Abstract: Embodiments of a self-cleaning jet tube may include an elongate hollow body that is generally rectangular in cross-section and tapered from an open first end to a second end generally opposite the first end. The elongate hollow body may have an upper wall, a lower wall, side walls, a plurality of apertures arranged along the upper wall, an end plate coupled with the walls at the second end, and at least one through-slot. A through-slot may be disposed through the end plate or a wall, between the end plate and a wall, or between two walls. The jet tube may be configured for use with the through-slot(s) open and unblocked, thereby allowing debris to be expelled from the jet tube during operation of the jet veneer dryer. Corresponding systems and method are also provided herein.

Abstract: A system for pumping molten metal and melting metal scrap in a furnace that includes a first well that is separated from a second well by a refractory separating wall. The first well and the second well are in fluid communication with a main vessel, the separating wall including a passageway for molten metal. The system includes a pump disposed in the first well for pumping molten metal. A scrap charging vessel is disposed in the second well into which the scrap is added to molten metal contained therein. A conduit extends from the pump over the separating wall. Molten metal pumped from the pump travels from the conduit into the scrap charging vessel.

Abstract: A finned-tube heat transfer device (1) has a housing (2) enclosing a first flow path (3) for a first fluid with a first inlet (4) and a first outlet (5). A tube system (9) forms a second flow path (10) for a second fluid with a second inlet (11) and a second outlet (12) and which is coupled to the first flow path (3) in the housing (2) in a heat transferring manner. The tube system (9) has a multitude of tubes (13) that are parallel to one another, which extend between two housing walls (7) laterally delimiting the first flow path (3). The tubes are provided with fins (14), within the first flow path (3), which are fluidically interconnected outside the first flow path (3). A simplified producability can be achieved if the fluidic connection of the tubes (13) is effected within the two housing walls (7).

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a principal windward heat exchange region includes a principal windward bank portion, a principal leeward heat exchange region includes a principal leeward bank portion, an auxiliary windward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary windward bank portion, and an auxiliary leeward heat exchange region includes an auxiliary leeward bank portion. Each of the principal and auxiliary bank portions is constituted of a plurality of flat tubes. In the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the auxiliary windward, auxiliary leeward, principal leeward, and principal windward bank portions. In the heat exchanger functioning as a condenser, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the principal windward, principal leeward, auxiliary leeward, and auxiliary windward bank portions. Consequently, the heat exchanger exhibits performance sufficient for functioning as both an evaporator and a condenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first (HP) and a second (BP) fluids. According to the invention, said exchanger comprises a plurality of modules (15,15a,15b,15c) respectively including an upper plate (17) and a lower plate (19) assembled so as to define, between said plates (17,19), an inner cavity (21) forming a first circulating channel for the first fluid (HP), wherein said exchanger further comprises a housing (3) in which said modules (15,15a,15b,15c) are assembled in order to form said exchanger while defining spaces (33) between said modules, said spaces forming second circulation channels for the second fluid (BP).

Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat sink includes a top plate having an array of circuitous liquid channels, each channel having a separate channel inlet and a common central outlet channel. The heat sink further includes a bottom plate having an inlet port and an outlet port. The heat sink further includes an intermediate plate having inlet guide channels providing fluid communication between the inlet port of the bottom plate and channel inlets of the top plate, said intermediate plate further including an outlet guide channel providing fluid communication between the common central outlet channel of the top plate and the outlet port of the bottom plate.

Abstract: A pumped refrigerant cooling system having cooling units with associated pumping units for providing working fluid to the cooling unit to enable cooling of a space. The pumped refrigerant cooling system also includes a redundant pumping unit which is activated when a primary pumping unit associated with a cooling unit becomes inactive. The primary pumping unit is deactivated in favor of the redundant pumping unit. Once the primary pumping unit is placed in a condition suitable for reactivation, the redundant pumping unit is deactivated, and the primary pumping unit is reactivated.

Abstract: A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and an interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer.

