Abstract: A grader blade has a steel body with a bottom edge incorporating a pair of tiered, elongated carbide inserts in a forward portion thereof. The carbide inserts, being arranged in a tiered contacting relationship, are disposed in a stepped recess formed in and along the forward portion of the bottom edge of the blade body and brazed to the blade body and to each other so as to project forwardly and downwardly from the recess. A front one of the tiered inserts is composed of a cemented carbide composition having a high cobalt content, for instance 20 percent by weight, adapting it for enhanced impact wear resistance, whereas a rear one of the tiered inserts is composed of a cemented carbide composition having a low cobalt content, for instance 11.5 percent by weight, adapting it for enhanced downpressure wear resistance.

Abstract: A rotary cutting bit for use in mining and excavating applications that incorporates an annular groove about a head portion of the bit immediately rearwardly of where a hard tip of the bit is seated. A hardfacing material is deposited in the groove in the form of an annular ring.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the transmission of radiant energy through a light transmissive medium and an apparatus whereby the method can be effected.

Abstract: A SCARA type robotic manipulator apparatus including a base supporting first and second independently operable drive motors, toothed belts engaging toothed gears for rotating primary and secondary arms in response to the first and second drive motors respectively, and adjustable bidirectional belt tensioning assemblies associated with the belts to preload the belts to provide stable, repeatable operation of the robot arms.

Abstract: An optical processor suitable for matrix-vector multiplication. Coherent light passes through an acousto-optic cell modulated by the elements in the rows of the matrix. This light progresses through a lens system to a magneto-optic cell which is modulated by the column elements of the vector. The light passing through the magneto-optic cell is converged by a spherical lens onto a single optical-to-electrical converter, whose output is applied to an analog-to-digital converter. After conversion to digital values, the result is converted from mixed binary to pure binary form.

Abstract: A remotely operated hand gear train for the orientation of an end effector has an external housing mounted onto a robot arm and defines a first axis A.sub.1. A first housing is rotatably mounted within the external housing for movement about the first axis A.sub.1 and defines therein a second axis A.sub.2 which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis A.sub.1. A second housing is rotatably mounted in the first housing for rotation about the second axis A.sub.2 and defines therein an axis A.sub.3 which is normal to axis A.sub.2 and radially spaced from axis A.sub.1. A third housing is rotatably mounted in the second housing for rotation about axis A.sub.3 and has a gear rack circumferentially disposed about the end thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular robotic wrist system for use with an industrial manipulator or the like. The individual modular units comprise a mounting bracket, an A axis module which is attachable to the mounting bracket and provides rotational movement about a first axis, a B axis module which is mountable either directly to the mounting bracket or to the A axis module to provide either rotational movement about a second axis or additional rotational movement about the second axis in conjunction with the rotational movement provided by the A axis module about a first axis and tool-mounting flanges which can be used in conjunction with the B axis module to provide rotational movement of an end effector either on the second axis or radially spaced about the second axis. Each of the modular units has a rotating member which is driven by a high-speed, low-torque DC motor coupled to a harmonic drive unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique as well as a system whereby through the use of industrial automation, windshields and the like can be inserted into a vehicle which is on a continuously moving conveyor line without stopping the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle is in motion on the conveyor during the insertion. The windshield can be automatically centered for robot acquisition through a unique mechanical device; and, multi-sensor information is converted into real-time path modification signals for robot guidance.

Abstract: The invention is a robotic parts presentation system for delivering a workpiece into a work envelope of an industrial manipulator. This system also centers the delivered workpiece about the centerline of the workpiece in the X and Y axes directions thereof. The invention provides an accurate system for the location of the part with respect to a programmed pickup point for acquisition by an industrial manipulator. The system comprises in combination a centering device which is disposed within the work envelope of the industrial manipulator and a flip-over mechanism for delivering the workpiece from a transfer station outside of the work envelope onto the centering device.

Abstract: A torch for use in welding has a first embodiment for gas metal arc welding and a second embodiment used for hot wire gas-tungsten arc welding. Both embodiments include a torch housing having a first and second end. A wire guide tube is centrally disposed within the housing. An upper electrode contact tip, a lower electrode contact tip and a dielectric material disposed therebetween are positioned at one end of the wire guide tube. An inner power cooling assembly comprises a first cylindrical member concentrically disposed about the wire guide tube and provides electric power to the upper electrode contact tip. The inner power cooling assembly defines a first chamber within which cooling water is circulated in contact with the upper electrode contact tip. An outer power cooling assemblycomprises a second cylindrical member and is electrically isolating from the inner power assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a metal vapor Raman cell structure for laser wavelength conversion and a method for mounting a sapphire window onto a metal tube having a known outside diameter in the manufacture of the aforesaid Raman cell. According to the method of this invention, a sapphire window and a metal tube having a dissimilar coefficient of thermal expansion are mounted and sealed together. The method of sealing the sapphire window onto the metal tube comprises the steps of: (1) cutting a narrow circular groove in one face of the sapphire window; (2) mounting the metal tube into the seat defined by the groove cut into the sapphire window; and (3) disposing a sealing material between the outer face of the seat defined by the groove and the metal tube disposed therein. According to this technique, the sealing material disposed in the groove is placed under compression during the operation of the vapor Raman cell so constructed.

