Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A conveyor system 10, 60 for transporting goods from upstream equipment to downstream equipment and for temporarily storing goods when the operation of the downstream equipment is temporarily interrupted includes a conveyor tray 12, 62 and a drive mechanism 24 cyclically acting on the conveyor tray to move goods along the tray floor 14. An accumulator ramp 40, 65 includes an inclined ramp floor 46, 66 having a lower end mating with the tray floor and secured thereto to cyclically move with the conveyor tray in response to the drive mechanism. According to the method of the invention, goods are moved along the conveyor tray and are pushed up the accumulator ramp when the operation of the downstream equipment is interrupted.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A gated conveyor 10 includes a conveyor tray 12 having a substantially planar tray floor 14 and tray sides 16, 18. A powered drive mechanism 30 cyclically moves goods along the tray. A gate mechanism 40, 70 includes a flexible gate sheet 42, 82 transversely movable from an opened position to a closed position. A floor opening is provided in the tray floor and a side opening is provided in at least one of the tray sides 16, 18. The gate sheet moves transversely with respect to the tray floor and vertically with respect to the opening in the tray side. According to the method of the invention, the opening in the tray side extends upward from the tray floor a distance greater than the anticipated depth of the goods moving along the tray, such that goods are not pinched when the flexible gate sheet is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor 10, 80, 90, 100 includes a tray 12 which is driven in a forward direction at a slow speed and a backward direction at a higher speed to slide goods with respect to the tray and thereby move goods along the tray. The drive motor 26, 27 powers the tray in the forward and backward directions through a drive shaft 40 and a tray crank 66, 106 interconnecting the drive shaft and the tray. Controller 84 is provided for varying the rotational speed of the motor shaft, thereby avoiding mechanical knock in the drive system. In another embodiment, a pair of counterweights 52, 62 are provided on opposing sides of the drive shaft 40, with respective counterweight cranks 46, 56 initiating forward movement of each counterweight at a preselected offset angular position with respect to forward movement of the tray.

Abstract: A machinery mount 10 for positioning a machine on a mounting surface 13 comprises a base plate 12 and an upwardly projecting dimple 22 defining curvilinear outer surface 38, an interior cavity 56, and a hole 24 through an upper portion thereof A stud 11 includes an upper threaded portion 16 projecting upwardly from the base plate 12 for passing through the aperture in the machine base 19, and the lower shaft portion 26 passing through the hole 24 in the dimple portion. A washer 30 is secured to a lower end of the lower shaft portion 26 for preventing the lower shaft portion from passing upward through the hole 24 in the dimple 22. A stud support 42 is secured to the stud and includes a central passageway 21 for receiving the lower shaft portion 26 of the stud, and a lower curved surface 36 for sliding engagement with the curvilinear outer surface 38 of the dimple 22, such that the stud 11 may pivot with respect to the base plate 12.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor 10, 80, 90, 100 includes a tray 12 which is driven in a forward direction at a slow speed and a backward direction at a higher speed to slide goods with respect to the tray and thereby move goods along the tray. The drive motor 26, 27 powers the tray in the forward and backward directions through a drive shaft 40 and a tray crank 66, 106 interconnecting the drive shaft and the tray. Controller 84 is provided for varying the rotational speed of the motor shaft, thereby avoiding mechanical knock in the drive system. In another embodiment, a pair of counterweights 52, 62 are provided on opposing sides of the drive shaft 40, with respective counterweight cranks 46, 56 initiating forward movement of each counterweight at a preselected offset angular position with respect to forward movement of the tray.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for interconnection between a motor having a substantially constant rotational output and a linear motion conveyor. The linear motion conveyor includes a tray which may be movable in a first reciprocating direction at a slow speed, then in a backward reciprocating direction at a second speed to move goods along the tray. The drive mechanism includes universal joint for interconnection between the output shaft of the motor and a second shaft, such that the rotational speed of the second shaft varies as a function of the angle between the motor output and the second shaft output. A speed reducer is provided between the second shaft and a third shaft, and a crank interconnects the third shaft with the tray to move goods along the tray. This drive mechanism may also be used to drive a tray configured in spiral and thereby convey product vertically.

Abstract: A rotary blood pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial and radial clearances of blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with cross-linked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.

Abstract: Methods are provided for minimizing damage to blood in a blood pump wherein the blood pump comprises a plurality of pump components that may affect blood damage such as clearance between pump blades and housing, number of impeller blades, rounded or flat blade edges, variations in entrance angles of blades, impeller length, and the like. The process comprises selecting a plurality of pump components believed to affect blood damage such as those listed hereinbefore. Construction variations for each of the plurality of pump components are then selected. The pump components and variations are preferably listed in a matrix for easy visual comparison of test results. Blood is circulated through a pump configuration to test each variation of each pump component. After each test, total blood damage is determined for the blood pump. Preferably each pump component variation is tested at least three times to provide statistical results and check consistency of results.

Abstract: A rotary blood pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial and radial clearances of blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with cross-linked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for interconnection between a motor having a substantially constant rotational output and a linear motion conveyor. The linear motion conveyor includes a tray which may be movable in a first reciprocating direction at a slow speed, then in a backward reciprocating direction at a second speed to move goods along the tray. The drive mechanism includes universal joint for interconnection between the output shaft of the motor and a second shaft, such that the rotational speed of the second shaft varies as a function of the angle between the motor output and the second shaft output. A speed reducer is provided between the second shaft and a third shaft, and a crank interconnects the third shaft with the tray to move goods along the tray. This drive mechanism may also be used to drive a tray configured in spiral and thereby convey product vertically.

Abstract: A thruster nozzle sealing system and apparatus is provided for protection of spacecraft thruster motors. The system includes a sealing plug, a sealing plug insertion tool, an outer cover, an outer cover attachment, a ferry flight attachment, and a test stand. The sealing plug provents moisture from entering the thruster engine so as to prevent valve failure. The attachments are interchangeably connectable with the sealing plug. The ferry flight attachment is used during air transportation of the spacecraft, and the outer cover attachment is used during storage and service of the spacecraft. The outer cover provides protection to the thruster nozzle from mechanical damage. The test stand provides a means for testing and certifying the operating condition of each component of the system.