Abstract: A heat pump operation method includes: obtaining, on a per time unit basis, an amount of the power generated by the power generation device, an amount of the power consumed by the electric load, and surplus power which is a difference between the generated power and the load power; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to generate heat using power adjusted to follow a per time unit increase or decrease in the surplus power. In the controlling, when an amount of change in the surplus power remains greater than a predetermined threshold value for a given period of time extending back from a present time, an extent to which the power consumed by the heat pump follows the surplus power is reduced.

Abstract: A firearm 10 having a selectively movable slide portion 12 which includes at least one serrated radius or shoulder edge 14, 16 and which allows the firearm 10 to be selectively cycled by engaging the at least one serrated edge 14, 16 with a surface, such as table edge 32, thereby allowing for selective and relative movement between the frame 7 and the slide portion 12.

Abstract: A universal cartridge follower for a firearm magazine comprising a cartridge receiving surface and side walls extending from the cartridge receiving surface. The cartridge receiving surface is operationally configured to intercept a firearm bolt. The side walls extend from the cartridge receiving surface and have opposing first surfaces defining a first width of the cartridge receiving surface and at least opposing second surfaces defining a second width of the cartridge receiving surface.

Abstract: A firing pin assembly for a firearm having an engagement surface that has a channel in an engagement surface with a trigger bar to reduce frictional engagement with a trigger assembly. The firing pin assembly also includes chamfers to reduce weight and an elongated firing pin end piece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld firearm chambering device suitable for use with semi-automatic handguns and the like having a movable slide. The device comprises an elongated sleeve member having an open interior supporting a center guide element therein. The center guide element is coaxially disposed within the sleeve and comprises a base portion and an extended muzzle plunger portion, wherein the plunger portion preferably extends beyond the working end of the sleeve. The device is held within the non-dominate hand of the user and utilized to press the slide rearward along the barrel without using a grip-and-squeeze method. The working end of the sleeve bears against the end of the slide as the center guide element is accepted through the muzzle end of the firearm. A pressing motion moves the slide and chambers a round, where minimal grip strength is required to accomplish this task.

Abstract: An ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly for a firearm facilitates ease of use by either right handed or left handed shooters. The ambidextrous bolt catch assembly includes two levers, one on each side of the firearm, that interact with each other. Each lever has a primary contact surface and a secondary contact surface. By depressing the primary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a displaced position to a static position. Conversely, by depressing the secondary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a static position to a displaced position.

Abstract: A crossbow including first and second cams are mounted to first and second bow limbs, respectively. Each of the cams includes a string guide journal, an upper power cable take-up journal, and a lower power cable take-up journal. The draw string is arranged in a reverse draw configuration. The upper and lower power cables are received in each of the respective upper and lower power cable take-up journals and are displaced away from the respective draw string journals as the bow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration. In one embodiment, the upper and lower power cable take-up journals are helical in configuration. As a result of this configuration the cams can rotate more than 270 degrees, and preferably more than 300 degrees, as the crossbow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration.

Abstract: A string control assembly for a crossbow having a catch, a sear, a dry fire lockout and a trigger assembly. Engaging the draw string with the catch when in the open position after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position and automatically (i) couples the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, and (ii) moves the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. In one embodiment, engaging the draw string with the catch automatically moves the safety to the safe position coupled with the sear to retain the sear in the cocked position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for de-cocking a crossbow. The apparatus includes: (a) a body adapted to attach to a crossbow, the body having a channel therethrough and a threaded bore therethrough intersecting with the channel; (b) a notched wedge adapted to slide through the channel; and (c) a threaded stud so that when the wedge is slid through the channel and the threaded stud is threaded into the threaded bore, the stud can contact the wedge and halt further travel of the wedge through said body. When the body is attached to a cocked crossbow with the bowstring of the bow positioned in the notch of the wedge, the trigger of the crossbow can be pulled to release the bowstring against the wedge and the crossbow de-cocked by unscrewing the stud.

