Abstract: A linear electromechanical actuator has a spring-loaded plunger disposed in a housing. When a solenoid in the housing is energized, the armature of the solenoid moves linearly and, after some initial "lost" motion, engages and releases the latch mechanism holding the plunger in the housing. The spring associated with the plunger is then free to extend the plunger from the housing. The actuator can be designed so that it is highly immune from unintended actuation due to acceleration of the actuator. The condition of the actuator (e.g., fully cocked or released) can be monitored by switches disposed in the actuator. The actuator can also be constructed to allow manual release as an alternative to release by energization of the solenoid.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator assembly which automatically releases the load controlled by the actuator when the actuator jams or otherwise fails. The actuator assembly has two kinetic energy sources, the outputs of which are normally summed for application to the load. A monitoring device monitors the two kinetic energy outputs. When the relationship between those outputs deviates substantially from a predetermined relationship, the load is disconnected from the actuator assembly.

Abstract: An authority limiter includes an input shaft clutched to an output shaft. The output shaft is geared to a motor. Opto-sensors, variable resistors or Hall effect devices provide control signals to a current source supplying power to the motor. Different amounts of opposing torque are applied by the motor dependent upon the positioning of a disc, mechanically attached to the output shaft, that is sensed by the detecting devices. By sensing various angular deviations from a null position, scheduled degrees of torque are applied to the input and output shafts. In another embodiment, the disc is coupled to the output shaft by an auxiliary clutch. When the electrical power is removed from both clutches and the motor, a rotational centering means moves the disc back to a null position with respect to the limiter. Fault monitoring circuitry is provided to disengage the authority limiter when a fault occurs.

Abstract: An authority limiter includes an input shaft clutched to an output shaft. The output shaft is geared to a motor. Opto-sensors provide control signals to a current source supplying power to the motor. Different amounts of opposing torque are applied by the motor dependent upon the positioning of a disc, mechanically attached to the output shaft, effecting the optical path in the opto-sensors. In another embodiment, the opto-sensor control is replaced by an electro-mechanical mechanism which senses various thresholds corresponding to angular positions of the coupled input and output shafts.

Abstract: A stock feeder for repetitively feeding uniform segments of a continuous web of stock material from a roll to a production machine. The feeder comprises a frame, a pair of hold clamps located on the front portion of the frame, and a movable feed block which carries a pair of feed clamps that grips and pulls the stock material to a position which is held by the hold clamps. To obviate the necessity to reposition the clamps when changing the width of stock material, the frame includes first and second pairs of laterally adjustable stock roller guides located, respectively, on its front and rear portions.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is disclosed that is capable of high-speed and high force operation having a movable ram member that is biased toward executing a mechanical motion. A solenoid disengages a locking brake that via one input to a differential transmission triggers a high power mechanical stored energy to cause the ram member to execute its motion. A d.c. motor is connected to the other input of the differential transmission and provides an alternate to release the locking brake in the event of failure of the solenoid. Upon reversal of the polarity of the power supply to the motor, the ram member is reset.

Abstract: A pipe joint coupling for joining cast iron hubless drain and vent pipes. The joint is encircled by an annular elastic gasket fitting over each end of the adjacent pipe sections. The elastic gasket is surrounded by a shield with a diamond pattern of projections and depressions. The shield is tightened by bands to compress the gasket against the pipes and to secure the adjacent ends of the pipes together. A tight seal is formed between the gasket and the pipe ends which is maintained under high pressure fluid passing through the pipes. The gasket is prevented from extruding from the shield by the gripping of the projections of the diamond pattern of the shield on the gasket. An improved seal between the pipes being joined is formed with increased resistant to the displacement of the gasket.

Abstract: A stock feeder for repetitively feeding uniform segments of a continuous web of stock material from a roll to a production machine. The feeder comprises a frame, a pair of hold clamps located on the front portion of the frame, and a movable feed block which carries a pair of feed clamps that grips and pulls the stock material to a position which is held by the hold clamps. To obviate the necessity to reposition the clamps when changing the width of stock material, the frame includes first and second pairs of laterally adjustable stock roller guides located, respectively, on its front and rear portions.

Abstract: A high speed article feeding apparatus for successively feeding articles in sheet or strip form to a work station for the performance thereon of a shaping or forming operation. A reciprocable shuttle includes a pneumatic feed clamp for clamping the work during a feed stroke and a pneumatic hold clamp for holding the work at the work station. The shuttle is operated by a pneumatic cylinder. A pneumatic circuit includes two interconnected pneumatic values to control the operation and sequencing of the elements of the feeder for fast operation without misfeeds.

Abstract: A position indicating system for affording an indication of the instantaneous position of a movable member, such as a rotating shaft, comprises means for producing light in different color bands directed on to a suitably coded structure movable in accordance with movement of the movable member or coded structure which itself carried filter means for separating light into different colors. Optical fibre means is located for receiving colored light passing through the movable coded structure and for transmitting light to light detector means for producing an output dependent upon the light received by the optical fibre means and indicative of the instantaneous position of the movable member.

