Abstract: A washer extrudes indicating material of varying colors depending on the compression force applied to it by providing a first and second surface having respective bumps and indentations. The compression force on the washer is equal to the tension of a bolt passing through the washer. The indentations in the second surface are filled with a solid extrudable colored material. By making at least a first bump taller than at least a second bump, the first bump will compress before the second bump, causing it to extrude the color material in its corresponding indentation before the second bump does the same as the tension in the bolt is increased. By making the material under the first bump a different color than the material under the second bump, an operator can determine which of two desired tensions the bolt has reached.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating washer including a body having an internal opening formed therein and at least one arched tab connected to the body. The arched tab has a fixed end integral with the body and a distal end movable with respect to the body. Indicia is formed on the arched tab and when the direct tension indicating washer is tensioned, the arched tab moves away from the body. Alignment of the indicia with a reference indicates proper tension. Another embodiment of the invention is a direct tension indicating washer having a body having an internal opening formed therein and at least one arch connected to the body. The arch has a first end integral with the body, a second end integral with the body and an intermediate portion between the first end and second end. The intermediate portion is positioned above a top surface of the body.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has a first surface having at least one protuberance formed thereon and a second surface having at least one indentation formed therein opposite the protuberance. The inner diameter of the direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has an inner diameter wall meeting the second surface at an inner diameter edge. The outer diameter has an outer diameter wall meeting the second surface at an outer diameter edge. The inner diameter edge and the outer diameter edge lie in different planes. This causes the flattened direct tension indicating and maintaining washer to exert force against a bolt and maintain bolt tension. An alternative direct tension indicating and maintaining washer includes indicating material positioned in the indentation and a channel formed in the second surface leading from the indentation to the outside diameter of the direct tension indicating washer.

Abstract: A direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has a first surface having at least one protuberance formed thereon and a second surface having at least one indentation formed therein opposite the protuberance. The inner diameter of the direct tension indicating and maintaining washer has an inner diameter wall meeting the second surface at an inner diameter edge. The outer diameter has an outer diameter wall meeting the second surface at an outer diameter edge. The inner diameter edge and the outer diameter edge lie in different planes. This causes the flattened direct tension indicating and maintaining washer to exert force against a bolt and maintain bolt tension. An alternative direct tension indicating and maintaining washer includes indicating material positioned in the indentation and a channel formed in the second surface leading from the indentation to the outside diameter of the direct tension indicating washer.

Abstract: The back EMF generated in armature coils is substantially balanced by causing the coils located a greater distance from the axis of rotation of the armature to have fewer turns than the coils located closer to the armature axis of rotation. Alternatively, rather than decrease the number of turns in the coils, the same balancing affect can be achieved by increasing the electrical resistance of the coils located a greater distance from the armature axis of rotation.

Abstract: A brush board assembly for a dynamoelectric machine is provided with flexible electrically conductive brush carrying flat springs which are pinned to a ring-like mounting board in a manner effective to electrically connect the spring to printed circuitry on the board.

Abstract: A brush board for a dynamoelectric machine is formed with resilient arms which are an integral part of the board and have commutator engageable brushes affixed at the free ends thereof. The board carries printed circuitry which extends to the free end of the arms and connects with the brushes.

Abstract: A single air gap motor is provided with inner and outer coil wires in armature slots. Inner and outer coils with the same number of turns are symmetrically distributed around the armature and are connected in series with inner and outer coils alternating in the connection to balance out back E.M.F.

Abstract: A brushless direct current motor is provided with a rotor having a rare earth magnet within a nonferrous cylinder and a pair of coil windings which are air wound. To effect rotation of the rotor, current through the coils is controlled to rotate the resultant magnetic flux generated by the currents through the coils so that the rotor attempts to align itself magnetically with the resultant flux from the coils. Both coils are simultaneously energized and the polarity of current flow through the coils is reversed in such a manner that there is a current reversal through only one of the coils whenever the current is switched. Coil switching is directed by a triggering magnet fixed on the rotor shaft, which magnet operates Hall effect switches. The Hall effect switches in turn operate power switches to apply the correct voltage and polarity simultaneously to both windings.

Abstract: A tension device for sewing machines is disclosed having thread tensioning discs and a linear actuator for applying a compressive force between the discs. The invention is characterized in that for any given tension setting of the device, the applied compressive force, or tension, remains constant regardless of any variations in the spacing of the discs due to variations in the thread thickness, up to the range of travel of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A Hall effect switch device converted to a latching relay by having a reversible bias magnet attached thereto adjacent the Hall sensor so as to operate the switch circuit in one polarity of the bias magnet, and release the switch circuit in the other polarity of the bias magnet.

