Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing a large number of sealing clips inside a vacuum food bagging machine comprising a coil of clips containing many more clips than the prior art straight magazine. The apparatus includes a racheting positive feeder which draws the line of clips off a reel holding the coil, and through a turning means to orient the clips for feeding into the existing clipping station of the bagging machine. The feeder does not permit the line of clips to back away from the clipping station.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging cigarettes includes a magazine 35 for supplying cigarette groups 23 to pockets 37 of a first revolver 32, whereafter they are transferred into foil lined pockets 38 of a second revolver 33 and then into paper lined pockets 39 of a third revolver 34. The groups are always oriented with their wide front or rear faces outermost in the pockets to minimize the radial transfer distance, and movable support plates 93 are provided at the first transfer station 45 to engage the free outer row of loose cigarettes to retain them intact during transfer.

Abstract: A case loader for articles in which the articles are received in a straight line extension from the article conveyor and in which they trip a first sensor when a case load is received, and the cases are directed to a loading station below and beside the article receiving station, the cases themselves tilted to receive the articles from an inclined chute the articles falling down the chute, the chute being arranged to reorient the bottles from a straight line into the rows and columns for the case, the case falling back onto the conveyor when filled and being removed from the case loader by the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A device for filling a package with a predetermined weight of items, such as pieces of chicken, is disclosed. The device, under the control of a computer, determines which, of several pieces of chicken held in a plurality of holding means, should be added to a partially filled package in order to bring the contents of that package up to the predetermined weight.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a housing mounted on wheels, an engine, a cutting blade, a brake connected to stop the cutting blade's rotation, a brake actuating arm connected to the brake, a spring biasing the brake arm to the set or braking position, a U-shaped handle connected to the housing and extending upward and rearward with a cross portion at its outer end, an actuating arm on the engine, a control housing secured to the side of the handle, a spring biasing the actuating arm toward stopped position, a control line connected to actuating arm extending through a sheath to a control lever in the control housing, a deadman lever in the control housing, the control lever and the deadman levers being interconnected so that the deadman lever retains the control lever in running position while the deadman lever is held in operating position but the control lever is released to stop position when the deadman lever is released.

Abstract: A device for mowing crop, particularly grass, mainly comprising a frame (1) movable across the field having a girder (4) pivotably (6) connected to a sub-frame (5) and extending transversely of the direction of movement (P1) above a cutter bar (9) with cutting members (10) wherein the outermost cutting member (10) provided with a crop dividing drum on top drives the further cutting members (10) through a transmission accommodated in the cutter bar (9) so simplifying the transfer of driving power from the main frame to the cutter bar and ensuring a free passing of cut crop over the cutting members; a spring member is arranged between the subframe (5) and the girder (4) at a distance from said pivot shaft (6) in order to adapt the pressure of the cutter bar on the field.

Abstract: In an articulated combine, the hinge arrangement connecting the front and rear bogies consists of spaced-apart upper and lower links. The lower link construction provides for oscillation between the bogies as well as establishing a steering pivot center. The upper link normally lies in a fore-and-aft plane and is pivotally connected between rearward upper portions of the respective bogies, thus spanning the length of the rear bogie. The hinge arrangement also provides part of the structure for a conveyor for conveying clean grain between the front and rear bogies. In one embodiment, the upper link comprises an auger tube into which clean grain is introduced by a clean grain elevator and cross auger. In another embodiment, the lower link assembly does double duty as an auger conveyor housing.

Abstract: Carriage for grass trimming device of the type having a rotating cutting element in the form of a length of cord comprises a platform and mounting wheels for moving platform over ground, front wheels being telescopically mounted for extension in a longitudinal and transverse direction, front and rear wheels having eccentric axles so that the carriage height above the ground can be varied, and a clamping structure including a retaining arm having engageable ends for engaging with pivotable clamps for securely and releasably holding the trimming device on the carriage.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade mounted on a blade carrier by diametrically spaced bolts is further retained against release from the drive shaft by a retainer fixed on the drive shaft and having a shank extending through a central opening in the blade and having an enlarged head to obstruct separation of the blade from the retainer. Preferably, the blade opening is larger than the shank and the retainer head is in the form of a transverse bar, narrower than such opening, so that the blade can be removed by manipulation in one direction to an eccentric position, then tilted to disengage it from one end of the bar, and then moved in the opposite direction to disengage it from the other end of the bar.