Abstract: A handguard mount assembly and method of forming a handguard mount assembly that includes a mount clip that is defined by a body having a first portion constructed to be received in a slot defined by hand guard and define a smallest diameter associated with a receiver end of the hand guard. The body of the mount clip preferably includes a second portion that radially indexes the mount clip, and a hand guard associated therewith, relative to a receiver associated with the underlying firearm such that the mount clip defines a maximum compression associated with the hand guard and prevents rotation of the hand guard relative to the receiver when assembled.

Abstract: A tactical gun sling includes a length-adjustable sling in a form of a loop, a front sling mount, a quick-release element for fixing to the gun barrel unit and an element for fixing to the gun butt, or an element for fixing to the rear sling mount on the receiver, a sling adjustment unit, and an adjustment strap which passes through the sling adjustment unit. One end of the sling is fixed through the quick-release element to the front sling mount and the other end is left free. The sling additionally includes a quick adjustment unit through which the sling passes in a form of a loop. The gun sling enables adjustment of the length of the sling quickly and provides a large adjustment margin of the basic loop, which makes it possible to transform and use the sling on nearly any type of personal small arms.

Abstract: A holster blank and holster for a handgun formed from a unitary molded body portion having two side holster portions joined to opposite edges of an elongate narrow spine intermediate portion by parallel living hinges. The side holster portions have outer edges brought together by pivoting the side holster portions towards each other via the living hinges so as to form the holster. The body portion includes interfacing elongate male and female locking portions which engage and lock the outer edges together. A method of producing the holster includes molding the body portion and pivoting the sides via the living hinges 90 degrees and providing a lock to interconnect the side portions adjacent the trigger guard of a handgun.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source emitting a thermal beam having a predetermined temporal modulation, and an optics assembly directing the thermal beam to impact a target, the target directing radiation to the optics assembly in response to the impact. A portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation. The target marking system further includes a detector configured to distinguish the portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation from a remainder of the radiation, the portion of the radiation passing to the director through the optics assembly. The system also includes a readout integrated circuit, the detector directing an input signal to the readout integrated circuit, and the readout integrated circuit producing a digitally enhanced output signal in response to receipt of the input signal.

Abstract: A system to facilitate a visually impaired person's ability to actively participate in target shooting and hunting. The system elevates a scope and moves it rearwardly to allow the shooter to shoulder the rifle, while a spotter behind the shooter uses the scope and guides the shooter to move the rifle until it is on target and ready to be shot.

Abstract: An antiballistic fabric comprises a first fabric ply made of two outer fabric layers separated by at least one inner fabric layer, each of the layers being constructed only from weft fibers laid at angles between about +30 and ?30 degrees from the warp and the fibers of the outer layer form non-complementary angles with the fibers of the inner layers, the layers being knitted together in the z-direction. A second equivalent fabric ply is aligned and bound above the first fabric ply.

Abstract: A ballistic armor helmet has two or more shell elements which are fixed to one another to define one or more ventilation gaps. The shell elements preferably overlap to keep projectiles from entering the helmet. By dividing the helmet into two or more parts, the depth and extent of the compound curvature of the shells being formed can be reduced, reducing or eliminating the need for gores, by bringing the depth of the compound curves within the inherent formability of polymer coated ballistic fabrics. The helmet more efficiently uses materials, and promotes cooling when in use, resulting in a helmet which covers a greater percentage of the head which is more comfortable and less costly.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced optically transparent panel that may be utilized as a bulletproof window or shield. The panel includes a plurality of angled reinforcement members having a reflective top and bottom surfaces. Optical lenses are disposed between the reinforcement members directing a light ray in a predetermined direction. The geometry and spacing of the reinforcement members is such that the light rays enter and exit the bulletproof panel at substantially the same angle allowing an observer to view optical images of objects behind the bulletproof panel, thus creating optical transparency. The reinforcement members are of a high strength material capable of being impenetrable by a projectile fired from a ballistic weapon or an explosion debris.

Abstract: A blast attenuating seat system for protecting a vehicle occupant from impulses generated by blasts from underneath the vehicle, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The blast attenuating seat system includes a post, a mounting body coupled to a portion of the post and a seat assembly movably coupled to the mounting body configured to move relative to the post and mounting body. The seat assembly includes a seat body having a seat support structure configured to support a plurality of seat cushions and a shock assembly coupling the seat body and mounting body and configured to compress and expand such that the seat assembly moves relative to the post and mounting body. The blast attenuating seat system thereby provides/enables improved protection for vehicle occupants that may be exposed to explosive blasts.

