Abstract: A current-limiting device is provided having a low profile configuration (generally flat polyhedron) that defines a cavity of predetermined dimensions and an elongated circuitous path through the cavity. The device also includes provisions for supporting a current-limiting fusible element along the path. The cavity is filled with a pulverulent arc-quenching filler material. In one specific arrangement, the path of the fusible element is defined by one or more U-shaped sections substantially spanning the length or width of the cavity. The fusible element is arranged in a predetermined geometry to include a length of the fusible element that is longer than the overall straight-line path via a configuration of steps or bends along its length.

Abstract: A heating assembly 1 for transferring liquid metal 28 has a closed cross-section and includes a refractory tube 4 wrapped in an insulating layer 5 which is in turn surrounded by an inductor 3 enclosed in refractory concrete within a metal shell, the insulating layer 5 consisting of an insulating refractory concrete layer 5a. The heating assembly 1 may be used in a liquid metal holding furnace 9 provided with a supply of pressurised gas Pr for producing metal parts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for loosening a stuck reactor pressure vessel stud. A nuclear reactor pressure vessel has a threaded blind bore therein receiving an upright threaded stud having a centrally disposed passage longitudinally therethrough. A pulsar pump is in communication with the passage for supplying a pulsating liquid into the passage and thence into the bore. As the fluid exits the passage, it will push against the bottom of the bore and exert an upwardly directed hydraulic force against the end of the stud for upwardly lifting the stud. A controller is connected to the pulsar pump for controllably operating the pulsar pump. As the hydraulic force of the pulsating fluid lifts the stud, the fluid will migrate between the threads of the stud and the bore for peening or removing any debris from therebetween and washing it upwardly between the stud and bore to a suction pump in communication with the bore. The suction pump suctions the debris-containing liquid from the bore.

Abstract: A method of making an elongated electrical heating element having a resistance wire with a helical portion extending between two lead pins surrounded by compacted insulating powder in an outer casing. The lead pins are attached to a tightly coiled resistance wire by screwing threaded portions at the inner ends of the lead pins into coiled portions at the outer ends of the resistance wire. The lead pins are pulled further apart to stretch the coiled resistance wire to form the helical portion of the resistance wire and then attached to a resistance meter. One of the lead pins is then rotated relative to the other lead pin to adjust the effective electrical resistance of the heating element to an accurate and uniform valve. The resistance wire and lead pins are mounted in an outer casing which further stretches the helical portion to a predetermined length. The outer casing is then filled with insulating powder in a conventional vibrating filling machine.

Abstract: A pin unseating tool is adapted for unseating tapered pins firmly seated in tapered sockets. The tool includes a shank having one end removably attached to an adapter. The adapter has a threaded hole for screwing onto any tapered pin having a threaded tip that extends out of the socket. Mounting an air impact hammer to the other end of the shank and applying a repeating pounding force along the axis of the tool will quickly and effortlessly unseat the pin. The adapter is securely screwed onto the pin, so that it will not bounce off during the procedure, or damage the thread thereon. The adapter is removable from the shank, so that other adapters with different size holes can be fitted onto the shank for unseating pins of different sizes.

Abstract: A fiber optic sign and method of making the same are disclosed. A plurality of fibers are arranged to form a design, preferably by a template, and are then bonded together into a block of glue, epoxy, rubber, or other castable liquid. Arrangement of the fibers is accomplished by placing them on a template and vibrating them until they fall through holes in the template.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit board with a plurality of conductive terminal pins includes the steps of: providing a bed with an array of receiving holes formed therein; providing the bed on a vibrating apparatus; placing a plurality of conductive terminal pins on the bed, each of the terminal pins having a shank and an enlarged head; operating the vibrating apparatus to permit insertion of the shank of each of the terminal pins into a respective one of the receiving holes, the enlarged heads of the terminal pins being sized to prevent extension thereof in the respective one of the receiving holes; providing a fiber glass reinforcing plate formed with an array of through-holes; providing a fiber glass circuit board body having a bottom side formed with an array of connectors; superimposing the reinforcing plate and the circuit board body on the bed such that each of the connectors of the circuit board body and the heads of the terminal pins extend in a corresponding one of the through-holes and abut aga

Abstract: Abstract: A method of rapidly assembling many discrete microelectronic or micro-mechanical devices 56 (FIG. 2 ) in a precise configuration (FIG. 8f). The devices are placed randomly on a template (FIG. 3 ) consisting of a pair of oppositely charged planar electrodes. The upper electrode contains a multiplicity of apertures. The template is vibrated and the devices are attracted to the apertures and trapped thereat. The shape of a given aperture determines the number, orientation, and type of device that it traps. The process is completed by mechanically and electrically connecting the devices. The present method for serf-assembly allows many sub-millimeter sized electronic components or other particles to be rapidly assembled into a predetermined configuration. The method relies on vibration and weak electrical or magnetic forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method of manufacturing wood trusses which utilizes an apparatus and method incorporating the use of a vibrator and the application of vibration forces during the process of seating connector plates in the wood cord members of the truss.

