Abstract: A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device comprising a transport element for receiving a workpiece, said transport element being movable by means of a motor from a first idle position into a second idle position, the transport element being drivably connected to at least one driver that engages in a drive groove of a drum cam that can be driven by the motor, which can be controlled by means of a programmable control device on the basis of a motor control curve. The drive groove has a variable incline at least in sections and the motor control curve also has a variable course at least in sections, the movement of the transport element being generated by a simultaneous superposition of a first movement component based on a region of variable incline of the drive nut and a second movement component based on a variable region of the motor control curve.

Abstract: A pump system for producing high and exactly controllable pressure levels includes a piston pump which has a piston (32) connecting to a spindle shaft (22), a spindle nut (44) on said spindle shaft, a cylinder block (34) having a bore (36) for receiving said piston, a mechanism (14, 16, 26) for imparting relative rotational and axial motions between said piston and said cylinder block including a device for causing relative rotary motion of said spindle and spindle nut. A helical spring (46) or other resilient element is connected between said cylinder block (34) and said spindle nut (44) to compensate the reaction force generated by a pressurized fluid sample in said cylinder bore (36) when put under compresion. A flexible element (30) is connected between the piston (32) and the spindle shaft (22) to compensate for any axial misalignment of the piston and the cylinder bore. Methods for operating such a system under adiabatic, isothermal, isobaric and isochoric conditions are described. (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A gyroscope powered by an engine, all fabricated on a common substrate in the form of an integrated circuit. Preferably, both the gyroscope and the engine are fabricated in the micrometer domain, although in some embodiments of the present invention, the gyroscope can be fabricated in the millimeter domain. The engine disclosed herein provides torque to the gyroscope rotor for continuous rotation at varying speeds and direction. The present invention is preferably fabricated of polysilicon or other suitable materials on a single wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication techniques or millimachining techniques that are well known in the art. Fabrication of the present invention is preferably accomplished without the need for assembly of multiple wafers which require alignment and bonding, and without piece-part assembly.

Abstract: A navigation unit having a gyro sensor mounted thereon. The unit includes a mounting mechanism for changing the mounting direction of the gyro sensor so that the rotation detecting axis of the gyro sensor may be vertical, i.e. normal to a vehicle. In one embodiment, the navigation unit includes a support device for supporting the gyro sensor rotatably with respect to a casing. The gyro sensor may be supported in a rocking manner in the casing, and mounted to be changed between a first mounting direction and a second mounting direction perpendicular to the first mounting direction. In the preferred construction, the gyro sensor has a first pin and a second pin, and the casing has a first guide groove for receiving and guiding the first pin, and a second guide groove extending perpendicular to the first guide groove for receiving and guiding the second pin. The second guide groove provides a rocking center for the gyro sensor.

Abstract: A driving device of the massaging chair including a main shaft, a bevel gear mounted on one end of the main shaft, a worm rod mounted on another end of the main shaft, and a driving rotor mounted slidably between the bevel and the worm rod. When the main shaft is driven by a motor to turn forward, the driving rotor is engaged with the bevel gear to actuate a kneading shaft of the massaging chair. When the main shaft is driven by the motor to turn backward, the driving rotor becomes disengaged with the bevel gear and moves away from the bevel gear to engage the worm rod so as to actuate a beating shaft of the massaging chair.

Abstract: A reversible rotary wrench includes an impact mechanism for applying intermittent torque impulses to a load. The mechanism includes a rotatable shaft having an axis and adapted to be coupled to a motive source, a rotatable anvil for coupling to the load and having a pair of anvil ears, a tubular hammer substantially coaxial with the shaft and having a pair of hammer ears engageable with the anvil ears and a rotatable tubular drive coupling member substantially coaxial with the shaft. The mechanism also includes a first helical cam structure coupling the drive coupling member to the shaft, a second helical cam structure coupling the drive coupling member to the hammer, and a spring biasing the hammer axially toward the anvil to engage the hammer ears with the anvil ears.

