Abstract: A direction flow control valve for control of positive and negative loads equipped with a positive and negative load compensator controlled by a single pilot valve stage responsive to positive and negative load pressure signals. The positive and negative load compensator is provided with two sets of negative load throttling slots, one set of negative load throttling slots for each actuator port.

Abstract: A direction flow control valve for control of positive and negative loads equipped with a positive and negative load compensator controlled by a single pilot valve stage responsive to positive and negative load pressure signals.

Abstract: Industrial trucks commonly include a unitary frame having a roller mast and carriage assembly mounted forwardly thereon. The ability of such trucks to traverse narrow aisles is limited and their stability is normally increased with use of outriggers, counterweights, or the like. The vehicle (10) of this invention, such as an industrial truck, comprises a rear frame (14) and a pair of laterally spaced front frames (16) pivotally mounted forwardly on the rear frame (14). A roller mast (20) and carriage (26) is adapted to be mounted forwardly on the rear frame (14), between the front frames (16). The vehicle (10) will thus exhibit high degrees of maneuverability and stability by its ability to pivot the front frames (16) towards and away from each other, depending on the job task under consideration.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system wherein a frame (11) is supported on an axle (16) by a pair of fluid struts (19,20). The system includes a main accumulator (32) and a pair of auxiliary accumulators (30,35) which are fluidly interconnected. The left strut (19) is fluidly connected to the left auxiliary accumulator (30) and to the cylinder (42) of the main accumulator (32) to act on the pressure surface (62) of one of the pistons (46) therein. The righthand strut (20) is fluidly connected to the righthand auxiliary accumulator (35) and to a lower portion of the cylinder (42) of the main accumulator (32) so as to act on a pressure surface (63) of a second piston (47) therein. The pistons are interconnected in the main accumulator. Movement of the pistons (37,45,40) of the accumulators is resiliently resisted by the provision of compressed gas (38,48,41) in the respective accumulators.

Abstract: Mobile vehicles, such as lift trucks, are normally mounted on pairs of front and rear wheels for locomotion purposes. The rear wheels are steerable to move the truck into various work positions. However, the turning radius and maneuverability of vehicles of this type are limited, particularly when working in narrow aisles. The vehicle (10) of the present invention includes a frame assembly (13), a plurality of wheels (72,74) mounted on the frame assembly (13) for universal movement about a pivot point (110), and a support and drive system (70) for driving the wheels (72,74) and for infinitely positioning the wheels (72,74) relative to a supporting surface (11) to move the vehicle (10) in any chosen direction.

Abstract: Nozzle assemblies are used to spray a liquid, for example oil, for cooling a reciprocating piston in an engine. Heretofore, the spray pattern has been undesirably divergent and this has proven to be a problem when spraying a long distance. The present nozzle assembly (10) maintains a substantially columnar spray pattern by having an inlet portion (40) defining an opening (46), and an outlet portion (42) defining a first passage (62) for communicating a first liquid flow from the opening (46) outwardly thereof at a first velocity, and a plurality of passages (66) for communicating a second liquid flow from the opening (46) outwardly thereof at a second velocity less than the first velocity. The passages preferably have a relatively significant L/D ratio.

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an outer periphery (30) with an indentation (36), an annular restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) which prevents axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) which is insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) and on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), at least one connection hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) to the indentation (36), and a sealing plug (26) located in the hole (52) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) and properly assembled locking ring (24).

Abstract: A track-type vehicle (10) includes a track roller frame (13), a track idler (18) mounted forwardly on the track roller frame (13), and a recoil system (19) interconnected between the track roller frame (13) and the track idler (18). Conventional recoil systems, such as those employing one or more return springs therein, are sometimes subjected to adverse impact loads which could unduly subject undercarriage components to high stresses. This invention is directed to a slider assembly (29) slidably mounted for fore and aft movements on the track roller frame (13) and having the track idler (18) rotatably mounted thereon. Linear movement of the slider assembly (29) on the track roller frame (13) is guided by a pair of guides (30) laterally spaced on either side of the track idler (18).

Abstract: Prior art roller followers have generally been relatively expensive to produce and provisions have had to be made to deliver pressurized lubricant to bushings which have been used as bearings for the roller. Such roller followers have also been made with partially open apertures for bearings, thus eliminating the need for pressurized lubrication, but in such roller followers there is a tendency for the rollers to fall out of the open apertures. These probelms are solved herein by forming the body (16) and bearing surfaces (26,28) of a roller follower (10) in two parts, an inner structure (20) which supports the bearing surfaces (26,28) and an outer structure (18) which surrounds the inner structure (20) and fastens the entire assembly (10) together. Preferably, the inner structure (20) comprises a pair of half tubular shells (22,24) which fit together and include flanges (40,41) for keeping the roller (12) in contact with the bearing surfaces (26,28).

