Abstract: A pivot assembly for connecting a ground-contacting wheel assembly to a frame member of a track system assembly has a base defining a first interlocking member, a resilient body structured for being received at least partially within the base and having a second interlocking member connectable to the first interlocking member, and an axle assembly configured for rotatably connecting the ground-contacting wheel assembly to the frame member, the axle assembly including a third interlocking member connectable to the second interlocking member. The resilient body is at least partially wrappable around the peripheral surface of the axle assembly. Upon deformation of the resilient body, the axle assembly is pivotally movable relative to the frame member of the track system assembly about at least one of a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis.

Abstract: A multi-layer extrusion die assembly includes a body, a main bore extending longitudinally through the assembly, a core tube, and a plurality of dies. The extrusion die assembly is configured to receive an input stream of material and divide the input stream into a plurality of material streams. Each die is configured to receive one or more of the material streams and to form a single continuous layer of material about the core tube. The layer formed by each die has one or more weld lines running longitudinally along the layer. The dies are arranged along the core tube such that a plurality of concentric layers of material is formed around the core tube. Each die is rotated axially with respect to adjacent dies such that the weld lines of the layer formed by one die.

Abstract: A system and method are presented in which a flow of plastic is extruded to obtain nano-sized features by forming multiple laminated flow streams, flowing in parallel through the system. Each of the parallel laminated flow streams are subjected to repeated steps in which the flows are divided, and overlapped to amplify the number of laminations. The parallel amplified laminated flows are rejoined to form a cumulated laminated output with nano-sized features.

Abstract: A system and method are presented in which a flow of plastic is extruded to obtain nano-sized features by forming multiple laminated flow streams, flowing in parallel through the system. Each of the parallel laminated flow streams are subjected to repeated steps in which the flows are divided, and overlapped to amplify the number of laminations. The parallel amplified laminated flows are rejoined to form a cumulated laminated output with nano-sized features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding plastic products having large cross sections, which require a correspondingly large die cross section, is described in which the cross section of the die is divided into regions of predetermined flow and separate flow streams are supplied to each region in proportion to the relative size of the flow region to the overall die cross section.

Abstract: Using a balanced flow path, multiple layers of extruded plastic are supplied to a chamber having independently rotating surfaces. Said rotating surfaces apply a shear force to at least the inner and outer layers of said extruded plastic to orient said materials in said layers in different helical patterns, thereby forming a multi-layer tubular product in which at least inner and outer layers have different helical patterns to strengthen the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion die assembly having a balanced flow path in which the die and tip modules cooperate to form an extended exit channel which communicates with an extrusion channel. The die is rotatably mounted on the die holder and the tip module is rotatably mounted within the axial bore. Each of the rotatably mounted components is independently driven by a motor. The motors are controlled to provide an infinite variation in relative rotational motion between the rotating components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding plastic products having complex cross sections, which require a complex die cross section, is described in which the cross section of the die is divided into regions of critical flow and separate flow streams are supplied to each region in proportion to the relative size of the region to the overall die cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion die assembly having a balanced flow path in which the die and tip modules cooperate to form an extended exit channel which communicates with an extrusion channel. The die is rotatably mounted on the die holder and the tip module is rotatably mounted within the axial bore. Each of the rotatably mounted components is independently driven by a motor. The motors are controlled to provide an infinite variation in relative rotational motion between the rotating components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding plastic products having large cross sections, which require a correspondingly large die cross section, is described in which the cross section of the die is divided into regions of predetermined flow and separate flow streams are supplied to each region in proportion to the relative size of the flow region to the overall die cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion die assembly having a balanced flow path in which the die and tip modules cooperate to form an extended exit channel which communicates with an extrusion channel. The die is rotatably mounted on the die holder and the tip module is rotatably mounted within the axial bore. Each of the rotatably mounted components is independently driven by a motor. The motors are controlled to provide an infinite variation in relative rotational motion between the rotating components.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion die assembly having a balanced flow path in which the die and tip modules cooperate to form an extended exit channel which communicates with an extrusion channel. The die is rotatably mounted on the die holder and the tip module is rotatably mounted within the axial bore. Each of the rotatably mounted components is independently driven by a motor. The motors are controlled to provide an infinite variation in relative rotational motion between the rotating components.

