Abstract: A method and materials are disclosed wherein a layer of a softer thermoplastic material comprising (i) a thermoplastic polyurethane or (ii) a thermoplastic elastomer alloy including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic polyurethane can be attached to a substrate comprising a harder thermoplastic alloy including a polyester and a polycarbonate. In one form, the method and materials are used to form a modular chain link for use in constructing a modular conveyor chain. The modular chain link includes a main body comprising the thermoplastic alloy including a polyester and a polycarbonate, and a softer layer of the thermoplastic material comprising (i) a thermoplastic polyurethane or (ii) a thermoplastic elastomer alloy including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic polyurethane disposed on at least a portion of the main body.

Abstract: A flexible coupling is provided to connect a flange on a drive shaft to a flange on a driven shaft. Circumferentially spaced fastening means provide bores through the coupling through which bolts can be passed to connect it alternately to the one and then the other flange. Adjacent fastening means are interconnected by link and washers are positioned at opposite ends of the stack of links at each fastening means. In accordance with the invention the washers are formed with peripheral grooves which will be entered by the plastics material forming the body of the coupling, thus locking the washers against being expelled when bolts are subsequently passed through the bores.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for use with a belt module having a lower surface, and a pocket formed in the lower surface having a drive surface and a recessed surface includes a base having an outer periphery rotatable about an axis, and a plurality of teeth extending radially from the outer periphery. Relief areas formed between the teeth collect particles falling from the belt. At least one tooth includes a drive surface for engaging the module drive surface, and a top. Tooth sides extend from the top and toward said base.

Abstract: A retainerless angular contact antifriction bearing apparatus including an inner race member having a spheroidal inner race surface, an outer race member including a pair of convex outer race surfaces opposing the inner race surface, and a plurality of rollers arranged in axially oppositely inclined rows. Each roller includes a concave longitudinal profile having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of each of the spheroidal inner race surface and the associated convex outer race surface. The radial internal clearance between the roller and the race surfaces is no more than 0.002 inches.

Abstract: A conveyor which includes a conveyor frame for supporting a chain for slidable movement thereon, and having an end. A chain is slidably supported by the frame and wraps around the end. A nose bar is mounted to the conveyor end, and has an edge extending away from the frame. An insert is mounted to the nose bar edge and has wear material slidably engaging the chain.

Abstract: A modular chain link for use in constructing a modular conveyer chain. The modular chain link includes a plurality of link ends which are adapted to intermesh with link ends on a similar adjacent link. The link ends include openings which are substantially axially aligned with openings on the adjacent link ends. The openings are adapted to receive a connecting pin for pivotally joining the adjacent modular chain links together. The modular chain link is injection molded from a polymer and comprises less than about 30 weight percent of filler in order to maximize the mechanical properties of the modular chain link.

Abstract: In an electric motor brake, a friction disc includes an anti-rattle portion integrally molded therewith and reducing the tolerance gap between the motor shaft hub and the friction disc to minimize rattling of the friction disc during rotation of the shaft, and eliminating the need for a separate anti-rattle spring. In a first embodiment, the friction disc has a cavity at the inner circumference thereof facing the hub, and a cantilever finger extending into the cavity and engaging the hub and providing a cantilever bias urging engagement of the hub and friction disc. In a second embodiment, a bump on a slotted inner circumference of the friction disc provides the biasing portion, or may be spaced from the hub by a nominal clearance.

Abstract: A seal assembly having a first seal ring of a generally annular shape and defining radial and circumferential directions, and a second seal ring positioned in facing relation to the first seal ring. One of the first seal ring and the second seal ring includes a plurality of hydropads. Each hydropad has an inner edge oriented substantially circumferentially, an outer edge oriented substantially circumferentially and spaced radially outward from the inner edge, a leading edge interconnecting the inner edge with the outer edge, and a trailing edge interconnecting the inner edge with the outer edge. Both the leading edge and the trailing edge are substantially straight and are positioned at the same angle relative to a radial axis passing through a mid-point of each edge, respectively.

Abstract: A global shaft coupling assembly includes first and second hubs adapted to be mounted on first and second shafts to be coupled. The first and second hubs each include a plurality of groups of axially-spaced and axially-aligned apertures. The coupling assembly also includes a pair of composite members positioned around the shaft ends. The composite members include first and second sleeves each having a plurality of groups of apertures. Various ANSI and ISO standard shaft spacings may be obtained by aligning the various hub and sleeve apertures and fastening the hubs and sleeves together with cap screws.

Abstract: A modular chain link for use in constructing a modular conveyer chain. The modular chain link includes a plurality of link ends which are adapted to intermesh with link ends on a similar adjacent link. The link ends include openings which are substantially axially aligned with openings on the adjacent link ends. The openings are adapted to receive a connecting pin for pivotally joining the adjacent modular chain links together, The modular chain link is injection molded from a polymer and comprises less than about 30 weight percent of filler in order to maximize the mechanical properties of the modular chain link.

