Abstract: A method of affixing a plurality of tubes having oval ends into a plurality of corresponding oval openings of equal circumference in the header wall of a heat exchanger. The minor diameter of the tube ends is greater than the minor diameter of the header openings and the major diameter of the tube ends is less than the major diameter of the header openings. The tube ends are inserted into corresponding openings in the header wall whereupon the minor diameter of the tube ends is reduced and the major diameter of the tube ends is increased to create a substantially fully contacting fit around the circumference with said header openings. Ends of the tubes are welded to corresponding collar openings in the header wall to form a plurality of tube-to-header joints. Flux is applied to the air-facing side of the tube-to-header Joints, and molten solder is applied to the opposite liquid-facing side and flowed into any voids in the welded joints to substantially seal the joints against leakage of liquid.

Abstract: A heat exchanger core comprises a pair of header plates, each of which having a plurality of openings therein, a plurality of oval cross-section heat exchanger tubes adapted to receive a fluid medium therethrough extending in generally spaced parallel relationship between the header plates, the ratio between the major diameter and the minor diameter of each of the tubes being from about 12/1 to about 18/1, each of the plurality of tubes being positioned and arranged such that the ends of each of the tubes are joined to corresponding openings in each of the header plates to form a plurality of tube-to-header joints, and a plurality of louvered serpentine heat transfer fin elements disposed between the header plates in a heat exchange relationship with the plurality of tubes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a metal tank having an open side and a flange around the open side, and a metal header plate connected to a plurality of heat exchanging tubes, the header plate having a channel around its periphery for mating with the tank flange. An elastomeric gasket completely fills the space between the flange and the channel for restricting contact of coolant with tank and header plate surfaces therebetween and reducing crevice corrosion. The cast metal tank has predominately thin walls and at least one cast indentation point for starting a drilled hole. The indentation point is located in a defined, limited region of the tank walls having a thickness greater than surrounding wall regions. The indentation points or other openings in the tank walls may be relocated by cutting and welding them in different locations to accommodate different configurations in low volume production.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a precision fluid flow comprises a cylinder having side and end walls forming a fluid-receiving chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A cylindrical piston free of engagement with the cylinder side wall is movable longitudinally into the cylinder so as to displace through the fluid outlet a volume of fluid corresponding to the volume of the piston accommodated in the chamber. The piston is formed of a material which is substantially insensitive to variations in temperature and pressure of the fluid in the chamber so that the piston rod is substantially dimensionally stable. The piston is moved relative to the chamber by a precision driving mechanism either at a constant velocity to provide a constant volumetric flow of fluid through the outlet or at a variable velocity to provide a constant fluid pressure at the outlet.

Abstract: A method of affixing a plurality of tubes having oval ends into a plurality of corresponding oval openings of equal circumference in the header wall of a heat exchanger. The minor diameter of the tube ends is greater than the minor diameter of the header openings and the major diameter of the tube ends is less than the major diameter of the header openings. The tube ends are inserted into corresponding openings in the header wall whereupon the minor diameter of the tube ends is reduced and the major diameter of the tube ends is increased to create a substantially fully contacting fit around the circumference with said header openings. Ends of the tubes are welded to corresponding collar openings in the header wall to form a plurality of tube-to-header joints. Flux is applied to the air-facing side of the tube-to-header joints, and molten solder is applied to the opposite liquid-facing side and flowed into any voids in the welded joints to substantially seal the joints against leakage of liquid.

Abstract: A material handling system, such as a monorail material handling system, and a delivery device therefor which is intelligent, self-powered and capable of communicating with a central system control via a radio frequency communication link without direct electrical connection therewith. The material handling system comprises at least one delivery device, a pathway along which the delivery device is adapted to be propelled, and a central electronic control for controlling operation of the system. Each delivery device includes a drive for propelling the delivery device along the pathway, an onboard power supply for providing power to the drive, and an onboard electronic control for controlling operation of the delivery device. The onboard electronic control and the central electronic control include radio frequency communications for providing a radio communication link therebetween.

Abstract: A new and improved automotive heat exchanger and a method of assembling tubes in a header of a heat exchanger comprising, shaping the ends of non-circular cross section tubes into a substantially circular cross section, forming collared openings of substantially circular cross section in a header wall, inserting the tube ends into the openings, welding and bonding the tubes to the header wall.

Abstract: A new and improved automotive heat exchanger and a method of assembling tubes in a header of a heat exchanger comprising, shaping the ends of non-circular cross section tubes into a substantially circular cross section, forming collared openings of substantially circular cross section in a header wall, inserting the tube ends into the openings, welding the tube ends to the collars, and bonding the tubes to the header wall.

Abstract: A chassis dynamometer has a number of rotary units corresponding to the number of wheels of a vehicle to be tested, each of the rotary units constituting a synchronous electric motor independent of one another. Each motor is coupled to an electric power source via a single frequency control unit which is operable to adjust the frequency of electric current supplied to the motors. All motors operate at a uniform speed and each motor is coupled to a torque responsive load cell operable to generate a signal in response to a change in torque of the associated motor. Each load cell is coupled to a summing circuit unit which also is coupled to the frequency control unit for adjusting the latter in accordance with an average of changes in the torque.

Abstract: A continuously movable conveyor supports a plurality of articles for movement along a path leading to and beyond a zone at which selected articles are transferred from and returned to the conveyor. At the transfer zone is stop apparatus movable from a position clear of the path of movement of the articles on the conveyor to a position in which it projects into such path of movement so as to engage and stop an oncoming article as the conveyor continues to move. The stop apparatus includes a stop member supported by a parallelogram linkage which is rockable by an extensible and retractable hydraulic ram to effect movements of the stop member into and out of the path of conveyor borne articles. The coupling of the ram to the stop member includes a lost motion connection enabling displacement of the stop member upon engagement of the latter by an article on the conveyor and the ram is yieldably retractable in response to such engagement so as to absorb and cushion the shock of such engagement.

