Abstract: A control system for a pneumatically powered shock testing machine is presented which utilizes digital logic and an operator programmed computer. The control system was implemented on a shock machine having a carriage assembly that is lifted by an air piston to a specified height above an anvil plate, then accelerated downward until the carriage impacts a shock generator element resting on the anvil. An optically encoded guide rod is attached to the side of the carriage. As the carriage moves up and down, an optical sensor attached to the machine base monitors motion of the guide rod. The measure of this motion is forwarded to a microcomputer. Secondly, charge air pressure used to provide downward acceleration of the carriage is measured by a transducer and this information is also relayed in digital form to the microcomputer. From these two inputs, the microcomputer generates instructions to sequence solenoid actuated valves which operate the various sections of the charge cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A tractor drawn and powered machine is disclosed for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural crops in a chamber of fixed size. The baling chamber consists of a lower and an upper section. The lower section includes a wheel mounted main frame, along with a pickup reel and a bottom conveyor comprising side by side belts entrained on four transversely extending rollers. The upper section is supported on a subframe which is hinge mounted along its front edge to the main frame allowing thereby the rear portion of the upper section to open as a rearward facing tailgate for discharge of a completed bale. Situated within the subframe of the upper section are all of the conveying elements which make up the rear, top and front of the generally cylindrical periphery of the baling zone. Each conveyor element in the upper section comprises a plurality of side by side belts entrained on spaced apart transversely mounted upstream and downstream rollers.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is presented which is useful with a machine which gathers crop material from a windrow and forms it into large round bales. The latching mechanism senses bale density while holding the opposing faces of the tailgate closed during the bale forming operation. Density is sensed by spring mounting the latch slides so that the tailgate comes slightly ajar when pressure in the baling chamber builds up. The amount of separation of the opposing faces of the tailgate is sensed and when it exceeds a specified amount, initiates a bale discharge sequence. The tailgate lifting mechanism is interlocked with the latch release to assure safe operation of the system.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is described which senses when a bale is ready for discharge from the bale forming chamber. As implemented, the enclosure for the baling chamber was hinged along the front edge to allow the upper portion to open like a rearward facing clam shell for discharge of a completed bale through a tailgate. The latching mechanism holds the opposing tailgate faces of the enclosure together while the bale forming process is being completed. The latching mechanism senses bale density while allowing only a slight opening of the tailgate in response to application of large compressive forces within the baling chamber. The profile of the slot in each latch is uniquely cut so that the forces tending to force open the tailgate can be matched to a spring. The spring is adjustable so as to allow the latch assembly to begin rotation toward the released condition as the bale density reaches a pre-established level.

Abstract: An ejection mechanism is described which automatically assists in the discharge of completed bales from the bale-forming chamber. As implemented the ejection mechanism forms a part of a baler which produces generally cylindrical bales in a chamber of fixed size having closed sidewalls adjacent the ends of the bale. The baling chamber is divided into two parts with one portion being hinge mounted along its front edge to allow its second or rear edge to swing open upwardly to provide a gate through which completed bales can be discharged. The second portion of the baling chamber contains a bottom conveyor for imparting rotational motion to the bale during the crop gathering and bale forming process. When the bale in the chamber is completed and ready for discharge, the gate swings open and the bottom conveyor continues moving in a front to rear direction.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle internal combustion engine has a sustained power stroke which results from delayed mixing of a stratified charge. Use of delayed mixing of an overall stoichiometric air-fuel mixture results in formation of a low amount of the oxides of nitrogen. Delayed mixing of a stratified charge is achieved by placement of a Helmholtz resonator cavity in the piston and peripherally just below the crown thereof. The Helmholtz resonator cavity communicates with the combustion chamber via a narrow slot made by undercutting the top edge of the piston. A port type intake valve is used. Pressurized air passing through the intake port during the exhaust phase of the cycle streams past the undercut top edge of the piston. After the engine cylinder has received a charge of fresh air the compression stroke is begun and the main chamber is filled with a slight fuel-rich gaseous charge. The companion Helmholtz resonator cavity receives only an air charge from the intake port.