Abstract: In an extrusion die flow channels supply molten plastic to a pair of distribution grooves constructed in the upstream face of the die component adjacent to the die body. The die body becomes more universal and can be used for a variety of applications by replacing the die component with alternate designs of distribution grooves.

Abstract: A diverter element is constructed of a generally cylindrical shape for insertion in an open cylindrical bore. A balanced flow passage is formed by the cooperation of grooves constructed on the outer surface of the diverter and the inner surface of the bore. A distribution groove is constructed in the diverter extending circumferentially about the diverter surface. First and second pairs of diverging grooves are constructed downstream of the distribution groove. The diverging grooves are separated by a dam which is shaped to restrict flow at the point of divergence of the grooves to encourage the plastic flow to divide and fill the diverging grooves while allowing reduced flow over the dam.

Abstract: In an extrusion die flow channels supply molten plastic to a pair of distribution grooves constructed in the upstream face of the die component adjacent to the die body. The die body becomes more universal and can be used for a variety of applications by replacing the die component with alternate designs of distribution grooves.

Abstract: A die body of a die assembly for extruding plastic in tubular layers is constructed having primary and secondary balanced flow paths for two layers of extruded plastic. The primary flow path delivers plastic to a distribution groove in the die body which communicates with a first extrusion channel. A tip die is designed to receive flowing plastic from the secondary flow path of the die body and deliver such plastic to a distribution groove which communicates with a second extrusion channel.

Abstract: A crosshead die for an extrusion system provides a balanced, even flow of molten material around a circumference. The die has a cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, an outer wall, a horizontal centerline and a vertical centerline. The die further includes a reduced diameter end portion at the second end thereof. The reduced diameter end portion includes an axial bore. The cylindrical body further has a recessed surface in the first end, and a circular groove in the recessed surface. The groove has an inner edge and an outer edge and the outer edge includes two inwardly curved blending wedges which are positioned in opposed relation on the vertical centerline. The inner edge of the groove merges into a frusto-conical inner wall which tapers axially inwardly and merges with the axial bore in the reduced diameter end portion. The inner edge of the groove has a lesser height than the recessed surface.

Abstract: Multiple die components are constructed to provide separate flow paths for multiple layers of extruded plastic until the exit of the die assembly. The multiple layers are then allowed to join at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An extrusion die has a cylindrical body with an outer cylindrical wall, opposite first and second end walls, an axial bore extending therethrough, and bores for mounting the die to the extrusion system. The cylindrical body includes a flow inlet on the outer wall and first and second symmetrical flow channels which extend into the body from the flow inlet and terminate at a pair of opposite openings formed in the second end wall. A tapered end portion is in a concentric fashion with the cylindrical body. The end portion has a circumferential groove formed therein adjacent the juncture of the end portion and the cylindrical body wherein the pair of opposite openings are in fluid communication with the groove. A mating head has a body portion with a bore formed therein with an inner surface tapered to mate with the end portion of the die.

Abstract: A crosshead die for an extrusion system provides a balanced, even flow of molten material around a circumference. The die has a cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, an outer wall, a horizontal centerline and a vertical centerline. The die further includes a reduced diameter end portion at the second end thereof. The reduced diameter end portion includes an axial bore. The cylindrical body further has a recessed surface in the first end, and a circular groove in the recessed surface. The groove has an inner edge and an outer edge and the outer edge includes two inwardly curved blending wedges which are positioned in opposed relation on the vertical centerline. The inner edge of the groove merges into a frusto-conical inner wall which tapers axially inwardly and merges with the axial bore in the reduced diameter end portion. The inner edge of the groove has a lesser height than the recessed surface.