Abstract: A thick film resistor suitable for deposition on a copper printed circuit is produced by providing a resistor pattern of a mixture of metal powder and oxide of the metal and heating in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature such that the metal and the metallic oxide react to produce a conducting lower oxide.

Abstract: An improved integrated circuit ceramic package meeting JEDEC-11 standards and having a nominal pin (lead) count of from 24 to 156. Control measures and assembly procedures referenced to the precise center of the die-attach area provide closer dimensional control and lead coplanarity which facilitate automatic die-attach and wire-bonding operations. A lead frame is provided with both diagonal and axial (X-Y) registration points, and internal and external lead tie-bars. It is precisely attached in special tools to a ceramic cover element, and the internal tie bars are sheared off. The cover sub-assembly is then secured to a ceramic base in similar tools. Devitrification of the sealing glass follows. The external tie bars form a convenient carrier protecting the leads, and the registration points provide precise siting for die-attach and wire bonding.

Abstract: Various aspects of electro-magnetic testing are facilitated by inserting a foamed plastic dielectric lens at a particular position between a particular radiating source and the test aperture. The lens is constructed according to electro-optic formulae and the radiation wavelength to produce a plane wave of uniform phase. To control extraneous energy contributed by reflections from the flat face of the lens, this surface is provided with two layers of high-performance absorber material. The amplitude characteristics in the test region are controlled by appropriate selection of the source antenna. Radiation-absorbent material is also provided to eliminate amplitude distortion. This makes possible testing under far-field conditions in test cells of modest size, which has heretofore been possible only with elaborate parabolic reflectors. Weather restrictions on use of free-space ranges, the sheer size of such ranges, and security problems attendant on their use, are all thus avoided.

Abstract: A pipe-encircling steel shield includes integral bands with inclined slots for engagement with screw-type tightening elements. The shield compresses a gasket or packing member against the pipe ends to be coupled. This structure reduces the number of parts in comparable couplings by about one-half. The shield area preferably includes longitudinal slots which trap gasket material during tightening, facilitating use with irregular pipe sections.

Abstract: A stamped, 40-lead ceramic dual-in-line package (Cer-Dip) frame is disclosed. Increased usage and lowered costs of large scale, integrated circuits (LSI) for microprocessor and similar applications has created a demand for precision ceramic packaging of the forty-lead dual-in-line type that is adapted for automated chip insertion in high-volume and at a low cost. The present invention meets this need with a stamped lead frame wherein the longest and most fragile leads are held in precise spatial relation by means of break-off tabs. After embedment of the leads on the ceramic substrate with a glass composition, the tabs are broken and removed. Forming, scoring and bending of the tabs are carried out as an integral part of the progressive stamping operation. Lead frames according to the invention replace much more expensive etched parts. The invention may be applied in a variety of packages.

Abstract: Electrostatic precipitators and other devices requiring vibration may be required to operate in high temperature environments, have a high dielectric strength, and withstand impacts that range into thousands of foot-pounds per second at a high repetition rate. In the present invention, a transmission or rapper rod is employed including tapered ends, that are too short to bottom in the corresponding mounting sleeves, and further including a pair of thin, malleable metallic shims between the tapered ends and the sleeves acting to accommodate dimensional tolerances and distinct surface finishes, thereby eliminating fracture-inducing impacts.

Abstract: A stock feeder particularly adopted for feeding narrow, prepunched strip, and featuring a positive locator/stock holder assembly. The stock feeder positively pilots and feeds the stock with more force, and is more compact and less expensive to build, than comparable feeders. Operation is entirely pneumatic. Holding pilots and feed pilots assure positive and accurate feeding.

Abstract: A novel humidity sensor printed and fired on a dielectric substrate comprising an interdigitated pattern of a conductive precious metal with cobalt oxide as the only binder. Sensors according to the invention may be employed as hermeticity detectors in semiconductor packages.

Abstract: A high density precious metal powder that resists sintering at 600.degree. C. and contains a very small percentage of titania or zirconia is produced by co-nucleation and precipitation of gold and titania from an ammoniacal solution at pH 3-4 with a bisulfite.A nickel powder including a very small percentage of a refractory oxide such as zirconia is prepared by co-nucleation and precipitation from an alkaline solution with hydrazine.Materials so prepared have oxidation resistance and sintering temperatures superior to the pure metal, and find utility in microelectronics as air-fired thick films. Nickel powders so prepared are also useful as hydrogenation catalysts and in other applications.

Abstract: A method of producing powdered material which includes the steps of providing at least one metal or its oxide in the form of a solution; forming the solution into an atomized spray; and reacting the atomized solution to produce a metal or metal oxide powder having a particle size which is determined by the composition of the solution in relation to the size of the individual droplets of the atomized spray.