Abstract: A gimbal-type anvil for apparatus for testing in the integrity of a sealed container closure assembly. These assemblies generally comprise a container, a resilient sealing element mounted in the discharge opening in the container and a cup-like cap engaging over the stopper and seating it in place over the discharge opening in the container. The apparatus includes a force applicator for applying an external force to the cap in a direction to further compress the resilient stopper and a microscope to detect initial displacement of the cap relative to the container when the externally applied force exceeds the residual static force in the stopper. The gimbal-type anvil is operatively associated with the force applicator and consists of a housing and at least a pair of annular ring members pivotally connected to the housing about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the container closure assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for checking the internal pressure of a filled lamp bulb. According to the invention, a filled bulb to be checked is inserted into a gas tight chamber; the chamber is then sealed and pressurized. The lamp envelope is broken by means in the chamber. Chamber pressure is measured before and after breaking the envelope.

Abstract: An oscillating rheometer die set is disclosed, having modifications to the lower die apparatus, the upper die apparatus, and the oscillator head. The purpose of these modifications include the creation of a sealing cavity of annular nature about the oscillator head, such that the elastomer sample is not encapsulated and once cured, may be easily removed from the cavity.

Abstract: An engine roughness sensor for generating speed normalized digital roughness signals indicative of the variations in magnitude between successive torque impulses imparted to the engine's crankshaft by measuring the period or time it takes the crankshaft to rotate through the same angle for each torque impulse is disclosed herein. The digital roughness signal is normalized as a function of engine speed by dividing the measured magnitude of each torque impulse by a signal indicative of the engine speed to reduce the magnitude of operator induced variations in the generated roughness signals. The disclosed engine roughness sensor generates a second difference roughness signal which is the difference between the sequentially generated roughness signals.

Abstract: A probe assembly for injection of microwave energy into the cylinder cavity of a diesel engine and detection of luminescence indicative of fuel ignition in the cylinder. The probe assembly comprises a probe with microwave and optical transmitters extending axially therethrough adapted to be threaded into a cylinder opening. A coupler is removably mounted on the probe and includes an optical detector mounted in assembly coaxially with the optical transmitter in the probe and a microwave antenna coupled by a waveguide cavity within the coupler to the probe microwave transmitter. The coupler is adapted for connection to suitable external diagnostic circuitry for providing to such circuitry signals indicative of piston position within the cylinder and fuel ignition as a function of the microwave and luminescence signals respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining end-play in a torque converter without draining oil from the torque converter and also useful for measuring end-play of same unit at salvage yards. The apparatus comprises a spring operated plunger slidably arranged in a tubular casing; locking pins slidably attached to the casing; a pair of plunger operating handles to initiate motion of the plunger; a central rod inside the plunger extending through the pair of handles; and a measuring gauge having a central pin slidably extending in the direction of the central so that an upward movement of the central rod representing the end-play in the torque converter causes to push the pin upward which provides a reading on the gauge.

Abstract: An electrical pressure signal that varies directly in magnitude with changes of fuel line pressure at the fuel injector is raised to a selected mathematical power. This signal is then differentiated to detect the negative rate thereof that occurs at the point of inflection upon the start of fuel injection and a "start of fuel injection" output signal is produced in response to the detection of the point of inflection as indicated by the negative rate.

Abstract: An apparatus measures and indicates the speeds of a vehicle at the beginning and end of braking of the vehicle by counting as many vehicle speed representative pulse signals as indicative of the speed per hour of the vehicle which are gated during the time that the desired number of clock pulses are counted in response to the beginning and end of braking of the vehicle, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pressure drop in a tire chamber of a tire-and-wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an oscillator assembly held stationary with respect to the vehicle body structure and a resonator assembly mounted on the wheel rim of the tire-and-wheel assembly, wherein the resonator assembly comprises a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor which are electrically connected together across a pressure-sensitive switch unit directly communicating with the tire chamber and which are positioned together with a portion of the switch unit within a protective receptacle secured to the wheel rim and wherein the resonant inductor and capacitor and the portion of the switch unit are encapsulated in a body of potting compound forming a potted resonance circuit structure within the protective receptacle, the switch unit and the resonant capacitor being positioned intermally of the resonant inductor.

