Abstract: A negative electrode, and hydrogen storage cell incorporating the negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode is a porous mat of conductive fibers. These fibers, which are capable of reversible hydrogen storage, have high aspect ratios, typically greater than 1,000, and have diameters in the range of about 1 micron to about 20 microns. The porous mat negative electrode may optionally be sintered.

Abstract: A valve-regulated, maintenance-free lead acid battery has plate compartments which are substantially surrounded by chambers that contain electrolyte absorptive material. Electrolyte droplets escaping through the pressure relief valves of the battery are directed to flow over the absorptive material in the chambers and are absorbed by it, while evolved gas escapes through a vent without appreciable pressure drop. The chambers also protect the plate compartments from impact and absorb electrolyte which might otherwise leak from the plate compartments.

Abstract: A fabric lined bushing is formed by placing a braided liner around a mandrel coating the liner with an adhesive and injection molding an elastomeric bushing material around the adhesive coated braided liner. The braided liner is formed from polyester fibers and polytetrafluoroethylene fibers. Molding the elastomeric material under pressure around the braided liner while positioned on a mandrel tends to stretch the braided liner binding it more tightly to the mandrel and preventing the elastomeric material from penetrating the liner. The interior surface of the bushing is primarily the braided liner material which reduces noise and decreases wear.

Abstract: A vibration damper is formed from two metal layers. The first metal layer is coated with primer layers, slit, and partially stamped to form a strip holding a plurality of vibration damper blanks. Each of these blanks has a body portion and tab portions. A second metal layer is formed separately by coating a second metal strip with adhesive and stamping it to form a plurality of vibration damper blanks but without tabs. The two strips are aligned, bonded together and the vibration dampers are formed and stamped out. (The tabs, which are only on one layer, are bent to form clips.) Due to this construction the clips cannot delaminate and provide a noiseless metal contact with the shoe plate, while an improved adhesive can be employed to bond the two metal layers together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly cooling or heating a plurality of test battery cells to a desired temperature having a housing with a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a bulkhead. A plurality of individual battery cell recepticles, such as sleeves, are mounted on the bulkhead. Each sleeve receives at least one battery cell and is sized to allow easy insertion and removal of the battery cell from the sleeve, helping to speed up testing. A uniform space is maintained between the battery cell inserted into the sleeve and the inner surface of the sleeve. A gas, such as air, is either cooled or heated, depending upon the desired temperature, and continuously circulated around the surface of the battery cell within the sleeve. The present invention enables a relatively large number of battery cells to be cooled or heated to a desired temperature and electrically tested quickly and with accurate results.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus comprises a boom assembly mounted on a support base which carries a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the support base following a trench line. The boom assembly includes an inner boom, pivotally connected to a manipulator head which carries the digger arm, and an outer boom pivotally anchored to the support base. The inner boom is slidable within the outer boom by operation of a pair of linear actuators each having an actuator housing mounted to the outer boom, and an actuator rod connected to the end of the inner boom. Mounting structure is provided for securing the linear actuators to the boom assembly which permits at least limited movement of such actuators relative to the boom assembly, and which substantially dampens vibrations and reduces bending and lateral forces transmitted through the boom assembly, so that damage and wear to the linear actuators is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus comprises a boom assembly having a lower end mounted on a support base and an upper end connected to a boom mounting bracket which is joined by a coupler to a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the support base following a trench line. Linear actuators are carried by the boom mounting bracket, the coupler and the digger arm to manipulate the digger arm about an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis which are mutually perpendicular. Other linear actuators vertically raise and lower the boom assembly, and pivot it in an arc-shaped path relative to the support base, in the course of a trenching operation.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus having a digger arm operative to form a trench along a trench line includes a lower end which mounts a digging and propulsion unit having an upper and lower group of sprockets which are vertically spaced from one another and carry chains having digger teeth mounted thereto. Structure is provided to increase the relative spacing between the upper and lower sprockets, while the chains remain in engagement therewith to increase tension in the chains as they wear and a number of scraper blades are mounted in position relative to the sprockets and the shafts which carry them to prevent the buildup of soil, concrete, rocks or other foreign material thereon and thus ensure smooth operation of the digging and propulsion unit.

