Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and assembling a plurality of small parts weighing under five pounds using a robot employing a rotatable pallet for holding an array of small parts. Said rotatable pallet being held in place on the robot wrist head, which moves the pallet through a plurality of stationary work-stations located within the operating envelope of the robot, and rotates the pallet at each work-station to index the pallet and to present it to the work-station for an operation on a specific part or parts. Said robot participates in the work-station tasks by moving the rotatable pallet in the X, Y, and Z directions as needed. Movable data pins are used to indicate conditions of individual parts in nests, and of the pallet taken as a whole.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating components of a brazed vane assembly by preheating the assembly to a temperature below the solidus of the base metal of the vane assembly and above the liquidus of the braze, then maintaining such temperature while separating the airfoil from the platform by pulling/pushing the airfoil and platform apart.

Abstract: The device for removing a hypodermic needle from a syringe body and for simultaneously distorting the hypodermic needle comprises a receptacle, a guiding structure for guiding the hypodermic needle into the receptacle, a mechanism for engaging, pulling and simultaneously distorting the hypodermic needle adjacent to the guiding structure and a mechanism for operating the engaging, pulling and distorting mechanism to pull the needle into the receptacle, the guiding structure includes an abutment for preventing the syringe body from entering the receptacle and the mechanism for engaging, pulling and distorting the needle includes a pair of intermeshing gears.

Abstract: In semiconductor production plants a highly clean state is required. In a plant building, through which air is forcibly circulated, a clean room in a low or medium cleanliness state is formed using a filter. A plurality of processing units are provided in the clean room and held in a high cleanliness state. A transport robot transfers a workpiece or like object to and from each processing unit. The robot is capable of being driven to positions corresponding to the processing units and holds the workpiece or object in a highly clean state. Thus, there is no need of holding the entire building highly clean, and only a required part of the building may be held in a highly clean state, which is advantageous from the standpoint of cost.

Abstract: A repair aid and method is provided for a two-cycle marine engine (10) having a stator coil (16) dangling by electrical wires (22) during repair of the engine and subject to damage and abrasion. The stator coil is inserted into a protective envelope (24) which is closed around the stator coil, with the wires extending outwardly therefrom and remaining attached to the engine such that the envelope is retained on the stator coil to provide protection during repair.

Abstract: A mobile buildup apparatus for transporting, supporting and protecting an upper stage rocket and a mated spacecraft between and in the various facilities through which it must pass prior to their being loaded into the cargo bay of an orbiter of NASA's Space Transportation System and transported into space. The mobile buildup apparatus comprises a transport system, support structure and protective cover. The transport system comprises a pair of semitrailers attached side-by-side removable gooseneck assembly and a removable gooseneck dolly with pintle-hook are attached to the front end of the transport system, and air ride axles to minimize shock and vibration. The support structure comprises an upper stage assembly stand and an access platform both of which are mounted on the mobile buildup apparatus to provide support for and access to, respectively, the upper stage and the mated spacecraft during assembly, testing and ground integration operations. A protective cover also is provided.

Abstract: In the electron beam lithographic system disclosed herein, a semiconductor wafer to be exposed is carried on an air bearing puck which is, on both sides, supported or located by balanced annular regions of air pressure. These annular supporting regions surround central evacuated regions which are also balanced so that the puck is not subject to large bending forces. Accordingly, the puck can be constructed to light-weight materials facilitating rapid and precise positioning of the semiconducter wafer with respect to an E-beam generating column.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for manufacturing a load-bearing structural element, and a housing for such manufacture. The method includes positioning outer shell assemblies in the housing to form a hollow space, and positioning honeycomb plates and a central support assembly within the outer shells. The outer shell assemblies are thereafter forced toward each other whereby the edges of the plates are firmly pressed against the adjacent surfaces of the assemblies. The plates and shell assemblies are rigidly interconnected by welding, with the atmospheric conditions in the hollow space being controlled as desired. The housing includes means to initially space the components in the housing prior to pressing and welding.

Abstract: An integral vacuum-sealed gas-bearing assembly comprising a combination of gas-bearing elements and vacuum plenums such that a gas seal is maintained across the bearing separating two assemblies to allow one assembly to be moved relative to the other in finite increments while maintaining an internal vacuum environment.

Abstract: A system and method for retubing a steam generator for a pressurized water reactor while the steam generator is in place in a containment vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising three elongated vacuum chambers arran in line one after another whereby a component carrying means may be transferred successively from one chamber to another. Of these three chambers the first and third comprise air locks and the intermediate chamber contains heat sealing means whereby components undergoing sealing may be soldered under vacuum. By providing a permanent magnet on each end of the component carrying means this may be shifted between vacuum chambers by external application of a magnet. The overall length of the apparatus is reduced since only three chambers are required and the intermediate chamber may be made shorter than would be the case where no such arrangement is provided.

Abstract: A solar cell is comprised of (1) a Cu.sub.2 S thin film evaporated on a conductive substrate at an elevated temperature thereby growing a polycrystalline film of preferred orientation, and (2) an outer CdS layer grown epitaxially on the Cu.sub.2 S film.

Abstract: Casting ladle gate valves of the type which are designed to be installed and removed from the ladle as a unit, are rebuilt in a work area which includes a disassembly station, a first assembly line including a revolving table for renewing the movable slide parts and a second assembly line including a revolving table for renewing the slide housings, and reassembling the slide parts, slide housings and clamping lids into renewed gate valve units. By preference, the disassembly station, both revolving tables and a conveyor for carrying the units to the work area from the foundry or steel work, and back are served by a slewing crane.