Abstract: A control and recorder system for a blowout preventer for providing a record of operation and status of the various components of the blowout control system at periodic times and after a function operation. The system monitors various functions such as whether the accumulator pump is running, the open and close status of the various rams, bypass, annular, flow line, kill line and choke line as well as various pressures, such as in the annular, the accumulator and the manifold, flow measurements of various fluids in the system and provides alarms for various parameter values. Control and status information may be transmitted through fiber optic cables between various control stations at the rig floor, accumulators and remote locations for avoiding interference by electrical noises or radio frequencies and providing a safety link through hazardous gas areas.

Abstract: Gross calorific content available from natural gas combustion determined from proportionality to molar oxygen demand in an apparatus including: provision for supplying gas and air at fixed, standard volumetric rates such that oxygen is present in excess; a combustion chamber employing swirled mixture introduction to effect complete gas burning; an oxygen sensor to detect deviation of combustion product oxygen content from an optimum setpoint value; an electrolytic hydrogen (oxygen) generator, the output of which adds to the gas and air mixture prior to combustion; and electronic control circuitry to maintain setpoint through regulation of an electrolysis current. Said current, or its control signal, also serves as a direct electronic meter of the generated species. Thus, through calibration, a measure of oxygen demand and calorific value is provided.

Abstract: A valve unit for a flowing medium is combined with an electrical measuring system to provide measurement of the rate of flow of the medium. The valve unit is connected to a propeller-type rotor disposed in a conduit which communicates with the valve. The rotor incorporates a permanent magnet in at least one vane thereof and the measuring system includes a magnetic pulse generator which senses the magnetic field produced by the magnet and generates a corresponding train of pulses during the rotation of the rotor. An amplifier-differentiator connected to the pulse generator produces an output in accordance with the derivative of the pulses so as to provide an indication of the rate of flow.

Abstract: A device for measuring the depth and temperature of a liquid stored in a tank is provided. The device includes a hermetically sealed vertically disposed tube having ultrasonic transmitter/receiver devices at either end thereof with a reflector vertically movable in the tube and having a through-hole therein permitting transmission from one end of the tube to the other as well as reflection. A float encircles the tube and moves up and down with the level of liquid in the storage tank. The float and reflector are magnetically interconnected so that the reflector moves up and down with the float.

Abstract: An oil level indicator for use on a motor vehicle having a tube open at the vehicle oil pan. An elongated stiff oil gauging wire is slidably mounted in the tube. The wire carries a float at its lower end and extends at its upper end into a stationary housing mounted on the vehicle. The housing pivotally mounts a lever connected to a stiff wire and to the slidable contactor of a variable resistance member in the housing. The variable resistance member is connected to a battery and to a guage mounted at the dashboard of the motor vehicle to indicate the oil level in the oil pan.

