Abstract: A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station to cleaning a nozzle plate of a printhead and a method of operating the printhead maintenance station are disclosed. The printhead maintenance station includes a wiper bar, a wiper secured to the wiper bar, a wiper cleaning assembly, and an actuator. The wiper is stored in the wiper cleaning assembly when not in use. The controller operates the actuator to rotate the wiper bar to move the wiper from the wiper cleaning assembly to a wiping position, and causes relative movement of the printhead maintenance station and the print unit to wipe the nozzle plate with the wiper.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station to cleaning a nozzle plate of a printhead and a method of operating the printhead maintenance station are disclosed. The printhead maintenance station includes a wiper bar, a wiper secured to the wiper bar, a wiper cleaning assembly, and an actuator. The wiper is stored in the wiper cleaning assembly when not in use. The controller operates the actuator to rotate the wiper bar to move the wiper from the wiper cleaning assembly to a wiping position, and causes relative movement of the printhead maintenance station and the print unit to wipe the nozzle plate with the wiper.

Abstract: In a system and method for using a wiper to clean a nozzle plate of an inkjet head, a spring is disposed between the wiper and a mounting body, and the mounting body has a top portion and a bottom portion. The wiper is disposed proximate the top portion of the mounting body relative to the bottom portion of the mounting body. In addition, the wiper blade is transported across the face of a nozzle plate for wiping portions of the nozzle plate. A distance between the wiper blade and the bottom end of the mounting body is varied in accordance with variations in distances between the portions of the nozzle plate and the bottom portion of the mounting body.

Abstract: A printing system includes a print unit and a cleaning unit. The print unit comprises a carrier for a plurality of inkjet cartridges. The cleaning unit includes a wiping unit, a cleaning bay, and a wiper washer unit. The wiping unit includes wiper blades and the wiper washer unit includes a plurality of spray nozzles that spray a fluid. A controller is adapted to transport the carrier into the cleaning bay, transport the wiping units such that the wiper blades clean the inkjet cartridges, and actuate the spray nozzles to wash the wiper blades. The carrier may be positioned in the cleaning bay when the inkjet cartridges are not used for printing and the controller controls at least one of humidity and temperature in the cleaning bay when the carrier plate is positioned therein.

Abstract: In a system and method for using a wiper to clean a nozzle plate of an inkjet head, a spring is disposed between the wiper and a mounting body, and the mounting body has a top portion and a bottom portion. The wiper is disposed proximate the top portion of the mounting body relative to the bottom portion of the mounting body. In addition, the wiper blade is transported across the face of a nozzle plate for wiping portions of the nozzle plate. A distance between the wiper blade and the bottom end of the mounting body is varied in accordance with variations in distances between the portions of the nozzle plate and the bottom portion of the mounting body.

Abstract: A printing system includes a print unit and a cleaning unit. The print unit comprises a carrier for a plurality of inkjet cartridges. The cleaning unit includes a wiping unit, a cleaning bay, and a wiper washer unit. The wiping unit includes wiper blades and the wiper washer unit includes a plurality of spray nozzles that spray a fluid. A controller is adapted to transport the carrier into the cleaning bay, transport the wiping units such that the wiper blades clean the inkjet cartridges, and actuate the spray nozzles to wash the wiper blades. The carrier may be positioned in the cleaning bay when the inkjet cartridges are not used for printing and the controller controls at least one of humidity and temperature in the cleaning bay when the carrier plate is positioned therein.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a lid cover for an oxygen mask dispensing container. The device includes a stationary plate having a cover that is adjustable relative to the plate by means of a spring such that an outermost lid cover is capable of easily mating with the opening in the interior lining of an aircraft. The lid is spring-biased toward the plate such that when the plate is attached to the oxygen mask dispensing container body, the lid is automatically pulled into position relative to the opening in the interior lining of the aircraft.

Abstract: A mattress comprises a support plate having a plurality of mounting holes, a plurality of independent spring assemblies individually mounted to the support plate, and a cover enclosing the support plate and the plurality of spring assemblies. Each of the spring assemblies includes a tubular mounting member fixed to the support plate preferably by snap-fit through a mounting hole in the support plate, a sliding cap axially movable relative to the mounting member, and a spring acting between the mounting member and the sliding cap, wherein the spring is axially compressible when the sliding cap is forced in an axial direction toward the support plate. A spacer of chosen length can be provided to set preload on the spring. In a “flippable” embodiment, the mounting member includes a mid-portion snap-fitted to the support plate and upper and lower portions each having a sliding cap associated therewith, wherein the spring acts between the two sliding caps.

