Abstract: Slide-bearing assemblies capable of enabling sliding of a load-carrying implement relative to a load-supporting structure, having first and second load-carrying surfaces, respectively, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the slide-bearing assembly includes substantially nonmetallic first and second elongate bearing elements extending in parallel to support the first load-carrying surface of the load-carrying implement slidably upon the load-supporting structure. One of the bearing elements being composed of multiple elongate pieces each shorter in length than a length of the other of the bearing elements. The slide-bearing assembly additionally includes a post that extends from a surface of each of the multiple elongate pieces, which is a surface that is opposed to the second load-carrying surface, each post is sized to fit in a respective recess of the second load-carrying surface.

Abstract: Slide-bearing assemblies capable of enabling sliding of a load-carrying implement relative to a load-supporting structure, having first and second load-carrying surfaces, respectively, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the slide-bearing assembly includes substantially nonmetallic first and second elongate bearing elements extending in parallel to support the first load-carrying surface of the load-carrying implement slidably upon the load-supporting structure. One of the bearing elements being composed of multiple elongate pieces each shorter in length than a length of the other of the bearing elements. The slide-bearing assembly additionally includes a post that extends from a surface of each of the multiple elongate pieces, which is a surface that is opposed to the second load-carrying surface, each post is sized to fit in a respective recess of the second load-carrying surface.

Abstract: A web jam detector and associated method are provided for detecting a jam of feedstock material in a scrap chopper. A web detection bar, mounted to the scrap chopper, includes a plurality of web detection fingers. The plurality of web detection fingers are made of an electrically conductive material, are electrically connected to and extend outwardly from the web detection bar, and are positioned to contact the feedstock material when the scrap chopper is in a closed position. A web jam detection circuit is electrically connected to the web detection bar. In operation, the web jam detection circuit supplies direct current electricity to the web detection bar and generates feedback signals based on a voltage of the web detection bar. The feedback signals are indicative of the presence or absence of the feedstock material at the plurality of web detection fingers.

Abstract: A web jam detector and associated method are provided for detecting a jam of feedstock material in a scrap chopper. A web detection bar, mounted to the scrap chopper, includes a plurality of web detection fingers. The plurality of web detection fingers are made of an electrically conductive material, are electrically connected to and extend outwardly from the web detection bar, and are positioned to contact the feedstock material when the scrap chopper is in a closed position. A web jam detection circuit is electrically connected to the web detection bar. In operation, the web jam detection circuit supplies direct current electricity to the web detection bar and generates feedback signals based on a voltage of the web detection bar. The feedback signals are indicative of the presence or absence of the feedstock material at the plurality of web detection fingers.

Abstract: An exceptionally thin load-weighing fork assembly, having its weight sensors mounted on a fork base, overcomes fork-insertion limitations with respect to commonly used standard pallets without sacrificing load-handling capacity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an ion-thruster stationkeeping method and mounting configuration that reduces the propellant penalty when a single thruster fails, e.g., in the case where only three of a spacecraft's four ion thrusters are available. By improving firing efficiency for the single-thruster failure case, on-board propellant is reduced, thereby allowing increased payload mass. Also, the configuration supports both N/S and E/W stationkeeping using four ion thrusters (or three thrusters for the failure case) and therefore does not require a separate propulsion system or thrusters for E/W stationkeeping.

Abstract: An exceptionally thin load-weighing fork assembly, having its weight sensors mounted on a fork base, overcomes fork-insertion limitations with respect to commonly used standard pallets without sacrificing load-handling capacity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an ion-thruster stationkeeping method and mounting configuration that reduces the propellant penalty when a single thruster fails, e.g., in the case where only three of a spacecraft's four ion thrusters are available. By improving firing efficiency for the single-thruster failure case, on-board propellant is reduced, thereby allowing increased payload mass. Also, the configuration supports both N/S and E/W stationkeeping using four ion thrusters (or three thrusters for the failure case) and therefore does not require a separate propulsion system or thrusters for E/W stationkeeping.

Abstract: A circuit interconnect attaching apparatus is disclosed. The circuit interconnect attaching apparatus has a body adapted to couple to a circuit interconnect device, the body having a first end and a second end, one or more frame connector coupled to the first end of the body, at least one tab portion positioned on an outer surface of the second end of the body, wherein the at least one tab portion for accepting at least one fastener member, and one or more bus connector configured to connect to or disconnect from one or more bus bar that is responsive to rotation of the circuit interconnect device. The circuit interconnect attaching assemblies having the circuit interconnect attaching apparatus and methods of connecting circuit interconnect devices to one or more bus bar are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A circuit interconnect attaching apparatus is disclosed. The circuit interconnect attaching apparatus has a body adapted to couple to a circuit interconnect device, the body having a first end and a second end, one or more frame connector coupled to the first end of the body, at least one tab portion positioned on an outer surface of the second end of the body, wherein the at least one tab portion for accepting at least one fastener member, and one or more bus connector configured to connect to or disconnect from one or more bus bar that is responsive to rotation of the circuit interconnect device. The circuit interconnect attaching assemblies having the circuit interconnect attaching apparatus and methods of connecting circuit interconnect devices to one or more bus bar are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A door operating apparatus is provided for safely and efficiently opening and/or closing a side door of a railway boxcar by moving a door engagement member laterally.

Abstract: A door operating apparatus is provided for safely and efficiently opening and/or closing a side door of a railway boxcar by moving a door engagement member laterally.

Abstract: A method for passing data parameters between a calling program and a called subroutine in a command analysis table of a computer stored data base system is disclosed. The method uses special operating codes written in the native language of the command analysis table, that allow the calling program to put pertinent information about the calling parameters into a temporary storage area. The called program or subroutine, uses a second op-code to collect the stored parameters in the temporary storage area. The pulled parameters are then used to initialize local variables and to load parameter values used by the called subroutine, into associated local registers. Information previously stored in the local registers is saved, and returned to the local registers when the subroutine finishes. Pertinent information for returning back to the calling program is also saved.

Abstract: A device and method for scraping and collecting adsorbent from located areas on developed thin layer chromatography plates and extracting substances from collected adsorbent. The above functions can be performed without additional apparatus. The device is constructed of polypropylene to allow for easy use, manufacture and low cost. The shell surrounds a primary filtering and retaining material and a secondary filter. The adsorbent is removed from the thin layer chromatography plate via a scraping edge and collected by aspirating the adsorbent into the device where it becomes embedded in the primary filtering and retaining material. The device can then be separated to allow facile addition of a solvent to elute the sample out of the device free of adsorbent. The scraping process is improved as a result of the polypropylene contact with the plate, the collection process minimizes loss of removed adsorbent, and the elution/filtration allows easy recovery of developed samples.

Abstract: This invention is a method of making a flanged half-bearing in which a semi-cylindrical journal bearing shell and two semi-annular end flanges are held in a jig with one flange in contact with each axial end of the shell over a part only of the thickness of the shell, and are welded together by a laser beam weld. The use of laser beam welding together with the restricted area of contact between the shell and the flanges enables the bearing to be made with very little distortion.