Abstract: There are many situations where returns are needed to further business or other objectives. For example, in remanufacturing businesses, cores are rebuilt into remanufactured parts that are sold. To sustain remanufacturing, cores must be obtained. One way to assure a supply is to collect a deposit against a core return when a remanufactured part is sold. Tracking of cores and the associated liabilities for the deposits is complex. It is also beneficial to control the liabilities. Provided are systems, methods and steps that enable tracking and other effective management techniques to assure returns and liabilities are managed. In one embodiment, each core and an associated entitlement representative of a liability are tracked. Price changes can be made on core deposits without affecting the ability to control liabilities. The systems, processes and methods lend themselves to computer implementation and use in large businesses.

Abstract: Electrical devices such as motors and generators create heat as they operate. This can lead to lower performance and life. Therefore, it is important to provide cooling for such devices. This is particularly true in heavy duty applications such as earthmoving or other industries. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide cooling that involves the circulation of two fluids in defined pathways. Heat within a case or other enclosure for an electrical device is transferred to one fluid. Heat from the one fluid is subsequently transferred to the other fluid. In one example, this heat transfer may occur across fins for increased effectiveness. It is also preferred that the flow of fluid be closed loop so that contaminants are not introduced into the electrical device. By providing the heat transfer out of the electrical device as described, cooling is enhanced that can lead to longer lived and better performing devices.

Abstract: In a metal to metal face seal assembly, a metal ring seal has a J-shaped cross-section with the hook portion of the ring seal forming an annular notch which receives and restrains a resilient load ring.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a frame and a heat exchanger which is movable relative to the frame. The assembly further includes a handle pivotally secured to the frame. Moreover, the assembly includes a linkage pivotally secured to the handle. The linkage is also pivotally secured to the heat exchanger. Movement of the handle from a first handle position to a second handle position causes the heat exchanger to move from a first heat exchanger position to a second heat exchanger position.

Abstract: A liner for a body such as of an off-highway truck protects the body from wear. The liner has a plate with openings through the plate arranged in a preselected pattern. The plate is of a size to fit a particular portion of the body and is typically removably fastened to the body. The openings in the plate cause material to tumble, instead of to slide, when being removed from the truck. The tumbling action, and the thickness of the plate, reduces wear on the body during material dumping.

Abstract: A liner for a body such as of an off-highway truck protects the body from wear. The liner has a plate with openings through the plate arranged in a preselected pattern. The plate is of a size to fit a particular portion of the body and is typically removably fastened to the body. The openings in the plate cause material to tumble, instead of to slide, when being removed from the truck. The tumbling action, and the thickness of the plate, reduces wear on the body during material dumping.

Abstract: A hitch for a machine such as an agricultural tractor permits controlled towing of an implement behind the machine. The hitch has a frame attached to the machine and a subframe mounted to the frame for movement about a first or pivot axis with respect thereto. A mast is attached to the subframe so that it may pivot relative to the subframe about a second or pitch axis perpendicular to the pivot axis. The mast has a hitch element and a carrier positioned in movable engagement one with the other to permit relative elevational movement of the hitch element. The hitch incorporates multiple degrees of movement in a compact package and is useful as a steerable component of the machine to provide positive steering force.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for diverting a flow of exhaust from an engine of a truck having a truck bed and a muffler system, with the truck bed having a duct system. The apparatus includes an inlet for receiving the flow of exhaust from the engine. The apparatus further includes a first outlet connected to the muffler system and a second outlet connected to the duct system. The apparatus additionally includes a diverter member positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein (1) fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet is prevented when the diverter member is positioned in the first position, and (2) fluid communication between the inlet and the second outlet is prevented when the diverter member is positioned in the second position. Moreover, the apparatus includes an air cylinder for moving the diverter member between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An end face seal for sealing between first and second articulately coupled members of a track joint is disclosed. The seal is provided with a flexible dirt shield of elastomeric material. The dirt shield extends radially outwardly from the seal ring and has a distal end that is adapted to sealingly engage the first member at a location externally of the load ring to prevent the ingress of abrasive materials between the seal ring and the load ring and eliminate the abrasive erosion of the load ring, thereby maintaining the axial seal bearing force of the load ring against the seal ring throughout the useful life of the seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a blade assembly to a vehicle includes a circle assembly having a circle member. The apparatus further includes a plate having a passageway extending therethrough, the circle member being movable relative to the plate. The apparatus also includes a first wear strip positioned within the passageway, the first wear strip being located in contact with the circle member. The apparatus further includes a shim positioned within the passageway, the shim being located in contact with the wear strip. A method for coupling a blade assembly to a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a grader blade includes a support bracket, a first upper retainer secured to the support bracket and a second upper retainer secured to the support bracket. The apparatus also includes a first lower retainer secured to the support bracket, the first lower retainer being movable relative to the first upper retainer, and a second lower retainer secured to the support bracket, the second lower retainer being movable relative to the second upper retainer. The apparatus further includes a first adjustment member which contacts the first lower retainer, wherein rotation of the first adjustment member causes movement of the first lower retainer relative to the first upper retainer, and a second adjustment member which contacts the second lower retainer, wherein rotation of the second adjustment member causes movement of the second lower retainer relative to the second upper retainer. A method of retaining a grader blade relative to a support bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heat exchangers depend for efficiency upon optimum fluid flow, such as air, through their fins and about tubes extending through the fins. The air flow, particularly at the ends of a heat exchanger, can sometimes be of a significantly reduced amount owing to the construction of, or arrangement of elements in, the heat exchanger. First and second cores (12,14) of a heat exchanger (10) are positioned in a general "V" configuration with their inlet ends (24,42) adjacent one another. Apparatus (64) is provided upstream of the inlet ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14) to direct the air flow in a preselected orientation to inlet surfaces (20,38) of the cores (12,14) at the ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14). Air flow is thus improved over a portion of the heat exchanger (10) to increase its heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: To service an engine, it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner and piston must be replaced. Removal is difficult and time consuming if the piston is first removed through the liner and the liner is then grasped from below and pulled from the block. A method includes inserting a tool into a bore of the liner and expanding the tool into a frictional fit against the liner. A force is applied on the tool to forcibly move the liner. The piston and associated rings and rod are held in place in the liner by a partial vacuum for removal with the liner as a complete unit.

