Abstract: More reliable torque motors are provided with reduced susceptibility to external vibration while also maximizing structural damping without requiring the usual potting with resins and adhesives, bolting hardware, etc. Enhanced torque motor dependability is achieved by clamping torque motor assemblies rigidly in place through frictional forces generated by a generally thin walled tubular housing preferably having surface elevations which compressively engage the motor assembly through an interference fit. The more reliable torque motors are especially useful in aviation applications as actuators for servovalves, and wherever highly reliable virtual fail-safe performance is required.

Abstract: A multiplexing valve is provided having a spool axially movable within a valve casing under the control fluid pressure introduced into variable volume chambers. The spool has passages formed therein such that, with appropriate positioning of the spool, fluid flow communication can be selectively established or inhibited between fluid sources and/or sinks and a given port.

Abstract: A hydraulic servovalve including a torque motor and a valve housing containing a fluid inlet conduit in communication with a spool chamber, a spool within the spool chamber, a filter chamber within the spool, a filter within the filter chamber dividing the spool chamber into a first filter chamber section in communication with the fluid inlet conduit and a second filter chamber section on the opposite side of the filter from the first filter chamber section, a conduit within the housing for effecting communication between the second filter chamber section and nozzles associated with a flapper coupled to the torque motor, and the first filter chamber section being in communication with a fluid outlet in the valve housing. Also the spool can preferably have a notch therein for effecting direct communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet in addition to the communication which is effected therebetween through the first filter chamber section of the filter chamber.

Abstract: A torque motor including a frame of soft magnetic material, such as soft iron, spaced first end portions on the frame, an armature which is a magnet, spaced second end portions on the armature, a mounting member for mounting the armature on the frame for allowing motion of the armature relative to the frame, each of the end portions of the armature including a north pole and a south pole, air gaps between the end portions of the frame and the end portions of the armature, a coil mounted on the frame, and the armature being in the form of a laminate with a central layer being a rare earth magnet between outer layers of magnetic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting sheet material such as cloth as the material lies on a supporting surface having opposite sides comprising an elongated track adapted to extend across the supporting surface between the sides, the track having an operative surface over which the sheet material lies during cutting thereof, and a cutter operatively associated with the track for movement in opposite directions along the track for cutting the material.

Abstract: An electrical connector for supplying electrical power to a machine at particular voltage and phase magnitudes selected, the connector having one part adapted to be mechanically and electrically connected to the machine and another part adapted to be electrically connected to a conductor providing the electrical power to be supplied. The connector comprises a plurality of pins on one of the connector parts and a corresponding plurality of mating slots on the other of the connector parts adapted to receive the pins when the connector parts are connected together. One of the pins and the corresponding one of the mating slots serve to complete an electrical ground circuit and have a fixed orientation independent of the selected voltage and phase magnitude for the particular connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector for supplying electrical power to a machine at particular voltage and phase magnitudes selected, the connector having one part adapted to be mechanically and electrically connected to the machine and another part adapted to be electrically connected to a conductor providing the electrical power to be supplied. The connector comprises a plurality of pins on one of the connector parts and a corresponding plurality of mating slots on the other of the connector parts adapted to receive the pins when the connector parts are connected together. One of the pins and the corresponding one of the mating slots serve to complete a electrical ground circuit and have a fixed orientation independent of the selected voltage and phase magnitude for the particular connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and guiding a machine for operating on sheet material such as cloth while the material lies on a surface of a supporting structure having a pair of substantially parallel sides extending lengthwise of the structure, the apparatus comprising a carriage adapted for movement lengthwise of the supporting structure along a path substantially parallel to the sides, a guide arm on the carriage extending across the supporting surface between the sides and spaced from the surface, and a support arm connected to the guide arm extending at an angle thereto and located in spaced relation to the supporting surface, the support arm carrying at one end a machine for operating on the sheet material, and the support arm being pivotally movable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide arm and along a plane disposed substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a cutter track guide or cloth alignment bar extending across the top surface of a cloth cutting table. On each side of the surface there is a section including a supporting frame in fixed relation to the surface, a lifting member near the frame and movable longitudinally, pivotally and substantially perpendicular to the surface, a guiding arrangement carried by the frame and in guiding contact with the lifting member, and a weight balancing arrangement carried by the frame and connected to the lifting member for applying thereto a force substantially equal and opposite to the weight associated with the track or bar acting on the lifting member. A force transmitting and equalizing arrangement includes a belt and pulley combination connected to the frame of each section and associated with each of the lifting members and with the track or bar.

Abstract: A punching machine comprising a housing, a plunger having a punch at one end, and an electromechanical drive such as a solenoid carried by the housing and operatively connected to the plunger for driving the plunger in a direction along the longitudinal axis thereof when electrically energized to drive the punch into a workpiece and then withdraw the punch therefrom. The plunger is disposed in a housing passage in a manner permitting a degree of rocking movement of the plunger in a plane substantially parallel to the plunger longitudinal axis. A flexible guiding device in the form of a sleeve surrounding the plunger and an O-ring engaging the sleeve and the housing guides the plunger in a direction toward and away from the workpiece and also in the direction of the rocking movement. Electric current is supplied to the electromechanical drive by a circuit including a controlled rectifier connected in controlling relation to the drive and having a gate terminal connected to trigger pulse producing device.