Abstract: A method of microfinishing a surface of a workpiece in which a shoe is pressed against the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is rotating. The shoe is vibrated at a high frequency and is made of diamond or similar very hard material. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a drive for rotating the workpiece, a linear actuator for pressing the shoe against the rotating workpiece, and a vibrator for vibrating the shoe.

Abstract: A trueing wheel for trueing an abrasive belt or wheel having cubic boron nitride abrasive particles. The trueing wheel has a radially outer peripheral surface which slopes at an acute angle with respect to its axis of rotation. Diamond particles, preferably about 0.150 mm in diameter, are bonded to the sloping radially outer peripheral surface in a single layer.

Abstract: The tool spindle has a drive plate on which a cutter is mounted. Drive keys on the drive plate engage slots in the cutter so that the cutter rotates with the drive plate. A clamp bar is provided to clamp the cutter against the drive plate. The cutter is formed with clearances which register with the clamp bar when the cutter is rotated relative to the clamp bar, so that the cutter may be removed from the drive plate. A new cutter is then reverse rotated into a position in which it may be clamped by the clamp bar. A spring holds the clamp bar in its clamping position. The quick change system also includes two or more locking fingers which are activated by centrifugal force to maintain the cutter clamped to the drive plate even in the event of failure of the spring which normally holds the clamp bar in its clamping position.

Abstract: An interferometric gauge for high precision absolute and incremental measurements of distances of up to at least 100 meters. An accuracy of 0.02 Angstrom has been demonstrated, free of the .about.10 Angstrom polarization-leakage errors of conventional gauges. The absolute distance measurement requires no a priori information, and multiple synthetic wavelengths need not be used. The gauge can be used as the sensor for a null servo. There are reduced-cost versions of lower accuracy. The gauge can employ a resonant cavity for greater sensitivity, and can be built with no transmissive elements in the measured path. Without additional hardware, the gauge readout can be in the form of a frequency or an analog electrical signal, in addition to a digital count of an integral number of wavelengths. The gauge employs a high-sensitivity null sensor. Feedback to an optical frequency shifter maintains the null condition; the frequency shift is measured electronically, providing a high sensitivity distance readout.

Abstract: A crankshaft is rotated about its central longitudinal axis and abrasive belts are moved along paths substantially perpendicular to the crankshaft such that the abrasive surfaces of the belts grind the crankpin journals while the crankshaft rotates. The belts are guided independently of one another at the point of contact with the crankpin journals along a variable path according to the position of the crankpin journal around the central longitudinal axis of the crankshaft as the crankshaft rotates. Each belt may be guided by a thin, flat blade across which the belt slides, or it may be guided by a freely rotatable roller in substantially frictionless contact with the belt.

Abstract: A retainer for the nose piece of the shoe which backs the abrasive belt in a belt-type grinding machine. The nose piece is T-shaped having a cross member provided with opposite side portions and a stem between the side portions. The head of the shoe has a stem-receiving recess and outwardly facing locating shoulders on opposite sides of the recess. The nose piece is mounted on the head with its stem in the recess and its side portions overlying the shoulders. The retainer is a pin having a resilient shank provided with an offset which may be either a laterally bent portion of the shank or a cam-like projection on the shank. The pin is received in aligned openings in the head and in the stem. When rotated to locking position, the pin offset forces the stem down into the recess and also forces the side portions of the cross member down squarely and solidly upon the shoulders.

Abstract: A method of grinding crankpin journals on a crankshaft in which the crankshaft is rotated about its central longitudinal axis. Abrasive belts are moved along paths substantially perpendicular to the crankshaft such that the abrasive surfaces of the belts grind the crankpin journals while the crankshaft rotates. The belts are guided independently of one another at the point of contact with the crankpin journals along a variable path according to the position of the crankpin journal around the central longitudinal axis of the crankshaft as the crankshaft rotates.

Abstract: A camshaft is provided having longitudinally spaced cams for operating the valve lifters of an engine. Each cam has juxtaposed first and second cam lobes for operating at low speed conditions (city driving) and high speed conditions (highway). The profile of each cam lobe has a base circle area and the base circle areas of the lobes on each cam are of the same radius and overlap to provide a cross-over zone. While the engine is running and the camshaft is rotating, the camshaft can be shifted longitudinally between a first position in which the valve lifters contact the profiles of the first cam lobes of the cams and a second position in which the valve lifters contact the profiles of the second cam lobes.