Abstract: A humidity sensor having an extended impedance range extending up to 10.sup.12 ohms precludes leakage currents. The sensor is in the form of an insulating substrate having conductive film such as gold applied to a surface thereof. The perimeter of a first film is completely encompassed by but spaced from a second film on the surface of the substrate. A humidity responsive layer of iron oxide is applied over the film layers to bridge the spacing therebetween in a continuous manner. Electrical terminals are connected, respectively, to the two films to provide a readout in terms of humidity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus whereby each time a tape is wound upon a prescribed reel, the winding pattern may be assumed to leave the array of tape-edges in a unique "edge profile" represented by the position of each winding edge as viewed from one side of the reel along a radial direction--this "profile" being interpreted as a "winding signature"; the signature may be detected and recorded in a convenient encoded fashion for possible use in uniquely identifying and documenting each unspooling/rewind sequence to thereby monitor tape use. Illustrative tape is shown wound on a conventional reel, as well as means for detecting the "wrap profile" ("edge profile") of the tape edges on the reel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic, non-destructive inspection system for detecting separations and/or holes in vehicle tires. The system employs a through transmission method at ultrasonic inspection in which the ultrasonic transmitter array and the ultrasonic receiver array are both mounted in air and in a non-contacting, non-critical relationship with the tire undergoing inspection. The inspection is performed in one revolution of the tire.The ultrasonic transmitters are pulsed and the receivers are sampled during predetermined time intervals which are related to the transmitter/receiver/tire geometry. This eliminates the problems of talk-around and standing waves. The problem of transmitter--transmitter interference is eliminated by transmitter frequency separation and transmitter array pointing geometry. The problem wherein tread pattern fluctuations in the received signal interfere with flaw detection is eliminated by the use of a finite sampled data filter whose period is adjusted to the period of the tread pattern.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic scanner, a plurality of sound transducers are operable to project sound beams defining spaced sound paths into a sectional plane of an object and to receive echoes therefrom. The sound paths may be oscillatingly swept in the sectional plane during operating cycles so that the sound path of each sound transducer coincides at least once during each oscillating cycle with a predetermined line of reflection in the sectional plane. A fluorescent screen receives some of the echo signals to display them in a section scan mode while a sound transducer control operates each sound transducer when none of the sound paths coincides with the predetermined line in each given cycle. A scan mode control operates when the sound path coincides with the predetermined line for displaying the section scan mode in response to the echo signals in a different scan mode several times per cycle.

Abstract: An electrodynamic sound converter is disclosed for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of workpieces during relative movement of the workpiece and the testing head. The testing head has an annular electromagnet which produces a magnetic field, and a rod-shaped core extends coaxially through the electromagnet and has a tip which projects beyond the same in direction towards the workpiece to be tested. The core is axially slidable relative to the electromagnet towards and away from the workpiece and the electromagnet and the tip of the core are each independently maintained at a fixed predetermined spacing from a surface of the workpiece being tested. The tip is being biased towards the surface, and a high-frequency coil is located adjacent the tip and serves to produce electromagnetic oscillations. Various modifications are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated thin flat hard-plastic plate has a face sized to overlie and seal the rug nozzle of an energized inverted upright vacuum sweeper for testing and demonstrating the suction strength of the sweeper. The sheet is desirably provided (1) with depending marginal flanges to prevent its lateral sliding-off the nozzle, and (2) with upstanding ribs on its upper surface to rigidify the sheet and to form a block-shaped centrally located handle grip.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for constructing a pressure gauge in which the socket and at least a portion of the movement for driving the pointer are initially formed integral of a molded polymeric plastic composition.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure detector apparatus has a strain--electric signal conversion bridge which is composed of four semiconductor strain gauges, and an amplifier which serves to hold at a predetermined value the sum of currents flowing through the bridge. The midpoints of two arms constituting the bridge are respectively connected to the noninverting inputs of two negative feedback amplifiers. Outputs from the two negative feedback amplifiers are applied to a differential amplifier, and an output proportional to the difference of the outputs of the former amplifiers appears at an output terminal of the latter amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the expansion of a mat of fibrous material in which a contact plate is periodically moved vertically into and out of contact with the surface of a mat of fibrous material, contact between the contact plate and the surface of the mat is sensed, and the position of the contact plate is recorded responsive to the occurrence of contact between the contact plate and the surface of the mat.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter includes: a transmitting device for transmitting a continuous ultrasonic wave into a fluid to be measured; a receiving device spaced by a predetermined distance from the transmitting device, for receiving the ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid; a phase difference detecting circuit for detecting the phase difference between the transmission signal of the transmitting device and the reception signal of the receiving device by converting the phase difference into a time interval enlarged by a frequency mixing means; and a processing circuit for outputting a signal representative of the flow rate of the fluid in response to the output of the phase difference detecting circuit, whereby the flow rate of the fluid is measured with high accuracy by utilizing the phase difference between the signals at the transmission point and the reception point.

