Abstract: A working/assembling system including a dosed loop endless track, moving units adapted to travel on the endless track, at least one robot supported on one of the moving units for a working or assembling operation, and a control unit mounted on the other moving unit connected to the one moving unit having stored therein operations to be performed by the robot and causing the robot to perform the operations. The robot moves on the moving units as the latter travel on the endless track, and performs the operations for working on workpieces or assembling parts as it is controlled by the control unit.

Abstract: In the fabrication of a hollow airfoil having a longitudinally extending slot in the airfoil wall with the slot outlet at the external surface of the airfoil, a metering passage extending from the coolant compartment within the airfoil to the slot for carrying a metered amount of coolant fluid into the slot is formed by machining a passage completely through the wall from the external surface to the internal surface and which intersects the slot. The portion of the passage between the slot and the external surface of the airfoil is blocked, such as with a plug or by welding. With this fabrication method metering passages for directing coolant fluid from inside the airfoil into the slot may be formed without access to the interior of the airfoil. Coolant fluid from the interior flows into the slot through the unblocked portion of the passage and thereupon flows out of the airfoil through the slot as a film of coolant over the surface of the airfoil.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving and positioning a tool for plugging a defective heat exchanger tube of a steam generator in a nuclear reactor includes a base, a plug magazine supported on the base, a guidance mechanism mounting the plugging tool and a positioning mechanism supported on the base and mounting the guidance mechanism. The guidance mechanism is operable to align and position the tool relative to the plug magazine and the defective heat exchanger tube to correspondingly effect, upon operation of the tool, plug loading when the tool is located in a plug dispensing position adjacent to the plug magazine and plug unloading when the tool is located in a plug applying position adjacent to the defective tube. The positioning mechanism is operable to assume folded and unfolded conditions to transfer the guidance mechanism and the plugging tool therewith respectively between the plug dispensing and applying positions.

Abstract: An instrument manifold and pressure transducer are provided for detecting a pressure differential across an orifice fitting. Removable flanges are utilized on the output side of the orifice fitting, and on the input and the output ends of the manifold. Each flange may be structurally secured to its respective piece of equipment by special nipples, and is provided with apertures for receiving bolts to interconnect the flanges and the equipment. The versatility of the equipment is substantially increased, the response time and signal reliability is increased, and the installation costs are reduced.

Abstract: Process for assembling bodies, particularly for vehicle production lines, of the type adapted to a plurality of models of vehicles and their variants, in which a perfect geometry of a body at a work station is assured by means of a machine module and a structure module; a complete work cycle incorporates a feeding of a body, a distribution and a presentation of geometry tools, an intervention of robots or operators, and an evacuation of the assembled body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique as well as a system whereby through the use of industrial automation, windshields and the like can be inserted into a vehicle which is on a continuously moving conveyor line without stopping the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle is in motion on the conveyor during the insertion. The windshield can be automatically centered for robot acquisition through a unique mechanical device; and, multi-sensor information is converted into real-time path modification signals for robot guidance.

Abstract: This invention is an improved concept of the clamp shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,629, as issued June 5, 1973. This construction of a clampingdevice includes forming two C-shaped arms, each of which is an assembly of two plate-like members of sheet metal. These two arm assemblies are pivotally retained at one end with the plate-like members in an overlay condition. A pivot pin has an enlarged center portion which acts as a spacer and has two eccentric cam areas sized and spaced to actuate apertures formed in one of the arm pairs. Shouldered rivets retain these arm assemblies in spaced array and a stop pin secured in this pivot pin has a length sufficient to engage a secured rivet. At one limit of movement of the stop pin, the cam areas move one arm assembly to a maximum clamping force and, at the other limit of movement of the stop pin, the cam areas are in a reduced-force application.

Abstract: Construction of impellers of various dimensions are manufactured from tubular hub stock and sheet-like blade stock by cutting a hub of particular length from said hub stock and blades of corresponding length from said blade stock and attaching said blades to said hub. The bore of the hub may be enlarged according to a specified support shaft diameter, and the overall diameter of the impeller may be altered, preferably by trimming ends of the blades prior to mounting on the hub.

