Abstract: A plate type filter press, which is opened and closed by at least one hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit, has a mechanical lock to lock the press in the closed position so that it is not necessary to maintain a high hydraulic pressure to keep the press closed. The mechanical lock may be a set of claws on the hydraulic cylinder to co-operate with a locking ring on the piston rod, with a hydraulic lock cylinder to retract the claws for unlocking, or a lock gate that is introduced into or retracted out of the path of a lock collar on the piston rod by operation of a lock cylinder. The press is first closed with a predetermined high hydraulic pressure that compresses the filter press pack sufficiently for easy movement of the mechanical lock into locking position, and then operation of a lock limit switch automatically stops the hydraulic pump and energizes a bleed valve to reduce the closing pressure to a level at which the press pack compression is relaxed enough to give firm lock engagement.

Abstract: A compact can crusher in which used beverage cans and the like are dropped into a chute and are crushed flat between an oscillating crusher plate and a wall of the chute, the crushed cans being dropped through an open lower end of the chute. A drive motor is coupled to the crusher plate to apply maximum thrust at opposite ends of the oscillating stroke, so that cans are effectively flattened to a minimum thickness. In one form spring stored energy adds to the initial crushing action when the most pressure is needed, and provision is made to prevent cans from jamming in the chute and to prevent the mechanism from being jammed by articles which are not readily crushed.

Abstract: A vehicle towable cotton module compacter (10) is disclosed for use in the cotton field on seed cotton. A rigid framework (12) has upper and lower rectangular frames (28, 22). The upper frame (28) has a hopper (88) with an open top mouth (90). The hopper (88) has a collection box (92) with a push plate (96) for discharging collected cotton rearwardly through an opening (94) into a vertical compaction chamber (30). The chamber (30) is formed by a stationary vertical front wall (32) and a pair of L-shaped doors (40, 42) hinged along vertical axes at their forward edges. The longitudinal sides (44, 46) of the doors (40, 42) form the right and left sidewalls of the compaction chamber (30), and the lateral sides (48, 50) of the doors (40, 42) each form half of the rear wall of the chamber (30). The left, right and rear chamber walls are tapered outwardly as they extend downwardly. The upper frame (28) includes tamper means (108) mounted above the compaction chamber (30).

Abstract: A piston/cylinder type element particularly suited for embodiment in a refuse compactor as the ram thereof comprises adjustable guide means for guiding the piston-like element in sliding movement within the cylinder. The guide means are adjustable to accommodate wear in the mating surfaces thereof. There is also disclosed a discharge cone for a compactor which is releasably secured to the ram-housing structure in a selected one of a plurality of positions evenly to distribute wear on the cone produced by the passage of refuse therethrough and that cone is removable from the ram housing to be replaced by a different structure, depending upon the refuse to be compacted. Additionally, the ram member of a compactor includes novel teeth elements to cut through refuse which might otherwise be wedged between adjacent surfaces of the ram and cylinder and cause jamming.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquids from fruit, vegetables, or other similar materials with particular application to dejuicing grapes. The system provides a destemmer for receiving picked grapes and for removing stems and leaves therefrom. The destemmer partially crushes the grapes during the destemming operation producing free run juice in the resulting grape must. The must is transferred to a predrainer screw press which separates and collects the free run juice and a preselected portion of the residual juice by means of a gentle pressing action augmented by centrifugal force. The partially dewatered must is then transferred to one or more final screw presses which apply heavy compression to extract the remainder of usable juice from the predrained must. The predrainer press and final presses have throughput control means to provide a continuous feed of grapes through the system for maximum efficiency of juice extraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake timing control method and apparatus for use with a press machine including a press slide driven through a crank shaft by a variable speed motor to stop the moving press slide at its top dead center regardless of the speed of rotation of the crank shaft. The motor speed is detected and converted into a voltage proportional to the motor speed which is then integrated as a first voltage. A second voltage is provided in accordance with a line or curve representing as a function of motor speed the approximation of the slip angle through which the crank shaft will continue to rotate after braking is initiated. The first and second voltages are additively combined and compared with a reference voltage to provide a stop signal for initiating braking on the press machine when the sum of the first and second voltages reaches the reference voltage.

Abstract: A press for pressing assemblies or panels of multiple flat sheets or discs of insulating glass, has at least two pairs of upper and lower press members between which the panels are conveyed, and switches are disposed in the path of the panels to cause timed operation of the press members to sequentially press the leading, side and trailing edges of the panels as they pass between the upper and lower press members. Sensors are arranged in the path of the panels to detect the width of the panels and adjust the pressure exerted by the press members to prevent damage to narrow panels.

