Abstract: A tube expander (10), for extrudably expanding the walls of a tube (12) is disclosed.The clamping force required on a tube (12) to prevent relative movement between the tube (12) and a tube expander (10), generally limits the amount of deformation completed during single stroke forming operations. The present invention provides a tube expander (10) for partially forming the tube (12) during insertion of the expander (10) into the tube (12) and fully forming the tube (12) during withdrawal of the expander (10). The tube expander (10) has an annular forming member (44) moveably mounted on a mandrel (22) for movement between a first position at which a plane (46) of the annular forming member (44) is at a skew angle with respect to a longitudinal axis (32) of the mandrel (22) and a second position at which the plane (46) of the annular forming member (44) is normal to the longitudinal axis (32).

Abstract: In many designs, a tire (14) of a wheel (10) is inadequately restrained with respect to a tire supporting rim assembly (12) of the wheel. Movement of the tire (14) with respect to the rim assembly (12) results in a wastage of energy. In the present invention a wheel assembly (10) has a rim assembly (12) and a tire (14) mounted on the rim assembly (12). The rim assembly (12) has an annular elastic element (22) affixed thereto for increasing the coefficient of friction between said rim assembly (12) and the tire (14).

Abstract: A power supply circuit (20) having an inductive load (12), three power lines (A,B,C) for conducting current of a 3-phase AC source, an SCR network (24) of six SCRs (1-6) for coupling the current of the source between the power lines (A,B,C) and the load (12), a phase sensor (30) for generating a reference signal in response to one reference phase voltage (AB) of the source, and a trigger circuit (35) for triggering "on" the SCRs (1-6) at predetermined phase angles relative to the voltage (AB). The power supply circuit (20) overcomes constraints such as load inductance which limit the rate of current build-up or decay through the load (12) by gating "on" the SCRs (1-6) at the predetermined phase angles to maximize such current build-up or decay.

Abstract: Sealing structure (10,110) for a sealing a first joint member (11,111) to a second joint member (12,112) across a variable space therebetween. The sealing structure includes a frustoconical Belleville spring (17,117) and an annular support spring (18,118) defining an arcuate cross section having one end (19,119) connected to the Belleville spring, and an opposite end (20,120) sealingly mounted to the first joint member (11,111). A seal element (21,121) is fixed to the Belleville spring and has a lip portion (22,122) projecting into dynamic sealing engagement with the second joint member (12).

Abstract: An infinitely variable power transmission having three power transmitting shafts (14,16,25) differentially rotatable around a common axis (20) and connected together by at least one bevel wheel (12) rotatable around a nutating axis (22). The nutating axis (22) intersects the common axis (20) and is carried by the first shaft (16) around the common axis (20). The second shaft (25) has a bevel gear (26) connecting it to the wheel (12) perimeter. The wheel (12) sits on a convex segment (13) of the third shaft (14) making a single traction point (52) in the plane defined by the axes (20,22). Power may be applied to any two of the shafts with the speed of the power output by the third being controlled by the location of the traction point (52). The traction point (52) may be moved within the plane so that for any single engine speed, the speed of the power output shaft may be infinitely varied in a specific range.

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: A mechanism (80) is provided to controllably lower an actuator (28) upon the loss of a source (62) of pilot fluid in a fluid system requiring a float condition of operation. A resolver (80) is located in a vent line of a make-up valve and is connected to a second load supporting end (32) of the actuator (28) and is controllably vented to a tank (38) by moving a pilot control valve (48) to a fourth position (D). This eliminates the need to provide complicated systems having pilot operated check valves which are more difficult to control.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to fuel delivery systems for combustion ignition engines and more particularly to devices for limiting exhaust smoke and/or the rise in engine torque. When a compression ignition engine is operating at full speed and a load is applied to the engine, the engine speed decreases until a lug condition results. As the engine speed decreases, a greater volume of fuel is delivered to the combustion chambers resulting in an inherent increase in the output torque of the engine and in the production of smoke. The rotation sensitive pressure regulator (7) described herein solves these problems by using a movable spool valve (21a). Stability of the regulator (7) is also achieved by using a spring (40) that adjusts the static force applied to the spool valve (21a) and a nondeformable actuator member (19).

Abstract: It is conventional practice to rigidly secure a hood assembly on an engine enclosure for a construction vehicle. The connection joints are thus subjected to undue bending stresses. This invention solves the above stress problem by attaching one end (24) of a hood assembly (14) on an engine enclosure (11) by a mounting arrangement (23) which permits limited fore and aft and cushioned upward movements of the hood assembly (14) relative to the engine enclosure (11).

Abstract: A test stand (10) having a principal use for testing a fuel pump and associated governor (24), has a drive shaft (16), an inertial weight (30) operatively associated therewith, and apparatus (56) for selectively engaging and disengaging the inertial weight (30) with the drive shaft (16). This test stand (10) solves the technical problems associated with present test stands, which problems include the inability to maintain a constant drive shaft speed for fuel pump calibration, and also the inability to thereafter rapidly increase or decrease said drive shaft speed for purposes of determining the governor response. The apparatus (56) can accommodate misalignment between the drive shaft (16) and the fuel pump (24). The test stand can also include a spline arrangement (108) which also accommodates misalignment between the drive shaft (16) and a cam shaft (99) of the fuel pump (24).

