Abstract: A low cogging torque permanent magnet rotor is provided including a shaft and a permanent magnet mounted on the shaft. A gap is provided between the shaft and the magnet near a boundary between the magnet poles thereby reducing the cogging torque as the rotor poles rotate past the poles of the motor stator.

Abstract: A device to manipulate hosiery comprises a swift-tack apparatus joined to a j-hook magazine which selectively attaches a swift tack to a hosiery stack with or without a j-hook. The hosiery stack is then selectively inverted by a pair of rotatable clamps. The hosiery stack is then selectively rotated to a desired orientation by a turntable. The hosiery stack is then stacked with other hosiery stacks by means of a drop arrangement onto a lift plate. The combined stacks are then selectively attached one to the other by a second swift-tack apparatus. The above manipulations are effectuated preferably by pneumatic power and a plurality of pusher plates and lift plates.

Abstract: A linear drive having a device for sensing and evaluating an operational force acting on the linear drive is to be of simple design and is to be constructed so as to be functionally effective with a high degree of accuracy. For this purpose, the operational force on the bearing part supporting the displaceable part of the linear drive in a housing is sensed and electronically evaluated by a magnetostrictive force sensor.

Abstract: A moving web tension monitoring apparatus of easily fabricated, relatively inexpensive and easily assembled construction comprises a cantilever mounted strain beam element coupled at the flexurable end thereof through a rigid coupling to one end of the support shaft for the web supporting guide roll. A twin beam type transducer having strain gauges at the flex points of the beams is coupled to the shaft supporting the moving web. The strain gauges are located and electrically connected to measure the radial forces applied to the shaft by the web independently of the length of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to an apparatus for applying labels to hosiery, specifically sock stacks. The sock stack travels along a first conveyor and are deposited onto a second conveyor. The second conveyor carries the sock stack to a pair of rotatable clamps. The clamps hold the sock stack and stretch it. A pneumatic cylinder moves the pair of clamps upwardly into contact with an adhesive label. The socks are rotated 360 degrees drawing the label onto the sock stack to band the same.

Abstract: A rail car indexer that provides a continuous transfer of the rail car bogeys from one dog to the next without ramming into the rail car axles in either the forward or rearward directions. The rail car indexer includes two parallel linearly offset progressor each of which has a barney and dog attached thereto. A center balance and back pressure bypass valve are used to control the raising of the dogs and to insure that the dogs remain in their lowered position until the proper progressor is ready to begin pulling on the rail car bogey axle. Sensors and a photo eye emitter and receiver coordinate the extension, retraction and transfer of an axle between the progressors.

Abstract: An automated bagging apparatus for use in the hosiery industry which tightens the bag around the hosiery articles prior to sealing to eliminate any extra bag space. This tightening effect is accomplished by holding the articles in place while extending the bag from the articles. The bag, while extended is sealed and trimmed prior to moving the sealed bag onto a conveyor belt for further handling.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of rotation of the rotor of a brushless DC motor wherein means are provided for shifting both the on and off angle of motor excitation in opposite senses to thereby widen or narrow the pulse of energization to motor winding(s).

Abstract: A rotor position determination system for a polyphase D.C. brushless motor utilizing the back electromotive force (B.E.M.F.) voltage of the open or "off" phase of the motor as a critical signal for controlling the commutation of the motor, the system further including means for phase advance of the energization of the motor.

Abstract: A rotationally pivotal motion controller pivotally interconnects two adjoining elements and controls the pivotal motion of a first of the two adjoining elements with respect to a second of the two adjoining elements. The rotationally pivotal motion controller comprises a housing having a wall which defines an axial cylindrical bore through the housing. The wall is adapted for attachment to a first of the two adjoining elements and the wall also has a longitudinal aperture therethrough which communicates with the bore. A hub assembly comprises a hub which is at least partially disposed within the cylindrical bore of the housing and is axially rotatable therein. The hub has a substantially central cylindrical core and at least one lobe extending radially from the core. At least one end cap is affixed to one end of the hub to retain the hub in a fixed, fluidically sealed, axial relationship within the housing. The hub and the housing together define at least one fluid retention cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending and cutting metal tubing includes a support base and a number of components attached thereto. A bend die is rotatably attached to the support base, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis. The bend die has a tube-receiving peripheral groove, and a first blade guide slot formed therein to receive a first portion of a blade therein. The apparatus also includes a pressure die which is movably attached to the support base, including a reciprocally movable first pressure applicator, and a follower slide which is slidably attached to the first pressure applicator. The follower slide clamps against a portion of tubing, substantially opposite the bend die. The follower slide also has a second blade guide slot formed therein, to recieve a second portion of the blade. The apparatus further includes a movable bend arm assembly for contacting and bending a tubing workpiece against the bend die. A blade holder is attached to the support base for holding and supporting a blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved controllers for externally powered prosthetic limb devices or similar extension devices such as orthotic devices or a sensor probe device. The improved controller operates a highly-efficient, compact, reliable and low-maintenance tactile force feedback system for translating a sensed pressure force from a prosthesis contacting an object or surface into a tactile sensory feedback pressure force to the user. The tactile force feedback system comprises at least one contact-responsive transducer which translates a sensed contact pressure from a portion of an extension device which contacts an object or surface into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is received by a microprocessor and processed into a proportional output voltage for producing a proportional torque from a motor.

