Abstract: A stranding device having a rotatable tube store and method of stranding with the tube store characterized by lubricating a surface of the tube store by either applying drops of lubricant to the surface, moistening the elements being stranded prior to engaging the surface, or both, to reduce the friction of the surface of the tube store engaged by the elements being stranded.

Abstract: For improving spinning results, a sideways limited swarm of fibers (11) is applied tangentially at the mantle of a rotating perforated drum (3) whose interior is supplied with suction air, is transported further on this drum (3) in the peripheral direction by the action of suction air, then is clamped between drum (3) and a contacting clamping element (20), and is continuously sucked out from the clamping line (23) by a pneumatic spinning device (27), and transformed to a thread (28).

Abstract: A conveyor or chain having a tubular filament-wound cylindrical element used as the pins interconnecting the link plates and/or as rollers or bushings in the chain assembly. The element is formed from a length of tubular material which is wound on a mandrel having an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter of the tubular element. The filament of the winding is a long aramid fiber which is integrated in the tubular material by an adhesive agent.

Abstract: A turbine engine includes an elongated motor having a power source and a drive shaft. A first compressor connected to a fuel inlet, and a second compressor having an air inlet are coaxially mounted for rotation upon the motor. An elongated casing for the second compressor terminates in an intermediate casing which defines a pair of diffuser chambers, and terminates in a turbine casing having a converging exhaust outlet. Pressurized high velocity vaporized fuel and compressed air are delivered into the diffuser chambers and through a plurality of fuel injectors to continuously feed air and combustible fuel into an elongated combustion chamber member which is rotatably mounted within the turbine casing. One end of the combustion chamber member extends into and is journaled upon the intermediate casing.

Abstract: A connection device is disclosed for connecting a burner ring or flame holder made of a composite material and having a "V"-shaped cross-section, to an afterburner chamber duct of a turbojet engine. The connecting device has a cylindrical portion and a trapezoidal portion. The cylindrical portion extends through hollow projections formed from the composite ring material and extending from the ring in an upstream direction. The converging, opposite sides of the trapezoidal portion bear against inner surfaces of the converging flanges forming the "V" cross-section of the ring. The cylindrical portion is then attached to the afterburner duct via a link-bar mechanism.

Abstract: A motor driven hydraulic lift pump assembly for oil wells includes a mechanical flywheel connected to a hydraulic pump/motor combination in turn incorporated in the hydraulic circuit of the well lift cylinder. The pump/motor and flywheel assembly with associated hydraulic control can be separately mounted on a skid and connected into the hydraulic and electrical circuitry for the well lift cylinder. The combination pump/motor reverses in mode as the vertically mounted well cylinder piston moves upwardly and downwardly to pump from a deep well. As the well cylinder piston moves downwardly the pump/motor is in motor mode storing energy by increasing the rotational speed of the flywheel. As the well cylinder piston moves upwardly the pump/motor is in the pump mode and energy is taken from the flywheel to assist in raising the well cylinder piston to pump crude oil from the deep well.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system comprising a hydraulic actuator having opposed openings adapted to alternately function as inlets and outlets for moving the element of the actuator in opposite directions and a pump system with load sensing control for supplying fluid to said actuator. A meter-in valve is provided to which the fluid from the pump is supplied and a manual or electrohydraulic controller alternately supplies fluid at pilot pressure to the meter-in valve for controlling the flow therefrom to the actuator to control direction and displacement of movement of the meter-in valve and the direction and velocity of the actuator. A pair of lines extends from the meter-in valve to the respective openings of the actuator. A meter-out valve is associated with each line to the actuator for controlling flow out of the actuator. Each meter-out valve is operated by the pilot pressure from the controller.

Abstract: The hydraulic brake booster (12) includes a resilient member (96) disposed between an input member (94, 194, 294) and a pair of valve members (98, 101; 112) which control fluid pressure flow from an accumulator (14). When the input member (94, 194, 294) is actuated by the vehicle operator, theresilient member (96) is compressed so that the input member (94, 194, 294) moves relative to the valve members (98, 101; 112) and thus provides for greater movement of the input member (94, 194, 294) than for the valve members (98, 101; 112). The booster (12) includes a hydraulic or mechanical lockout which, in the absence of fluid pressure from the accumulator (14), eliminates the movement of the input member (94, 194, 294) relative to the valve members (98, 101; 112) so that the relative movement eliminated is not added to the valve stroke during manual operation of the booster (12).

