Abstract: A quick connect fitting for connecting a plastic or metallic tube (42) in a fluid circuit includes a fitting body (20) having an interior cavity (22) opening to the exterior of the body (20) via a generally circular port (36). A peripheral step (48) is located in the port (36) and an O-ring (50) is abutted against the step (48). A washer (52) is located in the port (36) and has a central opening (54) slightly larger than the outer dimension of the plastic or metallic tube (42). A peripheral flange (56) is disposed on the washer is directed away from the O-ring (50). A retaining ring (62) is disposed in the port (36) and nominally abuts the flange (56). The retaining ring (62) has a central opening (64) substantially greater than the outer dimension with a plurality of resilient, radially inwardly directed, angularly spaced fingers (66).

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique disabling arrangement is contemplated. The signature feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim from a signature supply hopper. A vacuum assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The vacuum assembly includes a source of vacuum operatively associated with oscillating vacuum grippers. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the vacuum assembly to control operation of the vacuum assembly responsive to engagement with a surface of the cam.

Abstract: A fluid pump having a casing defining a fluid inlet a fluid outlet and first and second cylinders, a first piston mounted to the casing for movement in first and second directions with the first piston causing fluid in the inlet to be drawn into the first cylinder as the first piston moves in the first direction and causing fluid in the first cylinder to be discharged from the first cylinder towards the outlet and the second cylinder as the first piston moves in the second direction, a second piston mounted to the casing for movement in third and fourth directions with the second piston being movable in a third direction without drawing significant amounts of fluid from the inlet into the second cylinder and causing fluid in the second cylinder to be discharged from the second cylinder towards the outlet as the second piston moves in the fourth direction, and structure for driving the first piston reciprocatively in the first and second directions and the second piston reciprocatively in the third and fourth

Abstract: The expense of fabricating an annular combustor (10) for a gas turbine is minimized by providing a combustor housing (12) including a generally axially extending sleeve (14) and an annular liner (18) disposed within the housing (12) and about the sleeve (14). The annular liner (18) has concentric inner and outer axially extending walls (20, 22) spaced from the sleeve (14 ) and the housing (12), respectively, and also has a radially extending wall (24) spaced from the housing (12 ) and interconnecting the inner and outer walls (20, 22) at one end to define a combustion chamber (26). The liner (18) is spaced from the housing (12 ) and the sleeve (14 ) to define a compressed air flow path (28) extending from a radially outer compressed air inlet (30) to a radially inner compressed air outlet (32) in communication with the combustion chamber (26) axially remote from the radially extending wall (24).

Abstract: An improvement in a power transmission belt of the type having at least one longitudinally extending rib with a side surface to engage a drive surface on a pulley. The side surface has at least a portion that is convex with a curvature at least approximated by an arc of a circle with a radius having a center at a point outside of the one rib.

Abstract: A molded rubber pin chute for mounting on the pin deck of an automatic bowling pinsetter. The pin chute comprises an upper conical section which is canted with respect to the pin deck, a cylindrical lower body portion which extends into a pin receiving aperture in the pin deck, and a flange around the cylindrical body. A plurality of bolt holes selectively positioned in the flange permit the chute to be secured in at least six different radial positions upon the pin deck and thereby enhance its performance in guiding the bowling pins into apertures in the pin deck for receiving the same.

Abstract: A power transmission system having: a power transmission belt with a tensile strength such that a force of at least 17 kgf per 1 mm width is required to effect a 1% elongation of the belt; a plurality of pulleys with which the power transmission belt is operatively engaged; and an auto-tensioner having an element to engage the power transmission belt. The auto-tensioner has a damping ratio that is not greater than 20%, where the damping ratio is defined by the following formula: Damping ratio=2[(A-B)/(A+B)].times.100, where A is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during up-stroking of the auto-tensioner element and B is the force exerted by the auto-tensioner element during down-stroking of the idler pulley. More preferably, the damping ratio is 10-20%.

Abstract: A closure assembly for sealingly closing the open top end of a material holding drum includes a cover and a rubber gasket. The cover has a central circular wall of a size corresponding to the drum open end and a peripheral flange which defines a downwardly opening annular channel for receiving the drum top end. The channel has a pair of radially spaced sidewalls, and each of the sidewalls has an annular rib for defining a seal receiving space within the channel. An annular rubber gasket is provided in the seal receiving space and has a contoured surface seated on a rounded chime on the top of the drum. The ribs engage opposite sides of the gasket to prevent lateral displacement of the gasket when the cover is fastened to the drum. An annular V-shaped groove on a top surface of the gasket defines a void between the gasket and the cover and in which a portion of the gasket is received when the gasket is deformed.