Abstract: The improved system for remote chemical analysis of this invention includes a quartz halogen bulb as a source of infrared light, quartz fibers leading to and from a sample cell, a non-collinear thallium arsenic selenide, AOTF to perform spectral analysis and a lead selenide detector, Both the AOTF and the detector are interfaced with a microcomputer. Under the control of the microcomputer, this equipment gathers and interprets transmission spectra obtained through the passage of infrared light through the sample cell. Microcomputer interface provides rapid random-access to the RF frequency driving the AOTF, which selects the wavelength of light to be examined and also provides routines for sample averaging and the comparison of various reference spectra. An acousto-optic device mounted in an enclosure which includes input and output crystal fiber connectors is also provided.

Abstract: A belt conveyor apparatus according to this invention defines a conveyance path including a first pulley and at least a second pulley. An endless belt member is adapted for continuous travel about the pulleys and comprises a lower portion which engages the pulleys and an integral upper portion adapted to receive objects therein at a first location on said conveyance path and transport the objects to a second location for discharge. The upper belt portion includes an opposed pair of longitudinally disposed crest-like members, biased towards each other in a substantially abutting relationship. The crest-like members define therebetween a continuous, normally biased closed, channel along the upper belt portion. Means are disposed at the first and second locations and operatively associated with the belt member for urging the normally biased together crest-like members apart in order to provide access to the continuous channel whereby objects can be received into, or discharged from the channel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to automated manufacturing apparatus and systems. The invention is provided to an integrated carousel system to provide selected end-of-arm tooling for use in a laser material processing system in a laser-robotic, work cell.

Abstract: An orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus is adapted for use in combination with a robot to form a dispensing system. The orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus has a dispensing tube with a first end for receiving the materials to be dispersed and a second or nozzle end from which the material is finally dispersed onto the workpiece. The dispensing tube is compliantly supported at one end and supported at the nozzle end for orbital but not rotational motion about an axis.

Abstract: A robot laser work cell combines a plurality of systems which include an orthogonal axis manipulator system, a laser beam delivery system, a safety enclosure system, a coolant chiller for the laser beam delivery system, an air filtration and drying system in communication with the laser beam delivery system, an exhaust system for removing toxic fumes from the area proximate the output of the laser beam delivery system and a variety of precision table and other fixturing means which can be used in combination to function as the work cell of this invention. In an alternative embodiment, a laser package is mounted by a modular wrist onto the Z-axis of the orthogonal axis manipulator and the laser beam delivery system.

Abstract: A system is described for use in the stack or flue ducts of a fossil fueled combustion system to eliminate or substantially reduce SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x emissions. The system includes an electrically operated stable glow discharge maintained between separate resistively ballasted pins and opposing plane electrodes. The electrochemical reactor of this invention electronically activates, reacts and chemically modifies the selected pollutants to render a thermodynamically stable solid product.

Abstract: A vision sensor for tracking includes a light stripe vision sensor for use in harsh environments. This light stripe generator is light source independent and produces a light stripe without the use of lenses. Additionally, the enclosure in which the light stripe generating and detecting means are mounted includes an environmental control system which provides pressurized, conditioned air into the apparatus enclosure in order to control the affects of dust, humidity and temperature variations countered in many working environments. This vision system is particularly well suited for use in welding applications and can be easily used in combination with an industrial manipulator to provide automated vision sensor capabilities.

Abstract: An improved automated acousto-optic analyzer system includes an acousto-optic tunable filter which is coupled with a source of radiation to produce pulsed light at predetermined wavelengths. This light is transmitted through a gas stack containing gases to be analyzed, to a distant detector. The configuration of the acousto-optic tunable filter, radiation source on one side of an environment of interest and a detector on the opposite side of an environment of interest produces spatial separation of the tuned, diffracted light from the undiffracted broad spectrum of the light source at the detector. This configuration eliminates the need for polarizers in the system. It also combines the tuning function of the AOTF with a chopping function, allowing extraneous radiation to be discriminated against. Thus the improved configuration of the disclosed invention permits effective operation of the gas analysis system in a gas stack characterized by extremely high ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A welding wire feeding apparatus with orbital mounting assembly for use in combination with an industrial manipulator of the type including a "Z" axis assembly from which there is dependingly supported an extended welding axis post for rotational movement about the "Z" axis. The improved welding wire feeding apparatus mounting assembly is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the "Z" axis or wrist assembly of the robot and is in communication with the extended axis post by a rubber-lined yoke so that the rotational movement of the orbital welding wire feeding apparatus is simultaneous with that of the extended welding post. As a result of a support bearing and the attachment through a rubber-lined yoke, no mass or stiffness coupling occurs between the wire feeding apparatus and the extended axis post so that the natural frequencies of the extended axis post remain unchanged.