Abstract: In gas volume measurement apparatus employing an orifice plate, wear on the edges of the orifice affect its area and hence the accuracy of the volumetric measurement. In order to correct for the effects of such wear, a probe element is inserted into the same flow path as the orifice. The probe element itself wears to change a fundamental characteristic, typically resistance, which can be related to the orifice wear and thus provide a correction factor to the volumetric calculations.

Abstract: A sampling unit, especially for stratospheric air sampling when carried aloft by balloon or another vehicle, comprises a liquid coolant reservoir within an evacuated vessel and provided with a cryogenically cooled adsorber for maintaining the vacuum. Nozzles in the vessel wall can be selectively opened and closed to allow samples to be drawn over cooled fingers on which components of the sample are frozen or sublimed. A vacuum gate can be connected to the device for removal of the cold fingers for transfer to a spectrometer.

Abstract: A support structure (10), preferably a rotatable bed, pivotable between a generally horizontal use position and a generally vertical storage position is disclosed. A counterbalancing mechanism (20) which reduces the amount of force needed to rotate the support structure (10) is operatively connected to the support structure (10). A drive arm (70) driven by a motor mechanism (64) in a linear direction is also operatively connected to the support structure (10). The drive arm (70) is connected to the support structure (10) through a linkage apparatus. The linkage apparatus has linkage plates (82) pivotably connected to drive arm (70) and connecting plates (92) extending from the support structure (10). A T-shaped rod mechanism (102) is engaged by latch (116), rotatably connected to the linkage plates (82), and extends through a hole in frame member (14) of support structure (10) where a coil spring (124) is received about the rod mechanism (102).

Abstract: Apparatus for translating rotary to linear motion using cylindrical means in the form of a shaft or cylinder with helical grooves, usually having a thread profile.For obtaining good efficiency and large gear ratio, i.e. small linear movement per revolution, the apparatus has been made up from an outer cylinder (1) with a rear transverse portion (5) and a forward outer opening (3) through which an inner cylinder (11) is unrotatably displaceable.The inner cylinder (11) has on its inside a helix groove (12) or thread, in which at least one profiled roller (30, 32, 40) with circular ridges (33) engages. The roller or rollers are eccentrically disposed at one end of a drive shaft (23), rotatably but axially undisplaceably mounted (8) in the outer cylinder (1) at its other end. When the shaft (23) rotates, the rollers (31, 32, 40) roll or follow in the grooves (12) of the inner cylinder (11) and displace the inner cylinder in the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A floating power transmission ring gear whose inner periphery is supported through its gear mesh with a pinion and whose outer periphery is engaged with a belt, to increase the belt's bending diameter without a corresponding increase in the belt's travel per pinion's revolution.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission includes a reverse misselection preventing mechanism and a selection check mechanism. Both of the mechanisms are arranged in close vicinity to each other, and respectively include a member formed integrally with a shifter bracket which connects a manually operated control lever with a fork rod for selecting and shifting into or from different gear shift positions. This integrated apparatus allows a reduced number of required parts and assembling steps.

Abstract: A lateral tube transmission control which is adopted for use on conventional automotive transmissions which consists of individual shift levers for each pair of gear sets. Each lever is equipped with a locking device which automatically locks the lever in either a neutral position or an engaged position when the lever is moved to a predetermined position. The levers transmit this movement to the transmission linkages through a concentrically mounted shaft and tubes.

