Abstract: A device for displacing the end of an optical fiber (6) along two orthogonal axes, the device enabling said optical fiber (6) to be aligned with another optical component (4) and comprising a frame (1) on which the optical component (4) is maintained together with a non-hinged deformable solid (10A, 10B) having thin blades (14A, 14B) on which the optical fiber to be aligned is fixed, the device being characterized in that the deformable solid is made as a single part and in that the thin blade-shaped portions thereof (14A, 14B) are disposed along the faces of a box-shape whose right cross-section at rest is square and is perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber (6), one of the two ends of a diagonal of this box-shape being fixed to the frame (1) and the other being fixed to the optical fiber to be aligned, with the two ends of the other diagonal each constituting a thrust point for displacement means (20) enabling the right cross-section of the box-shape to be deformed.

Abstract: A cam shaft made from lobes having irregularly shaped apertures spaced along the longitudinal axis of a hollow tubular shaft. The method of making the cam shaft includes the steps of: inserting a hollow tubular shaft through the apertures of a plurality of the lobes axially and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The method is characterized by flaring at least a first end of the shaft and backing the exterior of the first flared end to prevent axial radial movement thereof. In addition, a plug means is inserted into fluid sealing engagement with the interior of the first flared end to sandwich the flared end against the backing of the exterior thereof. The hollow shaft is filled with liquid and the opposite ends of the shaft are clamped between the plug means at the first flared end and a fluid sealing means at the opposite end of the hollow shaft. Hydraulic force is then applied to the interior of the shaft to expand the hollow shaft into engagement with the apertures of the lobes.

Abstract: A system for remotely repairing nuclear fuel rod assemblies is disclosed herein. Generally, the system comprises a rod handler for gripping, lifting, lowering and ungripping a selected fuel rod, a work station for securing the nuclear fuel rod assembly to be repaired into a desired location, and a positioner device for laterally positioning the rod handler over a selected rod in the fuel assembly secured within the work station. The rod handler includes a contractable collet for gripping and ungripping a desired fuel rod, and a rod sensor concentrically disposed within the collet for sensing when a rod is in a grippable position. The positioner includes a movable carriage which is slidably mounted onto a frame assembly by means of a pair of rail and bearing mechanisms. The system also includes a microcomputer for controlling the manner in which the positioner positions the rod handler, as well as gripping, lifting, lowering and ungripping motions of the handler itself.

Abstract: Precise and fastenerless connection of a fixture to rotatable headstock and tailstock positioners is provided by a slidably engageable ball and socket arrangement located on the headstock positioner and on one end of the fixture, and by a tapered roller located at the opposite end of the fixture which is cradled between two grooved rollers located on the tailstock positioner. The ball and socket centers the headstock end of the fixture on the rotational axis of the headstock positioner while the tapered roller and grooved rollers locate the fixture linearly as well as centrally. The overall fixture support arrangement permits misalignment of the headstock and tailstock positioners without binding of the fixture. A second slidably engageable connecting device at the headstock end assures precise rotation of the fixture in unison with the headstock positioner.

Abstract: The multiple strands of a multi-strand round wire electric cable are stretched over a frame to form a grid of closely spaced parallel strands. The strands are simultaneously cut off so that the strand ends are coplanar and the grid is pressed on a strip of pressure sensitive tape to retain the strands in the grid pattern which is similar to the individual strands in a flat electrical cable. The grid is released from the frame and terminated as a flat electrical cable.

Abstract: A gear train is assembled by vibratory feeding each of its gears into a nest in overlapping meshed aligned spaced relation. A fastening nut is vibratory fed in alignment with the journal for the gear which is distal the bracket to which the gear train is to be secured. The bracket includes a plurality of journals each mating with the journal bearing of a corresponding gear located in the nest. A robotic arm carries the bracket and inserts the journals into the gears in an axial direction, passing the journal for the distal gear through that gear bearing and into the nut for capturing the overlapped nested gears between the nut and the bracket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for precisely positioning a pair of components such as optical components, including optical fibers, utilizing an apparatus which includes a first support for mounting the first component, a second support for mounting the second component and an elastic joint formed on the first support for moving the first support in relation to the second support by bending the elastic joint. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic joint includes a pair of parallel elastically bendable arms formed on the first support and bendable in a first direction so that the elastic joint provides a translation module.

