Abstract: A fuel cell powered by direct fuel, for example a direct methanol fuel cell, includes a polymer electrolyte membrane which includes a semi-crystalline polymer. Preferred semi-crystalline polymers include first repeat units comprising sulphonated aromatic group containing moieties linked by —SO2— and/or —CO— and/or -Q-groups, where Q is O or S and second repeat units which include aromatic group containing moieties linked by —CO— and/or Q groups.

Abstract: A fuel cell powered by direct fuel, for example a direct methanol fuel cell, includes a polymer electrolyte membrane which includes a semi-crystalline polymer. Preferred semi-crystalline polymers include first repeat units comprising sulphonated aromatic group containing moieties linked by —SO2— and/or —CO— and/or -Q-groups, where Q is O or S and second repeat units which include aromatic group containing moieties linked by —CO— and/or Q groups.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation me by obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Abstract: A ram assembly for riveting apparatus. The piston rod is stabilized for close tolerance or minimum lateral deviation at the work point by linear bearings which ride on an elongate stabilizer bar and are mounted on an elongate member which is in turn rigidly attached to the piston rod for movement therewith, the lateral deviation of the piston rod being controlled by the orientation of the stabilizer bar. This allows a stabilizing piston rod portion to be eliminated so that the space length-wise taken up by the ram assembly may be reduced.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus for operation on a workpiece having opposite sides and supported vertically on a horizontal surface comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart sides movable along the supporting surface and straddling the workpiece, first and second carriages movably mounted on respective sides of the frame and riveting tools on first and second heads on the first and second carriages, respectively, the tools being movable toward and away from the workpiece. The frame travels in a first direction along the supporting surface and along the workpiece, the first and second carriages are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and toward and away from the supporting surface, and the frame is movable in a third direction transverse to the first direction and toward and away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for fastening upper and lower workpieces (20, 22) without movement of the workpieces. The apparatus is provided with a frame having upper and lower portions (24.1, 24.2) carrying upper and lower riveting ram assemblies (26, 28), respectively. Each riveting ram assembly includes a buck ram (30 or 32), a buck ram moving assembly (62 or 90, 92), a pressure foot (34 or 36), a pressure foot moving assembly (38 or 40), a buck ram position measuring device (74 or 104), and a pressure foot position measuring device (78 or 108). The upper pressure foot moving assembly (38) further includes an upper pressure foot compensation cylinder assembly (42). The apparatus also includes a load cell (112) carried by one of the buck rams for sending a force signal in response to the force being applied to the fastener during upset and thereafter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting two workpieces (20, 22) together by simultaneously upsetting both ends of a slug rivet (12). The present apparatus includes a frame portion (44) which may deflect during the rivet upsetting operation and a frame compensation booster assembly (164) which is provided to ensure that movement of the upper riveting ram relative to the frame portion (44) is increased an amount equal to the frame deflection so that the workpieces will be maintained in a substantially fixed work plane during the upsetting operation. Before the slug rivet is upset and after the slug rivet has been snugly engaged by the riveting rams (50, 60) the pressure behind the riveting rams is equalized by introducing fluid into the cylinder (48) until the pressure within the cylinder (48) equals the pressure within the cylinder (56). This is to prevent movement of the workpiece at the commencement of the upsetting operation.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus for operation on a workpiece having opposite sides and supported vertically on a horizontal surface comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart sides movable along the supporting surface and straddling the workpiece, first and second carriages movably mounted on respective sides of the frame and riveting tools on first and second heads on the first and second carriages, respectively, the tools being movable toward and away from the workpiece. The frame travels in a first direction along the supporting surface and along the workpiece, the first and second carriages are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and toward and away from the supporting surface, and the frame is movable in a third direction transverse to the first direction and toward and away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting two workpieces (10, 12) together by simultaneously upsetting both ends of a slug rivet (R) while maintaining the outer surface (16) of one of the workpieces (10) in a substantially constant fixed work plane (20) during riveting. The workpieces are held between two clamps (18, 28), one of the clamps (18) establishing the fixed work plane. After drilling, a slug rivet is placed within the drilled hole, and then a first riveting ram (42) is moved to establish a desired die cavity. A second riveting ram (58) is then moved until it just contacts the rivet. The rams (42, 58) are then simultaneously moved towards each other at equal rates to simultaneously form upset heads on both ends of the rivet.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus for operation on a workpiece having opposite sides and supported vertically on a horizontal surface comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart sides movable along the supporting surface and straddling the workpiece, first and second carriages movably mounted on respective sides of the frame and riveting tools on first and second heads on the first and second carriages, respectively, the tools being movable toward and away from the workpiece. The frame travels in a first direction along the supporting surface and along the workpiece, the first and second carriages are movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and toward and away from the supporting surface, and the frame is movable in a third direction transverse to the first direction and toward and away from the workpiece.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine comprising a frame, drilling assembly carried by the frame for drilling a fastener receiving hole in a workpiece and an arrangement carried by the frame for installing a fastener in the hole drilled in the workpiece, the drilling assembly comprising a drill spindle having an axis of rotation and a drilling tool at one end thereof and rotatably mounted in a ram movable on the machine frame toward and away from the workpiece, the improvement of a brushless synchronous a.c. servomotor including an output shaft having an axis of rotation and an arrangement for connecting the motor directly to the drill spindle with the axis of rotation of the motor shaft coincident with the axis of rotation of the drill spindle. There is also provided a fan on the frame and positioned to direct cooling air onto the motor.

Abstract: A workpiece cutting apparatus including a spindle-supporting assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted within the assembly and a cutting tool supported by the spindle utilizes a network of passages defined in the spindle-supporting assembly, the spindle and cutting tool for effectively introducing a lubricating and/or cooling fluid into the region of a workpiece being cut by the cutting edge of the cutting tool. The spindle-supporting assembly includes a collar having an opening through which a portion of the spindle is rotatably received, and the surface of the opening defines an annular groove encircling the spindle into which fluid is directed. The surfaces of the groove and spindle define an annular cavity, and the spindle defines a passageway defining an opening which is in constant communication with the annular cavity. The cutting tool defines a conduit having an entrance in flow communication with the spindle passageway and an exit positioned adjacent the cutting edge of the cutting tool.