Abstract: An improved commutation position detection system for accurately determining commutation position within polyphase brushless motors without employing proximity sensors or transducers. The present invention determines commutation position. by differentiating the current flowing within the stator coils and comparing the differentiated current waveforms to one another (absolute commutation position detection) or a predetermined threshold (incremental commutation position detection) to obtain a real-time assessment of commutation position.

Abstract: A sock processing apparatus provides devices for folding, trimming, stacking, and compressing socks. The method provides folding socks by tucking them into a slot in a plate, closing a pair of rollers beneath the plate upon the socks, and thereafter pulling the socks through the slot under roller compression. The socks then move to a trimming station, where they are held in place while a trimmer removes excess threads. The socks are then stacked and moved to a compression station for compression prior to packaging.

Abstract: A brushless, direct current, permanent magnet motor is disclosed, which comprises a stator and a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis in the stator. The stator has a plurality of stator teeth separated by axial interpolar teeth slots. Two pairs of ferrite ceramic magnets, formed as arc segments of equal circumferential length and axially constant radial thickness, are mounted on the rotor. Leading and trailing margins of each magnet are magnetized with a longitudinally varying magnetization strength or gradient while the central portion of each magnet is uniformly magnetized. This process produces axially alternating areas of low and high magnetization, which simultaneously cross each interpolar teeth slot upon rotor rotation to minimize cogging. An air gap of axially uniform width and the constant magnet thickness provides a constant reluctance path radially through the air gap and margins of the magnets.

Abstract: Railway car indexers are disclosed that include a high dog engaging member for engaging a bogey frame behind a railway axle. The high dog is pivotally attached to a dog carriage which is slidably inserted in an indexer track juxtaposed to the railroad track. The high dog is actuated between a raised and a lowered position by a lever arm which is pivotally attached to the dog carriage and a spring-piston cylinder connected to the high dog and the lever arm. The dog carriage is moved back and forth in the indexer track to engage the lever arm and high dog with the bogey frame to move the railway cars. In a reversing indexer, the dog carriage includes opposing high dogs for engaging the bogey frame behind either axle for moving the railway cars in either direction. The single direction or reversing direction indexers include a dog carriage on one or both sides of the railroad track.

Abstract: A micronaire testing apparatus includes a vertically movable carriage for receiving a test chamber formed by two telescoping cylinders. A scale is positioned below the carriage so that the chamber may be automatically weighed. Based on the weight information recorded for a sample, cylinders are telescoped together to produce an air flow test chamber of volume calculated to produce a constant density sample. A pivoting lid is used to close the top of the test chamber, and is spring biased to the open position. A latch bar is biased to a position firmly holding the lid in its closed position, and the carriage presses the test chamber against the lid to produce a peripheral seal of the lid.

Abstract: A motion controller, which is adaptable to a variety of different motors, provides motor control signals to the motors of a multi-axis coordinated system as a function of position and velocity commands from a host computer. The motion controller configures the motor control signals to be compatible to the particular motors being driven based upon motor identification instructions from the host computer.

Abstract: A piston assembly employs a central velocity tube which provides an increase in speed of the initial downward stroke phase while requiring less power than conventional hydraulic cylinder assemblies. A second stage hydraulic surge causes the piston to forcefully descend the final increment of the downstroke for an increase in power of the piston. The return or upstroke of the piston is of conventional hydraulic design.

Abstract: A fiber sampler has a flat collection surface and a carriage movable toward the surface to press a mass of fiber placed on the surface. The carriage, which includes a foraminous plate parallel to the collection surface, is pressed against the fiber with a predetermined pressure kept constant from one sample to the next with the pressure applied, a rake composed of parallel needles spaced rearwardly from a deflection bar is passed across the top of the foraminous plate to extract sample fibers from the portion of fiber extending through the plate holes. At the end of rake travel, the fibers are held between a fixed stop plate on the carriage and a back plate movable with the needles. A pinch clamp assembly is provided which can be lowered to grip the fibers collected on the needles.