Abstract: A method for shanking a rock bit utilizing a shank locator and a cone locator, each with tapered surfaces to engage respectively the tail stock of a lathe and the cones of a rock bit, to accurately align the body and the cones of the bit concentric with the design centerline of the bit. The lathe and cone locators each have interior conical surfaces to assure accurate, coaxial alignment of the shank end and the cone end of the bit. A compensating chuck is used to grip the cone end of the bit body and firmly hold the normally uneven surfaces while the threads are being machined.

Abstract: Components such as lids (9) and electronic chip carriers (10) are assembled by registering respective mating faces of each component. An array of assembly stations (75) are formed on an upwardly extending edge (67) of a base (66) having a special inclination. For example, a lid (9) is supported with its mating face upturned and a carrier (10) is supported with its mating face downturned upon the upturned face of the lid (9) on the base (66). The inclination causes the components to slide relative to each other and the base in a given direction within each station (75). A plate (92) overlies a plate (72), supported on and inclined with the base (66). Plate (72) has an opening (74) and plate (92) has an overlying opening (94) to each station (75). The openings (74) and (94) have respective reference edges for stopping sliding of, and thereby positioning an upturned lid (9) and a downturned carrier ( 10) thereupon with a desired registration.

Abstract: Devices have been used to compensate for misalignment between adjacent members and establish subsequent aligned assembly. These devices used tight tolerance, compound eccentric bushings or offset frusto-conical surface in attempting to provide a fixed aligned position. These devices are expensive and difficult to align. The subject bolt-on dowel provides a simple inexpensive solution to positioning of a first member relative to a second member. The bolt-on dowel includes a cylindrical spacer slidably fitted within a bore of the first member with the first end being in abutment with the second member, and a fastening member securing the spacer to the second member in a fixed position.

Abstract: A method and a clamping assembly for securing rock bit sections during welding. The assembly has a chuck jaw that is supported by metal rods, which give the assembly enough resiliency to conform to the shape of the rock bit and which keep the chuck jaw parallel to the base so that the point of engagement between the chuck jaw and the rock bit section remains constant.

Abstract: Tooling and method for assembling parts of a component of a drive apparatus for disc records. A fixture is provided having a cavity for holding a carrier member or button for a magnetic slider head. The slider head is held in an opening in the button while in the fixture, the fixture establishing a predetermined relationship between the button and the slider head. A holding plate is provided with means for holding the parts in the fixture. The method includes the steps of providing the fixture, placing the slider head in the opening in the button, placing these parts in the fixture and holding them in predetermined relationship; applying bonding material to the slider head and the opening; holding the parts in the said relationship for a period of time, while the bonding material cures.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for riveting two elements together utilizing upper and lower plate fastener portions wherein means are provided for securing the lower plate fastener portions in an aligned relationship with an underlying anvil base. Also provided are means for securing the upper plate portions aligned with the lower plate portions and the two elements therebetween while the rivets are driven.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing component parts on the ends of flexible tubing which is employed in an I.V. administration set. Flexible tubing is continuously supplied in a rectilinear manner and cut into predetermined lengths. These lengths have the ends thereof moved in a substantially transverse manner with respect to the original direction. Each end is then placed in a solvent-type solution and subsequently into a cavity of a component part. All of the foregoing functions are accomplished continuously and automatically in a device which employs a conveyor system for the cut tubing and a separate conveyor system for the component parts. The conveyors travel over a substantial elliptical pathway and along a horizontal axis. The upper conveyor is positioned with respect to the lower conveyor such that their pathways overlap a substantial distance. The upper conveyor provides a multiplicity of carrier members to which are fed and positioned predetermined cut lengths of flexible tubing.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pair of magnetic material elements with an assembly having a bimetal element secured between means for carrying the magnetic material elements and means adapted for supporting the assembly.