Abstract: A passive solar water heater having a heat absorber and storage tank within an insulative housing. The housing is formed in a mold as a unitary structure having an exterior shell and a curved insulative interior covered with a reflective inner surface. The tank rests in a trough in the housing and is secured by a mounting which prevents heat conduction to the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assembling an insert assembly in a catalytic converter comprising a casing and an insert assembly therein. The insert assembly comprises a columnar catalyst having a seal mat wound around the outer periphery thereof and a mesh ring attached thereto. The seal mat is fitted in a groove provided in a receiving member for the placement of a catalyst and the catalyst is placed and positioned, with its axis substantially horizontal, on the receiving member. A guide member is positioned adjacent to the catalyst on the same axis as the catalyst and supported from the sides thereof, the guide member having an outer inclined surface enlarged towards the catalyst. The mesh ring is positioned on the same axis as the catalyst on the side of the guide member opposite to the side of the catalyst. The opposite end of the seal mat are engaged to wind the seal mat around the catalyst and the mesh ring is resiliently supported from the outside thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a novel bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft, having a housing with a central bore in which is mounted a shell with a polygonal shaped opening which receives a plurality of circumferential spaced staves presenting a plurality of flat planar surface that tangentially contact a drive shaft. The staves have a outer layer made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material and an inner layer made of an elastomeric material. The outer layer is received by or may have a projection that is received by a corresponding recess in the shell which is made from a fiberglass material impregnated with an epoxy-resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of making nozzles for injection molding. The nozzles are heated by an electrical heating element which is cast in a copper portion between inner and outer stainless steel portions. The method includes making a main rear portion and a steel nose cap portion separately, brazing them together in a vacuum furnace to form an integral unit, and then finishing it by drilling and machining to provide it with a central bore and a particular gating configuration. This method has the advantage that a single inventory of unfinished nozzles can be maintained, from which a requirement for one of several gating configurations can be quickly supplied by finishing the nozzles according to that configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing a casting having a crack therein comprising a metal lock to extend across the crack and a lacing plug to fit in the crack, the metal lock formed as a rigid elongate member having a plurality of lobes formed from adjacent portions that are circular in cross-section and each having its center on the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, said lobes being of alternating large and small diameters and including a central large diameter lobe and at least one outer large diameter lobe at each side of the central large diameter lobe, said central large diameter lobe being spaced from each outer large diameter lobe by a small diameter lobe and with each lobe overlapping its adjacent lobe and extending through the elongate member; and the lacing plug including a head configured to receive a driving tool, a tapered shaft, a shoulder at a top of the tapered shaft, a non-threaded shaft portion interconnecting the head and the tapered shaft, a break-off groove formed in the non-threaded shaft por

Abstract: The method of making a sewer pipe testing apparatus which uses a frangible plug to be installed within the sewage pipe system. The plug is formed by tightly compacting between a pair of mold members a quantity of a powdered substance within a section of a cylinder. The resultingly formed plug is mounted within an annular groove within the cylinder. A movable member is mounted through the side wall of the cylinder and is capable of being moved in contact with the solid plug to cause such to break apart. The solid plug is to be coated on its exterior surfaces by a plastic material which retards dissolving of the plug by water, but which material is ultimately dissolvable within water.

Abstract: A one-piece piston is produced by die pressing in a single step, a previously forged blank to bend an annular cylindrical collar thereon and at the same time form a fire rib between two lugs which are pierced in the die-pressing tool so that eyes are formed in the lugs and the latter are calibrated by the piercing operation.

Abstract: An improved surgical device and method for manufacturing the device are provided. The device is a high rotating speed arthroscopic probe shaver with bearing means that give superior longitudinal and radial support. Further, the outer tube of the probe shaver is swaged to fit very closely over the inner tube.

Abstract: A rotating tool for use in dentistry, has diamond powder coated areas separated by grooves for enhancing abrasive action, for an improved distribution of cooling and lubricating agent and for easier discharge of waste material.

Abstract: In a sliding bearing, a metallic layer is coated on a bearing base bush and is provided with grooved or helical or crossing indentations with intermediate elevations. Applied in a uniform manner onto the so-formed metallic layer is a sliding layer of softer material. Under pressure or application of shear forces, the material of the sliding layer provided above the elevations is forced through plastic shaping to flow into the indentations so as to provide a levelled and smooth sliding surface covering the metallic layer.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a hydraulic pump unit utilized in motor vehicles wherein a housing body is deep drawn from a circular blank of a typically high strength, low alloy steel. A drawn elongate valve sleeve is attached to the housing body by a stamped saddle member. The valve sleeve, saddle member, and housing body are produced with appropriate fluid passages and ports for the flow of hydraulic fluid through the housing assembly.

Abstract: An assembly tray is injection molded with an open bottom to provide access to articles supported by the tray during manufacturing. Gear teeth are included on the bottom of the tray in the shape of a timing belt for indexing the tray during manufacturing. Stacking ledges are provided in the rim on top of the tray so that one tray can be stacked on top of another without sticking. A torsion box is provided on the sides of the tray to provide torsional stability. The assembly tray can be selected from a stack of other trays, used in automated manufacturing and stacked in another stack. The assembly tray is particularly suited for assemblying components of tape cassettes.