Apparatus and method for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station, and return, the transfer apparatus comprising a carriage mounted alongside the conveyor between the latter and the work station and for reciprocating movements along a path parallel to the movement of the conveyor. The carriage has two article support portions, one of which is adapted to receive an article from the conveyor and move it into the work station, and the other of which is adapted to receive an article from the work station and return it to the conveyor. The conveyor is provided with means for stopping selected articles carried by the conveyor to enable the transfer of articles from and to the conveyor to be effected. The movements of the carriage are controlled in such manner as to ensure the presence thereon of an article in readiness to be transferred to the work station prior to the completion of work performed on a preceding article in the work station.
Apparatus And Methods For Simulating Varying Atmospheric Conditions
Apparatus and methods for simulating varying atmospheric conditions comprises an enclosure that is sealed except for an air inlet and an air outlet by means of which air is admitted to and exhausted from the enclosure. The inlet of the enclosure is connected to a compressed air source and the outlet of the enclosure is connected to a vacuum pump. Adjustment of the flow rates of air into and from the enclosure results in changes in the air pressure within the enclosure to simulate barometric pressure changes from below to well above sea level. Air admitted to the enclosure is temperature and moisture conditioned to simulate changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity conditions. Apparatus and methods according to the disclosure are particularly suited for the testing and calibration of vehicle carburetors.
A chassis dynamometer has a number of rotary units corresponding to the number of wheels of a vehicle to be tested, each of the rotary units constituting a synchronous electric motor independent of one another. Each motor is coupled to an electric power source via a single frequency control unit which is operable to adjust the frequency of electric current supplied to the motors. All motors operate at a uniform speed and each motor is coupled to a torque responsive load cell operable to generate a signal in response to a change in torque of the associated motor. Each load cell is coupled to a summing circuit unit which also is coupled to the frequency control unit for adjusting the latter in accordance with an average of changes in the torque.
Apparatus and methods for testing a front wheel drive automotive transmission having a drive input adapted for connection to the engine driveshaft and two driven outputs adapted for coupling to the axles of the front wheels. The testing apparatus comprises a drive input shaft corresponding to the engine driveshaft and a pair of output shafts corresponding to the vehicle axles. Each output shaft is coupled to a single driven shaft by a positive drive, non-slip coupling mechanism so that neither of the output shafts can rotate at a speed different from that of the other. The single, driven shaft is provided with a flywheel which simulates inertial forces. The input driveshaft is coupled to a variable speed motor and the single, driven shaft is coupled to a similar motor which is operable at selected speeds to impose varying load conditions on the transmission. The positive drive couplings preferably rotate the single, driven shaft at a speed greater than that of the driving output shafts so as to minimize the mass of the flywheel.
A continuously movable conveyor supports a plurality of articles for movement along a path leading to and beyond a zone at which selected articles are transferred from and returned to the conveyor. At the transfer zone is stop apparatus movable from a position clear of the path of movement of the articles on the conveyor to a position in which it projects into such path of movement so as to engage and stop an oncoming article as the conveyor continues to move. The stop apparatus includes a stop member supported by a parallelogram linkage which is rockable by an extensible and retractable hydraulic ram to effect movements of the stop member into and out of the path of conveyor borne articles. The coupling of the ram to the stop member includes a lost motion connection enabling displacement of the stop member upon engagement of the latter by an article on the conveyor and the ram is yieldably retractable in response to such engagement so as to absorb and cushion the shock of such engagement. Following stopping of the article on the conveyor the ram returns to its extended position and locates the stop member in such position that, upon retraction of the ram to move the stop member out of the path of movement of conveyor borne articles, the stop member has a component of movement along the conveyor path so as to avoid the imposition of binding forces on the stop member by the article engaged thereby.
George Scourtes 1965 graduate of Fairhope High School in Fairhope, AL is on Classmates.com. See pictures, plan your class reunion and get caught up with George and other high ...