Abstract: A hinge mechanism for joining a door to a vessel is disclosed. The hinge mechanism includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a rod reciprocally disposed in the housing, with the rod having a first end adapted to pivotally engage the door and further having a second end. A spring is disposed within the housing. A first coupling slidably connects a first end of the spring to the first end of the rod, and a second coupling slidably connects a second end of the spring to the second end of the rod. The spring, the housing, and the first and second couplings cooperate to permit movement of the rod between an outward position, an inward position, and a neutral position between the outward position and the inward position. The spring is arranged to bias the rod toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for joining a door to a vessel is disclosed. The hinge mechanism includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a rod reciprocally disposed in the housing, with the rod having a first end adapted to pivotally engage the door and further having a second end. A spring is disposed within the housing. A first coupling slidably connects a first end of the spring to the first end of the rod, and a second coupling slidably connects a second end of the spring to the second end of the rod. The spring, the housing, and the first and second couplings cooperate to permit movement of the rod between an outward position, an inward position, and a neutral position between the outward position and the inward position. The spring is arranged to bias the rod toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A bridge rectifier comprised of four passivated silicon diode chips coupled to convert an alternating voltage input to a direct voltage output includes four L-shaped leads each coupling the anode or cathode of one diode to either the same or opposite terminal of another diode. Each L-shaped lead includes transversely coupled first and second elongated, linear sections with the first sections of each lead forming either the AC input lines or DC output lines. The second section of each lead is coupled to either the anode or cathode of one of the diode chips, each of which includes a dielectric coated moat, or groove, around the periphery of one of its flat, generally rectangular shaped terminal surfaces which prevents charge migration on the edges of the chip and resulting leakage current.

Abstract: A high voltage electronic component test apparatus includes a test chamber containing a pair of electrodes across which a high voltage is applied and between which a component is placed in circuit by means of a movable component gripper assembly for the testing thereof. Voltage generating and electrical measurement apparatus is coupled to the electrodes for applying a high voltage thereacross and for measuring the resulting current within the electronic component. From the component testing, the remotely operated gripper assembly then removes the tested component from the test chamber and introduces another component for testing therein. A closed, circulating liquid-vapor system coupled to the test chamber introduces an electrically inert vapor, such as Freon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon, into the test chamber to prevent arcing and eliminate leakage currents therein.

Abstract: First and second walking beams are coupled by a proportional displacement arrangement to a reciprocating drive mechanism. Respective ends of the first and second walking beams are positioned in close proximity to one another to permit an article positioned on the first walking beam to be transferred to the second walking beam. The first walking beam has a close or narrow pitch between adjacent article-bearing slots thereon, while the second walking beam has a wide pitch. Inter-article spacing on the second walking beam is thus greater than the spacing between adjacent articles on the first walking beam. This arrangement permits a large number of closely spaced articles to be simultaneously deposited upon the first walking beam while standard spacing may be provided between the articles on the second walking beam for improved efficiency in the automatic positioning and handling of the articles.

Abstract: An arrangement for the automatic positioning of axial lead electronic components upon a walking beam includes a tray positioning mechanism and a tray removal mechanism. The tray positioning mechanism in positioned above the walking beam and includes a pair of facing end guides for receiving a plurality of component positioning trays in a stacked arrangement whereon are positioned a plurality of aligned electronic components. The tray positioning mechanism further includes a pair of vertically displaceable support rails for engaging each tray in turn and lowering it beneath the walking beam whereupon all of the components positioned on the tray are removed from the tray and are deposited upon the walking beam. The thus empty tray is then removed from a position adjacent to and straddling the walking beam by a roller assembly which sequentially displaces each emptied tray onto the tray removal mechanism.

Abstract: A vibration damping nest is adapted for receiving axial lead components deposited upon a conveyor assembly by an automatic grasping and positioning device such as robotic pincers. The conveyor assembly, such as a walking beam, is provided with a plurality of grooves along the length thereof which are aligned perpendicular to the length and direction of displacement of the walking beam and are adapted to receive an elongated, linear electronic component deposited thereon. The vibration damping nest includes a pair of pivoting plates positioned on respective sides of the walking beam immediately adjacent thereto. An upper edge of each of the plates includes a generally V-shaped recessed portion for receiving a respective axial lead of a component. Suspended from each pivoting plate is a biasing weight for urging the plate in a generally vertical orientation wherein the V-shaped upper edge portions of the plates define a component drop position across the walking beam assembly.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with ultra precise apparatus for forming a complex profiled face on a diamond tool blank. The apparatus comprises an abrading device in the form of a grinding wheel and a spindle means which includes a journal for supporting the grinding wheel. This journal is rotatably supported upon an air bearing. A platform, supported for rotation about a vertical pivot axis, is also supported for displacement in a horizontal plane along an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis. An air bearing supports the platform for rotation about the pivot axis while another air bearing supports the platform for displacement in the horizontal plane perpendicular to that axis. A tool chuck is mounted upon the platform and serves to present the tool blank to the grinding wheel. A cam, mounted adjacent to the platform, is provided with a surface whose contour is related to the complex profiled face to be formed on the tool blank.

Abstract: A one-piece, directly heated cathode is disclosed for use in a cathode ray tube electron gun. The cathode according to the invention has the configuration of a hollow cylinder with one closed end for receiving a thermionic electron-emissive coating. A pair of body portions extending axially in the same direction from diametrically opposed sides of the closed end define two legs which act as serial electrical conductors having inherent resistance for use in resistively heating the electron-emissive coating. The legs have an arcuate cross-section effective to structurally stabilize the cathode and suppress temperature-induced lateral displacement of the cathode which would otherwise degrade the performance of the electron gun.