Abstract: A valve manifold assembly with a valve body having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The outlet has an opening disposed inside a chamber formed in the valve body. The valve body has at least one groove defined therein. A valve member is attached to the valve body. A retaining member is disposed in at least one groove in the valve body so that the retaining member engages with the valve member to cause it to sealingly engage with the outlet opening. The retaining member is capable of being removed from the groove such that it no longer engages with the valve member and it causes the valve member to disengage from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A mattress comprises a support plate having a plurality of mounting holes, a plurality of independent spring assemblies individually mounted to the support plate, and a cover enclosing the support plate and the plurality of spring assemblies. Each of the spring assemblies includes a tubular mounting member fixed to the support plate preferably by snap-fit through a mounting hole in the support plate, a sliding cap axially movable relative to the mounting member, and a spring acting between the mounting member and the sliding cap, wherein the spring is axially compressible when the sliding cap is forced in an axial direction toward the support plate. A spacer of chosen length can be provided to set preload on the spring. In a “flippable” embodiment, the mounting member includes a mid-portion snap-fitted to the support plate and upper and lower portions each having a sliding cap associated therewith, wherein the spring acts between the two sliding caps.

Abstract: A refractometric apparatus and method for monitoring the percentage of water in hydraulic and non-hydraulic fluids employ a temperature sensitive device allowing a user to obtain accurate and correct readings of various measured properties. In particular, the temperature sensitive member comprises a prism-wedge-mirror combination in conjunction with a bimetallic strip. The combination ensures the proper angular displacement of a light beam inside the refractometric apparatus and, therefore, the correct reading of a parameter to be measured.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a lid cover for an oxygen mask dispensing container. The device includes a stationary plate having a cover that is adjustable relative to the plate by means of a spring such that an outermost lid cover is capable of easily mating with the opening in the interior lining of an aircraft. The lid is spring-biased toward the plate such that when the plate is attached to the oxygen mask dispensing container body, the lid is automatically pulled into position relative to the opening in the interior lining of the aircraft.

Abstract: A valve manifold assembly with a valve body having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The outlet has an opening disposed inside a chamber formed in the valve body. The valve body has at least one groove defined therein. A valve member is attached to the valve body. A retaining member is disposed in at least one groove in the valve body so that the retaining member engages with the valve member to cause it to sealingly engage with the outlet opening. The retaining member is capable of being removed from the groove such that it no longer engages with the valve member and it causes the valve member to disengage from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A refractometric apparatus and method for monitoring the percentage of water in hydraulic fluids employ a temperature sensitive device allowing a user to obtain accurate and correct readings of various measured properties. In particular, the temperature sensitive member comprises a prism-wedge-mirror combination in conjunction with a bimetallic strip. The combination ensures the proper angular displacement of a light beam inside the refractometric apparatus and, therefore, the correct reading of a parameter to be measured.

Abstract: A refractometric apparatus and method for monitoring the percentage of water in hydraulic fluids employ a temperature sensitive device allowing a user to obtain accurate and correct readings of various measured properties on the reticle of the apparatus. In particular, the temperature sensitive member comprises a prism-wedge-mirror combination in conjunction with a bimetallic strip. The combination ensures the proper angular displacement of a light beam inside the refractometric apparatus and, therefore, the correct readings on the reticle.

Abstract: Temperature compensating bearings with bearing beams resiliently mounted to an outer shell to optimize load capacity for varying operating conditions, for example, bearings for precisely supporting a shaft for axial and rotational motion under various temperature, load, wear, and tolerance conditions. The bearing is capable of maintaining a contact fit despite wear, and is self-aligning, simple to manufacture, and operates quietly. The bearing is made up of an outer shell, a plurality of circumferentially spaced arcuate beams each connected to the outer shell by two radially extending support members located at either end of the beams, and a plurality of lubricant channels. The center of each beam is designed and configured to provide for an interference fit with the shaft, while the ends of each beam maintain a slight clearance with the shaft. As the outer shell contracts or expands due to temperature changes, the radial support members move towards or away from the shaft, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a viewing angle of a microscope is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment thereof, a bent eyepiece tube includes a prism on a first optical axis thereof for redirecting an object image to a second optical axis of the tube on which a magnifying eyepiece is aligned. The eyepiece tube is mounted on the microscope for rotation about the first optical axis by a collar, and a spring plunger carried by the tube is biased for respective engagement with a pair of opposing recesses in the collar to releasably secure the eyepiece tube in predetermined rotational positions corresponding to a pair of different viewing angles.

Abstract: A bearing for supporting a load for axial and rotational motion relative to a shaft is disclosed as including an outer shell having a cylindrical inner wall supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced arcuate bearing pads for engaging the shaft. Each bearing pad includes a pair of elastically deformable lateral tip portions arranged for interference fit with the shaft to exert a static preload on the shaft, and a mid portion intermediate the lateral tip portions arranged for clearance fit with the shaft. A plurality of lubricant channels communicate with the shaft through gaps between the separate bearing pads.