Abstract: A multi-fuel engine is capable of running on lead free gasoline, leaded gasoline, and liquid propane. The engine has a valve seat and an exhaust valve. The valve seat has a seating surface. The exhaust valve has an axis, a seating face, and is of dimensions sufficient for seating of the valve on the valve seat. The seating surface has a width in a range of about 2.30 to about 2.90 millimeters and defines an included angle in a range of about 110.degree. to about 130.degree. relative to the axis of the exhaust valve. Apparatus forcibly urges the seating face against the seating surface at a force in a range of about 200 to about 245 Newtons.

Abstract: To service an engine (10), it is frequently determined that a cylinder liner (12) and piston (18) must be replaced. It is difficult and time consuming to first install the liner (12) and then the piston (18) with the rings (20) and connecting rod (22). A pre-assembled unit (36) including the liner (12) and piston (18) may be installed on the engine according to a disclosed method. The unitary assembly simplifies steps at the service facility and, if desired, permits assembly of the unit (36) prior to shipment to the service facility to reduce shipping space and cost.

Abstract: A load carrying structure (10) is, for example, the stick (12) of an excavator or another work element having at least three load input locations (70,72,74). In operating the excavator, for example, failure of the stick can occur owing to side, torsional, bending and columnar loading through bucket (16), boom (14), and control element connections (18,20,76) at associated load input locations. A method for making the structure (10) includes connecting top and bottom plates (22,24) and side plates (30,32) which extend outwardly to define respective load input locations (70,74). Other load input locations (72,74,144) are on a box structure (82) formed with the side and top and bottom plates (30,32; 22,24). The structure (10) has a more uniform construction, particularly without weld discontinuities, and resists input forces more effectively owing to the relationship of the load input locations to substantially overcome failures associated with such structures.

Abstract: During operation of a welding torch (10), electrode wire (17) travels through a contact tip assembly (14) directly into a weld area. The torch (10) is exposed to elevated temperatures which can cause damage from weld spatter and increased deterioration of the assembly (14). In the welding torch (10), a liquid is delivered onto an expansion element (44) and gasifies owing primarily to the elevated welding temperatures at the expansion element (44). The result is to cool the assembly (14) and substantially overcome the problems of temperature. In a nozzle (18) equipped torch (10), the nozzle (18) directs a portion of the gasified liquid to the welding area for shielding the welding operation.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for lifting or moving loads require high operator visibility and simplicity of construction. For example, in a mast assembly (10) such as can be used on a fork lift truck or other cargo handler it is desirable to maximize visibility through spaced-apart uprights (16,18,24,26). Also, free lift of a carriage (14) which engages the load will maximize visibility in that the movable uprights (16,18) will not be elevated above the fixed uprights (24,26) when raising the carriage (14) to move the load. In the apparatus (10), first and second lifting elements (32,34) or jacks (36,38) are mounted adjacent the uprights (16,24;18,26) for visibility. The lifting elements (32,34) are interconnected by a load sharing member (48) for free lift and to distribute the forces encountered in raising the load more equally between the lifting elements (32,34) and the chains (52', 52").

Abstract: A seal (16) is positioned to prevent entry of foreign matter through an annular opening (26) between first and second members (12,14). The first and second members (12,14) are, for example, a stationary backing plate (20) and a rotatable hub (22) of a brake assembly (24) or a rotatable shaft and associated housing element. Foreign matter passing between the backing plate (20) and the hub (22), for example, can enter an associated brake drum (30) and interfere with effectiveness of the brake assembly (24). Apparatus (72) connects the seal (16) to the backing plate (20). The seal (16) has first and second legs (38,40) each having a sealing surface (58,60). The sealing .[.surface.]. .Iadd.surfaces (58,60) .Iaddend.contact a face (68) and outer surface (66) of the hub (22), respectively, to substantially block passage of foreign matter to the brake drum (30).

Abstract: A stricture is formed between riser and cast article in a conventional metal mold casting process to facilitate clean removal of the riser after casting by interposing thin-walled frangible constriction means between riser cavity and casting cavity prior to pouring molten metal; the flow of metal into casting cavity is also regulated thereby.