Abstract: Shift control apparatus for a multiple speed, sliding gear manual transmission is characterized by the provision of a main shift rail which is rotatable for crossover selection and axially slidable for engagement of the selected speed ratio. An auxiliary shift rail is axially slidable for engagement of an auxiliary gear, and a reverse idler gear is axially slidable for engagement of a reverse gear. A single lever is provided for camming the auxiliary shift rail in its engaging direction upon axial sliding movement of the main shift rail in a first direction, and for camming the reverse idler gear in its engaging direction upon axial sliding movement of the main shift rail in the opposite direction. The camming arrangement locks the reverse idler gear as the auxiliary shift rail slides, and locks the auxiliary shift rail as the reverse idler gear slides.

Abstract: When with the manual operation device of this invention, a selected one of many push buttons provided for a cassette tape recorder is depressed, then an insertable actuating member lying below that depressed push button is brought down between a common transmission member and an operation member corresponding to the insertable actuating member, causing the transmission member to be previously rotated slightly in a direction opposite to that in which said transmission member is subsequently rotated for actuation. The slight previous rotation of the transmission member in said opposite direction disengages an engagement member from a large gear. As a result, the large gear is slightly rotated by the elastic force of one of the fixed contacts of a leaf switch to be engaged with a pinion. As a result, the leaf switch is actuated to drive a motor, which in turn rotates the pinion to drive the large gear.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a masonry drill is disclosed. The drill has an axially elongated body which is made from a die cast material and has one or more spiral grooves cast in its exterior surface substantially along its length. A hard insert is embedded in the leading end of the body. The insert is formed with sides having generally planar side portions, a top chisel edge, and a bottom edge. The insert preferably has projections for interlocking with the body. Each projection extends the greatest distance from the plane of the side portions near the bottom edge of the insert. The insert is held in place by casting the body around it so that the body substantially surrounds the projection, and especially entirely covers the portion of the projection nearest the chisel edge. As the die cast material of the body cools following the casting operation, it contracts around the insert to securely hold the insert in place. An extremely economical yet rugged drill is thus formed.

Abstract: A manually operable tool for removing threaded closures from the necks of bottles is provided. Such tool constitutes a one piece molded plastic structure of generally oval-shaped horizontal configuration having a peripheral depending wall by which torque applied by the fingers may be transmitted to the tool. Within the boundaries of the peripheral wall, a depending circular wall is integrally formed and portions of such circular wall are integral with portions of the peripheral wall. The circular wall is provided with appropriate internal projections or ribs to engage similar ribs or depressions provided on the closure for which the tool is designed.

Abstract: Plate shears comprise a fixed blade (2) secured on a bed (1), and a movable blade (3) fixed in a blade beam (4). The blade beam (4) is mounted for reciprocation in the direction of shearing in guides (7) of a clamping beam (5) which is permitted turning motion and articulated to the bed (1). The blade and clamping beams (4,5) are set in motion by means of a drive connected therewith through a system of levers (8,9).

Abstract: A ram operated tube cutoff apparatus of the type employed for severing successive lengths of tubing emanating from a source such as a mill includes a transversely reciprocating notching blade for producing a stress relieving notch in the periphery of the tubing, and a severing blade having a thickness less than that of the notching blade for severing the tubing through the notch. The tubing is clamped during the notching and severing operation by reciprocably mounted die jaws each of which comprises a pair of spaced apart, parallel clamping members between which the notching and severing blades may travel. The clamping members are provided with blade supporting parallel surfaces in the opposing spaces thereof for closely receiving the severing blade therebetween to prevent deflection of the severing blade during the cutting process.

Abstract: A keyboard operated musical instrument is disclosed having a portamento effect controlled from a portamento keyboard consisting of a linear array of keyswitches. The keyswitches are arranged in groups corresponding to each musical note and spaced so that a number of contiguous switches are actuated by each finger in contact with the portamento keyboard. Apparatus is provided for generating a frequency number corresponding to the closest switch actuated by the center of each finger thereby providing polyphonic portamento effects as the finger positions are slid along the portamento keyboard. An ADSR generator is used to provide envelope modulations initiated when a new finger has been detected on the slide wire and when a finger has been removed. A priority logic using frequency differences is used to distinguish between new fingers or the changes in position of a finger already in contact with the slide wire.