Abstract: A bulk material feeder (10) has two rollers (12,14), at least the lower (14) of which is driven (24,26). Strip material (34) is threaded around the side of the upper roller (12) toward the direction of feed, between the rollers (12,14), around the side of the lower roller (14) opposite the direction of feed and to downstream machinery (38) spaced from the feeder (10). Roller (12,14) spacing is greater than material (34) thickness precluding compression of the material (34). Feed is produced by friction between the roller (14) and material (34) only. Feed rate is greater than usage thereby producing a depending loop (40) between the feeder (10) and the downstream machinery (38). In one embodiment, increasing loop (40) size decreases material (34) and roller (14) contact, causing relative slippage and a discontinuance of feed. In another embodiment, both rollers (12,14) are driven and loop (40) size is limited by a photoelectric device (42) and associated control circuitry.

Abstract: A system for obtaining samples of the exhaust of a combustor for subsequent constituent level analysis and a method of determining constituent levels. The system includes inlets (10,26) for alternately delivering exhaust or ambient air to the system. System outlets (56,58) are sealingly coupled to sample receiving and collecting containers (60,62) and a pump (32) is connected to the inlets (10,26) to pressurize gases entering the system. The pump has an outlet (36) to an air cooled heat exchanger (38) which is cooled by a fan (40) to condense water vapor in the gases. The heat exchanger is connected by plumbing (48,50,52,64,66) to the system outlets (56,58) and a chemical gas dryer (54) may be connected in the system when ambient air is entering the system inlet (26). The method of analyzing the exhaust includes the steps of partially filling a sample collecting container with dried air and thereafter directing the exhaust to be analyzed into the sample collecting container.

Abstract: Spherical joints of the type pivotally connecting each end of an equalizer bar to a track roller frame of a track-type vehicle require positive sealing of the joints during operation of the vehicle wherein the joint undergoes compound movements. Standard sealing assemblies therefor are prone to failure since they are subjected to tensile and compressive forces during operation thereof. The improved seal assembly (15) of this invention substantially prevents the imposition of such forces thereon by including structure (23) for permitting flexing thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for producing a gas having a controlled water vapor content is disclosed. Present methods of adding varying amounts of water to a gas containing nitric oxide may undesirably alter the composition of the gas.The present invention solves the above problem by providing an apparatus (10) and method for substantially fully saturating an unconditioned gas, subsequently removing water from a preselected portion of the saturated gas, and then mixing the preselected dry and saturated portions of the gas.The present invention is particularly useful in calibrating exhaust emission analyzers.

Abstract: Fittings with internal drain passages leading to the outside through an exterior orifice are normally used in high pressure fluid systems where fluid must be transferred through a wall and leakage on at least one side of the wall cannot be tolerated. Such fittings are used, for example, in compression ignition engines where the fuel injectors are located inside of the valve cover. Any leakage drains from the exterior orifice of the fitting down the outside of the engine. On some installations the side of the engine on which these fittings are mounted must be located out of sight of the operator and the operator is unable to observe if any leakage is occurring. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a fitting (12) that drains into a drain passage (64) that is located within the engine wall (7, 11). The drain passage (64) in the engine wall (7, 11) is routed within the engine (4) to the most convenient drain point (80) for monitoring.

Abstract: In a machine for covering a toroidal body with layers of elastomeric material wherein a cutting and stitching apparatus is provided for severing a scrap portion of a sheet of material (32) from a portion of the sheet that has been applied to a toroidal core (30) and stitching the applied portion to the core (30). The apparatus (16,18,20,22) includes actuators (45,54) for positioning the cutters (104) and the stitchers (105) in operative position on the outside periphery and the inside periphery of the core (30) with the rotatable cutters (104) in proper position for effecting a cut through the material without scoring the core (30) or other underlying material. The cutting and stitching apparatus (16,18,20,22) is rotated about the core (30) as the rotating cutter (104) severs the material. The cutter (104) is programmed to retract as the stitchers (105) continue to stitch the edge of the applied material to the core (30).

Abstract: A circuit (10) and method for converting a circuit input frequency signal (f.sub.i) to a circuit output frequency signal (f.sub.o) comprising a phase-locked loop (22) for multiplying the input frequency signal (f.sub.i) by a value M to produce a multiple frequency signal (f.sub.i M), and a presettable divider for dividing the frequency signal (f.sub.i M) by a settable value N to produce the output frequency signal (f.sub.o). The circuit (10) and method are used to determine engine speed by converting the signal (f.sub.i) to the signal (f.sub.o) which can be used with a counter having a one second time base to determine such speed. The conversion occurs in the frequency domain and follows smoothly any change in engine speed.

Abstract: A "load-plus" valve is oftentimes utilized in the servo-system for a variable displacement pump to maintain pump discharge pressure above a minimum pressure level and above a load pressure in a fluid actuator. Valves of this type normally employ a spring interconnected between a modulating spool and a piston which is responsive to load pressure to modulate a control pressure, controlling the displacement of the pump. Valves of this type thus provide a constant discharge pressure margin over load pressure while also providing the pump's minimum stand-by pressure. However, valves of this type further provide pump packages which are somewhat bulky in design. The improved load-plus valve (22) of this invention provides a spool (49) movable between a first position communicating a control pressure (P.sub.

Abstract: It is common practice to provide the servo-system for a variable displacement pump with a "load-plus" valve to maintain pump discharge pressure above a minimum pressure level and above a load pressure in a fluid actuator connected to the pump in response to the load pressure in the actuator. Systems of this type are normally lacking in a device for ensuring that the prime mover for the pump functions at maximum efficiency. This invention is directed to a pressure and horsepower limiting valve (24) for ensuring such efficiency by modulating a load pressure signal (P.sub.L) communicated to the "load-plus" valve (23).

Abstract: A diesel fuel supply system for use with a diesel engine including a fuel pump for supplying fuel to the engine, a fuel tank connected to the pump for delivering fuel to the pump, a fuel additive tank, a valve, conduits connecting the additive tank to the pump through the valve in parallel to the fuel tank, and an operator for selectively operating the valve.