Abstract: A pass-line independent measuring device for producing thickness related measurements (e.g., thickness, basis weight, density, etc.) of a moving web. The thickness measurements themselves are based on a nuclear source and detector mounted on one or both sides of the web, the source emitting radiation and the detector detecting emitted radiation from the web as an uncorrected measure of web thickness. An ultrasonic distance measuring means is fixedly associated with either the source, the detector, or both and continuously directs ultrasonic pulses in a direct path to the web, measures reflections in substantially a similar direct path, and by means of the time delay between a pulse and its reflection determines the actual pass-line of the web between the source and detector. The pass-line is used with a correcting function to correct the nuclear readings and provide a substantially accurate measure of web thickness corrected for pass-line.

Abstract: An oxygen sensing probe of the type in which a sensor tip made of a solid electrolyte is secured within a supporting tube by an hermetic seal. The tip is made of yttria-stabilized zirconia; the tube is made of magnesium-aluminate spinel, calcia and zirconia; and the tip and the tube are bonded together by a fusion weld consisting of a eutectic mixture of the tip material and the tube material. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the tube material very closely matches that of the tip material so as to prevent the seal from cracking when the probe is cycled rapidly and repeatedly through a wide temperature range. A frustoconical shoulder on the sensor tip engages a slotted frustoconical seat within a tubular outer conductor to establish good electrical contact between the tip and the electrode while allowing gas to circulate freely past the tip.

Abstract: A computer implemented control system which includes interface circuitry by which signal intelligence is taken in to the computer from external devices such as sensors and is fed out from the computer to external devices such as actuators which correctively adjust controlled parameters. An interface circuit for each of the several external devices is made "universal" in that either an analog input, bistate input, analog output, or bistate output device may be connected to any given one of the terminal points. A voltage follower amplifier sends the intelligence signal to an output device through a low-cost diode, with negative feedback taken from the downstream side of the diode. When an input device is elected for a given terminal point, simple program editing assures that the diode will be reverse biased to isolate the amplifier from the input signal path.

Abstract: A computer implemented control system which includes interface circuitry by which signal intelligence is taken in to the computer from external devices such as sensors and is fed out from the computer to external devices such as actuators which correctively adjust controlled parameters. An interface circuit for each of the several external devices is made "universal" in that either an analog input, bistate input, analog output, or bistate output device may be connected to any given one of the terminal points. A voltage follower amplifier sends the intelligence signal to an output device through a low-cost diode, with negative feedback taken from the downstream side of the diode. When an input device is elected for a given terminal point, simple program editing assures that the diode will be reverse biased to isolate the amplifier from the input signal path.

Abstract: An electronic integrator employing an algebraically summing operational amplifier which accepts input signals of opposite polarities, relative to a reference voltage, and wherein wind-up is alleviated by diodes which are normally reverse-biased and non-conductive but which respectively become conductive to clamp the net input voltage to a positive or negative magnitude which precludes further "wind-up" of the integrator output.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a frusto-conical projection having a central opening formed therein. A winding is contained in a housing surrounding the projection which encompasses the projection. A shaft extends through a central opening in the projection and carries an armature having a reciprocally configured frusto-conical surface. Excitation of the winding causes linear movement of the shaft on bearings contained within the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus by which a transducer is employed to create a digital signal representing numerically the value of a changeable physical parameter. The signal from the transducer is subject to large and unpredictable amounts of offset due to either or both (i) manufacturing tolerance departures from the desired target of creating a zero output signal value when the sensed parameter is zero and (ii) changes in offset due to changes in one or more physical conditions (other than the sensed parameter) to which the transducer and its associated electrical components are subjected. A bistate device is associated with the transducer and controlled so as (a) to first apply substitutionally to the transducer a known, and preferably zero, value of the parameter--with the output signal value being stored so as to represent the then-existing offset, and then (b) to apply the changeable physical parameter to the transducer.

Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in combination with a stator and sleeve to function as a valve attached to an actuator. The rotor is comprised of a rotor body containing the drive section with the necessary elements to turn the rotor within the stator and sleeve, and a rotor stem with parts to act with complementary parts on the sleeve to form variable orifices that function as the valve. The rotor body is connected to the rotor stem by a flexible joint which includes a contoured surface to compensate for misalignments in the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which continuously existing analog voltage command signals for various channels within a control system are changed by determined amounts and senses as a result of supplying "pulse" signals of different durations and polarities. Electronic integrators preferably operating to create linear slope changes in their outputs, and to hold their outputs steady absent any input, are receptive to the change signals ("pulses") of differing durations to create analog command signals which change by increments proportional to the time duration and in a direction corresponding to the polarity of the change signal. This permits computer control of servo devices requiring continuously-existing, changeable command signals in the same fashion as servo devices which respond directly to variable duration, pulse-type change signals.

Abstract: A shaper cutter includes a conical body having teeth formed around its periphery and further includes a thin wafer disposed against the face of the body and formed with peripheral cutting teeth which lie against the teeth of the body, the teeth of the wafer serving to cut a workpiece and being backed by the teeth of the body. The wafer is bonded to the face of the body by a high strength adhesive which may be heated to destroy the bond and enable removal and replacement of the wafer when the cutting teeth thereof become worn. As a result of bonding the wafer directly to the body, there are no clamps creating axial interference ahead of the wafer and, in addition, lateral deflection of the wafer teeth during cutting is reduced.