Abstract: A laminate soundboard for a piano or the like having a metal core of a modulus of elasticity and an inherent damping factor corresponding to steel of at least a grade St 34, and at least one outer cover layer of wood or plastic bonded thereto in full surface contact on each side thereof. The outer cover layers have a damping characteristic corresponding to that of wood.

Abstract: A synthetic woodwind reed for use in woodwind instruments such as clarinets, oboes and bassoons. The reed is formed from a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs fabricated of a graphite reinforced epoxy resin having a high modulus of elasticity and a low density. The spaces between the ribs are filled with a low density binder material such as a suitable epoxy resin preferably filled with small hollow plastic spheres, such as microballoons. A plastic film of a material such as Mylar is cemented to one or both sides of the reed to strengthen the structure. The width of the ribs, particularly at the tip portions thereof, and the number of ribs employed are chosen so that the finally formed and assembled reed has the proper modulus of elasticity and the proper density to provide an optimum natural vibration frequency for the reed, which should be 2000 Hz or higher.

Abstract: An outrigger holder assembly for a plurality of percussion type musical instruments including at least one bass drum and one other percussion musical instrument such as a smaller drum or a cymbal, wherein a stable and multi-purpose holder includes an adjustable positioning means for the bass drum which is to be placed on a suitable supporting surface such as a floor and also includes a plurality of slidable and pivotally connected shafts, rods or extension, the lower of which also is supported on the floor. One or more smaller drums than the bass drum or a cymbal may be utilized with the upper extension. Numerous pivoted connections are provided to position parts of the assembly at various desired angles from each other and one adjustable assembly is provided for raising or lowering the height of the drums or cymbal.

Abstract: In an apparatus for generating a propellant gas, such as is used in propeng projectiles, at least one rotation chamber acts as a propellant gas generator containing a ring-shaped flow of propellant. A closed circuit is connected to the chamber for circulating a liquid propellant to it. Either monergolic or hypergolic propellants can be used with the rotation chamber being formed of at least two sub-chambers when hypergolic propellants are used. The two sub-chambers are connected by an overflow weir. The closed circuit which is provided for each of the chambers involved in the generation of the propellant gas, includes a valve for regulating the quantity of propellant disposed in a ring-shaped flow within the chamber. The valve regulates the amount of propellant required for the gas-generating operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic force multiplying device has a housing having an inlet port connected to a source of hydraulic pressure and an outlet port, an input rod and an output rod, one end of each of the input and output rod being slidably connected with one another within the housing, a free piston slidably disposed between the outer circumference of the input rod and the inner wall of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing into an inlet side oil chamber and an outlet side oil chamber, the free piston being associated with the output rod, a passage formed in the input rod for connecting the two oil chambers, and a valve for controlling oil flow in the passage. The valve consists of a valve member and a valve seat provided respectively on either the input or the output rod and the other of the input and output rods. The valve is formed to allow the relative movement between the input and output rods in the valve closing direction with the valve member engaging with the valve seat.

Abstract: The poppet trip device of the present invention is adapted for hydraulic cylinder units having a poppet axially movable within a poppet sleeve extended through the piston of the hydraulic cylinder unit. A head end of the poppet extends outwardly from the piston for engaging the head end of the cylinder in response to movement of the piston to the cylinder head end whereby the poppet is unseated and fluid communication is established through the poppet sleeve. Since the piston is spaced from the free end of the piston rod, however, engagement of the piston rod with the base end of the cylinder leaves the base end of the poppet spaced from the cylinder base end. The trip device or contact member of the present invention therefore is supported between the cylinder base end and piston for engaging the base end of the poppet in response to movement of the piston rod to the cylinder base end whereby the poppet is unseated and fluid communication is established through the poppet sleeve.