Abstract: A method for producing relative motion on multiple articles by providing a tray with cavities, locating each article in a separate cavity and banking all articles against a similar cavity wall without tilting the tray, movement of the articles being generated by placing the tray between a horizontal vibration device and at least one cooperating bumper, the vibrations having an amplitude decreasing with time according to a predetermined decay envelope.

Abstract: A fitting of a first member into a second member is performed until an insertion depth becomes a predetermined value while applying ultrasonic vibration continuously to either or both of the members and, thereafter, the application of ultrasonic vibration is made intermittent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for remotely inserting and feeding a sleeve within a selected tube to be serviced mounted in a tubesheet of a nuclear steam generator, so as to relieve reverse forces generated during the insertion and feeding of the sleeve and to reduce operator interaction. The device includes a tool having a frame, at least one gripper unit having gripping fingers which extend from a top plate of the tool for detachably suspending the frame from a tube in close proximity to the selected tube. The gripper unit also includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder for retracting the gripping fingers toward the top plate of the tool to forcibly position the tool against the underside of the tubesheet. An advancing assembly supported by the frame is also provided for remotely inserting and feeding the sleeve into the selected tube. This advancing assembly is vibrated by way of a vibrator mounted thereon.

Abstract: The apparatus for vibratory cleaning the surface of an article from foreign matter, comprising at least one exciter (1) of mechanical pulses, including an electromagnetic inductor (2) with a plate (3), a frame (7) and at least one striking surface to be cleaned in an area or areas of the most probable location of the foreign matter, fixedly mounted on the frame (7). Each electromagnetic inductor (2) with the plate (3) closely adjoining this inductor (2) is fixedly mounted on the frame (7).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing frozen, stuck or sealant anchored fasteners from aircraft assemblies that cannot be unscrewed by conventional screwdrivers. A pulsating force is applied through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus to the head of the fastener while simultaneously torquing the fastener alternately and sequentially in counterclockwise and clockwise directions until resistance to the removal of the fastener has been reduced to permit removal by conventional screwdriver.

Abstract: A body having a large number of protrusions is aligned with a honeycomb surface having a greater number of openings, selected openings being engaged by the protrusions when the body is aligned, by positioning the body against the honeycomb surface and vibrating it until the protrusions engage. The method is of particular use in aligning flexible masks to end faces of honeycomb structures in the fabrication of solid particulate filter bodies. Particular mask and honeycomb structure geometries are suggested for automation of the process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method whereby complex shapes, not moldable in a single molding operation, are molded in plural parts, each part being of the same or different powdered metal composition or prealloy of the type disclosed. One or more of the parts preferably has bumps or dimples thereon for joining to another of the parts in the manner to be described. The other part can also have depressions for receiving the bumps to aid in alignment of the parts prior to processing.

Abstract: A part positioning apparatus is provided for accurately positioning and angularly orienting a variety of different parts or components for pick-up by a robotic part handling device. The apparatus includes a bowl-like part receptacle which is subjected to a vibratory force so that a part placed on a concave interior surface of the receptacle slides thereover, under the influence of gravity, and assumes an equilibrium position in a designated area of a horizontal plane thereby positioning the part with respect to X and Y axes. Thereafter the receptacle is rotated about a vertical axis to angularly orient the part in a desired direction.

Abstract: For laying and joining successive sections of pipe, a vehicle is movable over a course along which the pipe is to be laid. Carried on the vehicle is a crane, the outer end portion of which is movable both vertically and horizontally relative to the course of the pipeline. A controllable grapple mounted on that outer end of the crane is engageable with a section of the pipe, so that operation of the grapple together with the crane enables each section of the pipe to be picked up, moved into position over and deposited along the course. A vibrator is attached to the grapple and serves to induce vibration thereinto and from the grapple into the section of pipe being carried. The vibration is induced as an end of the section carried by the grapple is slidably mated with another section of the pipe which lies along the course. The vibration also is used to assist in bedding the pipe section being laid.