Abstract: A multiple blister, dye-containing unit for attachment to the back face of a shooting target sheet is formed into a suitable shape corresponding to a predetermined portion of an image on the front face of the target sheet by removal of a portion of a larger array of blisters arranged in rows and columns. The multiple blister unit is than secured by adhesive to the back face of the target sheet.

Abstract: A shooting target apparatus has a base, a body connected to the base, and an inlet valve connected to the body, adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. The first valve provides for a one-way intake of fluid. A socket is formed on the body, in which the socket is formed as a threaded adapter having sidewalls and the threaded adapter has an adapter upper surface. A seal mounted to the adapter upper surface, a surface in which the body and the seal include a pathway therein formed to channel fluid between the first valve and the seal, the threaded adapter being shaped and configured to removably receive a target.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a low foreign object damage nose weight for affixing to a either a standard or kinematic decoy flare comprising a thin walled nose cup having a closed end, an open end, an internal cavity, and at least one sidewall attached to said closed end and surrounding said internal cavity; and a metal powder disposed within the internal cavity for weighing down the forward end of the decoy flare, said nose cup capable of being affixed to a forward end of a decoy flare such that said powder is jettisoned from said nose cup upon burn out of a flare pellet subassembly of said decoy flare thereby reducing the weight of the nose cup and the possibility of foreign object damage to aircraft, ground troops, ground equipment and buildings resulting from the falling nose weight.

Abstract: A modular, adjustable weight arrow tip is disclosed. The arrow tip has a body and one or more blades in various configurations. The arrow tip utilizes one more modular weights, preferably seated between the body rear end and the arrow shaft, to allow the user to be able to selectably adjust an incrementally stepped array of weights to achieve the desired flight and “front of center” for their application. The modular weights can be threaded or unthreaded, can utilize a modular weight seating collar, can have varying weights, and may be utilized with any type of archery tip.

Abstract: A mine emulation system includes a standard electronics section. The system can be reconfigured into several different mine shapes by the use of different end sections attached to the electronics section. The electronics sections can include an array of sensors, including magnetic, seismic, pressure and passive acoustic sensors. The electronics can be programmable such that the sensors can emulate the various mine types as well as differing mines within each type. An active acoustic communication system allows surface ships or RF buoy systems to communicate with the mine emulator. An operator can provide a release command to an acoustically operated release system via the acoustic communication system.

Abstract: A non-lethal projectile for firing by a firearm by discharging a conventional bullet (5), the non-lethal projectile comprising a body (7), the interior of which contains a bullet trap (15, 22) for the bullet (5) which uses up a considerable part of the kinetic energy of the bullet by friction and deformation and converts a fraction of the kinetic energy into kinetic energy of the projectile. For that purpose the bullet trap consists of a plug (22) and a catching piece (15), wherein the rear part of the plug (22) is a peg (23) that can be inserted into the mouth of the barrel (4). The catching piece (15) is a hollow cylinder, which has a blind bore (17) closed at the front face of the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being pressed for a part of the length thereof into a blind bore (10) of the body (7) that is closed at the front.

Abstract: A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the rifling of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.

Abstract: A primer pocket swager is provided. The primer pocket swager includes a base removably coupled to a press. It further includes a swage pin removably coupled to the base, wherein the base includes a first support surface and a second support surface, wherein the first support surface contacts a first corresponding surface of the press and the second support surface contracts a second corresponding surface of the press. The first support surface is located on a different and substantially parallel plane than the second support surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to structures that are adapted to facilitate the retention, storage, and transport of arrows. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow retainer is described that includes a resilient portion having a plurality of passageways extending therethrough for retaining a plurality of arrows therein. Each passageway is resiliently expandable upon insertion of an arrow to maintain the position of the arrow. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow storage device is disclosed that provides an efficient and secure means of storing arrows. The presently disclosed arrow retainer and arrow storage device may be used in conjunction with one another as part of an arrow storage system.