Abstract: A mower is provided which has a plurality of cutter supports which are driven to be rotated. One or more of these supports is surmounted by a rotatable shaft; and such support comprises a hub that is rotatable with the shaft thereof, and a plurality of detachable segments, each of which is secured to the hub and defines a conveying surface for the cut produce.

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture of several chains by means of not less than three and not more than five operating stations (5-8) equally distributed about a circular course and serving successively to add a link to the chains and to perform the operations required to finish the link. A set of movable conveyors (11-14) equalling in number the operating stations carried by an annular supporting member (22) rotatable about the vertical axis of the course successively presents depending ends (1a-4a) of the chains to the operating stations. A set of stationary conveyors (15-18) receives the chains discharged by the movable conveyors and conveys them to points from which they can be withdrawn to localities remote from the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A joining shackle or link is provided for joining link chain sections and comprises a link shaped assemblage of members including a detachable member or members enabling the joining link to be fitted on the chain sections. Opposed U-shaped parts (1,2) of the assemblage have abutting flanges (3) provided with wedge surfaces (4)and the assemblage is held together by couplers (5) which preload the wedge surfaces and the flanges. This preloading of the joining shackle enables the shackle to better withstand cyclic loading. Two separate U-members (1,2) are preferably present and provide opposed pairs of abutting flanges (3), and the couplers comprise half shells (6) fitting over mid-portions of the U-members and drawable together by screws (8) for preloading of the flanges.

Abstract: A compact bistable, magnetically operated fuel valve embodies an upper portion comprising a pair of similarly poled and spaced apart permanent magnets defining vertical side walls of an enclosure space which is completed by a pair of pole plates sandwiching the permanent magnets therebetween. The pole plates provide pole faces at their opposite ends and the two sets of pole faces define air gaps. Within the space there is located an armature of plate like form centrally mounted on an upstanding flexure tube. A valve actuating rod is connected at one end to the free end of the flexure tube and projects therethrough downwardly into a valve block. The valve block presents at least one fuel chamber provided with means for supplying pressurized propellant thereto and is provided with oppositely directed fuel outlets to which oppositely directed thrusters are connected.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and structure for mounting the gas turbine engine on an aircraft is disclosed. Techniques for controlling the magnitude of engine case deflection from the axis of the engine are developed. The transfer of a portion of the gust and thrust loads externally of the engine case to a location downstream of the rearward engine mount generates a reverse moment which counteracts deflection in the engine case.

Abstract: A power plant includes a steam boiler that delivers a rated amount of high-pressure steam at rated temperature and pressure to a steam turbine having a high-pressure stage and at least one low-pressure stage driven by low-grade steam exhausted from the high-pressure stage. A main generator, driven by the steam turbine, furnishes electricity to a variable load. When the load decreases below rated value, the boiler operation is maintained, but low-grade steam exhausted from the high-pressure stage of the turbine is diverted from the low-pressure stage to a heat store large enough to accumulate heat during the time that the power plant operates at less than rated load. A waste heat converter, having its own generator, is responsive to the low-grade heat stored in the heat store, and can be operated selectively to furnish electricity to the load to supplement the output of the power plant.

Abstract: 1. Combustion apparatus comprising a duct for containing a flow of air and including an air-fuel mixing device comprising an assembly of transversely spaced longeron members which extend along the duct and are inclined to the general direction of flow through the duct and to the walls of the duct so that a major portion of the flow through the duct will pass through the spaces between the longeron members, each longeron member having longitudinal edges adapted in operation to shed continuous vortices and a baffle extending across the upstream end of the longeron members and forming behind it a sheltered pilot combustion zone, and means adapted to generate pilot vortices of combustible mixture in the pilot zone, to cause each pilot vortex to divide, and to direct the divided portion of each pilot vortex to pass downstream along adjacent parts respectively of adjacent longeron members.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with several cylinders and with one or several supercharging aggregates, in which at partial load of the engine, some cylinders operate as engine while the remaining cylinders, operating in the meantime as compressor, supply compressed gas to the turbine of a further supercharging aggregate whose compressor is connected in series with the compressor of that supercharging aggregate which supplies the cylinders operating as engine with supercharging air.