Abstract: Control device (10) for a twin master cylinder (18) of the type with two master cylinders situated side by side and parallel to one another; the device (10) is capable of being positioned between an actuating pedal (12) and pistons (26, 26') of the master cylinders. According to the invention the device (10) incorporates a compensation (63, 63') of the travel of a control rod (52) situated on the same side as the pedal (12) relative to the travel of two independent push rods (34, 36') which are capable of acting upon each of the pistons (26, 26').

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigeration apparatus comprises an electrically actuated compressor which supplies a working fluid to a free moving displacer which includes a regenerator matrix, so that a container in which the displacer is slidable has a cold end and an ambient temperature end. The matrix comprises a plurality of heat exchange elements which are graded lenthwise of the displacer so as to have larger surface areas adjacent the colder end of the matrix and a reduced flow resistance at the ambient end. The actuator for the compressor is responsive to signals which indicate that the displacer is at the colder end of the container and that the temperature of the colder end is above a pedetermined value.

Abstract: A high throughput continuous cryopump is provided. The cryopump (10) incorporates an improved method for regenerating the cryopumping surface (22) while the pump is in continuous operation. The regeneration of the cryopumping surface (22) does not thermally cycle the pump, and to this end a small chamber (91) connected to a secondary pumping source (60) serves to contain and exhaust frost removed from the cryopumping surface (22) during such regeneration. The frost is exhausted at a rate substantially independent of the speed of the cryopump which enhances the capability of the pump to achieve a high compression ratio and allow the pump to operate continuously while the cryopumping surface is being regenerated.

Abstract: Disclosed are refrigeration system control systems and methods for compressor motor protection and defrost control. The disclosed systems and methods are generic in the sense that they are self-calibrating and so may be employed in a variety of different air conditioner or heat pump models of different sizes and capacities, without being specifically tailored for a particular model. The disclosed systems and methods sense loading on the compressor and evaporator fan motors, preferably by sensing the voltage across the capacitor-run winding of an AC induction motor and normalizing with respect to line voltage. The self-calibrating capability is implemented by taking advantage of the changing loads as a function of time on both the compressor and fan motors during both normal and abnormal operation of a refrigeration system. In overview, a reference value of motor loading is established for each motor at certain times during an ON cycle.

Abstract: A process for transferring heat from a lower temperature material to a higher temperature material utilizes a non-azeotropic working fluid mixture and overlapping temperatures in the evaporator (desorber) and condenser (absorber). An apparatus for effectuating the process thermally couples the evaporator (desorber) and condenser (absorber).

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a variable frequency power source device for providing an AC electric power with a variable frequency, a variable capacity compressor driven by the AC electric ipower and a starting detector for detecting a starting state of the compressor a predetermined time after the compressor is energized. When the starting detector detects the starting failure of the compressor, the variable frequency power source device feeds the compressor with a starting frequency voltage until the starting detector detects changes in the level of the input current to the compressor within a predetermined time to heat refrigerant in the compressor, and then feeds the compressor with a driving frequency voltage corresponding to the required air conditioning load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable, wheeled cooler apparatus having a (1) cooler chest assembly; (2) support wheel assembly on which the cooler chest assembly is mounted; and (3) a combination handle and lock assembly connected to the cooler chest assembly to act as a lock in an enclosed condition and as a handle in a transport condition. The cooler chest assembly includes a support container member with a removable enclosure lid member mounted thereon. The support wheel assembly is operable in an upright condition of the cooler chest assembly to restrict lateral movement thereof as having support wheel members out of contact with a support surface. The cooler chest assembly is pivotal rearwardly out of contact with the support surface for ease of movement on the wheel members.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing and displaying chilled products such as bottled or canned soft drink beverages and the like comprising a body member, a floor member positioned adjacent the lower end portion of the body member, a tub member adapted to hold products positioned therein located adjacent the upper end portion of the body member, a drain tank assembly positioned intermediate the floor member and the tub member, and a plurality of bracket members attached to the inner wall surface of the body member, each of the bracket members including a plurality of spaced shoulder surfaces adapted for positioning and supporting the floor member, and/or the tub member, and/or the drain tank assembly.

