Abstract: A shaft-carried speed reducer is provided having an adaptable mounting arrangement. The hub of the speed reducer is configured having a substantially cylindrical axial bore. At least one annular groove may be defined in the axial bore to receive a snap ring when desired. A removable adapter having a tapered interior surface may then be situated in the hub bore to abut the snap ring. As an alternative to such a snap ring, an annular flange may be provided on the removable adapter to engage an end face of the hub. A tapered sleeve member engages the tapered interior surface defined on the removable adapter to effect securement of the hub to the shaft. If a single adapter is used, it may be inserted from either side of the hub in some configurations. Further, some configurations permit a pair of adapters and corresponding sleeve members to be used. The adapter and snap ring, if any, may be removed when the hub is to be secured to a screw conveyor drive shaft or the like.

Abstract: A substrate (10) of a semiconductor device includes a power section (12) and a control section (14). The power section includes doped regions (16, 18, 20) and terminals (22, 24, 26) which define power devices such as transistors or SCRs. The control region also includes doped areas including a parasitic collector (32). A minority carrier current (62) flows from the doped regions of the power section to the collector of the control section when the power device to substrate junction is forward-biased. A moat assembly (40) includes a first doped region (42) between the doped regions of the power and control sections. An electrical connection (46) connects the moat first doped region (42) with a moat second doped region (44). The self-biased moat assembly is isolated from ground such that it is self-biased negative in accordance with internal operating conditions of the semiconductor device. The minority charge carriers are collected by the moat first doped region.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an improved lubrication arrangement includes an inner ring and an outer ring assembly defining a bearing chamber within which bearing elements are disposed. The inner ring, outer ring assembly and bearing elements comprise a bearing group. A housing is disposed about and positionally secures the bearing group. A first lubrication path is defined by the outer ring assembly to conduct lubricant to the bearing chamber. A second lubrication path is defined by the housing to conduct lubricant to the first lubrication path. Preferably, a threaded fitting extends through the second lubrication path and is threadably secured to the first lubrication path so that lubricant may be conducted directly into the first lubrication path without leakage between the bearing group and the housing.

Abstract: A high temperature heated valve for regulating the flow of molten metal. To maintain the molten metal in its molten state, the valve includes a heater fixedly secured to the valve housing and inserted to a selected heating location at least partially in the flow path of the molten metal. The heater element preferably includes an elongated cartridge assembly extending to a location inside of the valve housing to be proximate to the stopper member when the valve is closed. Preferably, an end portion of the cartridge will extend into a bore defined in the stopper member when the valve is closed. The valve may be incorporated into a molten metal circulation apparatus for facilitating the casting of metal articles.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing a plurality of motors is disclosed. The system includes a universal drive controller which can control the operation of two motors, a power module for each motor, and a power module interface rack which is utilized to interconnect the motor to its associated universal drive controller. If a plurality of universal drive controllers is involved, a common clock is utilized to synchronize the operation of same.Synchronization of the motors is achieved by monitoring the output shaft of each motor through the use of a resolver, transmitting feedback data relative to the position of the output shaft to the universal drive controller via the power module interface rack, calculation of command data by the universal drive controller to effect synchronization, and transmitting the command data to the power module interface rack wherein the power module causes the proper firing signals to be transmitted to the associated motor.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an improved arrangement for securement to a shaft. An inner ring member having a tapered inner surface is received over a tapered adapter having a tapered outer surface. The tapered adapter includes an annular flange at a larger diameter end thereof. A split ring removal tool can be utilized to engage the flange to facilitate removal of the bearing assembly from the shaft. The bearing assembly also includes a pair of sealing assemblies carrying a primary sealing lip and an optional auxiliary sealing lip. When desired, flinger members may be provided to engage the auxiliary sealing lips. One of the flinger members may be situated between an outside endwall of the inner ring member and an inside endwall of the annular flange. In this case, a unitary removal ring may be situated adjacent such flinger member.