Abstract: A proving switch is provided for an electromagnetic device for brakes and clutches having an energization coil energizable to attract an armature to a magnet body, the coil exhibiting increasing current flow therethrough upon application of an energization voltage thereacross, and exhibiting a momentary dip upon engagement of the armature and magnet body. Detection circuitry senses the current dip and provides a status signal in response thereto, confirming the engagement.

Abstract: A method of making a spherical bearing including the steps of forming an outer bearing member with an inner concave spherical bearing surface, forming a second member with an outer convex spherical bearing surface, cutting the second member along a diametric plane to provide first and second inner bearing segments respectively including first and second outer spherical bearing surface segments, inserting the first inner bearing segment within the outer bearing member so as to fully engage the first outer spherical bearing surface segment with the inner concave spherical bearing surface, and inserting the second inner bearing segment within the outer bearing member so as to fully engage the second outer spherical bearing surface segment with the inner concave spherical bearing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elastomeric coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, which coupling comprises a composite member extending arcuately about an axis and including an elastomeric center element having an axially and radially extending portion including an inner surface, a shoe having an axially inner portion fixed to the extending portion of the elastomeric center element, and an axially outer portion extending from the axially inner portion and including an inner surface, and a hub adapted to be connected to one of the shafts and including an outer surface having a circumference and a length and being engaged with the inner surface of the shoe substantially throughout the circumference and the length of the outer surface of the hub.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tool for swaging a bearing into an opening in a bearing housing, which apparatus is operable in confined spaces, such as in an aircraft application. The tool has a threaded elongated member or bolt that extends through the bore of the bearing. The tool also has a roller fixture assembly adapted to be positioned on one side of the bearing and positioned on one end of the elongated member. The roller fixture assembly has a number of rollers and a roller fixture shell that supports the rollers for engagement with the bearing to swage the bearing against the bearing housing. The bearing swaging tool also has a locating fixture assembly adapted to be positioned on the opposite side of the bearing from the roller fixture assembly. The locating fixture assembly is supported on the other end of the elongated member and includes a locating fixture with a first side adapted to be positioned against the bearing and bearing housing.

Abstract: A self-lubricating coating is provided which includes a mixture of a curable acrylate composition including a dipentaerythritol pentaacylate and a solid lubricant, such as polytetraflourethylenr. The curable acrylate composition may also include triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. An aramid pulp may also be added to the coating mixture. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the coating, and a self-lubricating bearing having the coating disposed on its surface.

Abstract: A rotary-to-linear actuator includes a threaded rigid shaft, and a collar engaging the threads. The collar is formed from a low friction material reinforced by successive layers of parallel filaments. The filaments are oriented to lie across the outwardly convex projecting faces of the shaft threads.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a connector pin for a modular conveyor belt. The connector pin is fabricated from two separate materials and includes a high strength polymer core which is covered by a low-friction polymer shell. The connector pin is used with a modular conveyor belt that includes a first conveyor link having a link end which is intermeshed with a link end on a second similar conveyor link. The openings in the first link and the second link are axially aligned with respect to each other such that they receive the connector pin of the present invention therein.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved modular chain link used for constructing a modular conveyor chain. The chain link includes a plastic body having a plurality of spaced link ends which are adapted to intermesh with complementary link ends projecting from a link or links in an adjacent row. The link ends include axially aligned openings that are adapted to receive a connecting pin. The connecting pin extends through the openings in the link ends of the intermeshing links and fastens the adjacent links together such that the links can pivot with respect to each other. The improved modular chain link further includes a support member that is molded within the plastic body of the chain link. The support member increases the strength of the modular chain link and minimizes the thermal expansion and contraction that occurs when the chain link is subjected to a temperature change.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elastomeric coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, which coupling comprises a composite member including an elastomeric center element, and a shoe fabricated from a reinforced plastic material and including a first portion bonded to the center element, and a second portion extending axially from the first portion and from the center element, including apertured metallic inserts, and being adapted to be connected to one of the shafts.

Abstract: A split sprocket assembly. The sprocket assembly does not require additional separate fasteners and extends substantially parallel to the axis of the drive shaft. Further, the sprocket assembly includes first and second sprocket sections having integrally formed connecting device to connect the sprocket members about the shaft. The connecting device preferably includes a projection formed on one sprocket section and a complementary recess formed on the other sprocket section. The geometry of the projection and the recess is preferably that of a dove-tail shape. The connecting device further includes a device for preventing axial movement of the sprocket sections relative to one another. In one embodiment, the sprocket assembly does not require any additional separate fasteners at all, and the preventing device includes locking members to provide a cylindrical snap fit.