Abstract: A particle sampling system reads the moisture content of particulates (i.e., wood flakes) travelling through a pneumatically-driven conduit to control the remote drier. A rotatable hood penetrating an opening in the conduit is secured by a suitable mounting flange. When the hood is aimed upstream, facing the particle flow, a captivated sample drops through the apparatus into a special sampling compartment. After a reading the hood is rotated into a position facing downstream. Moisture-reading apparatus transmits light through the sampling window to determine moisture content. Readings may be relayed back to the drier for operating parameter correction. A suitable drive motor activates the hood assembly through a friction drive ring. A valve plate within a special housing may be switched between a closed position, defining the sampling compartment within its enclosure, and an open position, venting the apparatus to atmosphere.

Abstract: A multi-door enclosure for housing electrical equipment has a mechanical interlock device that interacts with a main primary door of the enclosure and the existing latch mechanisms of each of the remaining secondary doors to prevent such secondary doors from being opened unless the primary door is first opened. The interlock includes a lever arm that engages and is displaced by the primary door when closed. Such movement of the lever arm is transmitted via a mechanical linkage system to move one or more latch disabling members into disabling relation with the latch mechanisms of each of the secondary doors in order to retain the latch mechanisms in their latched positions and thereby lock the secondary doors in the closed position. Opening the secondary door allows the lever arm to return to its initial position which in turn retracts the latching members and allows unlatching and opening of the secondary doors.

Abstract: A multi-door enclosure for housing electrical equipment has a mechanical interlock device that interacts with a main primary door of the enclosure and the existing latch mechanisms of each of the remaining secondary doors to prevent such secondary doors from being opened unless the primary door is first opened. The interlock includes a lever arm that engages and is displaced by the primary door when closed. Such movement of the lever arm is transmitted via a mechanical linkage system to move one or more latch disabling members into disabling relation with the latch mechanisms of each of the secondary doors in order to retain the latch mechanisms in their latched positions and thereby lock the secondary doors in the closed position. Opening the secondary door allows the lever arm to return to its initial position which in turn retracts the latching members and allows unlatching and opening of the secondary doors.

Abstract: A low profile tactile switch including a conductive member having a dome profile and lead means, a conductive contact member having a contact and lead means and an insulating member arranged between the conductive member and the contact member but allowing contact between the members upon actuation of the dome profile, wherein the switch may be mass produced from rolls of flat material.

Abstract: A machine and method for making a strip of dome arrays on a backup strip, wherein the dome arrays include a plurality of domes in a predetermined non-linear pattern and in oriented relation to each other that are adhesively mounted on a dome seal. The machine comprises a punch press or stamping machine capable of simultaneously stamping a pattern of domes in non-linear arrangement and oriented relative to each other and depositing those domes onto the adhesive side of a dome seal strip. The machine also includes means for feeding dome seals to the stamping machine and also for kiss-cutting the dome seal while on the backup strip to define a plurality of successively arranged dome arrays.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a rotary crankshaft and pistons reciprocable in cylinders is tested for imbalance by suspending the engine from above to preclude vertical displacement of the engine and clamping the engine horizontally to preclude horizontal displacement thereof. Force sensors act on the engine to detect both vertical and horizontal forces imposed on the engine in response to rotation of the crankshaft by a crankshaft driver and resulting reciprocation of the pistons at speeds sufficient to cause the imposition of horizontal and vertical forces on the engine by a moving, unbalanced mass. The forces may be measured and oriented to enable the imbalance to be corrected. The cylinders are evacuated during rotation of the crankshaft to avoid the imposition of loads on the moving parts of the engine during the test. Changes in torque due to changes in the speed of rotation of the crankshaft may be detected by load cells which are responsive to rocking movements of the crankshaft driver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders each of which has a reciprocable piston which defines a variable volume combustion chamber in communication with intake and exhaust ports that are opened and closed by intake and exhaust valves, respectively. The combustion chamber of each cylinder is either evacuated or pressurized, depending upon the tests to be performed, to establish in such chamber a negative or positive pressure relative to ambient pressure, and such negative or positive pressure is maintained, while the associated piston is reciprocated. The opening and closing of the valves in conjunction with reciprocation of the associated piston causes pressure pulses to be generated which are sensed and analyzed.

Abstract: An improved method for detecting small leaks in underground pressurized piping systems is disclosed. In particular, the method comprises the steps of taking pressure measurements over identical time intervals from a product line at a pressure above the pump discharge pressure while the product pump is running. Thereafter, the absolute value of the difference between successive pressure decays is calculated and compared to an acceptable value. Next, the value of the latest pressure decay value is compared to acceptable and unacceptable values reflecting acceptable and unacceptable tightness of the product line.

Abstract: An object transport apparatus (10) is provided for the purpose of transporting an object (19), usually a semiconductor wafer, to various points within a planar circular zone (Z). The transport apparatus (10) includes a motive power subassembly (12) for generating rotational motion and delivering it to an arm subassembly (14) rotating about an elbow axis (20) and, through an eccentric drive subassembly (110) to a hand subassembly (16) adapted to support to wafer (19). The hand subassembly (16) rotates about a wrist axis (21) which is parallel to but displaced from the elbow axis (20) in an independent fashion from the rotation of the arm subassembly (14). The eccentric drive subassembly (110) incorporates complimentary pairs of cam drivers (111, 112) connected by cam linkages (120, 122) to deliver rotational motion from the elbow axis (20) to the wrist axis (21).