Abstract: Wire is passed through apparatus having two treatment zones, the first treatment zone containing six wire cleaning heads and the second treatment zone containing two wire cleaning heads. Each cleaning head consists of a primary cylindrical chamber flanked by two secondary cylindrical chambers of substantially smaller diameter, the wire passing axially through the cylinders. A working fluid such as dilute alkali, water or an organic solvent is pumped into the primary cylindrical chamber via a tangentially aligned inlet, it circulates in the primary chamber, and leaves via the secondary chamber with a very high annular velocity due to the reduction in the diameter of circulation. The high circulation speed causes vibration in and around the wire in the secondary chambers with resultant abrasion of the surface of the wire. In an alternative embodiment up to all but one of the cleaning heads may be replaced by dies.

Abstract: A tool holder (10) for mounting a tool T to a carrier (11), base member (12) and a tool holding member (13) secured together to form the tool holder unit. Confronting surfaces (19,20) of the tool holder members are disposed in facial engagement about the periphery of a recess (21) receiving a resilient pad (22). The compressed pad provides an antivibration, antichattering effect in the use of the tool holder.

Abstract: A device is described for orienting intravenous needles or other similar articles having relatively long shank portions which terminates in bevelled or flat tips. The device has a fixture for supporting the needles at an angle to the horizontal and with the bevelled tip resting on a knife edge. A vibrator is coupled to the needle supporting fixture causing the needle to turn to its most stable position on the knife edge where the flat portion engages the knife edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cold rolling metal parts to achieve improved surface uniformity and hardening. The method comprises applying to the work piece a pulsating force at a frequency of from about 30 to 300 the duration of the pulses being at least twice the time between pulses. The pulsating force varies from about 10% to 100% above the minimum force necessary to achieve a smooth rolled finish. The method contemplates just statically rolling the work piece and thereafter applying the pulsing force which, in such instance may reduce to zero.

Abstract: For use in rotating a bushing of an assembled track, wherein the bushing is press-fitted into apertures of a pair of links, first and second members are securable to one and the other of such pair of links, and a rapidly extendable and retractable cylinder interconnects the first and second members for providing a vibratory motion which, for optimum results, should be at resonant frequency to the links while rotational torque is being applied to such bushing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading solder preforms on to the pins of a multiple pin connector. A positioning plate has open sockets in the pattern of the pins of the connector to be loaded, the sockets being sized to receive a single solder preform in each one. A slidable retainer fits into a channel below the positioning plate to partially close the sockets and retain preforms therein. Loose preforms are contained in a dam attached to the top of the positioning plate and are shaken into the sockets on a vibrator table. The dam and excess preforms are removed and the positioning plate is covered by a cover plate to hold the preforms in place. The connector pins are then inserted through slots in the retainer, through the preforms and through holes in the cover plate. The retainer is removed, allowing the preforms to drop on the pins and the loaded connector is removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved method of making syntatic modules which includes the following steps. A preform mold and a casting mold are formed of predetermined configuration. A woven roving of predetermined size is formed to provide a skin. Additionally a layer of spacer material is formed which includes a plurality of voids. The roving is attached to the spacer material to form a laminate. The laminate is formed to the insidewalls of the preform mold and then the preform mold is filled with a plurality of hollow balls. A thin layer of resin is poured into the preform mold to connect the balls. The composite is removed from the preform mold and placed into the casting mold after spacer material is attached to the exposed end portions of the composite. A syntatic foam resin is added to the casting mold interior so as to fill all spaces between the balls and all voids in the spacer material. The syntatic foam resin is then cured and the mold parts are removed thereby producing a module.

Abstract: A method of removing residual stress of a work formed of metal or ceramic includes basically two separate treatments, a vibration treatment called percussion treatment and a heating treatment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to laying railroad rail. The rail is placed on the unspiked tie plates of a roadbed. One end is fixed in place. Starting at the fixed end, successive sections of the rail are if necessary subjected to heat exchange to bring them to a predetermined temperature, relates to the mean ambient temperature of the locality where the rail is being laid. The necessary heating or cooling may be performed using means moved along the rail from the fixed end toward the free end. In order that rail may be laid at said predetermined temperature and while stress free, vibrations are imparted to the rail whereby any stress tending to develop in the rail from expansion or contraction, because of the temperature change, is relieved. The stress free rail at the predetermined temperature is then spiked in place and rail anchors are applied.

Abstract: An improved method of making syntatic modules is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a mold and adhering an expanded honeycomb material to the interior surface of the mold. The mold is then closed at one end and filled with hollow, plastic spheres from the other end. After the spheres are in place, a syntatic foam is pumped into the mold from the bottom, filling all spaces between the balls with the foam. The foam is then permitted to set after which the mold is removed, leaving the desired module. Thereafter, a skin may be applied to the module.