Abstract: A single-bill currency dispenser incorporates a self-contained cartridge for storing a quantity of bills of a single denomination, and dispensing the bills singly in response to electrical control signals. The bills are loaded into the cartridge in a vertical stack of bills which may, if desired, be arranged in serial number order, and are dispensed one at a time from the top of the stack. The serial number of the bill next to be dispensed is visible through a window in the top of the cartridge case. A roller engages the topmost bill at the top of the stack and urges it forward to be received by a belt conveyor. Passage of a single bill through the conveyor triggers a switch to indicate that dispensing is occurring, and passage of two or more bills at the same time through the conveyor triggers a second switch, causing the bills to be ejected into an escrow tray.

Abstract: This invention relates to the inlet throat of a machine for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural material. The machine includes a single axle chassis and a tongue enabling it to be towed along a windrow by a tractor. On top of the chassis is a generally cylindrical housing containing a baling chamber of fixed size having a horizontal axis. Around the periphery of the baling chamber is a plurality of serially arranged conveying elements. The rear portion of the housing swings upward from a hinge point at the top to enable rearward discharged of a completed bale. A pickup mechanism is transversely mounted across the lower front of the chassis. Behind the topside of the pickup mechanism there is a conveyor which forms the bottom of the front part of the baling zone. The conveyor consists of a plurality of side-by-side belts entrained on four parallel rollers which extend horizontally across the entire bottom of the machine.

Abstract: A compact automatic teller machine has an elevator assembly, a plurality of bill dispensers are located on one side of the elevator assembly for dispensing bills of one or more denominations to said elevator assembly, whereby the bills are made available to an operator at the upper part of the elevator assembly. A steel back plate assembly is provided with slides for supporting a front cover for sliding relationship relative to the back plate, and steel plates making up the back plate assembly, and the cover, define two separate secure compartments, for the bill dispensers and for a deposit box. Access to the sides of both secure compartments is permitted when the cover is opened. Multiple locking means is provided for locking the cover in closed relationship to the back plate.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with fixed displacement type auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one auxiliary drive motor. To prevent large power losses when the steerable wheel assist mode is not being utilized, the selector valves are placed in close proximity to each fixed displacement motor. This allows the motors to circulate large quantities of fluid around a closed loop at minimum pressure drop.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one hydraulic motor. The auxiliary motors are of the variable displacement type, enabling them to be destroked to neutral when disconnected from the main pump. Destroking to neutral eliminates energy loss due to the pumping of large quantities of hydraulic fluid through a closed loop when the motors are driven by the wheels.

Abstract: A pair of generally parallel snapping rolls are disclosed which mount beneath a stripper plate having a fore and aft extending slot through which stalks of corn may pass. The snapping rolls rotate in opposite directions and serve to draw stalks downwardly until the ears thereof strike the stripper plate and are snapped free. Each snapping roll has longitudinally extending flutes, the flutes of one roll being interleaved with those of the second roll. On each roll, the odd numbered (1, 3, 5, etc.) flutes extend radially outward while the even numbered (2, 4, 6, etc.) flutes extend outward at a non-radial angle. Rotating the two rolls in synchronism thus results in the generation of a cyclic narrow and wide spacing sequence between opposing flutes. This cyclic action provides improved efficiency in the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine is presented having a sustained power stroke which results from a delayed mixing of a stratified charge. Use of delayed mixing of an overall stoichiometric air-fuel mixture results in formation of a low amount of the oxides of nitrogen. Delayed mixing of the stratified charge is achieved by placement of at least one Helmholtz resonator cavity in the head or closed end of each combustion chamber. The Helmholtz resonator cavity communicates with the top end of the main combustion chamber via a narrow slot. On the intake stroke of each engine cylinder, the main chamber is filled with a slightly fuel rich gaseous charge while the companion Helmholtz resonator cavity is filled with air. During the compression stroke some of the rich air-fuel mixture is forced into the resonator cavity via the communicating slot. At or near TDC, the air-fuel mixture in the main chamber is ignited.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which provides automatic height control for the header of a multi-row crop harvester. The crop processing header has a series of row dividers hinge mounted along its front edge. Under at least two of the row dividers is a ground engaging wheel which causes the leading edge of each to float up and down as the terrain changes. Servo actuating sensors mounted between the divider and the header respond to changes in the angle of attack therebetween. The servo system actuates hydraulic valves allowing oil pressure to automatically raise and lower the header. This means of height control maintains the cutter bar or ear stripper plates a predetermined distance above ground regardless of changes in terrain.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus which provides a positive flow of ambient air through the temperature sensor of the fuel control equipment used with a turbofan engine. The temperature sensing element of the fuel control unit is bathed in a continuously fresh sample of ambient air drawn in from the engine inlet by an air-jet pump that is powered by pressurized air bled-off from the bypass fan duct.

