Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: While a cutting head of an edge shaving tool shaves a material, a resilient support for the cutting head is repetitively struck to impart shockwaves to the cutting head. An edge shaving tool operating in this fashion has a resilient cutting head support for supporting a cutting head at one end thereof and a shockwave generator mounted for repetitively striking a side of the resilient cutting head support.

Abstract: A material cutting machine has a tool mount support mounted for reciprocal movement and a tool mount supported by the tool mount support. A driver, such as a pneumatic cylinder, selectively advances and retracts the tool mount support. A control system is operatively coupled to the driver for setting the advancement force of the tool mount support when a tool supported by said tool mount contacts a workpiece, such as the edge or surface of a moving strip. In this way, the depth of cut of the tool is controlled by tool advancement force rather than by accurate positioning of the tool. In one embodiment, the tool mount support may have a head and a base and a resilient member resiliently coupling the head to the base to provide a damped resilience. With this embodiment, a transient spike in the reaction force which may result, for example, from a hard spot in the material, causes the tool to momentarily deflect.

Abstract: A material cutting machine has a tool mount support mounted for reciprocal movement and a tool mount supported by the tool mount support. A driver, such as a pneumatic cylinder, selectively advances and retracts the tool mount support. A control system is operatively coupled to the driver for setting the advancement force of the tool mount support when a tool supported by said tool mount contacts a workpiece, such as the edge or surface of a moving strip. In this way, the depth of cut of the tool is controlled by tool advancement force rather than by accurate positioning of the tool. In one embodiment, the tool mount support may have a head and a base and a resilient member resiliently coupling the head to the base to provide a damped resilience. With this embodiment, a transient spike in the reaction force which may result, for example, from a hard spot in the material, causes the tool to momentarily deflect.

Abstract: A malfunction detector is connected to switches provided in a machine, such as a punch press, for actuation when a malfunction occurs. The detector is capable of supplying an alternating current test signal to the switches and determining whether the resistance of the switches to the test signal is greater than or less than a threshold value. The test signal preferably has a frequency which is equal to mains supply frequency or a harmonic thereof and the malfunction detector preferably only responds to changes of state of the switches during specific time windows.

Abstract: An axial locking device having two separable members which can be locked together and unlocked by relative axial movement of the two members in one direction. A slider is incorporated in one of the members and is movable relative to the member against a spring when the two members are moved axially relative to one another in one direction. The slider is displaced in one angular direction by interengagement of mutually engageable teeth on the one member and on the slider each time the slider is moved axially. This angular displacement of the slider locks the two members together when they are first pushed axially together against the force exerted by the spring on the slider and then unlocks the two members when they are subsequently pushed axially together against the spring force to permit one handed and/or speedy operation of the locking device.

Abstract: Detection circuit for objects has a light source located to illuminate a plurality of light sensitive electrical elements. The light sensitive elements are of the type to alter their electrical characteristics when illuminated and are connected in series in an electrical circuit. Means are provided for detecting the rate of change of one of the current flow through or the voltage across the series circuit and for producing an output varying as said rate of change.

Abstract: Malfunction Detector apparatus has a plurality of sensing means, each sensing means is designed to provide a signal when an operation is performed and a different signal when the operation is not performed. Circuitry is designed to initiate timing and if all sensing means do not signal `operation performed` by the end of a timed interval, then to provide a `fault` signal.

Abstract: An axial locking device having two separable members which can be locked together and unlocked by relative axial movement of the two members in one direction. A slider is incorporated in one of the members and is movable relative to the member against a spring when the two members are moved axially relative to one another in one direction. The slider is displaced in one angular direction by interengagement of mutually engageable teeth on the one member and on the slider each time the slider is moved axially. This angular displacement of the slider locks the two members together when they are first pushed axially together against the force exerted by the spring on the slider and then unlocks the two members when they are subsequently pushed axially together against the spring force to permit one handed and/or speedy operation of the locking device.