Abstract: A structural component (21) is moved axially back and forth with the aid of a closed cam (40A) arranged on a rotating cam carrier (33) for mechanically entraining cam follower rollers carried by the structural component. At least one roller (26) of a pair of rollers contacts one cam surface of said closed cam with a controlled contact force. For this purpose the contact force between the cam follower rollers and the respective cam surface is varied during one cam revolution in such a way that in an angular range (41) of the reversing point (O.T., U.T.) the contact force of at least one cam follower roller that transmits the motion in the respective direction, is increased to such an extent that this force corresponds at least to the inertia force resulting from the brake application or acceleration of the component to be moved. Outside of the angular range (41) the cam follower rollers (26, 27) are kept in contact with the cam surfaces with a minimal force.

Abstract: A rotary motion/constant velocity linear reciprocating motion conversion device capable of converting rotary motion into a constant velocity linear motion or vice versa, and a hydraulic system which can minimize a ripple by using the above-mentioned conversion device, comprises a rotary motion part having a pair of first power transmission elements rotating at the same speed mounted to a common shaft, each element having alternatively positioned teeth capable of transmitting power. A linear motion conversion part comprises a second pair of power transmission elements each positioned adjacent to and engaging the teeth of the first elements. The second elements are each slidably mounted to a helical spline and comprise projections that engage helix grooves arranged in opposite directions along the shaft. The interaction of first and second power elements causes the linear motion of the helix shaft. The helical spline comprises a piston at each end that reciprocates within a respective cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel helix drive for use with a valve assembly of a water softener. The helix drive comprises a stationary drive axle bearing a longitudinally slotted sleeve; a piston having an apertured end and being disposed within said drive axle sleeve; a transverse pin, having ends fitted with guide shoes, disposed through said piston aperture and located within said axle slot; and a drive gear having a pair of helix paths within said pin guide shoes are disposed. Rotation of said drive gear results in reciprocating longitudinal movement of the pin within the axle slot and, thus, the piston.

Abstract: A camshaft is provided having longitudinally spaced cams for operating the valve lifters of an engine. Each cam has juxtaposed first and second cam lobes for operating at low speed conditions (city driving) and high speed conditions (highway). The profile of each cam lobe has a base circle area and the base circle areas of the lobes on each cam are of the same radius and overlap to provide a cross-over zone. While the engine is running and the camshaft is rotating, the camshaft can be shifted longitudinally between a first position in which the valve lifters contact the profiles of the first cam lobes of the cams and a second position in which the valve lifters contact the profiles of the second cam lobes.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting a rotational drive motion into a linear back and forth motion comprising driven member (21) for performing said back and forth motion, and a rotational drive member (33) for applying a driving force to the driven member. The drive member has a cam track (40, 43) cooperating with a cam follower (34, 35) of the driven member. The cam track has straight sections and motion direction reversing zones (41, 42) interconnecting the straight sections to provide an uninterrupted cam track. The cam track straight sections have back-tapered cam surfaces arranged in such a manner that the cam follower does not engage the respective cam surface which faces in a direction opposite to an instantaneous linear motion direction of the driven member, whereby the cam follower engages only cam surfaces facing in the instantaneous motion direction, except in said motion direction reversing zones.

Abstract: To guide a cam follower through the intersection of crossing portions of a cam track, a crossover mechanism is provided with a pair of crossover cam members which are separately, telescopically reciprocated to momentarily insert cam segments into the intersection in properly timed relation with the arrival thereat of the cam follower in its movement along either of the crossing track portions.