Abstract: An inert gas fuel consisting essentially of a precise, homogeneous mixture of helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon. Apparatus for preparing the fuel includes a mixing chamber, tubing to allow movement of each inert gas into and through the various stages of the apparatus, a plurality of electric coils for producing magnetic fields, an ion gauge, ionizers, cathode ray tubes, filters, a polarizer and a high frequency generator. An engine for extracting useful work from the fuel has at least two closed cylinders for fuel, each cylinder being defined by a head and a piston. A plurality of electrodes extend into each chamber, some containing low level radioactive material. The head has a generally concave depression facing a generally semi-toroidal depression in the surface of the piston. The piston is axially movable with respect to the head from a first position to a second position and back, which linear motion is converted to rotary motion by a crankshaft.

Abstract: A turbine engine accessory power unit has a compressor bleed air control system in which a surge bleed valve is proportionally and integrally controlled to maintain a constant minimum compressor bleed flow rate slightly above the compressor's surge flow rate. The system control parameter is automatically reset as a function of the position of the compressor's adjustable inlet guide vanes to assure optimum control system performance throughout the air delivery range of the compressor.

Abstract: A rotary vacuum pump is proposed, having a rotor with vanes which rotates eccentrically within a housing bore. Each vane is coupled with a body which is ineffective at relatively low pump rpm; however, at higher rpm, the body engages the vane in such a manner that it removes the vane from its track within the housing bore.In this manner, an rpm-dependent shutoff device is created for the pump. In cooperation with the furnishing of underpressure as an auxiliary pressure in motor vehicles, the pump is used to supplement the underpressure which prevails when the internal combustion engine is at low, idling rpm; this prevailing underpressure is at a very low pressure level, and so when it is thus supplemented there is sufficient auxiliary vacuum force available over the entire rpm range.

Abstract: A hydraulic system having two pumps, typically driven by two independent prime movers, a primary and secondary reservoir and associated valving to permit the system to run as one system or two independent systems, all for the purpose of redundancy and safety. The system senses fluid level in the primary reservoir and actuates the valves to establish two independent hydraulic systems, each with its own reservoir, when the fluid level drops below a predetermined level. The system is particularly advantageous in twin-engine aircraft where three hydraulic systems are employed, one off of each engine, and the third system uses two pumps, one driven by each engine.

Abstract: Stirling engines (10; 150) and other Stirling devices especially of the type incorporating double-acting pistons (41; 168, 170) are simplified, more easily sealed, reduced in overall size and weight, and made easier to balance by mounting the crankshaft (45; 100; 110; 176) centrally within the gas enclosure housing (22, 23; 164, 166) such that it perpendicularly intersects the cylinders' sidewalls and skewers the pistons, thus eliminating the conventional outboard crankcase. Each crankpin or equivalent (46-49; 82; 104; 112; 178, 180) on the crankshaft is rotatably contained between the piston's endwalls and interacts essentially directly with that piston, thus eliminating the connecting rod normally located therebetween. A number of alternative lubricating arrangements are disclosed for lubricating crankshaft associated bearings including one wherein liquid lubricant is circulated through the crankshaft, and another wherein liquid lubricant is particulated and forcibly circulated around the crankshaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for a reciprocating piston engine to convert the piston motion into rotation of a drive shaft. A hydraulically driven rotor is mounted for rotation on the drive shaft and has a close machine fit with the rotor housing. The cylinder in which the piston reciprocates is mounted on the rotor housing and communicates with the peripheral surface of the rotor through specially located openings formed in a plate. The rotor contains hydraulic fluid and its periphery has a portion provided with open passages to direct fluid into the base end of the cylinder during the compression stroke. During the power stroke of the piston, the fluid in the base end of the cylinder is expelled against vanes which are formed on the rotor periphery, thereby turning the rotor. A cam and associated linkage mechanically force the piston to the bottom dead center position at the end of each power stroke.

Abstract: A diesel engine which may, for example, be a V-12 engine, is provided with a turbocharger having two sections, a turbine section which receives exhaust gases and which drives the associated compressor section. The turbocharger increases the input air pressure to the input manifold of the diesel engine up to several times atmospheric pressure. Both the turbine section and the compressor section of the turbocharger have adjustable vanes to vary the coupling with the exhaust gases, in the case of the turbine section, and with respect to the input air in the case of the compressor. An associated control circuit senses the temperature at the inlet to the turbine (the engine exhaust temperature), the speed of the engine, and the engine inlet manifold pressure, and adjusts the orientation of the turbine and compressor vanes for optimal engine performance for all engine speeds, while avoiding cavitation or "stall" conditions in the compressor.

