Abstract: Improved bridge circuits are described for offsetting span errors, for making scale adjustments and for providing for a non-linear output.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor comprises a pressure-to-displacement transducer resiliently coupled to a cantilever beam strain gauge arrangement. The pressure-to-displacement transducer is provided with overrange protection permitting substantial displacement in the range of measurable pressure differentials and the more fragile cantilever beam is provided with separate overrange protection more narrowly constraining its displacement. The resilient coupling between the transducer and the beam absorbs the displacement differential. As a consequence of this structure, the device can provide high sensitivity readings in the measurable range of pressure differentials and is protected against pressure differentials greatly in excess of the measurable range.

Abstract: The voltage drops across a series-connected pair of strain gauges and arbitrary resistance are measured at zero and maximum stresses at three temperatures. The appropriate resistance for span compensation at the two extreme temperatures is then calculated from these values. The span compensation resistance is then distributed between a first resistor connected in series with one of the strain gauges and a second resistor connected in series with the other strain gauge. Initially, the first resistor is assigned a value of one ohm and the second resistor the remainder. With these values the series/parallel resistances required for temperature compensation at zero stress are calculated for the two extreme temperatures. The outputs at zero stress are then calculated for both the maximum temperature and the intermediate temperature and the difference between these outputs is obtained.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor system comprising a conveyor, a track and a plurality of carriers movable along the track by the conveyor wherein each carrier is adapted to grip an article elevated into the path of the conveyor and to release the article. The conveyor extends along a path past a loading station and an unloading station. Loading means are provided adjacent the loading station for elevating an article into position to be gripped by the carrier and unloading means are provided at the unloading station for receiving an article released by the carrier at the unloading station. In addition, infeed and take out mechanisms are provided at the loading and unloading stations, respectively.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track, a power conveyor movable along the track, the conveyor having a plurality of depending pusher dogs thereon, a free track extending along the power track, and a plurality of carriers movable along the free track. Each carrier has at least one trolley with a pusher normally in the path of the depending pusher and holdback dogs. Each pusher and holdback dog is deflectable laterally into and out of the path of the pushers on the trolleys. A combined cam and stop member is provided with means for moving the cam and stop into the path of the pusher on the carrier. The cam and stop member includes a cam portion operable to depress the pusher dog and a cam portion operable to deflect the depending pusher and holdback dogs out of the normal path of the pusher. Stops are provided in advance of and to the rear of the carrier and are operable to maintain the carrier in stopped position.

Abstract: A movable storage unit system comprising a plurality of individually driven storage units at least some of which are movable toward and away from one another into contact with one another to define an access space between a pair of the units. A logic control circuit is provided on each unit and a limit sensor is provided on each movable unit including a sensor circuit for creating a signal in response to contact of a pair of storage units. A safety sensor is also provided on each unit and includes a safety sensor control circuit for creating a signal upon engagement of the safety sensor and an object or person in the path of the unit. A pair of reset controls is provided on each unit including a reset control circuit for creating a logic signal when actuated, and a run control is provided on each unit for creating a logic signal when actuated. The storage units are electrically connected such that a logic signal from the run control directs a run signal to a next adjacent unit.

Abstract: A hanging goods sorter comprising a power and free conveyor system including a power track, a power conveyor movable along the track, a free track movable along a portion of the power track, and a gravity track connected at one end to the free track and at the other end to a spaced portion of the free track. A plurality of carriers are movable on the tracks and each carrier has a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting hooks thereon which can be individually actuated between a position for carrying hanging goods to a position for releasing hanging goods. A loading station and a coding station are provided along the gravity track. A plurality of delivery stations are provided along the portion of the free track which is along the power track. Release mechanisms are provided at fixed points adjacent the discharge stations for actuating the hooks to release the garments at predetermined stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and wrapping pipe insulation comprising a frame and a pair of arms mounted on the frame for swinging movement about a longitudinal axis. A row of longitudinally spaced vacuum pads is suspended and on each arm a pair of transversly spaced rows of longitudinally spaced vacuum pads are suspended on the arms inwardly of the first-mentioned rows on said arms. Vacuum can be selectively supplied to the rows of vacuum pads. Means are provided for swinging the arms toward and away from one another whereby when the arms are extended and the vacuum pads are brought into engagement with a generally flat piece of insulation, the insulation is engaged and may be lifted and transported by manipulating the frame to bring the insulation adjacent a length of pipe and the arms may thereafter be swung inwardly to wrap the insulation about the length of pipe.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a conveyor track, a conveyor movable along said track, a free track and a plurality of carriers movable along the free track. The conveyor has longitudinally spaced pusher and holdback dogs mounted thereon. Each carrier comprises spaced trolleys, and tie bar means interconnecting the trolleys. A trailing trolley has a pusher movably mounted thereon for movement into and out of the path of the pusher and holdback dogs. A bumper is mounted on the carrier at the front end thereof and is adapted to engage a preceding carrier or an obstacle. Means interconnect the bumper and the retractable pusher such that upon engagement of the bumper with the preceding carrier or obstacle the pusher is retracted out of the path of the pusher dog. The arrangement is such that the trolleys can pivot horizontally and vertically with respect to the means interconnecting the trolleys so that the system will function with horizontally and vertically curved tracks.