Abstract: A brake system for use with a rotatable mechanical load. The brake system includes a brake apparatus operative to selectively apply a braking torque to the load. The braking mechanism within the brake apparatus preferably includes a plurality of brake plates interleaved to form a brake plate assembly. The braking mechanism may be biased to normally engage the brake plates so that a predetermined braking torque is applied. In this case, braking torque is varied by controllably releasing engagement of the brake plates. The braking mechanism is preferably designed to apply full braking torque if wear of the brake plates exceeds a predetermined threshold. Heat generated during operation of the braking mechanism is preferably removed by coolant fluid. The coolant fluid may be supplied by a coolant pump driven by operative rotation of a pump drive shaft. A properly-sized flywheel is preferably coupled between the pump drive shaft and the device driving the pump drive shaft.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a flexible elongate member such as a haulage chain for a mineral mining machine or scraper-chain assembly of a scraper-chain conveyor of a mineral mining installation employs main and auxiliary drive units each equipped with an electric asynchronous motor drivably connected through a gearing assembly to a sprocket around which the chain or scraper-chain assembly is entrained. The gearing assemblies each employ a multi-disc clutch which is subjected to variable loading pressure and slippage by means of a valve actuated by electrical signals provided by an electronic controller. Each clutch acts through gears on a ring gear of planetary gearing and the ring gear wheel is subjected to a controlled supportive torque. The electronic controller is designed to actuate the associated valves to adjust the clutches to balance loading on the motors of the units.

Abstract: Bearing assembly including at least one proximity probe for monitoring the relative vibration of a rotating shaft contained therein. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing surrounding and supporting a cylindrical shell. The cylindrical shell defines a shaft bore for receiving a rotating shaft. At least one proximity probe is embedded in the cylindrical shell for monitoring the shaft vibration. A second proximity probe may be added to enable monitoring radial shaft position. The proximity probes are connected to an instrument or instruments for displaying a signal received from the probes for allowing a user to determine shaft vibration or position.

Abstract: A communication system providing for the duplication of data and information transmission between programmable controllers is disclosed. A modem is provided for each programmable controller and each processor within a programmable controller in the system, and the modems are interconnected by pairs of coaxial cables. Each transmission from a programmable controller or processor within a programmable controller is simultaneously transmitted via its associated modem over both cables to all of the other programmable controllers and processors within programmable controllers in the system. The receiving modems select the data or information from one of the cables, based on the integrity of the data being received, and transmit same to its associated programmable controller or processor within a programmable controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling a variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout. Methodology of the invention includes providing a drive housing with a relatively large interior access opening. The drive housing has a support backbone at a generally central location in the interior access portion. The support bracket is mounted to the support backbone to straddle support the output shaft having a pair of variable speed discs mounted thereon. A singular one of a pair of constant speed discs is mounted on the input shaft. The drive belt is installed about the output shaft entrained in between the variable speed discs and with the loop of the drive belt placed about the input shaft. A second one of the constant speed discs is mounted onto the input shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for coating an electromagnetic coil, particularly stator coils for an electric motor, with an insulating catalyzed resin material. The catalyzed resin material is a two component material comprising an epoxy resin and a catalyst. The catalyzed resin material is a free flowing liquid at a first temperature and begins to cure rapidly at a second elevated temperature. The stator coils are first heated by supplying current to the stator coils to raise the temperature of the stator coils to the first temperature. The free flowing liquid catalyzed resin material is dispensed through nozzles onto the stator coils as the stator coils and the nozzles move relative to each other. After the liquid catalyzed resin material has been dispensed in a predetermined amount, at predetermined locations, for predetermined times, the catalyzed resin material is allowed to penetrate the stator coils.