Abstract: A linear measuring system has a base, a rail assembly with a pair of tracks, a channel between the tracks, a linear guide assembly with a bearing block and channel anvil, a linear encoder assembly with a scale and reader head, and a fixed anvil. The bearing block has an adjustable contact preload for sliding along the tracks. The bearing block varies the distance between the channel anvil and the fixed anvil, and reader head is connected to the bearing block and slides in reading engagement with the scale to determine the distance between the anvils. The channel's sides diverge from each other as they extend from the bottom to the top, and the channel anvil extends down to the bottom of the channel. The rail assembly can be formed from a single elongate beam with the channel on the beam's top side and the tracks on the beam's sides.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for positioning a measurement caliper (138) relative to an exterior surface (190) of a tube (154) for inspecting an interior surface (155) of the tube (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a chassis (104) configured to be coupled to the measurement caliper (138). The apparatus (102) also comprises a component (106) configured to extend from the chassis (104). The component (106) comprises a cylindrical alignment surface (122) defining a cavity (107). The cylindrical alignment surface (122) has a second rotational-symmetry axis (123). When the measurement caliper (138) is coupled to the chassis, measurement arms (146) of the measurement caliper (138) protrude at least partially through the cavity (107) of the component (106) and the second rotational-symmetry axis (123) of the cylindrical alignment surface (122) of the component (106) is coplanar with a measurement plane (180) defined by the measurement arms (146) of the measurement caliper (138).

Abstract: A gauge for measuring a weld between two abutted pipe sections has a unitary body including a reference edge for abut an outer surface of the pipe sections, a first gauge portion at a prescribed first distance from the reference edge corresponding to a minimum cap height of the weld, and a second gauge portion at a prescribed second distance from the reference edge corresponding to a maximum cap height of the weld. One or both ends of the body includes an end surface and a bevel surface at an obtuse angle to the end surface so as to be arranged to abut a bevel cut end of a pipe section when the end surface abuts the outer side of the pipe section to gauge an inclination of the bevel cut end. A measurement scale with an advance cut line extends along the body opposite from the reference edge.

Abstract: An articulated measuring head for orienting a probe relatively to a measuring apparatus, including Hirth couplings for providing a high-resolution indexing to two orthogonal rotors and an advanced guiding system to ensure a precise rotation control when the Hirth couplings are free and accurate indexing when they are clamped together. The articulated head of the invention has an embedded dynamic controller using high-precision encoders and crash detection by capacitive sensors.

Abstract: The pipe measurement device has a pipe measurement tool body that partially encompasses a diameter of a pipe, a tubing, and such. An opening in the pipe measurement tool body is equipped with a pair of counter wheels and an opposingly positioned adjustment wheel for fitting the device to the pipe. A user tracks the device along a given length of the pipe. A counter with display screen is in operational communication with the counter wheels and records a distance traveled along the pipe and therein denotes an accurate measurement.

Abstract: A structure for measuring server rack dimensions. The structure may include; a center spacer having a slider opening; a top panel fixed to a top surface of the center spacer; a bottom panel fixed to a bottom surface of the center spacer; and a slider in the slider opening of the center spacer, wherein a portion of the slider is between the top panel and the bottom panel, and the slider is horizontally movable between a starting position and an extended position, the starting position is where the slider is closest to the center of the center spacer and the extended position is where the slider is farthest from the center of the center spacer.

Abstract: A structure for measuring server rack dimensions. The structure may include; a center spacer having a slider opening; a top panel fixed to a top surface of the center spacer; a bottom panel fixed to a bottom surface of the center spacer; and a slider in the slider opening of the center spacer, wherein a portion of the slider is between the top panel and the bottom panel, and the slider is horizontally movable between a starting position and an extended position, the starting position is where the slider is closest to the center of the center spacer and the extended position is where the slider is farthest from the center of the center spacer.