Abstract: The kinetic energy of a liquid flowing under pressure form a source is employed to power a heat pump for accumulating thermal energy in a controlled volume. The liquid is jetted at high speed into a low pressure region in a drift tube wherein a portion of the fluid flash vaporizes and decreases the temperature of the resulting liquid-vapor mixture. As the mixture flows through the drift tube, the liquid couples momentum to the vaporized portion and causes the vapor to flow to a high pressure region within the tube. As a result, the vapor compresses and is maintained in a saturated state by heat transfer across the liquid-vapor phase boundary of the mixture. During the compression process, heat is transferred to the mixture from the controlled volume so as to increase the vapor pressure of the liquid and thereby prevent condensation of the vapor portion until a desired temperature is attained.

Abstract: An earring designed to be worn on the cartilage of the pinna of an ear and give the appearance of a pierced earring.

Abstract: A flat-bed knitting machine is described, the needle bed apparatus of which has a front and back needle bed, each continuous and extending over a substantial portion of the machine length, and the carriage apparatus of which, having a stop-free cam system, is movable back and forth on or above the needle bed apparatus by means of a drive apparatus and is triggered by a program for various knitting patterns. The intent is with this kind of flat-bed knitting machine to enable more-productive knitting of two or more articles on the needle bed apparatus in one operation, by exploiting the needle bed space, and at the same time to use it for knitting only a single article on the needle bed apparatus.

Abstract: A hand knitting machine comprising a transversely extended needle bed having grooves, each receiving a hooked latch needle and a carriage having cam grooves formed on the undersurface thereof so that every transverse movement of said carriage may form a row of stitches by engagement of the cam grooves with the needles to be reciprocated along the respective needle grooves, and means for detecting the relative movement between said carriage and said bed to generate a signal for controlling a computer so as to lower the design picture of the selected fabric to be knitted by one step, whereby the number of stitches to be formed in the next operation may be observed on the display unit.

Abstract: The thread feeding apparatus for double needle bed knitting machine to form tubular fabric comprises at least two thread-guides for the same number of thread feed systems for the same fabric, said thread-guides are displaced the one relative to the other upon the passage between one needle bed and the other and upon the reversal of the knitting direction, in order to maintain the same precedence order of the thread-guides in respect to the instantaneous direction of motion. In order to ensure the unwinding of the yarns with no crossing thereof, said yarns are unwound from bobbins of yarn which are co-axially disposed in a row, holes or other equivalent thread guiding means being provided, which guiding means rotate preferably with a continuous motion.

Abstract: A fully automatic washing machine having a washing/drying cell rotatably mounted in an outer cell, a rotary blade unit provided on the bottom of the washing/drying cell and provided with a cylindrical member mounted thereon, and a washing machine motor adapted to rotate the blade unit in forward and backward directions during washing and rinsing and, to rotate the washing/drying cell at a high speed in one direction during drying. The ratio of the outside diameter of the rotary blade unit to the inside diameter of the washing/drying cell is selected to range between 0.6 and 0.8. The speed of rotation of the rotary blade unit is selected to fall within the range of between 100 and 250 rpm. The time length of rotation of the washing machine motor in each of forward and backward directions is selected to be less than 1 second.

Abstract: A locking device to prevent the theft or loss of the vehicles license plates, that is easily attachable requiring no special skills or tools to be installed; comprising a novel bracket designed to be attached by bolt through one of the openings provided for that purpose in the license plate into the vehicle embodiment, therefore sandwiching the license plate between said bracket and the vehicle embodiment. Means for locking is a modified slide-in type cylindrical lock that when engaged with said bracket in locked position will prevent the access to said attaching bolt, therefore making impossible the removal of the license plate from the vehicle without the locking device key.