Abstract: A blocked impurity band detector having a high fill factor is comprised of a radiation detecting layer and an overlying blocking layer which are interposed between a plurality of rear contact regions and a frontside common electrical contact layer. Disposed over the surface of the frontside contact layer is a layer of metalization formed as a substantially transparent grid. Radiation enters the detecting layer through the grid, contact layer, and blocking layer. Each of the rear contact regions is conductively coupled to an end of a metallic conductor, or via, which is disposed through an insulating substrate. The opposite end of each of the metallic conductors exits the back surface of the substrate and is adapted for connection to an integrated circuit readout device.

Abstract: An infrared imager (10) is disclosed for sensing infrared radiation. The imager (10) comprises a detection layer (14) of semiconductor material which is operable to detect the occurrence of infrared radiation and generate free charge carriers in response thereto. The imager (10) also includes a transfer layer (16) which is operable to generate a signal in response to the free charge carriers infrared radiation generated by the detection layer (14) and deliver the signal to the output of the imager (10). An electropotential barrier (18) is located within the imager (10) to selectively restrict migration of free charge carriers from the detection layer (14) to the transfer layer (16). The imager (10) includes a buried channel (49) and is capable of two color operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding to predetermined contour a plurality of eccentric cams on a cam shaft, comprising abrasive belts supported adjacent the cam shaft for linear movement such that the belts grind the peripheries of the cams. The belts are guided along a variable path according to the cam contour desired by shoes engaging the belts at their points of contact with the cams. The shoes are mounted on actuators powered by motor units controlled by CNC controllers. A coolant distributor for each belt is capable of flexing the belt to compensate for shoe movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring or tracking the angular position of a rotating camshaft during grinding or milling of cams on the camshaft. The cams may be milled, but in the apparatus shown, they are ground by abrasive belts which are guided by actuators driven by CNC controlled motors, to obtain the desired cam contours. Monitoring is carried out by a pick-up member engageable with a locating pin on the camshaft. The pick-up member has a slot for receiving the locating pin between a locator pad and a leaf spring. The leaf spring clamps the pin against the locator pad. The pick-up member will closely follow the rotation of the camshaft despite variations in pin size, and feed back the exact rotative position of the camshaft to the CNC controlled motors consistently and accurately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a pair of circular grooves in the side edges of the periphery of a circular disk such, for example, as the stator of an alternator. A milling cutter having axially spaced cutting elements along its periphery is positioned so that its axis is parallel to the axis of the disk. The cutter is moved toward the disk while being axially rotated, to cause the cutting elements to cut into the side edges of the periphery of the disk. The disk is then rotated one full turn to cause the cutting elements to cut the grooves.

Abstract: A method of rough finishing a piston, including removing gates and sprues, while the piston is rotated at a relatively slow speed. A rotating milling cutter provided with a multiplicity of cutting elements is positioned relative to the rotating piston such that the cutting elements successively engage and remove stock (chips) from the surface of the rotating piston. The milling cutter is rotated sufficiently rapidly to produce enough surface speed to generate the heat necessary to render the chips molten. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for milling a radial projection on an elongated workpiece such as a camshaft. A milling head is provided with a plurality of cutting elements mounted in a circular arrangement on a conical face portion thereof. The head is supported with its axis of rotation so oriented with respect to the workpiece that when rotated the cutting elements move in a path the plane of which forms an angle of less the 90.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a radial projection on an elongated workpiece such as a camshaft. A milling head is provided with a plurality of cutting elements mounted in a circular arrangement on a conical face portion thereof. The head is supported with its axis of rotation so oriented with respect to the workpiece that when rotated the cutting elements move in a path the plane of which forms an angle of less than 90.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: An adjustable cam bar assembly for use in guiding a diamond dresser for the grinding wheels of a multi-wheel grinder. A plurality of cams are individually mounted on an elongated support in adjusted position. Wedges engageable with the cams are advanced or retracted to precisely locate the cams. The cams are then clamped in their adjusted positions.

Abstract: Electrical resistance furnace and manufacturing plant for the preparation of silicon carbide utilizing a resistance core of carbon horizontally inserted within the load and having a broken ring configuration.

Abstract: A machine control circuit in which the sharpness of a machine tool cutting edge is sensed as a function of the pressure in a hydraulic tool-feed cylinder, and in which the machine is automatically de-activated for tool inspection after a pass is completed when the feed pressure reaches a preselected level.

Abstract: Increased efficiency coagulation and washing of latex particles is achieved by coagulating the latex to form particle flocks by application of a combination of mechanical and thermal energy, with up to about 85% of the applied energy being thermal energy. The flocks are thereafter washed by passage in counter-current relationship with wash water. The invention is particularly useful in the coagulation of fluorocarbon latices generated by polymerization, particularly emulsion polymerization.