Abstract: A trip hazard measurement gauge has an outer tube with a stationary foot secured to a lower end thereof, and an inner tube slidable within the outer tube and extending through an upper end of the latter. The inner tube has a slidable foot secured to a lower end thereof and a ruler secured to an upper end thereof. The inner tube is spring biased in a downwardly direction. With the inner tube positioned at its downward limit, the stationary foot and the movable foot are equiplanar and the ruler is hidden inside the outer tube. An estimator measures a difference in elevation between two adjacent concrete slabs by placing the slidable foot on an adjoining edge of the uppermost slab and pushing down on the outer tube until the stationary foot contacts the lowermost slab. The ruler, extending upwardly from the outer tube, indicates the difference in elevation.

Abstract: A hardware-only contactless position sensor system is provided that includes a contactless position sensor and hardware-only sensor system electronics. The sensor includes excitation, sine, and cosine coils. The electronics are coupled to the sensor and detect a position of a target relative to the sensor. The electronics include a phase shift and summation circuit that applies a phase shift at a frequency of the excitation coil to one of a sine signal from the sine coil or a cosine signal from the cosine coil as a phase shifted signal and add the phase shifted signal with an unshifted instance of the cosine or sine signal to produce a phase shifted output. The electronics also include a phase detector circuit that detects a phase of the phase shifted output and generate an output voltage corresponding to the phase and proportional to the position of the target.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test device for testing a bonding layer between wafer-shaped samples and a test process for testing the bonding layer. The test device comprises a measuring head for an OCT process that is configured to direct an optical measuring beam at a composite comprising at least two wafer-shaped samples with a bonding layer positioned between them. An optical beam splitter is configured to divert an optical reference beam as a reference arm for distance measurements. An evaluation unit is configured to evaluate layer thickness measurements without a reference arm and distance measurements with a reference arm. An optical switch device is configured to connect and disconnect the reference arm.

Abstract: A method for measuring characteristics of a sample is provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining an interference spectrum of the sample; transforming the interference spectrum into a temporal interference signal via a Fourier transform, in which the temporal interference signal includes a plurality of coherence wave packets; separating the wave packets; transforming the wave packets into a plurality of interface interference signals via an inverse Fourier transform; and fitting a plurality of factors of the interface interference signals into a model for obtaining the refractive indexes, the extinction coefficients, and a thickness of the sample.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a low-cost, high-precision three-dimensional shape measuring device using vibration-resistant phase shift digital holography.

Abstract: A method for determining 3D coordinates of points on a surface of the object by providing a 3D coordinate measurement device attached to a moveable apparatus that is coupled to a position sensing mechanism, all coupled to a processor, projecting a pattern of light onto the surface to determine a first set of 3D coordinates of points on the surface, determining susceptibility of the object to multipath interference by projecting and reflecting rays from the measured 3D coordinates of the points, moving the moveable apparatus under processor control to change the relative position of the device and the object, and projecting the a pattern of light onto the surface to determine a second set of 3D coordinates.

Abstract: Embodiments described in this disclosure include a probe holder for a measuring system comprising a first connector having electric and/or optical signal connections for attaching a measure probe, electric and/or optical conductor for connecting to the measure probe by first connector, a rotary actuator arranged to rotate the first connector relative to a reference system, an electric and/or optical slip ring and an angle encoder. The rotary actuator comprises a rotor capable of continuous rotation and an electric motor, while the angle encoder provides information on an angular position of the rotor. In some embodiments the rotor has a hollow axle supported by two coaxial spaced-apart bearings. The electric motor is located between the bearings, while the electric and/or optical conductor runs inside said hollow axle, and the electric and/or optical slip ring is in the hollow axle and between the bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool measuring device for measuring the size of tools used for making aluminum can bodies. The tool measuring device utilizes an LED measurement carriage having a central opening so that the LED measurement carriage passes over and around the tools. An LED linear beam is generated by LED linear arrays so that the tools cast a shadow on optical photodetector linear arrays. The distance between the transition points from light to dark on the optical photodetector linear arrays is measured to provide a highly accurate measurement of the size of various portions of the tools.