing the fulcrum into engagement with the rocker arm, a stop for limiting sliding movement of the fulcrum in the biased direction, a sleeve slideable with the fulcrum, latch means rotatable between a valve enabling position which prevents sliding movement of the sleeve and valve disabling position which allows sliding movement of the sleeve.

Abstract: A thermal actuator of the expansible wax type is disclosed having an actuator rod extending through an enlarged clearance hole in an upper guide casing, a closely fitting hole in a guide washer, and a snugly fitting anti-chafe ring. The washer and ring are located intermediate the upper surface of a flexible diaphragm and a counterbore defined by the guide casing. The clearance between the outer diameter of the guide washer and the counterbore formed by the guide casing is substantially less than the clearance between the guide casing opening and the actuator rod. The guide washer and anti-chafe ring mounting arrangement in relation to the guide casing opening provides improved rod alignment and a self-cleaning action as the rod moves.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10) including a valve stem (34) having an elastomeric valve element (36) received in a counterbore (38) formed in one end thereof and engageable with a valve seat (32) formed in the body (12) of the valve. An annular channel (58) is formed in the valve body surrounding the valve seat, and the valve element is recessed below the outer edge of the counterbored end of the valve stem, such that a thin, annular wall section (39) defined by the difference between the diameter of the counterbore and the outer diameter (40) of the valve stem, extends downward into the annular channel when the valve is closed.The outer diameter of the counterbored end of the valve stem is substantially smaller than the inner diameter (22) of the main valve chamber to define an annular fluid escape passage (64) and a lip is formed on the valve stem above the counterbored end to guide the valve stem in the main valve chamber.

Abstract: A vehicular air disc brake of the wedge actuator type in which the wedge actuator is secured to the air motor by an annular fastener which is snap locked in place in a blind bore in the free end of the wedge actuator and which acts to secure the free end of the piston rod of the air motor to the wedge actuator in response to generally linear movement of the piston rod into the fastener. The fastener is split to allow insertion into the blind bore in the free end of the wedge actuator, and includes a plurality of finger portions which together define a single helical thread disposed within the blind bore; this single thread allows the threads on the air motor piston rod to ratchet therepast upon insertion of the piston rod, allows the piston rod to be threaded out of the fastener for disassembly purposes, and, in the event of inadvertent backing out rotation of the piston rod, allows the piston rod to reseat in the blind bottom of the wedge actuator brake in response to the next actuation of the air motor.

Abstract: An improved valve selector assembly for selectively enabling and disabling the intake and exhaust valves of one cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type having individually pivoted rocker arms for opening and closing the valves. Each selector assembly includes two valve disablers (one associated with the intake valve rocker arm and one associated with the exhaust valve rocker arm), and control means for orienting and switching the disablers between valve enabling and valve disabling. Each valve disabler is a spring capsule subassembly of the selector assembly and includes a slideable sleeve defining a fulcrum at one end, a cap slideably connected to the other end of the sleeve, and a spring reacting against the cap and biasing the fulcrum into engagement with its respective rocker arm.

Abstract: A crane operating aid comprises a load moment computer and a number of transducers which monitor crane parameters such as boom length, boom angle, and boom reaction forces. The computer then calculates the percentage of load capacity as a function of the crane manufacturer's published load rating tables. In cranes having booms which are luffed by a plurality of hydraulic lift rams, boom reaction forces are determined by providing separate pressure transducers on the lower or high pressure end of each ram. The upper or low pressure ends of the rams are in fluid communication with one another, requiring only a single pressure transducer. Each transducer generates an output signal as a function of the pressure which it is monitoring. The signals from the transducers associated with the high pressure ends of the rams are averaged and the difference between the output signal of the transducer associated with the low pressure ends of the rams and the average signal is used to generate a reaction force signal.

Abstract: A system for effecting the gradual engagement and disengagement of the clutches of a fluid power shifted transmission for industrial lift trucks. The system includes a selector valve for porting fluid from an engine driven pump to the clutches of the transmission and from the clutches to a system reservoir; the selector valve includes damping means for limiting the rate of change in flow through the valve. The system further includes a control valve which operates to limit the pump outlet pressure at engine speeds above a predetermined maximum and to decrease the pump outlet pressure and therefore the clutch actuation force in response to increases in the force applied by the truck brakes.

