Abstract: A reversible anti-backlash power transmission for selectively transmitting power in opposite directions without backlash in the gear train. The transmission includes interconnected first and second gear boxes. Each gear box includes a drive shaft having a worm associated with the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a worm gear in meshing engagement with the worm, a driven shaft associated with the worm gear for rotation therewith, and a pinion gear structurally associated with the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A rack gear is in meshing engagement with the pinion gear of each of the first and second gear boxes. An electro-magentic coupler interconnects the drive shafts of the gear boxes. The coupler allows the automatic angular displacement of the drive shafts of the two gear boxes relative to each other to eliminate gear backlash in any of the mating gears.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a tool along a spiral path into a circular or orbital path includes a first shaft and a second shaft in end-to-end relationship. The apparatus includes a slide device interconnecting the adjacent ends of the first and second shafts for allowing the second shaft to move tranversely of and in a generally radial direction away from the first shaft as the first shaft rotates about its own longitudinal axis. The tool to be manipulated is attached to the distal end of the second shaft. As the first shaft rotates about its own longitudinal axis, the second shaft moves radially away from the first shaft so that the second shaft, and tool attached thereto, follow an initial spiral path leading into an orbital path centered on the longitudinal axis of the first shaft.

Abstract: A gear box having two coaxial output shafts. The gear box provides for selectively turning the shafts whereby either the outer and inner output shafts rotate together in the same direction at the same angular velocity, the inner output shaft is rotated while the outer output shaft remains stationary, or the outer and inner output shafts are rotated independently of each other. The gear box includes two spaced apart coaxial spur bevel gears and a pair of spur bevel pinions each in meshing engagement with both spur bevel gears. A spur shaft is concentrically located over the inner output shaft and the spur bevel pinions are structurally attached to the spur shaft by radially axles. A first one of the spur bevel gears is concentrically located on the outer output shaft and attached thereto for rotation therewith. The second one of the spur bevel gears is concentrically located on the spur shaft and is journal mounted thereon for independent rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispending a fluid free of included air bubbles, such as for example, an adhesive bead, includes sensing devices for detecting the presence of an included air bubble in the conduit leading from a source of the fluid to a discharge of a movable fluid dispenser. The sensing devices are connected to a motor which drives an arm on which the fluid dispenser is mounted. A first sensing device slows movement of the dispenser upon sensing an air bubble in the fluid and a second sensing device stops movement of the dispenser upon sensing an air bubble in the fluid. The movement of the dispenser is restarted after a predetermined time period sufficient to allow the air bubble to pass out of the dispenser discharge. The sensing devices advantageously use a light beam, such as infra-red light or laser, to detect the presence of the included air bubble.

Abstract: A pressure developing and balancing circuit for use with chopped glass fibers in reaction injection molding eliminating high pressure drop valving of glass filled liquid component materials which normally create serious heating and valve erosion wear problems.

Abstract: An adjustable slotted orifice assembly for controlling the feed rate and dispersion pattern of high pressure impinging liquid reaction injection molding materials. In a preferred embodiment vibration of the variable orifice, opening particularly useful with low through puts, provides improved results.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus with a pain of fluid dispensing cylinders each having a piston driven through a separate differential transmission with two inputs. One of the inputs of both transmissions is driven by a first electric motor. The other inputs are connected to counterrotating output shafts of a gear box driven by a variable speed second electric motor to introduce unlike inputs into the differential transmissions so that the ratio of fluid dispensed by the cylinders is varied by operation of the second motor in different directions and at different speeds. During the return stroke of the pistons the second motor is operated at a rate higher than its rate during the dispensing stroke so that any difference in the length of the dispensing stroke of the pistons is reduced to zero before the pistons home, whereupon the second motor is de-actuated and the first motor alone homes the pistons to prevent the pistons from getting out of phase.

Abstract: In the manufacture of foamed plastic slab by introducing foamable fluid from a mixing head into a moving conveyor-type mold, the improvement wherein supplemental quantities of the fluid are conducted from the mixing head longitudinally to locations where the main body of the material has foamed to partly expanded condition and friction between the sides of the mold and expanding material has caused the upper longitudinal side edges of the expanding material to assume a rounded shape which curves away from the mold sides leaving a space. The supplemental material is introduced into the spaces while the mold moves and upon expansion substantially fills the spaces and thereby greatly reduces the amount of the slab which must be cropped off prior to cutting it to form saleable articles.

Abstract: Reactive fluids are furnished from separate tanks continuously to a mixing head. The resulting mixture flows continuously through an outlet having a valve which directs the flow to one or another of a plurality of dispensing nozzles. Molds are moved synchronously and in some cases continually beneath the nozzles through which the mixture is dispensed.

Abstract: Fluids to be mixed and dispensed are metered out of hydraulic cylinders by movement of pistons therein. The rate of movement is controlled by movement of a recirculating ball nut connected to each piston rod, movement of the nut, in turn, being controlled by the rate of rotation of its ball screw. Each screw carries a gear, and the gears have a common drive so that the ratio of the diameter of the gears accurately controls the volumetric metering ratio of the cylinders. In one form, an inert fluid under pressure acting on the reverse sides of the pistons assists the force of the ball nut drive. In another form, two cylinders work as a pair on each fluid, inert fluid under high pressure acting on the reverse sides of the pistons of each pair to meter, mix and dispense the fluids at about two thousand to two thousand five hundred pounds per square inch.