Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing leak integrity of a workpiece such as a wheel rim in which the rim is positioned within an air-tight housing with the axial rim edges is sealing engagement with opposed wall portions of the housing so as to form first and second chambers within the housing internally and externally of the rim. One of such chambers is supplied with air under pressure. Microphones are positioned in the other chamber for detecting leakage of air through the rim as a function of intensity of ultrasonic radiation emitted thereby. The test apparatus is calibrated to detect air leakage that exceeds a pre-specified maximum allowable air flow rate by removably mounting a calibration orifice on a test workpiece, with the orifice being sized to provide the pre-specified maximum allowable leakage flow rate for a satisfactory workpiece at the operating pressure of the apparatus.

Abstract: A disposable filter bag insert for use in a filter canister assembly that comprises a rigid ring of diameter to overlie a shoulder on the canister and be sealingly captured between the canister base and top. A filter stock of sheet stock construction is suspended from the ring and has a lock stitch extending along the bottom and one side edge thereof. A section of oil-adsorbent material is likewise suspended from the ring, but covers less than the entire surface area of the sock, such that fluid flow through the sock continues even if the oil-adsorbent material becomes clogged. The sock lock stitch is specially contoured where it is looped over the ring for enhanced sealing capture between the canister top and base.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor for receiving and conveying workpiece blanks comprising a base mounting a pair of horizontal chain conveyors having a series of conveying hands in laterally opposed pairs at predetermined spacing along the conveyor chains. A pair of vertical chain conveyors are positioned laterally outwardly of the horizontal conveyors and each carry a pair of workpiece-support fingers. The horizontal and vertical conveyors have chain-drive sprockets mounted on a common drive shaft and are synchronized such that workpiece blanks carried by the vertical conveyor fingers are deposited in horizontal conveyor hands as the vertical conveyor fingers travel downwardly past the horizontal conveyor. A stacker for workpiece blanks includes cam fingers carried by supports above an index position of the horizontal conveyor, and a ram for successively lifting workpieces from the horizontal conveyor against the fingers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing leak integrity of a workpiece such as a wheel rim in which the rim is positioned within a air-tight housing with the axial rim edges in sealing engagement with opposed wall portions of the housing so as to form first and second chambers within the housing internally and externally of the rim. One of such chambers is supplied with air under pressure from a tank which is precharged during the workpiece transfer process. Microphones are positioned in the other chamber for detecting leakage of air through the rim as a function of intensity of ultrasonic radiation emitted thereby. Gross leaks are detected by connecting the pressurized chamber to an air supply through a orifice, and detecting ultrasonic radiation resulting from flow of make-up air through the orifice.

Abstract: Ultrasonic leak detection apparatus which includes a cycloidal transfer mechanism for sequentially feeding a plurality of workpieces to a test station. An elevator at the test station alternately lifts workpieces in sequence to an elevated position to a test chamber and lowers workpieces from the test chamber to the transfer mechanism. An enclosure cooperates with the elevator to form the test chamber in which the workpiece is pressurized and microphones detect any leakage of air through cracks or the like. A reject station downstream of the test station includes facility for removing defective workpieces from the transfer line.

Abstract: A die lifter rail adapted to be inserted into the open end of a conventional inverted T-slot in the bolster plate of a press has a narrow support bar dimensioned to extend lengthwise within the narrower stem portion of the T-slot and a plurality of sets of vertically stacked Belleville springs spaced lengthwise of the support bar and resiliently supporting it for vertical movement. The Belleville springs have a diameter substantially greater than the width of the support bar and corresponding generally to the width of the wider base portion of the t-slot. Studs extending vertically upwardly through the Belleville springs have a sliding fit with bores in the support bar to guide its vertical movement. A plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers are journalled in the support bar and project above the upper face thereof to support a die for sliding movement on the press bolster plate.