Abstract: To enable a single motor in a franking machine to set the printing wheels in a printing drum in addition to rotating the drum and feeding items of mail through the machine, four carriages, each carrying a rocker and solenoids are mounted on two pairs of continuously rotating lead screws. Each carriage is connected by a ring shoe to a printing wheel via a selecting bar in the drum arbor. Solenoid moves rocker to engage screw to drive the carriage in one direction. Movement in the opposite direction is by screw controlled by solenoid. Each carriage sets an encoding switch to enable a microcomputer to know the state of the printing wheels. Each new value is fed, for example, by a keyboard, to the microcomputer which determines the movement, if any, of each carriage to set the new value on the printing wheels.

Abstract: A differential mechanism including a housing, an elongate shaft disposed in the housing which is coupled to an object to be moved with the shaft defining a ring-handed thread along a first portion thereof and a left-handed thread along a second portion thereof. A right-handed nut is mounted on the first portion of the shaft in engagement with the right-handed thread, and a left-handed nut is mounted on the second portion of the shaft in engagement with the left-handed thread, with the right-handed and left-handed nuts being fixedly mounted for independent rotation within the housing, whereby selective rotation and prevention of rotation of said right-handed and left-handed nuts effects rotational and/or translational movement of said shaft relative to said housing.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a brake actuator including a spindle (20) is arranged between an hydraulically movable piston (12) and a mechanically movable tappet (18). The spindle (20) is formed at its outside with left- and right-hand threads (26) and (28), respectively, on which a collet (22) and an adjusting nut (24), respectively, are threaded in non-self-locking manner or, in other words, reversibly. The collet (22) and the adjusting nut (24) form a conical coupling (25) which, when engaged or closed prevents rotation of the structural members so that the adjustment device acts as a rigid member between the tappet (18) and the piston (12).

Abstract: An erector for holding a spin axis of a gyro rotor in the vertical direction used in a gyroscopic horizon or gyro vertical which comprises a gyro casing incorporating therein a gyro rotor rotating at high speed, a spin axis of the gyro rotor being held substantially in the vertical direction, first supporting member for rotatably supporting the gryo casing around a first horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the spin axis and second supporting member for rotatably supporting the first supporting member around a second horizontal axis which is perpendicular to both the spin axis and the first horizontal axis is disclosed, which includes a base plate, a motor mounted on the base plate, a rotation receptacle container having an annular shape cavity and rotated at low speed by the motor, and liquid charged into the annular shape cavity of the rotation receptacle container, the base plate being mounted on the gyro casing such that the rotation axis of the rotation receptacle container and the spin axis of the

Abstract: Two reciprocating cylindrical drive cams, each with a continuous spiral groove, mounted on a splined shaft, a driven cylindrical cam with two continuous spiral grooves mounted on a parallel shaft, and two reciprocating pins mounted in an intermediate housing between the drive cams and driven cam. The upper ends of the pins engage the grooves of the drive cams, and the lower ends of the pins engage the grooves of the driven cam. When the drive cams are locked together on the splined shaft, the drive cams revolve and the grooves impart reciprocating motion to the pins which impart revolving motion to the driven cam. When the drive cams are allowed to reciprocate on the splined shaft, the drive cams do not revolve and no motion is transmitted to the pins or to the driven cams.

Abstract: The gyroscopically stabilized magnetic suspension system constitutes a base assembly which itself constitutes a narrow beam source of electromagnetic energy disposed at substantially the radial center of the base assembly. The base assembly also includes a first toroidal magnet surrounding the source of electromagnetic energy, the first toroidal magnet having a polarity transverse to its toroidal plane. Also provided within the base assembly are first anti-spin magnets disposed beyond the outer toroidal radius of the first toroidal magnet, the anti-spin magnets having the same magnetic axis as the first toroidal magnet but, however, having an opposite polarity thereto. The system also constitutes a suspended assembly itself constituting an electromagnetic energy receiving and converting means, and a motor disposed upon the electromagnetic receiving means and powered thereby, the motor having an axis of rotation and alignment with the axial center of the first toroidal magnet.