Abstract: A speed controlling arrangement and method for a mechanical press. The press has a crankshaft revolution which can be subdivided in principle into a discharging and charging region and a working region with the speed of the mechanical press being controlled between a maximum admissible speed and a minimum possible speed. The speed of travel of the press ram is controlled so that the speed of the press ram during the press discharging and charging region permits a safe discharging and charging of the press. During the working region, the press ram travels at a maximum permissible speed such that a stoppage of the press between the discharging and charging region and the working region is unnecessary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding structural parts from fiber reinforced plastic composite. The apparatus is comprised of a rigid container, one or more pads of silicone rubber housed inside the container to exert pressure on the part, and one or more expandable diaphragms housed inside the container to control the pressure exerted on the part by the pads. The method used to mold a complex-shaped part from fiber reinforced plastic composite material is to lay up the part on the pads and place the pads, together with the part, between the diaphragms which are housed in the container. The container is then closed and placed in a temperature control chamber and the diaphragms connected to an external pressure control system, after which the part is cured by increasing the temperature of the chamber to the curing temperature of the part, while at the same time controlling the pressure exerted on the part by controlling the pressure in the diaphragms.

Abstract: A computer-controlled hydraulic press brake includes an actuator and control system which automatically provides variable pre-programmable ram opening and closing strokes. A microprocessor within the control system responds to stroke parameters entered by the operator and an encoder-generated signal indicative of ram position to generate a velocity command signal defining a velocity profile for positioning the ram to the stroke limits. Closed-loop servo systems associated with each ram cylinder respond to the velocity command signal to cause movement of the ram in accordance with the velocity profile. A ram leveling circuit responsive to individual position sensors associated with respective sides of the ram compensates for ram tilt by simultaneously applying complimentary correction signals to the respective servo systems. A second velocity profile may be generated in response to stored parameters to position a back gauge concurrently with ram movement by means of a second motor drive servo system.

Abstract: A small portable housing forms a trash compacting chamber in the bottom. At one side of the housing interior, above the chamber, is a space through which trash can fall to the chamber from an upper trash compacting opening. At the other side of the interior of the housing and above the chamber is the compacting mechanism powered by a hydraulic ram. This mechanism includes a carriage supporting a two-part platen, one part of which is below the ram and fixed to the carriage and the other part of which is articulated for movement between a vertical position when raised, and a generally horizontal position across said space when being lowered. Several lost motion mechanisms are disclosed for initially so moving the articulated portion as the ram is extended and thereafter providing carriage movement. A gate is mounted to swing across the space when the platens are lowered so as to catch any trash introduced at that time.

Abstract: In punching, cutting and forming presses and the like, electronic detecting means and/or sensors are provided so as to trip the press and prevent an operation when a mal-function occurs such as a tear in the strip material or a mis-alignment or a mis-feeding of the strip. When the press is equipped with an elbow arrangement to permit adjustments for feed line height while maintaining feed cycle synchronization, then the arrangement must incorporate the automated locking device of the invention, the same automatically unlocking the swing plate simultaneously with the tripping of the press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulic crosshead control systems and may be most advantageously used in free forging hydraulic presses. The system comprises a valve-type hydraulic distributor and a mechanical feedback system which includes two rotatable members mounted on a drive shaft, one member being mounted for progressive movement relative to the shaft by the amount directly proportional to the angle of rotation thereof, and the other member is rigidly secured to the shaft.The hydraulic distributor drive has a member picking-up a feedback signal which is incorporated in the drive in such a manner as to prevent the signal from being transmitted to the manual control handle. The system according to the invention is simple in structure and reliable in operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic driven press for embossing, bending, stamping, especially fine or precision blanking, comprising a plunger or ram guided in an upright or stand. The plunger or ram is supported at the stand by means of pressure chambers and a piston, the pressure chambers comprising at least one actuation pressure compartment and a counter pressure compartment which are supplied by a pump or the like with a pressurized medium. Devices measure and determine the displacement path of the plunger or ram and the plunger or ram speed as well as the delivered quantity of pressurized medium. There is also provided a regulation device for regulating plunger or ram movement as a function of the aforementioned measurement values.