Abstract: A method of assembling a metal-clad rigid airship hull and apparatus for use in the assembly is disclosed. The apparatus is a rotating cradle consisting of an endless belt extending around and suspended between motor-driven cylinders. The cradle is rotated to provide angular positioning of hull surfaces of the airship at specific work locations. The bow and stern of the airship are assembled in a vertical position and, upon completion, are hoisted by a crane or sling to the horizontal position and attached to the main section of the airship hull structure utilizing the rotating cradle.

Abstract: A device for connecting individual light waveguides or conductors together using a splicing element which has a center portion for receiving and guiding the waveguides and end portions for engaging and gripping the sheath of the waveguides characterized by a pair of holders for holding light waveguides extending at an acute angle to a base of a splicing element which is held in a splicing element holder. The splicing element is movable relative to the ends of the fibers so that the ends of the individual light waveguides are moved towards one another in a centering groove of the center portion of the splicing element and are brought into mutual contact. Each of the holding devices for the light waveguides are mounted to move around a pivot, which lies beneath the plane of the waveguides when moved to a horizontal position and that each of the holders has a clamp for the portion of the light waveguide which is free of the sheath and for the sheath of the light waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a first part with respect to a second part is characterized by a cylindrical guide respectively attachable to each part, a helical surface being disposed on each guide, each helical surface including a right hand half and a left hand half. A piston-cylinder is disposed on the second part, the piston being extendable to engage the guide on the first part to axially align the guides. After alignment, the piston is retractable to bring the helical surfaces into contact to generate a torque and align the parts. In another embodiment, the guide for the second part is formed on the piston while the guide on the first part has an axial alignment member projecting therefrom to engage the guide on the second part to align the guides. Once aligned, the helical surfaces contact each other with the piston extended. The contact between the helical surfaces causes the rotational alignment of the second part with respect to the first part.

Abstract: A method for on-site connection of two transmission cables comprising optical fibres, each cable having a protective armouring enclosing a central core provided with regularly spaced grooves on its periphery. Each groove holds a fibre provided with a thin sheath of uniform thickness. After the end of one of the cables has been bared over a given length, the uncovered fibres are moved towards the exterior and secured to a holder surrounding the cable. Thereafter the core is cut perpendicularly to its axis and a grooved portion of an extension core is secured thereto; the fibres are bent back into the grooves in the said portion, and the core portion and the fibres which it bears are cut and subsequently coated with a lubricant. The same operations are performed on the end of the other cable and the two cables are clamped together under a predetermined pressure.Various devices for the embodiment of the method are described.

Abstract: Latch sets must be fitted with a flat face of the latch bolt parallel to a major door face such that the bolt is correctly received in the door frame bolt recess. Latch sets comprise the handles, actuating mechanism, and latch bolt case including the bolt. Here, the latch bolt case is adapted for correct alignment of the latch bolt flat face when the latch bolt case is positioned in a latch bolt case passageway. The latch bolt case is provided with a self-retaining non-cylindrical end portion to avoid the need for recessing the door edge for a latch bolt case plate. Instead, a jig is provided for guiding the case into a retained position within the passageway in which it is a progressive force fit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting individual light waveguides characterized by providing a splicing element holder, a pair of spaced waveguide clamping devices which are spaced from the holder, securing a splicing element having a longitudinal extending centering groove with the base in the holder with the groove opening toward the clamping devices, clamping a light waveguide in each clamping device with an end portion of the waveguide extending toward the splicing element at an acute angle, moving either the holder toward the pair of clamping devices or the pair of clamping devices toward the holder to insert the ends of the pair of waveguides into the centering groove of the splicing element, to bring the end faces of the pair of waveguides into contact with each other, and to cause the end portions of the waveguides to bend and to move into the centering groove for alignment of the end portions and subsequently securing the aligned end portions in the splicing device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a corner alignment jig for box-like structures to be joined together in side-by-side or end-to-end assembled relation which comprises four horizontally adjustable vertically-disposed prealigned stanchions positioned to receive the box-like structure therebetween, fastener means for detachably connecting a corner post to the inside planar face of each stanchion, spacer means to be interposed between each stanchion and the corner post associated therewith to maintain a fixed spaced parallel relation therebetween, and jack means for temporarily elevating the box-like structure into position to have the four corner posts fastened thereto.