Abstract: A conveyor system wherein a traveling mechanism is moved in a predetermined path and selectively controlled in its movement including an encoder unit mounted on the mechanism and a readout unit mounted along the path and wherein the encoder unit provides a plurality of input signals and the readout unit reads the signals to actuate a control device along the path to determine the path of movement of the traveling mechanism. A control circuit is associated with said encoder and readout units and comprises a readout circuit and a logic circuit. The readout circuit includes an AND circuit having an input for receiving signals from the encoder unit and transmitting an output signal when the code on the encoder unit matches the code on the readout unit. The logic circuit has an input and an output. The output of the readout circuit is coupled to the input of the logic circuit while maintaining the readout circuit electrically isolated from the logic circuit.

Abstract: An electronic process controller comprises a digital computer programmed to digitally simulate the functions of each of a plurality of conventional analog and discrete control blocks and a process operator's panel for selecting and arranging these simulated blocks into a simulated control circuit configuration. The operator's panel provides means for direct operator selection of: (1) the input signal to be processed by the computer; (2) the arrangement of simulated blocks for processing the input signal in order to derive an output process control signal; and (3) the output control device to which the output signal is directed. This controller permits assembly and modification of simulated analog process control configurations in a manner analogous to the assembly of conventional hard wire control circuits without the expense of wiring, breaking, and rewiring of hard wire interconnections.

Abstract: An adjustment control device for a chain. The control device includes a body member having a first orifice for slidably receiving the chain and a second orifice extending crosswise of the first orifice for receiving a shackle of a lock. After a chain has been inserted into the body member, the shackle of the lock is inserted into the second orifice between two alternate links of the chain without passing through the link connecting those alternate links to lock the chain in position.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a conveyor track, a conveyor movable along said track, a free track and a plurality of carriers movable along the free track. The conveyor has longitudinally spaced pusher and holdback dogs mounted thereon. Each carrier comprises spaced trolleys and a tie bar interconnecting the trolleys. A trailing trolley has a pusher movably mounted thereon for movement into and out of the path of the pusher and holdback dogs. A bumper is mounted on the carrier at the front end thereof so that it engages a preceding carrier or an obstacle. The bumper and the retractable pusher are interconnected such that upon engagement of the bumper with the preceding carrier or obstacle the pusher is retracted out of the path of the pusher dog.

Abstract: A textile cleaning apparatus comprising a track adapted to extend along a row of textile machines, a carrier movable along the track, and means for driving the carrier along the track. The carrier includes blower means for directing a stream of air outwardly, conduit means associated with said blower means for directing at least one stream of air onto the textile machines as the carrier moves along the track, and air intake means associated with the blower means. The air intake means includes a chamber and a conduit communicating with the chamber and extending generally vertically alongside a row of machines. The conduit has an outer wall and a tubular filter within the conduit with means associated with the lower end of the filter for closing the space between the filter and conduit such that air drawn upwardly passes along the inner periphery of the filter. Valve means is associated with the filter to normally close the upper end of the filter.

Abstract: An article handling system including means for moving articles from one position to another and including computer means for controlling a plurality of functions of said article handling means including unalterable memory devices for controlling some of the functions and manually operable mechanical selectively programmable memory devices for controlling other of the functions.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising an endless belt for carrying articles past a series of transfer stations along the length of the belt. A plurality of longitudinally spaced rotatably mounted rollers are provided beneath the belt at each transfer station and a plate is positioned above the rollers for supporting the belt at each transfer station. The width of the rollers is greater than the width of the belt and the rollers are continuously driven by the return portion of the belt which extends beneath the rollers. A pusher at each transfer station is actuatable transversely to transfer an article from the belt onto the rollers which, in turn, propel the article in a direction parallel to the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles between a pick up station such as a conveyor and a deposit station comprising a conveyor and a transfer car which is supported for movement between the conveyor and a station. The car having interdigitating means thereon adapted to interdigitate with said conveyor when the transfer car is at a position adjacent the conveyor. The interdigitating means is supported on the car for vertical movement such that the interdigitating means may be moved upwardly to lift an article from the conveyor or the station and downwardly to lower the article on the conveyor or the station.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a first load supporting track and a second load supporting track with an intermediate transfer portion. A powered conveyor is provided in association with each of the first and second tracks. A plurality of carriers are provided. Each of the carriers has a first dog that is in position for normal engagement with the pusher member of the conveyor and longitudinally spaced second and third dogs that are normally urged to an operative carrier pushing position but are held by the track out of operative position. The second and third dogs include cam projections thereon that engage portions of the track which hold the second and third dogs out of operative position. The cam projection on the second dog extends oppositely to the cam projection on the third dog. At a transfer point, an appropriate portion of the track is cut away to permit either the second or third dogs to move to operative carrier transferring position.

Abstract: A piston molding machine comprising a base on which a pair of mold supports are mounted for movement in a straight line toward and away from one another. A mold half is mounted on each support, and when the mold halves are juxtaposed they provide a cavity for forming a piston. A mold cap is pivoted to each mold half about a transverse axis rearwardly of the face of the mold half. A piston motor extends between each cap and its respective mold support for pivoting the mold cap into position adjacent the mold half to define the top of the cavity and away from the mold half to provide clearance for removal of a piston formed in the mold.

Abstract: A conveyor structure including a power track on which a conveyor chain is supported and a free track along which free trolleys travel. The conveyor chain includes alternate center or main links that are pivotally interconnected by alternate pairs of side links through pivot pins. The construction of the links and pivot pins is such that the links and pivot pins can be disconnected without the use of tools. One of the lower links has a pusher dog thereon and is constructed and arranged to permit removal and assembly thereof without the use of tools with respect to the remainder of the chain.