Abstract: To set the operation of a forging press having V-dies, so as to produce a desired workpiece dimension after forging, the dimensions of the V-dies and the desired workpiece dimensions are fed into a control circuit. A computer in the control circuit calculates a correction value to be added to the workpiece dimension to obtain a set value for the forging stroke. This set value is passed to valves controlling the operation of the press, and a forging stroke is carried out. The length of the forging stroke is measured, the measured value is compared with the set value in a comparator, and the next forging stroke is initiated when the set and measured values coincide.

Abstract: A system for the handling of solid waste involving multiple solid waste handling stations. Each station has a hopper unit for receiving waste, a storage unit, and a compactor unit for transferring and compacting the waste. Each station is provided with detector means for detecting a packed storage unit. Adjoining stations are operatively interconnected by station selector means. The station selector means responds to the detector means to deactivate a station having a packed storage unit and to activate an adjoining station having an empty storage unit.

Abstract: Hydraulic press for performing shearing, cutting and bloom-compression operations comprising a pressure-fluid accumulator operatively connected to the working chamber of the main piston having its rod rigid with a slide member coupled via linkage means and a bell-crank lever to the longitudinal stem of a spool valve movable in a spool valve chamber communicating via a first port to the fluid reservoir, via a second port to the accumulator and via a third port to the pressure chamber of the main piston.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the positive actuation of a weight compensating mechanism for a ram of a press accommodating a tool set. The process includes the detecting of at least one condition indicative of the changing of a tool set of the press, preventing working operation of the press in response to such detected condition, and then initiating operation of the weight compensating mechanism. The process also includes the enabling of the working operation of the press upon completion of the weight compensating operation. The apparatus for carrying out the process includes at least one signal generator for providing an output indicative of the changing of a tool set, a device for preventing working operation of the press in response to the detection of such condition and a control arrangement for initiating operation of the weight compensating mechanism in accordance with sensed conditions of the press.

Abstract: A press having mechanical drive elements acting on the ram through at least one pressure cushion serving as a hydraulic overload safety device, at least one cylinder-piston unit operating under the effect of a compressed fluid for counterbalancing the weight of the ram associated with an upper die of the press, and a control system for adjusting fluid pressure in the cylinder-piston unit to a value for counterbalancing the weight. The control system includes a pressure relief valve and a pressure meter associated with the pressure cushion wherein the meter detects the pressure in the pressure cushion in a measuring range including a predetermined value. An actuating member serves for initiating a counterbalancing operation which includes operation of the pressure relief valve and control of supply and discharge valves for supplying and discharging fluid to and/or from the cylinder-piston unit.

Abstract: This invention teaches a compression extractor device for removing excess water from laundered goods. The device has one or more tubs, each having pervious sides and an open top and an open bottom, and frame structure that supports the tub(s) for movement relative to the frame between and to spaced load, extract, and unload operating stations. There is structure for registering and holding the tub(s) at the respective stations, particularly the extract station. There is frame clearance above the open tub top at the load station and frame clearance below the open tub bottom at the unload station, although a frame base plate underlies and closes the open tub bottom at and between the load station and the extract station. The wet goods are thus adapted to be loaded into the open tub top at the load station and the extracted goods are adapted to be ejected from the open tub bottom at the unload station.

Abstract: A shredder-compactor apparatus has a hopper for receiving refuse material to be processed and a compaction tube arranged to receive the refuse material from the hopper. A rotary auger screw extends along the hopper and through the compaction tube and coacts with a breaker bar located in the hopper to shred and tear the refuse material in response to rotation of the auger screw. As the auger screw rotates, the shredded refuse material is transported axially through the compaction tube and compacted therein. In the transition region between the hopper and compaction tube, the auger screw has a truncated screw section which is reduced in dimension compared to the remainder of the auger screw so as to facilitate entry of the shredded material into the compaction tube.

Abstract: An improved method of laminating thermosetting laminates is provided which comprises heating a laminate assembly which comprises a thermosetting resin, measuring the electrical impedance of the thermosetting resin to ascertain its lowest point, and applying full laminating pressure to the heated laminate assembly at that point of increased electrical impedance occurring subsequent to the ascertained lowest point of electrical impedance. An additional improvement is provided which consists of heating a laminate assembly which comprises a thermosetting resin, measuring the electric current generated by heating the thermosetting resin to ascertain its highest point and applying full laminating pressure to the heated assembly at that point of decreased generation of electric current occurring subsequent to the ascertained highest point of electric current.