Abstract: A security bolt including a housing and a bolt rod slidably mounted on that housing for relative movement between operative and inoperative positions. The rod is cylindrical and has a section of reduced diameter between its ends so as to form two opposed shoulders. Key operated locking mechanism, having a rotatable barrel, is attached to the housing and a detent member is rotatably mounted on an end portion of that barrel. The detent member is rotatable to a position at which it engages one of the rod shoulders and thereby prevents movement of the rod out of the operative position. Rotation of the detent member is caused by rotation of the barrel, but a lost motion connection enables the barrel to rotate to a limited extent in either direction without causing corresponding rotation of the detent member. The locking mechanism can be removed from the housing through a rear side and releasable securing means controls that removal.

Abstract: Mechanism for a lock bolt assembly of the kind including a housing, a bolt mounted on the housing for movement into and out of a strike engaging position, an actuator rotatably mounted on the housing, and a drive connection between the actuator and the bolt whereby operation of the actuator causes movement of the bolt. The drive connection includes an override clutch which can be caused to adopt either an engaged condition or a disengaged condition by operation of a key operated lock. In the engaged condition the actuator is drivably connected to the bolt, whereas in the disengaged condition that connection is broken. The clutch operates to resist rotation of the actuator when in the disengaged condition, but that resistance can be overcome by forced operation of the actuator after which the actuator can be rotated freely relative to other parts of the mechanism.

Abstract: Quick release mechanism which can be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of a bicycle wheel or other object secured thereby. The mechanism has an axially extending drawbar, a pair of clamping elements mounted on the drawbar for axial movement relative to each other between securing and released positions, an operating lever connected to the drawbar for moving the clamping elements between the securing and released positions, and a lock forming an integral part of the mechanism. In one embodiment, the operating lever is disconnected from the drawbar and locked in this position to prevent unauthorized removal of the object secured by the mechanism. In other embodiments, the operating lever is locked to prevent unauthorized release of the mechanism. A force indicating nut employed as one of the clamping elements indicates when the mechanism is adjusted for the proper tension to retain the mechanism in the secured position.

Abstract: A tube expansion tool for use in expanding sleeve inserts in the repair of steam generator tubes. An inflatable bladder radially enlarges in response to application of a pressurized fluid to radially expand a repair sleeve. The bladder is mounted to a mandrel by a pair of end caps which are configured to provide a fluid tight seal to confine the pressurized fluid inside of the bladder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of manufacturing a thread forming screw with a constant diameter helical screw thread and lead-in threads having a plurality of sharp crests and intermediate relief concave areas. The method includes the steps of forcing a cylindrical wire into a die to form on a distal end of the wire a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs spaced from each other by reduced diameter cylindrical portions. The distal end is rolled between tapered thread sections of a die set to taper the distal end and to form the lead-in threads with sharp crested lobes and intermediate relief areas while the constant diameter helical screw thread is also being formed by the die set.

Abstract: Paired roller carrying shafts of a roller forming machine are arranged in two side-by-side sets on a table normally supported on a fixed base but elevatable for 180.degree. rotation. Thus, either selected one of the two sets can be in operation, coupled to drive heads on the base, along one side of it, while the other set is idle, adjacent to the opposite side of the base for possible change of forming rollers. One end portion of every roller shaft is journaled in an outboard support that is near a side edge of the table; its opposite end portion is journaled in an inboard support near the longitudinal centerline of the table. To facilitate change of forming rollers, gears for connecting the upper and lower roller shaft of each pair are secured to their inboard end portions and the outboard supports are detachably mounted on the table.

Abstract: A system for controlling a bar cutter in a steel bar line comprising a rolling length predicting circuit for calculating, on the basis of a scale loss coefficient, a predicted rolling length of a rolling bar material conveyed to the steel bar line, a flying shear cut instructing circuit responsive to the predicted length for determining a cutting length and for operating a flying shear to cut the rolling bar material in accordance therewith, a rolling length measuring circuit for determining an actual rolling length from the cut bar material, and a scale loss coefficient determining circuit for determining the scale loss coefficient based on the actual rolling length so as to correct the predicted rolling length and thereby reduce a cutting error.

