Abstract: An excess heat exposure indicator and methods for making the same are disclosed. The excess heat exposure indicator includes a print media substrate comprising an indicator region, a data region, at least one first thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the indicator region of the substrate, a second thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the data region, the second thermochromic composition configured to change color state from a third color state to a fourth color state when heated above a second temperature threshold, the indicator region is configured to be selectively treated with heat above the first temperature threshold to place a first portion of the indicator region in the second color state, different than the first color state, forming a visible indicia, the visible indicia configured to change appearance when the indicator region is subsequently exposed to a temperature above the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: An excess heat exposure indicator and methods for making the same are disclosed. The excess heat exposure indicator includes a print media substrate comprising an indicator region, a data region, at least one first thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the indicator region of the substrate, a second thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the data region, the second thermochromic composition configured to change color state from a third color state to a fourth color state when heated above a second temperature threshold, the indicator region is configured to be selectively treated with heat above the first temperature threshold to place a first portion of the indicator region in the second color state, different than the first color state, forming a visible indicia, the visible indicia configured to change appearance when the indicator region is subsequently exposed to a temperature above the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include an inner electrode and an outer electrode arranged so that at least a portion of the outer electrode surrounds at least a portion of the inner electrode and defines a drift space therebetween. The inner and outer electrodes are electrically insulated from one another so that a non-linear electric field is created in the drift space when an electric potential is placed on the inner and outer electrodes. An ion source operatively associated with the ion mobility spectrometer releases ions to the drift space defined between the inner and outer electrodes. A detector operatively associated with at least a portion of the outer electrode detects ions from the drift space.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include a flow channel having an inlet end and an outlet end. A deflection electrode is positioned within the flow channel so that a non-linear electric field is created between at least a portion of the flow channel and at least a portion of the deflection electrode when an electrostatic potential is placed across the deflection electrode and the flow channel. The ion mobility spectrometer also includes means for producing ions at a position upstream from the leading edge of the deflection electrode, so that ions produced thereby are deflected by the deflection electrode into the non-linear electric field. A detector positioned within the flow channel for detects ions from the non-linear electric field.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include an inner electrode and an outer electrode arranged so that at least a portion of the outer electrode surrounds at least a portion of the inner electrode and defines a drift space therebetween. The inner and outer electrodes are electrically insulated from one another so that a non-linear electric field is created in the drift space when an electric potential is placed on the inner and outer electrodes. An ion source operatively associated with the ion mobility spectrometer releases ions to the drift space defined between the inner and outer electrodes. A detector operatively associated with at least a portion of the outer electrode detects ions from the drift space.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include a flow channel having an inlet end and an outlet end. A deflection electrode is positioned within the flow channel so that a non-linear electric field is created between at least a portion of the flow channel and at least a portion of the deflection electrode when an electrostatic potential is placed across the deflection electrode and the flow channel. The ion mobility spectrometer also includes means for producing ions at a position upstream from the leading edge of the deflection electrode, so that ions produced thereby are deflected by the deflection electrode into the non-linear electric field. A detector positioned within the flow channel for detects ions from the non-linear electric field.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a magnetic sector configured to separate a plurality of ion beams, and an electrostatic sector configured to receive the plurality of ion beams from the magnetic sector and increase separation between the ion beams, the electrostatic sector being used as a dispersive element following magnetic separation of the plurality of ion beams. Other apparatus and methods are provided.

Abstract: A current measuring system comprising a current measuring device having a first electrode at ground potential, and a second electrode; a current source having an offset potential of at least three hundred volts, the current source having an output electrode; and a capacitor having a first electrode electrically connected to the output electrode of the current source and having a second electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the current measuring device.

Abstract: An expansible shaft assembly has core-engagement shoes pivotally mounted to a shaft for pivoting outwardly into tight engagement with the interior of a roll core automatically in response to the application of torque to the shaft. The core-engagement shoes have core-engaging surfaces, some being pivotable outwardly in response to torque applied to the shaft in one axial direction and others being pivotable outwardly in response to torque applied in the opposite axial direction. The respective oppositely-actuated core-engaging surfaces can both be on the same engagement shoe or, alternatively, on different shoes spaced axially along the shaft. For maximizing the speed with which the core-engagement shoes engage the core in response to torque application, the core-engaging surfaces are preferably angularly offset significantly from a radial direction extending between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the pivot axis of the engagement shoe.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and a device for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: A load push-pull slipsheet handler is disclosed having automatic features adapting it particularly for use with driverless, automatically-guided vehicles. These features include proximity sensors which sense the distance between the slipsheet handler and a vertically-oriented external surface so as to deposit a load in a predetermined relationship to the surface either on the floor or atop another load. Load contact sensors also are provided for enabling the device to gauge the distance to a load to be picked up so as to control the approach thereto. Further sensors sense the transversely-opposite extremities of a load prior to engagement, and transversely center the push-pull assembly relative to the load. Other features include a system associated with the slipsheet clamp for sensing the presence or absence of a slipsheet tab prior to clamping, and means for permanently deforming the tab to facilitate subsequent regrasping after the load has been deposited.