Abstract: A spin casting machine having a gyro rotor which stabilizes the spindle in the vertical position. The weight of the heavy rotating wheel provides the inertial resistance to speed changes to provide smooth continuous rotation at the selected speed. Lenses spun cast on such a gyroscopically stabilized rotor shaft will be of high optical quality and reproducible.

Abstract: An improved air valve limit for an attitude gyro unit including a flexible strand fastened at its ends to the gyro housing and at midpoints to the gyro and valves.

Abstract: A traversing mechanism including a cam shaft on its outer surface an endless helical cam groove for reciprocation of a guide member, a cam shoe of the guide member adapted to engage with said cam groove, the guide member adapted to reciprocate along the axis of said cam shaft, and further including a cylindrical retaining portion formed on said guide member for receiving said cam shoe, wherein said cam shoe comprising a slidable member and a separate rotatable member adapted to be fitted into said cylindrical retaining portion, said slidable member being formed from a flat piece of hard ceramic material with its one end serving as an engaging end portion, and said rotatable member being in the cylindrical form and on its one end a retaining slot being grooved into which the other end of said slidable member being fitted for assembling of both members.

Abstract: An erection system (22) which is responsive to the flow of air for erecting a gyroscope (1) is diclosed. The erection system includes a plurality of channels (26,28,30,32) having balls (42) disposed therein. The balls (42) are responsive to the gyroscope (1) being tilted from an erect attitude by a first relatively small predetermined angle (0.5.degree.) for rolling in the channels (20,28,30,32) to create an unbalanced flow of air through the erection system (22), which provides a force to erect the gyro (1), and are responsive to the gyroscope (1) being tilted by a second relatively large predetermined angle (10.degree.) for rolling in the channels (26,28,30,32) to negate the unbalanced air flow which disables the erection system (22).

Abstract: The described motion converter has a housing in which a drive shaft is interconnected with a rotary motion power source. The drive shaft has an extent having a left-hand thread adjacent one end thereof and an extent having a right-hand thread located adjacent the opposite end thereof. Threaded nuts on the left and right hand threaded portions each have spiral spring clutches. An actuator is slidingly received upon the intermediate portion of the drive shaft with pins located at opposite ends of the actuator to engage one spring clutch while releasing the other. A spring loaded positioning device associated with the actuator insures that the actuator is positively located to engage one or the other of the clutches and prevents the actuator from hanging up at an intermediate position.

Abstract: In an azimuth determining gyroscope, a mechanically balanced gimbal is suspended from a fixed case by a wire which passes through the generally tubular upper portion of the suspended gimbal. A spin motor and a wheel for rotating about a vertical axis are coupled to the lower portion of the suspended gimbal. The upper portion of the suspended gimbal has pickoff and torquer coils for measuring the position of the suspended gimbal with respect to the fixed case and for providing torque to the suspended gimbal. Leads to the spin motor are configured to act as azimuth restraint means between the suspended gimbal and the fixed case.

Abstract: A mortising machine adapted for connection to a conventional electric motor includes a frame having rotatably mounted therein a helically-grooved shaft on which is threadedly mounted a router assembly carrying a rotatable router bit for reciprocation along the grooved shaft upon its rotation. The shaft of the router bit and the grooved shaft are both driven from a drive shaft journaled in the frame by a drive connection arrangement of pulleys and timing belts to simultaneously rotate and reciprocate the router bit for cutting a linear mortised slot. For driving the shaft of the router bit, the drive arrangement includes a pulley on each of the drive shaft and router bit shaft, a traveling idler pulley mounted on an arm pivoted on the router assembly, and a timing belt trained about the pulleys.