Abstract: A trenching apparatus is provided having a base support which mounts a boom structure carrying a digger arm operative to form a trench alongside the base support along a trenching line. The base support includes a pair of longitudinally spaced sleeve members connected to a first track assembly which slidably receive a pair of longitudinally spaced slider members connected to a second, wider track assembly. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the slider members, and, in turn, the second track assembly, laterally within the sleeve members between a retracted, transport position in which the first and second track assemblies are spaced relatively close to one another and readily fit upon a trailer commonly used to transport heavy equipment along roads and highways, and an extended, operating position in which the first and second track assemblies are relatively widely spaced from one another to provide the apparatus with acceptable stability during a trenching operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motion multiplier for use with an extendible boom forklift vehicle wherein a light-duty fork carriage is linked to the motion multiplier attached to a heavy-duty fork carriage to allow motion of the light-duty forks to translate to a multiplication of motion of the heavy-duty forks. The motion multiplier is a cylinder, piston and rod assembly which, when utilized between a light-duty fork carriage and a heavy-duty fork carriage, allows for movement of a particular distance of the light forks to be translated into movement of twice that distance by the heavy forks. The motion multiplier allows for a heavy-duty fork carriage to be superimposed upon and operated by a light-duty fork carriage without any need for disconnecting and reconnecting hydraulic systems.

Abstract: A gas spring having a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and a piston rod projecting out of the cylinder. A seal between the rod and cylinder is formed by a cup-shaped member presenting an inwardly-projecting skirt that functions as a one-way check valve. A second or inner seal may be optionally placed within the cup-shaped member to form a lubricant-retaining chamber.

Abstract: An extendable boom fork lift vehicle is disclosed wherein the bottom and its actuator are positioned over the rear axle of the vehicle such that the weight of the frame between the front and rear axles and behind the rear axle may be reduced. A modified boom and jib are also described wherein the jib may be selectively fixed relative one telescoping member of the boom. A light-duty carriage is provided to operably engage and articulate a secondary heavy-duty carriage.

Abstract: A drive shaft in which a graphite tube has splined yokes inserted at each end. A steel ring surrounds the tube at each end to clamp the tube against the yoke.

Abstract: Epoxy and epoxy novolak resins are impact modified by adding an effective amount of a acrylamide diene nitrile rubber terpolymer to the resin. In a preferred embodiment, the acrylamide diene nitrile rubber includes an acid or ester group attached to the acrylamide portion of the polymer generally through a thiol group. The liquid terpolymer is reacted in the presence of acid catalysts with the resin to provide impact modification.

Abstract: A sidewall appearance monitor for a tire uniformity machine. The tire uniformity machine has an upper chuck, a lower chuck, and a conveyor that brings a tire between the two chucks. The lower chuck raises the tire to the upper chuck where it is inflated and rotated by engagement with a loadwheel for the uniformity measurement. Upper and lower sidewall probes are provided with means for swinging the lower sidewall probe between an operative position below the tire and an inoperative position above and to the side of the tire whereby the tire may be lowered and conveyed horizontally from the machine without interference from the probe.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell of the type having a solid ceramic electrolyte between its anode and cathode, the electrolyte is dome-shaped, in the form of a thin curved shell of ceramic material such as a beta alumina. The domed configuration of the electrolyte reduces the weight that is required to withstand internal pressure differential generated across the electrolyte in discharge, and also reduces internal resistance of the cell.

Abstract: Two endless belts are formed of steel mesh. The belts are run side-by-side spiralling into the center of the apparatus, reversed and spirally wound out of the apparatus with the outgoing convolutions interleaved between the incoming convolutions. The belts present an inlet at one side of the apparatus and an outlet at the other side of the apparatus. The web is fed into the inlet and conveyed to the outlet. Two or more spiral sections can be run in tandem.

Abstract: In a tire testing machine, a loadwheel is repeatedly engaged by a tire. Rubber from the tire is embedded in the grit on the surface of the loadwheel. A rotating brush is moved against the loadwheel, engaging the rotating loadwheel between testing operations to maintain the loadwheel substantially free of rubber.

Abstract: A tire testing machine has two spaced parallel diamond shaped support structures. On each support structure, a road wheel and two tire carriages are mounted. A motor is mounted on each support structure and drivably connected to the road wheel. Pistons and cylinders are mounted between the support structures and the carriages to drive the carriages toward and away from the road wheel to force the tire carried on the carriage against the road wheel.