Abstract: A system for extending the operational life of the reinjection system of a geothermal power plant energized by high temperature, high silica content geothermal brine from a source such as the Salton Sea geothermal field or the Brawley geothermal field. The stream of geothermal brine which flows through the plant is passed slowly through a zone of particulate material having a large cumulative surface area in contact with the brine to seed the precipitation of dissolved silica from the brine onto the particles so as to reduce the amount of dissolved silica available for precipitation in the reinjection system. The zone of particulate material may be established as a floating silica sludge blanket in a reactor clarifier which also has a reaction zone in which silica precipitation is initiated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering useful energy from the overhead stream of a fractionation column. A high efficiency for the overall process is achieved by first removing heat from the overhead stream by vaporizing an expansion turbine working fluid stream and by then removing an additional amount of heat in a working fluid preheater. The amount of working fluid flowing through the preheater is more than is vaporized by exchange against the overhead stream. The remaining liquid-phase portion of the working fluid is separately passed into a second vaporizer having a different heat source.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for driving a turbine, which preferably is connected to an electrical generator, using energy supplied by the reboiler system of a fractionation column. The portion of the bottoms liquid of the column which is to be recycled through the reboiler is pressurized by a pump, and the high pressure liquid is heated and vaporized or brought to a supercritical state in the reboiler. The resultant high temperature stream is then depressurized through the turbine down to the desired pressure and temperature of the vapor stream used to reboil the column. The process is an extremely efficient method of generating electrical energy in a petroleum refinery or petrochemical installation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for generating steam or electrical power from surplus heat transferred to the total bottoms liquid of a fractionation column. Preferably the reboiler of the column is supplied with more fuel than required in the operation of the column. A portion of the total bottoms liquid stream in excess of the net bottoms stream is diverted from the bottoms liquid destined for the reboiler. This diverted stream is used to vaporize a working fluid and this vapor is removed as a product or passed into the turbine of an electrical generator. The excess bottoms liquid is then split off and passed into the reboiler. The remainder of the bottoms liquid is the net bottoms stream and is used to preheat the working fluid. The process has the advantage of an exceptionally high thermal efficiency in terms of converting the surplus heat released in the reboiler into electricity.

Abstract: A flow stopping plug is formed in a conduit such as a fluid transmission pipeline by tapping a relatively small hole in the side of the pipe directly adjacent the desired location of the plug and inserting a flexible bag through the hole using a radially extendable bag insertion apparatus having a tube containing the bag initially in a collapsed or folded condition. The bag is connected to a conduit assembly which provides for filling the bag with water in the deployed position inside the pipe. After the bag is filled with water, a freezing process is carried out preferably using a cryogenic fluid which is circulated around the exterior of the pipe section directly adjacent to the bag. The conduit assembly connected to the bag may be placed in communication with a source of heating fluid for melting the ice plug formed within the bag after completion of the work process in connection with which the ice plug was deployed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere in a controlled environment including passing air into a cooling means to remove humidity and back into the environment and exchanging heat from the air entering the cooling means to the air exiting the cooling means, to increase dehumidification by a cooling recovery process.

Abstract: A proximity sensor is mounted on a remote controlled moveable base and is used for detecting a layer of frost of a specified thickness when it accumulates on the subfreezing surface of a refrigeration system. The sensor is positioned at a distance from the subfreezing surface which is greater than the specified thickness of the frost layer which is to be detected. At periodic intervals the moveable base is driven by remote control to move the sensor closer to the subfreezing surface by an amount sufficient for the sensor to make contact with the frost layer when it has accumulated to the specified thickness to be detected.

Abstract: A dehumidifier wherein an evaporator, condenser and fan are positioned vertically, from top to bottom, in this order, between an upper air entrance and a lower exit of the dehumidifier.

Abstract: An oil control system and regulator for controlling the oil level in the crankcase of one or more refrigeration compressors or the like are disclosed. The regulator comprises a shell and end cap closures defining a closed chamber for containing the oil. An inlet extends through one of the end cap closures and includes a float controlled valve for admitting liquid to the chamber as necessary to maintain the oil level in the chamber and compressor crankcases and also includes a piston which is movable up and down to adjust the float and the oil level in the regulator chamber. A threaded adjusting pin extends through the end cap closure and into the chamber and threads on the adjusting pin are threaded through a coupling bracket which couples the pin with the piston to move the piston, float and valve for adjusting the oil level.