Abstract: An adjustable guide pin arrangement for an integral power steering gear is provided. A reciprocating valve is provided within the piston of the gear to selectively distribute pressurized fluid to the end of the piston for steering action. An input shaft engages the valve to move the valve providing the input signal. An output pinion engages the piston along the side. The guide pin is mounted in the piston and has two pairs of tapered flat guide surfaces at its distal end. One pair of guide surfaces engages a corresponding tapered slot in the valve for each adjusted position. Screw threads are provided to adjustably move the pin inward for less clearance and outwart for more clearance between the guide surfaces and the sides of the slot. The taper of the distal end of the pin is approximately 2.degree.-21/2.degree.. Each quarter turn preferably provides a differential clearance of approximately 0.001 inch. A tool-engaging slot on the head of the pin provides for easy visual adjustment during assembly.

Abstract: The safety system employs a shut-off valve, a control valve and a selector. The selector is formed of two non-return valves which are connected to the two chambers of the servomotor and has an output connected to one chamber of the control valve. Another chamber of the control valve is connected to the low pressure chamber of the servomotor while the intermediate chamber is connected to the shut-off valve in order to influence the movements of the piston of the shut-off valve. A solenoid actuates the control valve to deliver either high pressure fluid from the high pressure servomotor chamber or low pressure fluid from the low pressure servomotor chamber to the shut-off valve.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated brake unit has a push rod (3) axially movable in a housing (1) and a piston (2) with a wedge element (7) axially movable substantially perpendicular thereto. A wedge surface (12) on the wedge element is arranged to transmit a force from the piston to the push rod via a working roller (8) on the push rod.In order to reduce the dimensions of the wedge element (7) and to give a smooth transition from the brake application stroke to the brake operation stroke the wedge surface (12) at its end remote from the piston (2) has an edge (13) intended for coaction with the working roller (8) during the brake application stroke.

Abstract: A valve driving apparatus is provided with cylindrical bearing members made of a synthetic resin or a copper alloy and used for a piston rod and for a drive shaft, a lining member made of a synthetic resin for coating the inner wall of an apparatus and a resilient member made of a synthetic rubber or a synthetic resin and inserted in a groove of a piston so as to protect the valve driving apparatus from the disadvantages of wear, frictional resistance and energy loss which are produced by a reciprocating movement of the piston and the piston rod. Also a valve driving apparatus utilizing a scotch yoke type movement conversion-transmission mechanism is provided with cylindrical bearing members made of a synthetic resin or a copper alloy and attached to pins installed on a piston rod so as to prevent the aforementioned disadvantages from occurring between the pins and the scotch yokes.

Abstract: A fluid cylinder assembly comprising a cylindrical shell and movable plunger member having an annular retainer internally threaded into one end of the shell so as to limit the extensibility of the plunger from the shell, such annular retainer being specially designed so as to enable the outside diameter of the shell to be minimized without adversely affecting the performance of the cylinder assembly. The resilient fluid seal between the retainer and the shell, normally located at a position interior of the retainer threads, is instead located exterior of the threads at the end of the shell. The retainer includes a radially-projecting flange portion, exterior of the end of the shell, having a chamfered annular recess therein which encloses the end of the shell and resists any tendency of the end of the shell to expand radially when the force of the plunger is imposed upon the retainer by prestressing the flange against such expansion.

Abstract: Pepper coring and slicing apparatus including a conveyor having individual pepper holding devices for holding peppers with the stem portion upward, a processing station for coring and splitting the peppers, and a discharge station where the peppers are ejected from the pepper holders and dropped onto a conveyor for further processing. The conveyor includes a pair of adjacent plates for holding each pepper by means of a resilient rubber structure half of which is carried on each plate of the pair and between which the pepper is disposable with the bottom of the pepper seated in an opening between the two plates. When the conveyor moves the pepper into the processing station, a pair of side cutting blades and a corer descend from above to core the pepper and slice through the pepper sides while a second slicing knife rises from below through the hole between the conveyor plates and cuts the center of the pepper beneath the core. The core is stripped from the corer and remains with the pepper.