Abstract: An X-Y scanner is illustrated which utilizes an eddy current or ultrasonic current test probe for detecting surface defects in small flat plates and the like. The apparatus includes a scanner C which travels on a pair of slide tubes (20) in the X-direction. The scanner is, in turn, carried on a carriage B which slides in the Y-direction. The scanner C is driven in the X-direction by means of a helix shaft (44) having a closed-loop helix groove (46) in which a follower pin 38 carried by scanner C rides. The carriage B is moved incrementally in the Y-direction upon the completion of travel of the scanner back and forth in the X-direction by means of an indexing means E which includes an indexing actuator (54) and an indexing gear (50). Actuator (54) is in the form of a ratchet which engages ratchet gear (52) upon return of the scanner to the indexing position whereupon the indexing gear (50) is rotated a predetermined increment along a rack gear (48) to move carriage B incrementally in the Y-direction.

Abstract: Sharpening mechanism for moving at a variable speed along the length of the sharp edge of a reciprocating knife used in cloth cutting machines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a driven grinding apparatus (26) such as is known in the art for contacting an edge of a reciprocating knife (24). Driven grinding apparatus (26) is moved by a tubular carrier member (44) which moves the grinding mechanism (26) along the edge of reciprocating knife (24) in a manner also known in the art. A traverse mechanism for moving the carriage along the knife edge includes a guide mechanism (52) attached to tubular member (44) for following left and right hand peripheral threads (34) cut in the drive shaft (32).

Abstract: The invention concerns a vertical gyroscope rotary mechanical erector. According to the invention, the erector is characterized mainly by the fact that it features only one unstable pendulum (6) while providing the same quality on the vertical as the erectors fitted with at least two pendulums and offering as a further advantage, a greater simplicity and reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for righting and stabilizing a gyro vertical comprising: a disc arranged on the gyro housing and perpendicular to the gyro spin axis to be driven in the same sense as the gyro rotor, a cavity provided in the disc and a liquid drop movable in the cavity, the cavity being formed such that the liquid drop, with an inclination of the gyro spin axis with respect to the vertical, flows downhill into an edge portion of the cavity remote from the gyro spin axis, in which cavity it is taken along and lifted by the wall of the cavity in an angle range, thereby producing a righting torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for setting up a vertical gyroscopic device mounted on a moving craft, wherein the action of roll reset means is eliminated only with a delay time with respect to the rotation of the mass, this delay time being such that upon its expiration the kinetic moment of the mass in rotation is sufficient to ensure the stability thereof and the erector system is controlled in the sense of activation only with another time delay necessary to reduce the movement of precession of the device. The invention is applicable to the guiding or control of missiles or aircraft.

Abstract: A vertical gyroscopic reference system consists of a gimballed platform solid with a stator in the form of a hollow spherical chamber in which a substantially spherical gyro rotor revolves, the rotor being both driven and supported by air pressure, and having a pressure-fed hole through its spin axis which cooperates with ports in the stator to provide signals to a pair of pneumatic actuators which slave the platform to follow the gyro rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for erecting and stabilizing of a gyro vertical, comprising a disc arranged on the gyro housing and perpendicular to the gyro axis, said disc being driven in the same sense as the gyro rotor but at a reduced rate as compared thereto, and having at least one guideway, in which a mass is movably guided, the guideway being arranged such that the disc with the mass is balanced with respect to the gyro axis, when the mass abuts the rear end, with respect to the rotary movement, of the guideway, and that the movement of the mass in the guideway causes an erecting torque, when the gyro spin axis deviates from the vertical direction observed.

Abstract: Gyroscopic apparatus comprises a gyroscopic device having two mutually perpendicular sensitive axes. The device is suspended in a two-axis gimbal system by means of cross-spring pivots of zero stiffeners. The gimbal system is further supported by a subsidiary suspension about two horizontal axes, and the subsidiary suspension carries damping means to damp movements of the gimbal system.

Abstract: A flying stitcher and method of forming a panel unit wherein the panel unit is formed and stitched in a continuous process. The stitches are placed in panels by a stitching head which moves with the panel so that the panel need not be stopped/started during a stitching operation.