Abstract: A single air gap permanent magnet electric motor is provided with field magnets formed as thick annular segments concentric with the axis of rotation of a solid non-magnetic cylindrical armature. The field magnets are magnetized radially to the axis and have oppositely polarized pole faces facing the axis. The ratio of the thickness to the inner diameter of the annular segments is maintained within a defined range to provide for a high magnetic flux density across the single air gap.

Abstract: An electric motor, such as a rare-earth permanent magnet single airgap direct current motor is provided with generally longitudinally extensive heat transfer or cooling means comprising heat receptor elements adjacent but minimally spaced apart from and parallel the armature. These heat transfer elements are then cooled, as by being thermally connected with external heat discharging or dissipating structure to transfer the heat away from the motor. In one embodiment or modification the heat transfer elements project inwardly from a heat conductive end cap provided on its outer surface with heat radiating fins. In another embodiment or modification the heat transfer elements are hollow and a coolant, such as air, is circulated therethrough. The heat receptor elements may be provided with fins to increase their surface area, with the fins preferably facing the armature structure. The receptor elements are also preferably substantially coextensive with the active portion or windings of the armature.

Abstract: A sewing machine, wherein a stitch controlling instrumentality is positioned during operation of the machine by a motor acting through connecting linkages, is provided with a ring magnet that is connected to said linkages for angular displacement thereby about its axis and with a linear output Hall effect sensor that is disposed within the ring magnet to produce an output voltage proportional to displacement of the stitch forming instrumentality.

Abstract: A pump is disclosed having a housing with a recess therein, an elastomeric diaphragm stretched across said recess forming a pump cavity in which the medium being pumped is circulated, and inlet and outlet valves. An electronically controlled linear actuator is attached to the diaphragm within the pump cavity thereby allowing compactness in the construction of the pump and improved heat dissipation from the linear actuator. The pump fits within the frame of a sewing machine and creates an air vacuum for assisting in needle threading.

Abstract: A pump for needle threading is disclosed having a housing with a recess therein, an elastomeric diaphragm stretched across said recess forming a pump cavity in which the medium being pumped is circulated, and inlet and outlet valves. An electronically controlled linear actuator is attached to the diaphragm within the pump cavity thereby allowing compactness in the construction of the pump and improved heat dissipation from the linear actuator.

Abstract: A circuit which limits the maximum permissible speed of a sewing machine motor when specific stitch patterns are selected. Electronic signals from a means for sensing the selected stitch pattern are analyzed by the circuit to control the operation of a relay which connects a resistance in series with the sewing machine motor to reduce the maximum speed at which the drive motor may be operated.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting the depletion of bobbin thread in a sewing machine. A bobbin is formed with a polygonal core having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces contained thereon. A light source transmits a beam of light toward the polygonal core of the bobbin and the light reflected therefrom is intercepted by a photodetector. The polygonal reflecting surfaces contained on the bobbin core do not begin to reflect light until a sufficient quantity of bobbin thread has been consumed in the sewing process to expose a part of the reflective surface portion of the bobbin core. The rotation of the bobbin thereafter results in flashes of light being received by the photodetector. An electronic circuit analyzes the output of the photodetector and distinguishes between the flashes and steady ambient light to signal the impending depletion of bobbin thread.

Abstract: An operator manipulating means for a programable electronically controlled sewing machine. The operator manipulating means provides an array of switch points, each related in a row, to discrete needle positions attainable by the electronically controlled sewing machine; and in a column, to the least feed increment attainable thereby. The switch array is fabricated using a pair of printed circuits, one of which must be flexible and each having spaced, parallel conductors, and arranged with respect to each other so that the conductors of one are substantially perpendicular to the conductors of the other and are in facing relationship. The printed circuits are separated in a first embodiment by a pair of insulating sheets, each having an array of apertures in spaced registry with each other and aligned in rows and columns with the conductors on the printed circuits. The pair of insulating sheets are separated by a flexible conducting sheets which may be used as a common conductor.

Abstract: A controller to permit a sewing machine operator to control a sewing machine drive motor from control members located in close proximity to the needle bar. Means are provided to permit the operator to select the sewing speed and the needle stop position prior to commencing the sewing process. The operator may thereafter control the sewing process by light finger pressure applied to the control members without attention being distracted from the work feeding area. The operator may suspend the sewing process by removing pressure from the control members. The sewing machine will thereafter stop with the needle bar in the selected position. A reset circuit is provided to prevent the operator from unintentionally actuating the sewing machine drive motor.