Abstract: Apparatus for frozen patties wherein one wide and slow conveyor feeds a plurality of narrow and fast conveyors to spread out the patties prior to stacking. Each fast conveyor conveys a stream of patties to a stacking module, each module includes a vertically-extending stacking cylinder. Each stacking cylinder includes a vertically-movable plunger which decrements as a patty is added to the top of the cylinder. When a cylinder contains enough patties for a stack, a patty-blocking member blocks patties from entering that fast conveyor, and the plunger in that cylinder raises the stack vertically out of the cylinder to a horizontal stage platform. A pusher member pushes the stack off the plunger and onto the stage platform. Vertically-hanging spring leaves stabilize the position of the stacks on the stage platform. When a desired number of stacks have accumulated on the stage platform, the stacks are moved to a collection station.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for harvesting produce, pruning, trimming, or the like, the apparatus including: an elongate tubular member; a cutting assembly disposed at the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the cutting assembly being selectively positionable such that the plane of cutting thereof can form an acute angle with the major axis of the elongate tubular member either above or below the major axis; and a first actuating members spaced apart from the distal end of the tubular member such as to remotely actuate the cutting assembly.

Abstract: A tool adapted for inserting and removing pitot tubes or other sensing elements through a hot tap into a fluid conveying pipeline is mounted to the side of the hot tap. A drive tube is slidably inserted into a protective enclosing tube, with the enclosing tube being attached to the hot tap and the drive tube being attached to the sensing element. Rotation of a threaded drive shaft causes a threaded bushing connected to the drive tube to move upward and downward within the enclosing tube depending on the direction of rotation. Downward movement of the drive tube inserts the sensing element into the pipeline through the hot tap and upward movement of the drive tube removes the sensing element from the hot tap.

Abstract: A shape-memory-effect actuator is provided having a shape-memory-alloy spring and a compensator spring. The alloy spring is operatively connected to a concentrically-mounted compensator spring by the use of a protective support housing which surrounds the alloy spring. The actuator includes a shape-memory-alloy spring and a compensator spring that regulates the operating conditions of the shape-memory-alloy spring to a chosen corresponding memory relaxation curve. The memory relaxation curve defines the actuator's operating stress, stroke and life.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shape memory effect actuator. The actuator comprises a biasing means which is normally biased in a first position and a shape memory alloy actuator element cooperatively engaged with the biasing means. The actuator element in a first unactivated condition is biased in the first position by the biasing means. In a second unactivated condition, the actuator element biases and retains the biasing means in a second position. The actuator element in an activated condition biases the biasing means in the second position. Also disclosed is a method of assembling an actuator and a cooperating apparatus and a method of operating the actuator.

Abstract: A self-regulated actuator is disclosed having a shape-memory element which is heated preferably by passing electrical current therethrough and having a reset mechanism including a circuit-breaking mechanism. The shape-memory element provides the force to retract the actuator when heated. The reset mechanism utilizes a spring-biased latch plunger that resets the actuator as soon as it has retracted a specific distance. The reset mechanism also acts as a circuit-breaking mechanism to electrically interrupt current heating the shape-memory element. The reset mechanism provides near-instant reset time and overcomes the longer wait period otherwise associated with the natural cooling of the shape-memory element. The reset mechanism prevents overheating of the shape-memory element and precludes the necessity for additional hardware to interrupt the circuit after actuation is completed.

Abstract: A shape-memory-effect actuator is provided having a shape-memory-alloy spring and a compensator spring. The alloy spring is operatively connected to a concentrically-mounted compensator spring by the use of a protective support housing which surrounds the alloy spring. The actuator includes a shape-memory-alloy spring and a compensator spring that regulates the operating conditions of the shape-memory-alloy spring to a chosen corresponding memory relaxation curve. The memory relaxation curve defines the actuator's operating stress, stroke and life.