Abstract: A piston-type multi-station rotary filling machine having improved reliability and consistency of operation. The filling machine includes a nozzle assembly for a filler with a product port which includes a nozzle body with a rectangular nozzle that intersects the product port. A plunger having a complementary rectangular cross-section and with a knife edge on the side adjacent to the port is reciprocably mounted within the nozzle. The knife edge cleanly cuts tough food products to facilitate accurate dispensing of the food products.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring groups of plastic containers from a continuously moving transport conveyor to a tray includes container sensors and a mechanism for providing correct in-fee timing of the containers. The tray is advanced after each group of containers is deposited therein and when the tray is full, it is removed.

Abstract: A right angle deck having a plurality of shafts with alternating left and right hand roller clusters. A single motor is connected to rotate the shafts with left hand clusters and a single motor is connected to rotate the shafts with right hand clusters; the motors being independently controlled and reversible.

Abstract: A cluster for a material handling conveyor in which a plurality of rollers are mounted on a body member at an acute angle to a driven shaft, with bushing pressed into and recessed from each end of each roller to provide a consistent frictional force between the rollers and the member under various conditions of moisture.

Abstract: A means for precisely depositing containers into a moving nest, with the means being relatively insensitive to the speed of the nest. Each container is positioned over a lug which is driven at the speed of the moving nest and the container is aligned with the nest. When the container and nest are aligned and at the same speed, the container is dropped into the nest.

Abstract: A corn cutter unit in which an ear of corn is propelled by a plurality of feed rollers into a plurality of knives carried by a rotating head, with the knives being adjustable to define an opening through which the cob may pass, and a cob puller having upper and lower chains, each of which is formed of links and driven by sprockets over a guide, which guide has a height substantially equal to the length of the individual chain links to extend through said head and grip the corn cob.

Abstract: A pressure control system, including a pilot valve suitable for use therein, for providing a constant pressure from a non-compensated pump to a plurality of nozzle valves controlling flow from a manifold to nozzles associated with the valves, including a pressure control valve interposed between the pump and the manifold which is response to a control pressure created by a pilot valve which reduces manifold pressure to the control pressure.

Abstract: A container for holding books during transport and treatment with a liquid including a means which can be moved between a pressing position to hold the books securely during transport and a relaxed position in which the books are free to separate to facilitate penetration of the treatment liquid and the escape of moisture.

Abstract: An air sprayer having an array of vertically arranged transducers mounted in a recess of a shaped forward shroud, which recess forms a plenum into which air is directed by a fan. Each transducer is carried by a pivotal housing which effectively seals the plenum to force air supplied thereto by the fan to exhaust through channels in a cone to protect the transducer from trash.

Abstract: A cleaner for a filler which includes a plurality of cylinders arranged in a circle and rotated with a nozzle associated with each cylinder wherein an upper seal encircles and rotates with the cylinders, a vacuum manifold having a cavity is fixed against rotation, a seal plate attached to the top of the manifold forms with the upper seal, a flow chamber with the nozzles positioned therein and a seal plate provides communication between the flow chamber and the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the movement of flat bottomed articles in a plurality of different directions relative to a supporting platform. The article is supported on a plurality of clusters of helical, freely rotatable rollers mounted on a plurality of shafts. Selected ones of the shafts, or groups of shafts, each lying in one of a plurality of zones, are selectively driven in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction or are held in stationary. Selective control of the shafts enable the apparatus to move the article parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform in two selected directions, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in two selected directions; diagonally of the longitudinal axis in four selected directions, and either clock or counterclockwise about an axis normal to the flat bottom of the article.

Abstract: Devices for demonstrating the effect that eccentricities in a tire and rim can have when the combination is rotated having a circular member representing a rim mounted for rotation about a center different from its geometric center and an annular member representing a tire with a varying radial dimension is positioned and retained at a plurality of angular positions on the circle member. An indicator operatively associated with the annular member represents the resulting eccentricity of both members. A similar hand-held device represents that combined eccentricity by conveying vibrations through a handle to the operator's hand.

Abstract: A corn cutter unit in which an ear of corn is propelled by a plurality of feed rollers into a plurality of knives carried by a rotating head, with the knives being adjustable to define an opening through which the cob may pass, and a cob puller having upper and lower chains, each of which is formed of links and driven by sprockets over a guide, which guide has a height substantially equal to the length of the individual chain links to extend through said head and grip the corn cob.

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 processing 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 system is provided which operates to compare three-dimensional models of inspection gages constructed from computer aided design (CAD) data for a manufactured part and standard geometric dimension and tolerance call-outs to three-dimensional models constructed from inspection data obtained from the manufactured part. The comparison is made both graphically, to assist an operator, and mathematically to determine part condition. Parts are found to be either in tolerance or out of tolerance. If out of tolerance they are found to be either reworkable or scrap. Additionally, the system is capable of determining syntax correctness for tolerance standards, defining the sequence of steps for a specific job prior to job execution, performing individual part tolerance conformance analyses and statistical part tolerance analyses for a population of parts, tolerance analyses for mating parts, and generation of tolerance call-outs for fixed and floating fastener features on parts.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the movement of flat bottomed articles in a plurality of different directions relative to a supporting platform. The article is supported on a plurality of clusters of helical, freely rotatable rollers mounted on a plurality of shafts. Selected ones of the shafts, or groups of shafts, each lying in one of a plurality of zones, are selectively driven in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction or are held stationary. Selective control of the shafts enable the apparatus to move the article parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform in two selected directions, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in two selected directions; diagonally of the longitudinal axis in four selected directions, and either clock or counterclockwise about an axis normal to the flat bottom of the article.

Abstract: A tank for heating deicing fluid in a mobile aircraft deicer comprises a submerged heat exchanger coil through which heating fluid passes. Propellers near the heat exchanger circulate the bulk of deicing fluid while it is being heated to help distribute the heat. Pivoting shutters isolate an area beneath the heat exchanger from the bulk of deicer fluid and from which deicing fluid is withdrawn by a pump. This allows the bulk of deicer fluid to be further heated in a "last-pass" before being discharged upon the aircraft. A method of heating deicing fluid using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A linear belt motor, especially useful for driving a land vehicle, having a pair of sprockets with a belt trained over them. Permanent magnets are attached to the belt and u-shaped stator poles are positioned astraddle the belt between the sprockets. Windings on the stator poles are connected with a control circuit means for independently determining the speed and torque output of the motor and its direction of rotation. Each stator pole has large radius faces and a width which is substantially twice that of the permanent magnets. A second embodiment employs a second belt also provided with permanent magnets and u-shaped stator poles having their windings also energized by the control circuit means.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to hydraulic and electrical systems for aircraft belt loaders and more particularly to such systems with interlocks to facilitate efficient and safe operation. The present invention provides a hydraulic and electrical system for battery powered aircraft belt loaders which precludes actuation of the electric traction drive motors when the brake is applied or set, or without the operator seat being occupied, which precludes actuation of the belt conveyor if the brake is not set, which controls conveyor run time and requires that the conveyor be reset to neutral before being actuated the hydraulic pump to permit power steering when the operator seat is occupied, and which requires that the directional control lever for traction drive be reset to neutral after demounting the seat before the electric traction drive motors can be energized.