Abstract: A combination of a mandrel rod and a mandrel rod holding device for use in a continuous mill for making seamless tubes and being mounted to a driven mandrel rod shifting device, the mandrel rod having a portion of reduced diameter and a shoulder near said end, a two-arm pivot lever is pivoted on the shifting device for pivoting about an axis extending transversely to a direction of extension of the mandrel rod, the direction extending in a direction of rolling; a fork on one arm end of the two-arm pivot lever releasably but form-fittingly holds and engages one end of the mandrel rod and when the two arm pivot lever is in a first pivot position for thereby retarding the mandrel rod as against an action of rolling, the fork engages and retards the shoulder of the mandrel rod, the fork is constructed for releasing the mandrel rod when the two arm pivot lever is in a second pivot position; and a toggle lever has one end pivotally linked to the shifting device and another opposite end is pivotally jointed directly

Abstract: A mill stand having a pair of work rolls cooperating with at least one backup roll. Bending forces are applied to at least one work roll at or adjacent the ends thereof. The work rolls may be offset with respect to the backup rolls in either an upstream or downstream direction, and the bending forces may be applied in the direction of offset. The forces may be applied to both work rolls. An opposing force may be applied to the opposite side of the work rolls intermediate the bending forces applied to the work roll ends either through the strip tension differential or a direct application. A rolling mill stand having a pair of cooperating work rolls and cooperating backup rolls has a pair of first auxiliary rolls applying forces at or adjacent the ends of the work rolls. The work rolls may be offset and the bending forces are applied in the direction of offset. Second auxiliary rolls may be provided intermediate the first auxiliary rolls to provide an opposing force.

Abstract: Drawplate for hot drawing. This drawplate comprises a central core hooped into a mount and is provided with an axial channel successively defining an intake cone, a working cone, a cylindrical bearing and an outlet. The mount is formed from two parts, which are assembled with one another with a small clearance. The clearance between the parts and the geometry thereof are such that during the drawing operation the core is subject to isostatic stressing. Therefore, it is possible to use for the production of the core, fragile materials, e.g. ceramic materials or refractory alloys, such as cobalt or molybdenum-based superalloys.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for continuously measuring the concentration of water in a gas stream. Several stations are utilized to perform the measuring function and to particularly determine the amount of moisture in the sample gas stream. The gas sample is extracted from a duct and initially condensed at a relatively lower temperature to further extract heavy organic materials. The gas stream is then subjected to a first orifice in a heated oven to measure the gas flow before water vapor has been condensed out. After this measuring step the gas is subjected to an ice bath and a drying column to extract the water vapor from the gas sample. The flow rate dried gas sample is again measured by an orifice in a controlled environment. The molar flow rates can be compared to determine the water concentration of the flue gas.

Abstract: An improved fluidic position sensor employs a housing having an axially aned conduit and output orifice for discharging a jet of fluid. A sensing orifice is positioned adjacent to the output orifice for responding to a negative pressure entrainment area created by the discharged jet. The sensor measures the distance it is from an object by detecting changes in negative pressure at the sensing orifice. A standoff protrudes from the sensor at a distance to keep the sensor operating in substantially a linear range.

Abstract: A low impedance interface circuit for use with an internal combustion engine between a capacitive piezoelectric combustion pressure sensor and LPP signal processing circuitry comprises an operational amplifier with a negative feedback capacitor and an input DC blocking capacitor, a voltage follower amplifier with a first resistor at its input and a second resistor at its output connecting it in parallel with the feedback capacitor, a DC filter capacitor connected to the input of the voltage follower amplifier and forming a low pass filter with the first resistor to maintain a substantially constant DC voltage equal to the DC operating voltage for DC feedback, a current source controlled by the output of the operational amplifier and connected in series with the first resistor to provide increased current for the charging of the DC filter capacitor and a diode bypassing the first resistor to allow fast charging of the DC filter capacitor and DC blocking capacitor during startup.