Abstract: A means for selecting one of a plurality of predetermined amounts of the lost-motion lash in the valve gear of an engine while the engine is running. A latchable mechanism in the valve gear is movable from a first position providing predetermined normal low level lash to a second position providing a predetermined substantially greater lash for reducing the effective lift of the cam and shortening of the valve event. A unique cam profile provides a period of linear lift of substantially constant low velocity, both during lash take-up on valve opening to prevent high velocity clash of valve gear components and during valve closing to prevent high velocity seating of the valve.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine for generating an electric current having the frequency thereof proportional to the shaft speed of the machine. The generator is preferably of the permanent magnet type particularly suitable for use as a wheel speed indicator or tachometer-generator. The stator has an inner and outer tubular portion, with the inner portion disposed for limited radial movement with respect to the outer housing and having one end of the rotor journalled thereon for holding a substantially constant air gap at the rotary pole thereof. The limited movement of the inner stator portion is resisted by frictional forces created by the permanent magnet and by the axial bias of a thrust bearing. The remaining end of the rotor is journalled in a bearing registered in the outer stator housing. The machine gives magnetic saturation at the stator poles at 30% of rated speed and produces a strong signal output at low speeds.

Abstract: An improved valve disabler control for a multi-cylinder engine having individually pivoted rocker arms and an intake and exhaust valve pair for each cylinder. Half of the valve pairs are provided with valve disablers having rotatable sleeves. Rotation of the sleeves counterclockwise (ccw) allows sliding movement of the rocker arm fulcrums, thereby disabling the valves; clockwise (cw) rotation of the sleeves prevents sliding movement of the fulcrums, thereby enabling the valves. The improved control includes a link and a spring interconnecting the disabler sleeves for each valve pair. Each link rotates the intake valve disabler sleeve ccw in response to ccw rotation of the exhaust valve disabling sleeve. A slot connecting each link to the intake valve disabler sleeve allows cw rotation of the exhaust valve disabler sleeve before cw rotation of the intake valve disabler sleeve. Each spring provides a cw biasing force to the sleeves. The biasing force increases in response to ccw rotation of the sleeves.

Abstract: An improved valve selector assembly for selectively enabling and disabling the intake and exhaust valves of one cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the type having individually pivoted rocker arms for opening and closing the valves. Each selector assembly includes two valve disablers (one associated with the intake valve rocker arm and one associated with the exhaust valve rocker arm), and control means for orienting and switching the disablers between valve enabling and valve disabling. Each valve disabler is a spring capsule subassembly of the selector assembly and includes a slideable sleeve defining a fulcrum at one end, a cap slideably connected to the other end of the sleeve, and a spring reacting against the cap and biasing the fulcrum into engagement with its respective rocker arm.

Abstract: A one-piece seal for an electric switch for sealing the spaces between a pivotal switch actuator and its supporting frame and between such frame and the switch base. This seal comprises a generally rectangular molded member of resilient material having a bushing extending up into sealing engagement with the pivotal area of the actuator, a land on its upper surface locating and retaining the seal with respect to the aperture in the switch frame, a pair of lugs or pads on its bottom surface for locating and retaining the seal with respect to the switch base, a radius on each of the outwardly facing bights between these lugs and the planar bottom surface of the seal into which the sharp corners of the base bite to effect a tight seal, and thinner sections formed by recesses on opposite sides of the aforesaid land for receiving complementary shelf portions of the frame in combination with thicker side strips or ribs that are pinched between the frame and base for a tight seal.

Abstract: A multiple function control for an electric lift truck which facilitates moving the truck while the load carriage is being raised or lowered. Two vehicles speeds in forward and reverse can be selected by means of a pair of pushbuttons (34, 36) located on the load carriage lift control handle (32), independent of the normal vehicle travel control (28). Circuit means are provided to prevent simultaneous selection of both forward and reverse drive motor directions and to prevent adverse results from simultaneous operation of the normal vehicle travel control and the pushbutton control.