Abstract: A measurement circuit which is rendered insensitive to temperature and other environmental quantities comprising first and second electrically identical sensor elements (10, 12) which are alternately connected through multiplexed gates (G1, G2) into the tank circuit of an oscillator (14) to generate first and second signal frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. The first frequency f.sub.1 varies in the same sense with both temperature and the measured signal quantity but the second signal f.sub.2 varies in one sense with temperature and in the opposite sense with the measured signal quantity. A logic circuit (18) is provided for generating an output signal proportional to the ratio of f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. The ratio of the two signals is achieved by frequency dividing f.sub.1 and using the result as a variable length gating signal for f.sub.2. A non-multiplexed system using matched oscillators is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning and flow measurement circuit (10) for testing a fuel injection apparatus (12,20). The circuit (10) has a reservoir (58) communicating with a pump (22) which supplies fuel to the injection apparatus (12,20) the flow of which is measured by a calibrated flow meter (44). A first deaeration apparatus (38) communicating with the discharge side (24) of the pump (22) removes entrained and dissolved air in cooperation with a relief valve (36). A second deaeration apparatus (56) in cooperation with the testing apparatus (12,20) further removes entrained and dissolved air thereby enabling accurate flow measurements to be made by the flow meter (44).

Abstract: A support assembly and grill for a radiator includes a support frame which opens outwardly and upwardly to allow ready access to and removal of a radiator and is fixable to a vehicle frame. The radiator is protected from damage by a grill held in a spaced apart relation from the radiator by a guard frame. The grill and guard form a light easily removable modual assembly. The guard frame overlaps the support frame and is affixed thereto by a plurality of bolts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for efficiently reducing the amounts of nitrogen oxides contained in a combusted gas stream from an engine combustion chamber (14). Ammonia is reliably and instantaneously metered to the combusted gas stream conduit (24) in a preselected proportion to the fuel mass flow rate and only in response to the sensed temperature of the combusted gas stream in the reactor (26) being within a preselected range.

Abstract: A clamp assembly (12) is disclosed for controllably gripping an article (10). Automated material handling devices generally require sensor and control devices to adapt the device to variously sized and shaped articles. Also, the application of excess contact force between the clamping device and article may damage vulnerable surfaces and features of the article being handled. The present invention solves the above problem by providing a clamp assembly (12) having opposed, pressurizable gripping members (64,66). The gripping members (64,66) each have a compliant, article-contacting surface (67,68) which form about the article (10) upon pressurization of the gripping members (64,66). The invention is of particular benefit in handling a wide range of differently sized stepped-diameter shafts.

Abstract: A crawler tractor vehicle having steering clutches and associated steering brake includes a control apparatus for each clutch and brake system, including a valve made up of a valve body, and a clutch valving spool and a brake valving spool movably associated therewith. In one embodiment, the clutch valving spool and brake valving spool are identical in configuration, and are disposed in a common bore. Actuator means are associated with such clutch valving spool and brake valving spool, in one embodiment including an actuator assembly made up of a plurality of plungers movable relative to each other and relative to the valve body to provide particular movement of the clutch and brake valving spools. In another embodiment, the actuator means comprise mechanical linkage means, for providing movement of brake and clutch valving spools positioned in respective separate bores defined by the valve body.

Abstract: The outermost tubes (50) of a heat exchanger core (20) have not be as adequately cooled as have the interior tubes (50) by the flow of air between the fins (40) and the tubes (50). Herein, a cover (80 or 85) is connected over the edges (45) of the fins (40) defining a respective one of first and second end surfaces (70,75) and is spaced from the inlet surface (60) of the core (20). Consequently, the outermost tube (50), which is nearest the cover (80 or 85), is cooled substantially to the same degree as the other tubes (50). In one embodiment of the present invention, about a 5% increase in the thermal efficiency of the core (20) is attained.

Abstract: The drum of a vibratory compactor is normally resiliently rotatably mounted on a frame and has an eccentric shaft mounted therein by a pair of longitudinally bearing assemblies. The outer races of the bearing assemblies must be precisely mounted in bores defined in carriers secured on the drum and the bores must be precisely aligned to insure the co-incident relationship of the rotational axes of the drum and the shaft. In addition to the potential misalignment problem and manufacturing costs, the bearing assemblies must be preloaded towards each other and the load-carrying to size ratio of the bearing assemblies is normally relatively low.

Abstract: A fluid deaeration apparatus (10) for removing gas from a circulating fluid having a closed, fluid filled tank (12) for receiving and slowing the fluid. A pressure regulating valve (52) is provided for inducing negative pressure waves in the fluid entering the tank (12) for conditioning the gas in the fluid for removal from the fluid in the tank and for collection and venting of the gas from the tank (12).

Abstract: An oscillating rear axle assembly (30) and associated drawbar (40) which oscillates therewith. The rear axle (24) protrudes from an axle housing (32) which is joined to a support structure (34) extending forwardly therefrom. The support structure (34) is oscillatably joined to a rear frame (14) by two axially separated bearings (36,38) disposed therebetween. The drawbar (40) is laterally guided by the rear axle assembly (30) and a pivot support structure (84) and is axially fixed as well as oscillatably joined to the rear frame (14) by a spherical bearing (52) to permit drawbar oscillation with the rear axle assembly (30).