Abstract: The overall deformation of a tire is measured by using two reference points in different parts of or at least in close proximity to different parts of the rim of the wheel, the reference points are spaced apart in a direction transversely to the plane of rotation of the tire; two transducers are respectively connected to the reference points and to the same particular point on the inside of the tire opposite the running surface to establish a triangle in a cross sectional radial plane of the tire; each of the transducers includes a force sensing element responsive to the change in distance between the respective reference point and the measuring point; the transducers further including tension springs to establish mobility as between the measuring and reference points.

Abstract: A device for evaluating the deformation of vehicle tires running along the round comprises: means (10, . . . , 32, 34, 40, . . . ) for measuring the length (1.sub.1) of a first chord of said tires (1), said first chord extending along a first direction at a first distance from said ground; means (40) for calculating a theoretical length for a second chord of said tire located at a second distance from the ground as a function of the length of said first chord and of said first distance from the ground; means (10, . . . , 37, 40, . . . ) for measuring the length (1.sub.1) of said second chord of said tire (1) situated at said second distance from the ground; and means (40) for comparing the theoretical length of said second chord with the measured length of said second chord, and for generating an output signal representative of said comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the quantity of fuel in a fuel tank having a contoured interior wall. The apparatus includes a buoyant member for floating on the top surface of fuel in the fuel tank, a conductor supported on the buoyant member to float therewith, and a pattern of resistance in electrical contact with the floating conductor. The pattern of resistance is selected to correspond to the contour of the interior wall. Thus, the resistance pattern is coded to represent the volume profile of the fuel tank. A voltage is applied across the conductor and the pattern of resistance. The floating conductor and the pattern of resistance cooperate to provide a value of resistance corresponding to the depth of fuel in the fuel tank at the measurement location. An indicator interprets that value of resistance to determine the instantaneous quantity of fuel in the fuel tank.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel tank gauge of the type having a sensor such as a float for sensing the level of fuel in the tank. The float drives a fuel level indicator. The indicator is visible from the exterior of the tank when the sensor is installed in the tank. A first scale is positioned adjacent to the indicator so that the position of the indicator relative to the first scale indicates the level of fuel in the tank. A second scale is also adjacent to the indicator so that the position of the indicator provides information with respect to the amount of oil needed to be added to the tank. Accurate gas/oil fuel mixtures can be prepared directly in the tank through the use of the invention.

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement device for measuring air pressure by means of a pressure sensor that can be excited to natural oscillations. In order to eliminate the influence of relative humidity on the air pressure to be measured, it is suggested that a humidity sensor be used, preferably in the form of a condensor with a humidity sensitive polymer as a dielectric, and that the identified pressure values be corrected for the influence of the humidity.

Abstract: This method is for balancing a propeller shaft which includes a slide type constant velocity joint which has an internal cavity for receiving lubricant. In the specified order: first, the slide type constant velocity joint is slid in to substantially the maximum amount possible therefor, so as to reduce its internal cavity to substantially its minimum volume; second, lubricant is packed into this internal cavity to a fill ratio of substantially 100%, while the constant velocity joint remains thus substantially fully slid in; and, third, while the constant velocity joint still remains thus substantially fully slid in, the propeller shaft is balanced. Thereby, unbalance of the propeller shaft due to the lubricant such as grease received in the internal cavity of the constant velocity joint becoming collected preferentially on one side of the internal cavity during the balancing process is positively prevented.

Abstract: A pressure measuring system which includes a pressure sensitive capacitor and a reference capacitor, a source of external excitation connected to the sensing capacitor, the reference capacitor being connected to a feedback signal generating circuit and the output from said capacitors being summed by a summing junction to produce an error signal. A phase sensitive demodulator is connected to receive the error signal and input same to a feedback signal generating circuit to generate the feedback signal for the reference capacitor. The feedback signal generating circuit includes a computing circuit for generating a digital signal corresponding to the magnitude of said feedback signal required to null said sensing capacitor signal to thereby provide a measurement of pressure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor for measuring the twist of a rotary shaft in response to the transmission of torque therethrough. Rotary magnetic sleeve means coupled to longitudinally displaced points on the shaft rotate relative to each other in proportion to the shaft deformation. Permanent magnets provide a source of magnetic flux, and a magnetic flux path is defined by a combination of the rotary sleeve means and a segmented stationary sleeve means. Relative rotation of the rotary sleeve means with deformation of the shaft progressively alters the density of the magnetic flux in the segmented stationary sleeve means, and a magnetic flux transducer positioned in an air gap between the stationary sleeve means segments detects the flux density therein to provide an indication of the amount of torque transmitted through the shaft.