Abstract: Improvement in sliver feeding devices for use with circular knitting machines to make sliver knitted fabric, wherein the device has comber and doffer drums each of which is covered with spirally extending wrappings of card wire cloths, wherein the wrappings on the doffer drum comprises a single individual card wire cloth extending in a single spiral, and wherein the wrappings on the comber drum comprise a plurality of individual card wire cloths extending in a plural spiral.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in a fleshing machine comprising dual linking means mechanically and hydraulically linking the handle to the tissue-removing head for hydraulically moving the head longitudinally of the mandrel in response to longitudinal components of movement of the handle with respect to the mandrel and for mechanically moving the head generally transversely of the mandrel in response to components of handle movement generally transverse of the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

Abstract: A locking device of the type having a lock cylinder containing a lock plug with a threaded rod connected thereto in a manner causing rotation of the rod with rotation of the lock plug by a key operating the tumbler includes a relatively massive cylindrical lock housing having a bore extending axially therethrough, the lock cylinder being fastened against rotational and axial movements relative to the lock housing, and a relatively massive cylindrical sleeve member with a blind bore therein and a screw threaded surface arrangement in a portion of the blind bore for threadingly engaging the threaded rod. In accordance with a first embodiment, relative rotation between the lock housing and the sleeve member is prevented by a counterbore in an open end of the blind bore of the sleeve member of non-circular transverse cross section and a portion of the exterior of the lock housing of reduced circumference, non-circular transverse cross section that is at least partially receivable in the counterbore.

Abstract: A cylinder lock chassis is composed of three self-contained subassembly units, namely, a central retractor assembly and two "face assemblies" such as inside and outside knob assemblies or others prepared to provide various different "functions" for the lock. The retractor assembly has a retractor held and guided in a frame by guide means, preferably a pair of guide lugs on low-friction shoes riding in guide slots in spaced walls of the frame. The unitary retractor assembly is clamped between end plates of selected face assembly units and interlocked therewith so as to hold the face assemblies in coaxial relation with each other and the retractor unit. This permits selective assembly of various lock chassis from stocks of different self-contained and unitary subassemblies to facilitate original manufacture of locks with different functions, and allows interchange of unitary subassemblies in field service.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two step process of peening for workpieces having small radii fillets or fragile edges, such as gas turbine airfoils have. In the first step, relatively small size shot of less than 1 mm dia is used to impart a first peening intensity to a workpiece. This results in a first relatively rough surface finish. In the second step, shot of substantially uniform diameter in the range 1-2.5 mm is impacted with uniform velocity to provide a surface finish smoother than 30AA (10.sup.-6 inch). When fillets are peened, improved fatigue life results from the duplex process. When used on edges, where direct edge impact is avoided in the second step, deformed edges are avoided by the process. Yet the workpiece is substantially smooth and the edges have the requisite residual stress distribution.

Abstract: A flow drilling tool including a blunt-ended prepunch portion for punching a circular slug from the workpiece as the tool is rotated and moved axially with respect to the workpiece. Thereafter, a circular forming portion is rotated in contact with the workpiece to increase the length and diameter of the punched hole. The prepunch permits formation of a rimmed hole in a single step by eliminating predrilling. Variations and irregularities in the length and thickness of the rim portion surrounding the hole are reduced, and ragged tapered surfaces on the rim portion are eliminated. The axial location of the hole relative to the workpiece is controlled by adjusting the speed of rotation of the tool and the axial pressure of the tool against the workpiece, and by preheating the workpiece.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of rolling flat plate using a cylindrical mandrel and a plate gripper to form a pipe having a low pipe diameter to plate thickness ratio by forming a notch or recess in the plate edge to be gripped so that the combined radial dimension of the notched plate edge and gripper is no greater than the plate thickness.

Abstract: A new and useful device for producing bends in metal tubing by containing the tubing in a form and rotating the form against a fixed shoe thereby bending and swagging the tubing to the shape of the form. The form being rotated by a ratchet and pawl mechanism which translates the linear motion of levers and linkage produced by the gripping force of the hand into circular motion of the form.

Abstract: Side guides for rolling steel rods comprise front and rear rolling guide frames consisting of partitions abuttingly connected to each other in a gap between a pair of rolls having cylindrical surface barrels to form defined rolling zones which are side by side along the roll barrels and divided by the partitions and capable of retaining steel rods being rolled, thereby effectively carrying out rolling of steel rods with grooveless rolls without using calibers without twisting and deforming the steel rods into incorrect cross-sections.