Abstract: A rotor is provided for use in combination with a valve and sleeve to function as a valve attached to an actuator. The rotor is comprised of a rotor body containing the drive section with the necessary elements to turn the rotor within the sleeve, and a rotor stem with ports to coact with complementary ports in the sleeve to form variable orifices to control fluid flow, and a flexible means for connecting the rotor stem to the rotor body.

Abstract: The output shaft of a rotary actuator is rotated in one direction by an electric motor and is returned in the opposite direction by a spring which is wound during driving of the shaft by the motor. The motor drives the output shaft and winds the return spring by way of a speed-reducing, torque amplifying gear train. To enable the use of a lighter return spring and the use of a gear train effecting greater torque amplification from the motor to the output shaft, intermediate gears in the drive train apply winding torque to the return spring differentially of the drive torque applied to the output shaft.

Abstract: A shaper cutter includes a conical body having teeth formed around its periphery and a flexible wafer is disposed against the face of the body and is formed with peripheral teeth overlying the teeth on the body. The face of the body is concave and conical so that, when the center portion of the wafer is clamped to the body, the wafer flexes to lie against the face with the result that the teeth on the wafer are held firmly against the teeth on the body. The edges of the teeth of the wafer constitute the cutting edges of the cutter so that, when the cutting edges become dull, the wafer is simply removed and replaced with a new one. In another form, the teeth on the body are helical and their end faces are inclined in stepped relation while the wafer teeth are on the free ends of flexible fingers which, when the wafer is clamped to the body, flex to lie against the end faces of the teeth on the body.

Abstract: A reversible electric motor supported on a sub-base acts through a reduction gear train to rotate an output shaft supported by a main mounting base, the sub-base being capable of turning through a limited range relative to the main base about the axis of the output shaft. When the output shaft encounters excessive resistance torque in either direction, the sub-base automatically turns relative to the main base and effects the opening of switch means to de-energize the motor.

Abstract: An electrical-pneumatic transducer includes a pneumatic relay in which the pressure of the air at the outlet varies in accordance with the back pressure of the air at a bleed nozzle in the relay. This back pressure is changed by the armature of a solenoid with the armature opposing the nozzle outlet and being urged toward the latter with a force responsive to a signal in the form of current flowing through the solenoid coil. The magnitude of the current is correlated with the magnitude of a variable condition. The force on the armature, which is a permanent magnet, is selectively set to calibrate the transducer by means of a second permanent magnet which is axially aligned with the armature and is adjustably movable toward and away from the latter.

Abstract: Improved supply yarn tensioning and path guide means comprising the provision of spindles and guides for supplying warp yarns from individual packages, together with tensioning means for controlling the tension in each individually supplied warp yarn strand, preferably by controlling the rolling resistance of a package on a spindle provided therefor, which resistance is overcome by pulling the yarn strand off the package. In a further embodiment, an improved elliptical guide means is provided for guiding the warp yarn path changes.

Abstract: The unnecessary removal of heated or cooled room air by fume hoods is prevented during off-peak periods through a manual and automatic fume hood ventilating system. Ventilation (exhaust) air quantities are reduced in response to operator and/or automated programmed control of the exhaust fan shaft speed. The safety integrity of the fume hood system is improved by providing the operator with visual and audible dynamic feedback of the system operating status. Room air balance is maintained through subsequent reset of the room supply air coincident with exhaust air quantity adjustment. Building make-up air balance is possible using individual instantaneous exhaust flow summary signals to control the outside air flow rate.

Abstract: The gear shaping machine is of simplified construction and is dedicated essentially to forming only a single type of gear or a narrow range of gears. To enable the machine to be of simplified construction, the drive train between the cutter and work spindles consists of only four gears in a machine for cutting internal gears and consists of only four gears and a direction-changing idler in a machine for cutting external gears. Relative infeeding of the cutter and the work blank is effected by pivoting one of the spindles relative to the other spindle with one of the drive gears walking around another one of the drive gears during such pivoting. The differential rotation of the spindles produced by the pivoting action is negated in order to keep the spindles in proper rotational relationship.

Abstract: A holder for the core of a yarn package includes a spindle, a conical base slidable and rotatable on the inner end portion of the spindle and an anchor in the form of a nose cone threaded on the free end portion of the spindle, the spindle being mounted on a support on the machine in which the holder is used. A plurality of flexible linkages connect the base and the anchor to turn together while permitting each to move axially independently of the other. A spring acts between the support and the base to urge the latter toward to anchor and flex the linkages resiliently outwardly against the inside of the core. The initial flexing of the linkages is adjusted to accommodate cores of different sizes by turning the anchor to move it toward or away from the base.

Abstract: The hobbing machine is of simplified construction and is dedicated essentially to forming only a single type of gear or a narrow range of gears. To enable the machine to be of simplified construction, its drive train consists of only four gears and its hob head is mounted to pivot around the axis of the drive shaft for the work spindle. The arrangement of the four gears together with the pivotal movement of the hob head enables the hob spindle to be inclined at a predetermined setting angle relative to the work spindle and enables the center distance between the spindles to be selectively changed.