Abstract: A torque correlation ring is disclosed which forms a part of a test stand useful in measuring performance of aircraft turboshaft engines. The torque ring assembly comprises two annular rings separated from each other by four short equally spaced beams. One of the annular rings is fixedly attached to the frame of the test stand. The engine casing is attached to the second ring. Attachment is such that the engine is axially suspended within the annular rings with the propeller shaft on one side and the turbine exhaust on the other. Torque reaction forces on the engine casing stemming from supplying power to a propeller will be passed from the second annular ring to the frame mounted, first annular ring via the four beams. The magnitude of this torque is measured by means of strain gages mounted on each of the four beams. The electrically combined signal from the strain gages represent an accurate measurement of the torque forces being supplied to the propeller by the engine under test.

Abstract: A liquid manure spreader uses a centrifugal pump to propel a slurry like product through a discharge assembly outward in a broad swath behind the spreader. The discharge assembly includes a plain nozzle having a contracting bore, a shaped deflector plate positioned in front of but at an angle with the end of the nozzle, and a guard plate for restricting the product discharge angle to less than 180 degrees. Structure is provided for evenly distributing the liquid manure in a swath about ten yards wide.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine is presented having a sustained power stroke which results from a delayed mixing of a stratified charge. Use of delayed mixing of an overall stoichiometric air-fuel mixture results in formation of a low amount of the oxides of nitrogen. Delayed mixing of the stratified charge is achieved by placement of a Helmholtz resonator cavity in the head or closed end of each combustion chamber. The Helmholtz resonator cavity communicates with the main combustion chamber via a narrow slot made around the periphery of the top end of the chamber. On the intake stroke of each engine cylinder, the main chamber is filled with a slightly fuel rich gaseous charge while the companion Helmholtz resonator cavity is filled with air. During the compression stroke some of the rich air-fuel mixture is forced into the resonator cavity via the communicating slot. At or near TDC, the air-fuel mixture in the main chamber is ignited.

Abstract: A flow stabilizer is presented which equalizes the flow of fluid through the passageways of the channel diffuser used with a centrifugal type rotary compressor. Slots are formed in the sidewalls of the flow separating vanes in the diffuser. The slots open into cavities within the vanes. The multiplicity of cavities communicate by means of openings through the diffuser wall into a common closed manifold. The fluid interconnection between the multiplicity of passageways in the diffuser and the encircling common manifold increases the operating range of the compressor since pressure surges in one or more passageways are quickly equalized.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus which harmlessly purges all fluids which leak from the fittings of a turbofan aircraft engine. Purging is achieved by passing a low speed flow of ventilating air along the exterior walls of the engine combustor section. This is accomplished by enshrouding the engine core with a cylindrical cowl. A space between the cowl and the engine combustor makes an annular shaped cavity. Ports in the cowl allow air to be brought into the cavity from the bypass ducting of the engine. The rapidly moving volume of air thus brought in vaporizes any fuel which leaks into the cavity. The vaporized air/fuel mixture is then exhausted into the hot gas plume emitted from the rear of the core engine.