Abstract: In a method for extruding an aluminum slat for a roller shutter with an undercut slot extending along one edge of the slat and formed by spaced apart front and rear members extending from the body of the slat, breakage of the part of the extrusion die which forms the slot is prevented by forming the slot in two steps. In the first step, the slat is extruded through a die which forms the front member in a position angled outwardly, so that the portion of the extruding die corresponding to the opening of the undercut slot can be made thick enough to withstand the extruding pressure without breaking. The front member is then bent back by a rolling operation to its desired position relative to the rear member.

Abstract: A method and tool for cold forging or cold hammering of internally profiled tubes, whereby a forging blank (2) is while rotated, forged by the action of a number of forging hammers (4), whereby the workpiece (2) as a result of material displacement is formed around a profiling mandrel (3). Before cold forging, the mandrel (3) is adjusted with its axial center (c--c) to a position axially to the side of the forging blank's (2) axial center (c'--c') at a distance equal to half the rolled billets extension during cold forging, and in the direction away from the forging hammers' start position. The apparatus comprises an end socket (5) and a driver (10) between which both the workpiece (2) and mandrel (3) are arranged to be clamped.

Abstract: In a straight side press having a bed, a reciprocal slide, a power drive for the slide and apparatus for feeding a stock strip into the dies, the improvement of modifying the press to function as a transfer press by replacing the conventional die set with a plurality of longitudinally spaced sequential dies upon a die shoe secured to the bed to define a series of stations. A plurality of corresponding sequential punches are mounted upon a die shoe secured to the slide, and a pair of slide bars are reciprocally mounted upon the bed outwardly of the dies mounting pairs of opposed workpiece gripping fingers adapted for engagement with the respective workpieces at each station. A slide bar translator is mounted upon a sub-plate and has a reciprocal end plate connected to the slide bars for transferring the workpieces from station to station. The translator is adapted for alternately moving the slide bars towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A mandrel for the production of internally threaded tubes or cylinders by the cold forging of a forging blank (3) around an externally threaded mandrel (2). The mandrel is formed with a conicity of 0.2-1.0% or preferably 0.4-0.7% and the flanks of the mandrel's threads can be ground so that the thread width is least at the mandrel's narrow end. The reduction of flank width can be 0.1-0.4% of preferably 0.2-0.3% for a length unit of the mandrel with the above named conicity. Preferably even the inner diameter of the mandrel's thread is made 0-0.5% less than the required inside diameter in the tube's or cylinder's thread.

Abstract: Apparatus for periodically testing the operation of safety valves on pressure apparatus or vessels, comprises a load-bearing structure (P) fixedly arranged with respect to the pressure apparatus (R), a thrust generating assembly (7) cooperating with said load-bearing structure (P), and for gripping the safety valve (V) being tested. A dynamometer device (9) cooperates with the thrust generating assembly (7), and measures the force applied by the thrust generator (7) to the safety valve (V).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic testing of a rotary movement-electrical signal transducer system, such as found in an automotive anti-blocking system.

Abstract: A device for measuring the imbalance of a disc-like object has at least three load sensors having cantilevers for supporting the object at their corresponding measuring points selected, with a same angular distance therebetween, on a measuring circle which is concentric with a circular through-hole of the object. Each of the caltilevers is extended tangential to the measuring circle and directed perpendicular to the line of sight in the same sense when viewed from the center of the through-hole. A positioning device positions the center of the through-hole in the object relative to the load sensors, and a calculator device for calculating the imbalance of the object using the data supplied from the plural load sensors.

Abstract: A real-time IMEP signal which is a composite of those produced in any one chamber of a three-lobed rotary engine is developed by processing the signals of four transducers positioned in a Wankel engine housing such that the rotor overlaps two of the transducers for a brief period during each cycle. During the overlap period of any two transducers, their output is compared and sampled for 10.mu. seconds per 0.18.degree. of rotation by a sampling switch and capacitive circuit. When the switch is closed, the instantaneous difference between the value of the transducer signals is provided while with the switch open the average difference is produced. This combined signal, along with the original signal of the second transducer, is fed through a multiplexer to a pressure output terminal. Timing circuits, controlled by a crank angle encoder on the engine, determine which compared transducer signals are applied to the output terminal and when, as well as the open and closed periods of the switches.