Abstract: A portable light assembly conformed for excitation from the cigarette lighter outlet of an automobile comprises two light housings each universally pivoted from a central handle assembly. The central assembly includes opposed pivot fittings from which two laterally disposed swivel blocks are pivoted, each swivel block in turn pivotally supporting a corresponding light. In this form the alignment of each light may be individually selected to produce any desired beam pattern, the same pivotal freedom providing for a collapsed alignment where the lens portions of each light are protected from damage.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits the automated diagnosis of automobile engine electrical system waveform patterns is disclosed. Employed in conjunction with an addressable random access memory which stores digitized information concerning the waveform are further means which logarithmically reduce input amplitude values of the waveform and coordinates sampling times for the waveform with engine RPM so that the memory capacity is fully utilized. Input conversion of the waveform is accomplished by a tracking analog-to-digital converter using comparator means which also provides a waveform peak detector. Upon an address command, the memory output is input into a read only memory which provides an anti-log conversion of the logarithmic value stored in the memory, thereby providing an output corresponding to an actual value signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing a front wheel drive automotive transmission having a drive input adapted for connection to the engine driveshaft and two driven outputs adapted for coupling to the axles of the front wheels. The testing apparatus comprises a drive input shaft corresponding to the engine driveshaft and a pair of output shafts corresponding to the vehicle axles. Each output shaft is coupled to a single driven shaft by a positive drive, non-slip coupling mechanism so that neither of the output shafts can rotate at a speed different from that of the other. The single, driven shaft is provided with a flywheel which simulates inertial forces. The input driveshaft is coupled to a variable speed motor and the single, driven shaft is coupled to a similar motor which is operable at selected speeds to impose varying load conditions on the transmission.

Abstract: A results based "AND" matrix method and means for the diagnostic analysis of an internal combustion engine is described. A diagnostic evaluation of the operating condition of an internal combustion engine is achieved, based solely on AND function relationships with respect to currently measured engine parameter values and a diagnostic equation, without the need for making, collecting and correlating a plurality of separate evaluative judgments regarding engine operating parameters.

Abstract: A selectable dolly vehicle conveyor system having spaced dollies mounted between two drive chains and normally moving on a lower track concealed beneath an upper track. A ramp for shunting the rear part of a dolly to the upper track to push a vehicle, operates only when both the front wheel of such vehicle holds depressed a threadle switch located beyond the ramp and at the same time the front roller of such dolly has passed the ramp and depresses a dolly threadle plate on the lower track. This permits the front part of the dolly to pass the ramp unobstructed and ensures that only the rear part of the dolly will be shunted to the upper track, even though the front and rear parts of the dolly are longitudinally aligned.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle wash apparatus including a wash arch frame carried on tracks extending longitudinally of a wash stall in which a car to be washed is parked. Overhead arms are pivotally carried on their respective one ends from an overhead transverse horizontal pivot shaft and mount a horizontally disposed rotary top brush from the free ends thereof for selective lowering into a position for contacting the front of a vehicle to wash the grill and for travel rearwardly along the hood, top and trunk of the vehicle. Side brush arms are carried pivotally from the sides of the arch frame for rotation about vertical axes and project in a direction opposite the direction in which the top brush arms, in their retracted positions, project and are urged inwardly to wash the sides of the car as the arch carries the top brush rearwardly on the tracks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station, and return, the transfer apparatus comprising a carriage mounted alongside the conveyor between the latter and the work station and for reciprocating movements along a path parallel to the movement of the conveyor. The carriage has two article support portions, one of which is adapted to receive an article from the conveyor and move it into the work station, and the other of which is adapted to receive an article from the work station and return it to the conveyor. The conveyor is provided with means for stopping selected articles carried by the conveyor to enable the transfer of articles from and to the conveyor to be effected. The movements of the carriage are controlled in such manner as to ensure the presence thereon of an article in readiness to be transferred to the work station prior to the completion of work performed on a preceding article in the work station.

Abstract: A drum towel drier for vehicles, in which towel holders are pivotally mounted around the periphery of a rotating drum. Each towel holder carries a towel and also has a lever projecting therefrom. When the towel holder enters a vehicle drying sector, the lever contacts a fixed trip pin, causing the towel holder to rotate through an arc (in the same direction of rotation as that of the drum), pulling such towel holder's towel part way off the drum. This expedites unwrapping of the towels from the drum so that they can dry a vehicle. A guide rail below the drum limits the rotation of the towel holders so that the rear towel hangs lower than the towels forwardly thereof, to improve the distribution of towels on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus is provided with an improved side and rear washing brush system. A generally cylindrical side and rear washing brush is provided which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis at the end of an arm terminating in upper and lower lateral members that carry the brush. The arm is rotatably mounted for lateral rotational movement with respect to a washing station framework and is biased so that the brush contacts the side of the vehicle as the vehicle moves through the washing station. As the vehicle passes the brush, a biasing means rotates the arm and forces the brush in behind the vehicle to maintain contact therewith and to traverse the rear of the vehicle with a force greater than that applied to hold the brush in contact with the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: The back filter automatic vehicle wash water reclaim system of the present invention is adapted for receiving drain water from an automatic car wash bay and includes a plurality of pairs of back wash filter tanks which are connected together in a manner which will provide for filter flow in a forward direction through a pair of such tanks and will then provide for reverse flow of the entire flow volume in reverse direction through a single filtering tank to thereby back wash such filtering tank.