Abstract: An electric motor-actuated load clamp for automatically-guided vehicles has clamp arms which are selectively opened and closed by a plurality of rotary electric motors connected to the clamp arms by ball screws. Clamping force is accurately controlled by regulation of current to the electric motors, any of a number of different predetermined clamping forces being selectively obtainable. During clamping of a load, the electric motors are energized only a small fraction of the time according to a time-sequenced clamping and reclamping procedure, clamping force being otherwise maintained by a one-way brake. Further control features ensure against inaccuracy and overclamping due to current in-rush, and against malfunctions which could cause safety hazards.

Abstract: An automatically-guided, driverless vehicle for handling loads has a selectively openable and closeable load clamp. The clamp is equipped with various sensors for automatically sensing the load and other objects and surfaces surrounding the load, and controlling the movement of the clamp along a load-engaging direction, the vertical reciprocation of the clamp, and the opening and the closing of the clamp in response thereto.

Abstract: A carton clamp having a frame adapted to be mounted on a materials-handling machine, especially an automatically guided vehicle, includes clamp arms coupled directly together, independently of the frame, by motor-driven screw-type linear actuators which selectively open and close the arms. A centering assembly coupled to each clamp arm corrects for any imbalance of clamp arm speeds relative to the frame which may occur due to the fact that the screw actuators are free to move relative to the frame. The direct interconnection of the clamp arms by the screw actuators effectively doubles the clamping force which would otherwise be obtainable if the actuators were fixed to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for a lift truck, of the type equipped with a push frame, for extending the push frame at a predetermined speed of extension with respect to the lift truck while simultaneously causing the lift truck to move rearwardly at a predetermined reverse speed equal to the speed of extension of the push frame so as to deposit a load in a predetermined position. The apparatus is actuated automatically in response to extension of the push frame.

Abstract: A mobile lift truck for handling unpalletized loads comprising a tiltable load-carrying platform projecting forwardly from the main frame of the truck rotatably mounted so as to permit rotation of the platform about a generally vertical axis of rotation between respective rotatable positions substantially 90.degree. apart. A forwardly-facing push-pull frame having a slip sheet clamp is provided which does not rotate in unison with the platform, enabling the push frame to push loads forwardly off of the platform in both of the rotatable positions of the platform. Power-actuating circuitry is provided interconnecting the platform rotation function, push frame retraction function and slip sheet clamp release function so that the platform is prevented from rotating until the slip sheet clamp has been released and the push frame has been retracted off of the platform. Methods of application of the lift truck are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light assembly specially mounted upon a lift truck load carriage at a position adjacent the bottom thereof and rearwardly of the forward end a load fork or other similar forwardly-extending load-engaging member, for forwardly projecting a shadow of the load-engaging member to aid the lift truck operator in determining the position thereof relative to a vertical array of stacked loads such as in a warehouse. A transfer mechanism is provided wherein the light assembly is removably mounted upon the carriage and, when the carriage is lowered beyond a predetermined position relative to the mast, the light assembly is transferred from its removable mount on the carriage to a fixed mount on the mast so that it does not follow the carriage downwardly. Upon elevation of the carriage above the aforementioned position, a reverse transfer takes place whereby the light is retransferred from the mast to the carriage and thus follows the carriage upwardly.

Abstract: A load push-pull assembly for a lift truck having a main frame and a tiltable load-supporting frame. The push-pull assembly comprises a push frame connected by a selectively extensible and retractable linkage to a rear mounting frame which does not tilt in unison with the tiltable load-supporting frame but rather maintains a constant angular attitude with respect to the truck-supporting surface regardless of the tilting attitude of the load-supporting frame. The linkage maintains the push frame in a constant angular attitude with respect to the rear mounting frame such that the push frame is maintained perpendicular with respect to the truck-supporting surface during the tilting of the load-supporting frame.

Abstract: A multistage, extensible-contractible hydraulic ram assembly for use in conjunction with a triple-lift-type mast in a lift truck. The assembly is designed for mounting in such a truck in a so-called inverted position. It is constructed with special, externally actuated, internal valving which, through controlling the action of pressure fluid within the assembly, assures positive control over the sequence of movements of the sections in a mast as such are raised and lowered, without requiring latching and interlocking of these sections. Further, the assembly features the capability of producing substantially uniform or constant lifting and lowering speeds for a load which is carried on the usual carriage mounted on a mast of the type indicated.

Abstract: A fluid control valve which operates accurately in response to the pressure difference that exists between a pair of ports in the valve. The valve features a spool which is normally biased to one control position wherein it remains with the sensed pressure difference being below one preselected amount. The spool shifts rapidly to another control position on the sensed pressure difference exceeding this amount. In this other control position, the spool remains until the sensed pressure difference drops to another preselected amount which is significantly lower than the first-mentioned preselected amount. On this latter event occurring, the spool returns to its first-mentioned control position.