Abstract: An arrangement of the components of a revolving battery gun such that the center of gravity of the assembly is located on the axis of the firing barrel at the time of its maximum recoil thrust. The required location of the center of gravity is achieved by the use of a relatively small number of barrels in a Gatling gun having a main cam with a self-intersecting, two-revolution track and a crossover switch mechanism. Such a configuration permits the firing barrel to be placed relatively near to the gun rotor axis and permits the gun feeder, as well as the drive, recoil adapters, and other accessory devices to be placed on the same side of the gun as the firing barrel. In this location, the accessory devices counterbalance the weight of the rotor and barrel cluster, thereby placing the center of gravity of the assembly approximately on the axis of the firing barrel. The recoil thrust then passes through the center of gravity of the recoiling mass, eliminating pitch and yaw moments.

Abstract: A traversing carriage has a shift member movable thereon which bears a pair of partial nuts for alternate engagement with each of two lead screws. A pair of latches are mounted on the carriage, each adapted to retain one of the partial nuts in engagement with a lead screw. Latch actuators are located to trip the latches and to operate the shift member when the carriage reaches predetermined limits of traverse.

Abstract: A gyro system employing the pickoff synchros as erection sensors and as torquers to erect the gyro.

Abstract: Disclosed is a displacement pump especially suited for use in very small well bores. The pump includes a piston working in a cylinder, driven by a rotating cam shaft having closed loop cams for effecting reciprocation of the piston. The rotating cam shaft carries spool valves for positive control of liquid flow into and out of the pumping chambers. Also disclosed is a transmission mechanism especially suitable for use in reducing the speed of an electric motor power source to a level suitable for driving the cam shaft. The pump includes a small diameter high speed electric motor, on which is mounted the transmission mechanism, which in turn carries the pumping mechanism. An electrical power conduit runs through the pumping mechanism and transmission mechanism to the motor.

Abstract: An air erected gyro includes an erection-force producing air stream and gravity-responsive valve means whose gate portion is movable across the air stream so as to vary the erection force magnitude. Also included is a compensator means connected for movement with the gate and for also confronting the air stream so as to at least partially counteract air stream induced horizontal coercive effects on the valve means position.

Abstract: An electrostatic pickoff well suited for use in a two-axis electrostatically-captured rotor rate gyroscope is shown. Displacement currents, which flow between stator electrodes and the V-shaped annular electrically conductive rotor capturing the rotor, are processed so as to produce signals related to rotor position but independent of capture currents. When closed through a 5 degree-of-freedom positional servomechanism, rotor position signals are effective in producing rotor capture with net zero rotor current without producing rotor distorting forces.

Abstract: A two-axis rate gyroscope of the captured type is provided having a cylindrical rotor with one or more inwardly projecting flanges. The rotor is disposed within a sealed toroidal cavity in a rotor housing and the interior of the cavity is evacuated to a "hard" vacuum. An electrostatic suspension system restrains the rotor from translatory movement along the gyroscope spin axis and two axes perpendicular thereto so that a virtually frictionless spin bearing is provided for the rotor. The suspension system functions to prevent relative angular rotation between the rotor and the rotor housing about two precession axes. The rotor housing is mounted on a flexure joint which prevents translatory movement of the housing along three orthogonal axes but permits rotational movement of the housing about the two precession axes.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension system for efficiently supporting a rotor of relatively large radius and high available moment of inertia includes concentric stator and rotor elements spaced apart by narrow gaps of relatively large diameter and very small axial extent. A pair of spaced discs in the stator are oppositely polarized by a permanent magnet, their peripheral magnetic field strength being selectively augmented or diminished in predetermined sectors by electromagnet windings thereon. The rotor includes narrow ring faces juxtaposed to said discs, a permanent magnetic polarization being provided between the narrow ring faces. Means are provided for varying the relative electromagnetic contributions in the different sectors to maintain stability of rotor positioning with minimized electric power. SUThe present invention relates to magnetic suspension systems.Magnetic suspension systems have been described in various prior patents including, inter alia, the following U.S.