Abstract: A novel bushing for use with industrial equipment such as a gear box is disclosed as being particularly adapted for long time usage in an adverse corrosive environment, such as salt water. The bushing is coated on all exposed surfaces with a fluorocarbon poller which is tough, resilient and is unaffected by the harsh environment. Preferably, the fluorocarbon is a polytetrafluoroethylene, and if applied as a first layer directly to the metal bushing, also includes a thermoset binder material such as a phenolic. Top or outer coatings may also be applied and such coatings do not contain a binder. A mechanical advantage is provided for assembly and disassembly as well as protection for the element.

Abstract: A submersible gearmotor including a liquid resistant housing with radially inwardly extending partitions which form at least two shaft receiving chambers. The separate chambers act as protective regions between the internal components of the gearmotor and an outside liquid medium when submersed. The gearmotor also includes a tandem seal arrangement including an inboard seal located inside the housing and an outboard seal located outside the housing. The seals prevent the outside liquid medium from entering the gearmotor where the housing intersects with the rotating output shaft. The gearmotor further includes a leak detection system consisting of moisture sensing probes mounted inside one or both of the receiving chambers.

Abstract: A bearing assembly with a temperature switch embedded in the housing and arranged so as to be responsive to the temperature within the housing. The bearing assembly includes an indicator adapted to indicate the status of the temperature switch such that when a predetermined temperature is reached in the housing, the switch will be activated and the indicator will indicate that the predetermined temperature has been reached so that bearing failure can be prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring the fundamental voltage, fundamental frequency and the fundamental voltage divided by the fundamental frequency of the output of a device, such as an inverter. Through the use of an isolation amplifier connected across the output of the inverter and proper component selection, the output signal produced by the isolation amplifier is representative of the fundamental voltage of the output of the inverter divided by the frequency of the fundamental voltage. The output signal from the isolation amplifier is converted into a pulse having a fixed width w, fixed height h and period 1/f to produce a signal representative of the fundamental frequency of the output of the inverter. The output signal from the isolation amplifier is also rectified and applied to a multiplier along with a signal having a fixed width w, height E.sub.in /f and period 1/f and then averaged to produce an output signal representative of the fundamental voltage of the output of the inverter.

Abstract: A bearing assembly with a temperature measuring device embedded in the housing and arranged so as to be responsive to the temperature within the housing. The bearing assembly includes a transmitter for transmitting the signal received from the measuring or sensing junction of the temperature measuring device to an instrument for determining the temperature sensed by the device.

Abstract: A bearing assembly adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft. An inner race of the bearing assembly includes a clamping portion having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slots to form respective clamping fingers. A clamping collar mounts about the clamping fingers and is tightened to force the clamping fingers into clamping engagement with the shaft. The clamping collar has therein at least one relief indentation to provide enhanced flexibility. The enhanced flexibility allows a greater clamping force to be applied to the clamping fingers, and thus to the shaft.

Abstract: An improved keyed adapter assembly for securing a component to a rotatable shaft, the adapter assembly including an adapter member with an interior end face and an opposite exterior end face, the adapter member including an outer surface for receipt of a component therein, and an internal bore for receipt of a rotatable shaft therethrough. The internal bore includes a keyway therein. The adapter assembly also includes a key for securing the adapter for rotation with the rotatable shaft, the key including a longitudinal portion extending in the direction of the shaft, and tab portion extending outwardly with respect to the longitudinal portion. The tab portion is adapted to engage the interior end face of the adapter member when the adapter assembly is mounted on a shaft, such as the shaft of a gear reducer.

Abstract: Sealing system for a housing containing gears operated in a lubricated environment, the housing having an opening through which a shaft supported in a bearing assembly extends for mating with at least one of the gears in the housing. Sealing system includes a seal arranged in the opening through which the shaft extends, the seal being located between the bearing assembly and the interior of the housing whereby the seal will be exposed to lubricant from the interior of the housing, but such lubricant will be prevented from leaking from the housing at the shaft input opening. Sealing system may also include a grease filled chamber between the seal and the bearing, and a packing gland located adjacent the bearing on the side of the bearing opposite the seal.