Abstract: The problem of controlling fuel flow rate to a turbojet engine (14) is solved using a fuel control system (12). The fuel control system (12) uses an acceleration control function (66) receiving an acceleration setpoint signal (82) and an acceleration feedforward signal (90). A summer (92) calculates a difference between these two signals to develop an acceleration error signal (94) which is input to a proportional integral control (96) to develop a control signal (46) for controlling a fuel servo valve (44).

Abstract: A lock assembly having a housing and a plunger assembly guided for movement relative to the housing between a latched position and an unlatched position with the plunger assembly and housing in assembled relationship. A tab is provided on one of the plunger assembly and housing and is repositionable from an assembly position into a holding position. With the tab in the assembly position, the plunger assembly and housing can be placed in and taken out of, their assembled relationship. In the holding position, the tab maintains the plunger assembly and housing in assembled relationship.

Abstract: A modular construction system includes a plurality of coupled construction modules, with each module having a number of generally upright wall panels interconnected to define an enclosed interior space of preferred dimension. Construction modules are arranged in a vertical stack, with each module having a plurality of floor panels supported by the load bearing wall panels of an underlying module. Each load bearing wall panel is formed of reinforced concrete and has a pair of spaced apart L-shaped support columns. An integral lateral beam extends transversely between the support columns and has a substantially horizontal flange for supporting floor slabs of an overlying construction module. Bottom ends of the columns extend downwardly below the lower edge of the beam to define a narrow elongated trimming, whereby vertical loads associated with a supported overlying structure are transferred solely to the corners of the construction module.

Abstract: A power transmission belt having a belt body with a length and a plurality of cogs spaced lengthwise along the belt body for engaging a pulley with which the belt cooperates. Adjacent cogs are configured (i.e. shape, length and pitch) and relatively located (i.e. spaced) so that the adjacent cogs contact each other as the power transmission belt is wrapped around a cooperating pulley having a diameter of 60-130 mm. The space between the cogs is thus temporarily at least partially eliminated. In one form, the cogs squeeze together so that adjacent abutting cogs and the engaged cooperating pulley momentarily define a solid mass so that percussion noise is minimized.

Abstract: A masking unit for bowling lanes equipped with automatic pinsetters, comprising a vertically moving masking panel and a series of stepped panels in front of the moving panel and extending from the top thereof to the ceiling of the bowling establishment. Stanchions at each end of a panel hold wheeled carriages which engage tracks on the back of the moving panel so that the panel may be vertically raised and lowered. Chain driven control means assures that one end of the panel does not get ahead of the other when the panel is being moved, and spring biasing means aid in raising the panel.

Abstract: Size problems and large power requirements for operating a no-back are avoided in a pilot operated no-back including a housing (10) journaling input and output shafts (12, 18). A brake disc pack (32) is disposed within the housing (10) and is compressible to prevent rotation of the output shaft (18). A ball ramp mechanism (24) has a rotary input plate (26) and a rotary output plate (28), the latter being axially movable to compress the brake disc pack (32). A selectively operable electric pilot brake (70) is provided to retard rotation of the output plate (28) but allow motion via opposing load if disengaged.

Abstract: A universal electrical control selectively drives either plural motorized window operators for opening or closing one or more windows, or a motorized window operator and plural motorized locks for opening, closing and locking a window. The electrical control comprises an interface circuit for connection to plural output devices comprising either motorized window operators or motorized window locks. An input switch commands window movement to an open or close position. A control circuit is connected to the interface circuit and the input switch and includes an initialization mode for determining if each output device is a motorized window operator or a motorized lock, and output drive mode operable in response to a command from the input switch for driving the output devices through the interface circuit in a lock sequence or a window sequence dependent upon the initialization mode respectively determining if a motorized window lock is connected or is not connected to the interface circuit.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to manufacturing apparatus, method of manufacture, and products manufactured thereby and more particularly to an integral three-dimensional object (6, 15) formed from individually contoured laminations (4, 62) of the same or gradually varying shape, successive laminae of that object being produced out of thin sheet or powder based materials (1, 60) through the cutting, fusing or physiochemical property changing action generated by a computer directed beam (7) of concentrated energy or matter, successive substantially planar laminations (4, 62) of that object (6, 15) being automatically stacked together for step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object (6, 15).

Abstract: An artificial lifting system is designed for use at a pumping installation which has a pump drive at the surface or head end of a well and a reciprocating pump positioned in the lower end of the well. The artificial lifting system has a tubing string connected between the pump drive and the pump for performing the dual functions of reciprocating the pump plunger in response to activation of the pump drive, and for transporting oil from the underground source to the wellhead. The tubing string advantageously is constructed of a plurality of lightweight, non-metallic tubing segments which are axially connected to form an elongated conduit of several thousand feet in length. In the exemplary embodiment, the tubing segments are made of a glass and carbon reinforced epoxy resin. Preferably, the composite material has a density of approximately 0.1 pounds per cubic inch and a fiber content of approximately 60% by volume, with the resulting composite material having an elastic modulus in excess of 700,000 psi.