Abstract: A torque detector is provided, which functions in such a manner that as torque is applied between an input shaft and an output shaft, an angular displacement is produced between the input shaft and the output shaft, this angular displacement is converted into an axial displacement by means of a torque-axial displacement converting mechanism to bend a cantilever fixed between a housing and the torque-axial displacement converting mechanism, by means of a strain gage attached to the cantilever the deformation of the cantilever is converted into a change of electric resistance, and by causing a current to flow through the strain gage the torque applied between the input shaft and the output shaft is converted into a voltage.

Abstract: A gas gyroscope 11 is provided with an aspirator pump 71 in order to evacuate gas from the main chamber 19 of the gyroscope 11. The evacuation of gas reduces windage and other air friction encountered by the gyroscope's rotor 21 and thereby extends the rundown time of the gyroscope. The aspirator 71 may be energized by a dedicated compressed gas source such as a compressed gas chamber 91. Alternatively, the aspirator 71 may be provided with ram air or bleed perpellant gases.

Abstract: An improved drive system for machines incorporating air bearings is disclosed. The drive system eliminates backlash, introduces no vibrations or noise into the moving structures, requires no lubrication and excells in being compact and simple. The drive system essentially includes a stationary bar mounted in one axis of motion of the machine, a wedge member mounted for drivingly engaging the bar on one side, a preloader mounted for operatively engaging the bar on the opposite side, and a pair of springs urging the preloader to urge the wedge member into driving engagement with the bar. The drive system is coupled to a positioning servo system, which provides control of the drive system's position and speed. Preferably, the wedge angle of the wedge member is from about 15.degree. to about 30.degree.. Preferably, both the bar and the wedge member are formed from a group of materials possessing at least about 65 Rockwell hardness.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering gear device has a mechanism for adjusting backlash and eliminating lost motion or play between a rack and a pinion. The pinion is formed on a pinion shaft angularly movably supported by a pinion holder, the pinion shaft having an axis out of alignment with the central axis of the pinion holder. The pinion holder is angularly movably supported in a housing such that the relative positions of these components with respect to each other are adjustable. A subpinion is supported on the pinion shaft for angular movement with respect to the pinion, the pinion and the subpinion being held in mesh with the rack. The subpinion is normally urged by a resilient member in a direction to turn with respect to the pinion. By adjustably turning the pinion holder with respect to the housing, the backlash between the rack and the pinion is adjusted and the lost motion or play between the rack and the pinion is eliminated by the subpinion.

Abstract: A control mechanism for generation of a pair of analog signals wherein the mechanism includes a support and an analog element mounted on the support for rotation and translation relative thereto. The support includes an elongated guide member, and the analog element is rotatably mounted on the guide member and is movable relative to and longitudinally of the guide member. A first encoder is coupled to the analog element for sensing rotation thereof relative to the support. A second encoder is coupled with the analog element for sensing translation of the analog element relative to the support. Several embodiments of the control mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A joint mechanism in which a plurality of joints are connected in series and each of the joints may be folded. A chain-like connection of intermediate links (L.sub.1, . . . ) through universal joints (U.sub.1, . . . ) enables the intermediate links (L.sub.1, . . . ) to be folded in any direction, and an arrangement of ball joints (B.sub.1, . . . ) and sliding joints (S.sub.1, . . . ) at the connections of the intermediate links (L.sub.1, . . . ) does not cause any twisting force to be applied to the intermediate links when folded. The joint mechanism shows a soft resiliency and performs an accurate positioning of the distal end of the joint.