Abstract: A crane operating aid comprises a load moment computer and a number of sensors which monitor crane parameters, such as boom length, boom angle, slewing angle, and boom reaction forces. The computer then calculates the percentage of load capacity as a function of the crane manufacturer's published load rating tables. Absolute encoding digital optical sensors are employed to monitor linear or angular displacement between portions of the crane which are operatively moveable with respect to one another. The digital output signals from the various sensors are then fed to the computer for use in its calculations. Each sensor comprises a detector made up of a light emitting element which is spaced from a light receiving element and an encoder disc which is mounted for displacement with respect to the detector and operates to present a series of tracks intermediate the light emitting portion and light receiving portion of the detector. Each track comprises a series of alternatingly opaque and transparent portions.

Abstract: An improved elongate deformable tube for use in the conveyance of fluids and/or fluid transmission signals under pressure having a bore therethrough enclosed by a composite annular wall comprising a seamless, as welded, or welded and drawn inner tubular shaped layer made from a metallic material and an outer tubular shaped layer made from a polymeric material. The walls of both the inner and outer layers are substantially uniform in radial thickness around their circumferences with the radial wall thickness of the outer polymeric layer being 50% or more than the total radial thickness of the composite wall of the tube. The outer layer is preferably formed about the inner layer by means of an extrusion process.

Abstract: A regenerative hydraulic system includes a control circuit having a pressure sensing valve therein. The valve is in fluid communication with a pump and a work cylinder causing the cylinder to be actuated at a relatively high velocity during a first increment of displacement by employing regenerative techniques which interconnect the head and rod sides of the cylinder. Pressure increases due to encountering a load are monitored, and at a predetermined value, the system switches to a non-regenerative mode in which the effective force exerted by the cylinder is substantially increased. Upon switching to the non-regenerative mode, the system is latched and will remain so until the system fluid pressure drops to a second predetermined value which is substantially smaller than the first pressure, resulting in a hysteretic control characteristic which will prevent an unstable condition. A dual rate spring is included within the valve urging it into the regenerative position.

Abstract: A device for selectively disabling and enabling, while running, the combustion chamber valves of an internal combustion engine. The device is interposed in engine valve gear of the type employing a plurality of rockers mounted on a common shaft and acted upon by the cyclic application and relaxation of valve gear driving forces. Each of the rockers is pivotally mounted on the shaft by fulcrum means movable transversely with respect to the shaft for changing the rocker pivot point. The fulcrum means is mounted by latchable means movable, when the valve driving forces are relaxed, between a first and second position to permit changing of the rocker pivot for effecting disablement and enablement of the valve gear for selected valves. Actuator means selectively apply and hold a force on the latchable means and movement thereof occurs during the valve gear event upon relaxation of the driving forces.

Abstract: This invention discloses a linear programmer for controlling parts of a servo system by a fluid pressure. The programmer comprises a first body with a longitudinal bore. A second body is joined to the first body forming a manifold therebetween. Apertures in the first body provide fluid communication between the bore and manifold. A plunger is disposed so as to be longitudinally movable within the bore to connect and disconnect the manifold to a source of sub-atmospheric fluid pressure to thereby activate the parts of the system.

Abstract: A controller for fluid pressure operated devices such as vehicle power steering systems. The controller is of the type having a primary, rotatable valve member and a follow-up valve member and including a fluid meter having a metering member coupled to the follow-up valve member. The valving defines a central reference plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valving and the various ports and passages defined by the primary and follow-up valve members are generally oppositely and equally disposed about the central reference plane. This valving symmetry reduces internal leakage and steering wheel precession. The controller includes a load signal circuit, including a pair of load sensing grooves oppositely and equally disposed about the central plane.

Abstract: An annular tire building drum having an infinitely variable width for building portions of tires having various widths in a tire building machine includes a hub portion, an annular fluid expandable tube element supported on the hub portion for movement therewith and a plurality of pairs of shoes supported on an exterior surface of the tube element for movement therewith in a radial direction upon expansion and contraction of the tube element. The shoes define an annular tire building surface which is movable in a radial direction upon expansion and contraction of the tube element. Piston means is supported by the hub portion for moving one of the shoes of each of the pairs of shoes in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and to effect movement of the other of the shoes in a direction opposite to the first direction to thereby infinitely vary the axial width of the building surface. Stop means is provided for limiting the axial movement of the shoes.