Abstract: A smart tool system may include at least one assembly of a tool holder and a tool, and a tooling machine configured to rotate the at least one assembly to cut a workpiece. The tooling machine may have a spindle to which the tool holder may be selectively attachable, and a controller configured to rotate the spindle at a spindle speed. The smart tool system may also include at least one database configured to store vibrational data relating to at least one of the at least one assembly and the tooling machine. The smart tool system may further be configured to determine an optimum operating value and/or range of optimum operating values of at least one parameter for the tooling machine based on the vibrational data. The optimum operating value(s) provide for minimized or no chatter when cutting the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly of a tool and a tool holder may include the tool, which may have an elongated body with a socket, and the tool holder, which may have a body with a first bore configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated body, and a second bore substantially transverse to the first bore. The assembly may also have an impinging member including a body having an end with a radial surface. In an assembled state, a portion of the elongated body of the tool may be positioned within the first bore of the body of the tool such that the socket and the second bore may be substantially aligned, and the body of the impinging member may be positioned within the second bore with the radial surface pressed against the elongated body in the socket at a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A smart tool system may include at least one assembly of a tool holder and a tool, and a tooling machine configured to rotate the at least one assembly to cut a workpiece. The tooling machine may have a spindle to which the tool holder may be selectively attachable, and a controller configured to rotate the spindle at a spindle speed. The smart tool system may also include at least one database configured to store vibrational data relating to at least one of the at least one assembly and the tooling machine. The smart tool system may further be configured to determine an optimum operating value and/or range of optimum operating values of at least one parameter for the tooling machine based on the vibrational data. The optimum operating value(s) provide for minimized or no chatter when cutting the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly of a tool and a tool holder may include the tool, which may have an elongated body with a socket, and the tool holder, which may have a body with a first bore configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated body, and a second bore substantially transverse to the first bore. The assembly may also have an impinging member including a body having an end with a radial surface. In an assembled state, a portion of the elongated body of the tool may be positioned within the first bore of the body of the tool such that the socket and the second bore may be substantially aligned, and the body of the impinging member may be positioned within the second bore with the radial surface pressed against the elongated body in the socket at a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the location of a hole in a surface of a workpiece. The sensor comprises a sensing head having a probe adapted to engage the portion of the workpiece surface defining a hole. A housing supports the sensing head for lateral displacement in any direction from a longitudinal Z axis of the sensor in response to engagement of the hole-defining portion by the probe. A pair of displacement conversion members are supported in the housing for independent axial displacement along the Z axis corresponding in direction and magnitude to the lateral displacement of the sensing head along X and Y lateral axes, respectively. Sensing devices are disposed to respond to the axial displacement of each of the conversion members to generate a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: An improved multicylinder Stirling engine is disclosed. A dual crank drive is provided in place of the conventional swash plate drive. The use of a dual crank creates a more compact engine as well as other benefits which arise when the engine is used as an automotive prime mover.

Abstract: An integrated system for engine heat extraction and comfort air conditioning in an automotive vehicle powered by a Stirling engine, the system being used (a) as a part of the heat rejecting means for the Stirling engine located in a compartment outside of the passenger compartment, and (b) for conditioning air within the passenger compartment. The heat rejecting means of the Stirling engine is effective to cool a selected zone of an enclosed working fluid circuit of the engine; the heat rejecting means is divided into two portions, one normally being diposed to reject heat to ambient air conditions and another disposed to selectively impart rejected heat either to air flow for conditioning air for said passenger compartment or to air flow to be aborted to ambient air conditions.

Abstract: A flexible, pneumatic bumper adapted for motor vehicle applications. A plurality of individual chambers are defined by a resiliently deformable outer bumper shell, a supporting plate secured to the vehicle structural members and a plurality of baffles or separator elements extending from the bumper shell toward or to the mounting plate. When the outer bumper shell is displaced inwardly due to an impact force, resultant chamber deformation causes an increase in chamber pressure that is relieved by air being forced out of the chamber to an adjacent chamber or to the atmosphere through a pressure relief valve. Following impact, return of the bumper shell to its original shape is slowed by a restricted return air flow into the chambers thereby preventing bumper rebound forces.The separator elements may be designed to provide a preloading effect or a maximum buckling resistance when the bumper shell is installed on the supporting plate.

Abstract: A heater head assembly of the type useful in a hot gas engine is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of tubes or passages providing a communicating connection for the gas between high temperature working chambers and regenerators. In one embodiment, manifold extensions are provided for each of the working chambers and regenerators and between which banks of heater tubes extend. Each of said manifolds contain at least one blind flow turn-around or reverter structure whereby hot gases traversing between a working chamber and a regenerator must travel the spacing therebetween a minimum of three times. Each of said tube banks are formed by uniting two plys of sheet metal along spaced pairs of parallel lines of brazing, the zone within each pair of brazing lines being expanded to define gas passages for said tube bank and the zone between pairs of brazing lines being perforated to admit cross-flow of a surrounding heating medium.

Abstract: A heater head assembly of the type useful in a hot gas engine is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of tubes or passages providing a communicating connection for the gas between high temperature working chambers and regenerators. In one embodiment, manifold extensions are provided for each of the working chambers and regenerators and between which banks of heater tubes extend. Each of said manifolds contain at least one blind flow turn-around or reverter structure whereby hot gases traversing between a working chamber and a regenerator must travel the spacing therebetween a minimum of three times. Each of said tube banks are formed by uniting two plys of sheet metal along spaced pairs of parallel lines of brazing, the zone within each pair of brazing lines being expanded to define gas passages for said tube bank and the zone between pairs of brazing lines being perforated to admit cross-flow of a surrounding heating medium.

Abstract: A hot gas engine of the Stirling type is disclosed. The engine has a heater head assembly provided with a plurality of separated regenerators connected in series in the heater tube labyrinth. The regenerators may be cascaded in size and mass to meet predetermined heat exchange design conditions. The temperature of exhaust gases exiting directly from the heater head assembly can be optimized at less than 800.degree.F, but more practically at about 1,000.degree.-1,200.degree.F.