Abstract:
A rotating concave grain threshing system has a rotor positioned within a concave. The rotor and concave are each rotatable in different preselected speeds and directions through respective transmissions connected to a power source. Measurements are taken corresponding to a physical property of the crop being harvested and the torque induced on the concave. A signal is generated and is responsive to changes in the measurements and delivered to a controller. The controller will then create a controlling signal corresponding to a difference between the desired physical property and the measured physical property and/or the desired torque and the measured torque being greater than a preselected amount. An actuator receives the controlling signal and changes the speed of the concave in response to the magnitude of the received controlling signal.
Abstract:
The energy conversion system of the subject invention converts the energy from a source of pressurized fluid, such as a free-piston engine and a storage accumulator, to a work system at various pressure levels. This is accomplished by providing power modifying units which act to efficiently reduce the pressure level of the fluid from the source of pressurized fluid to the various pressure levels. A control arrangement monitors the operating pressures in the actuators and selects the path of pressurized fluid having the lowest pressure level needed to perform the task. Additionally, exhausted fluid containing energy is utilized by regenerating the fluid back to the inlet of the actuator or by directing it through the appropriate power modifying unit to amplify the pressure therein and supplement or recharge the source of pressurized fluid.
Abstract:
An edge scraper device for the inboard edge of a belted track-type vehicle removes debris from the track edge as the vehicle operates in muddy or trash-laden environments by close-proximity relationship to the track edge. Spring biasing and adjustment devices retain the scraper device in a functionally close proximity to the track edge. The edge scraper device is mounted substantially above the track to prevent fallen debris from accumulating on the device.
Abstract:
A differential steer is provided for use in a machine and includes a variable displacement motor operatively connected to a differential disposed between first and second output members. The variable displacement motor is an over-center type and the displacement thereof is varied from zero to maximum in both directions of movement. Pressurized fluid to drive the steer motor is received from the main system pump. A microprocessor senses the direction and rate of rotation of the steer motor output, the speed of the outputs from the differential, the magnitude of a steer input, and controls the output speed of the steer motor to the differential in response to the magnitude of the steer input. Consequently, the quantity of fluid taken from the main system pump is limited to only that necessary to rotate the steer motor at a rate necessary to satisfy the desired steer input. Since the steer motor is using only the flow necessary to rotate the steer motor output at a desired speed and the steer motor torque is generally proportional to the steer motor displacement, the overall operating efficiency is increased as compared to known differential steer systems.
Abstract:
The invention is concerned with an apparatus and process for curing tread and track belts. The apparatus comprises a plurality of inner segments which fit together to form an outer generally cylindrical mold face surface of an inner cylinder along with means for retracting said plurality of inner segments towards the axis of said inner cylinder and means for heating said plurality of inner segments. Also part of the apparatus is a plurality of outer segments which fit together to form an inner generally cylindrical mold face surface of an outer cylinder, said outer cylinder being coaxial with said inner cylinder and of generally equal length therewith, along with means for retracting said plurality of outer segments away from the common axis of said cylinders and means for heating said plurality of outer segments. Finally the apparatus includes a pair of rings adapted to seal said inner cylinder to said outer cylinder at the ends thereof, at least one of said sealing rings being removable so that an uncured tread or track belt is positionable between said plurality of inner segments and said plurality of outer segments when said plurality of inner segments is retracted toward said common axis and said plurality of outer segments is retracted away from said common axis. The process is concerned with finish forming and curing an uncured tread or track belt in such an apparatus.
Abstract:
A track roller unit for a vehicle has at least one pivotable subframe, at least one further pivotable subframe, wherein each of the subframes rotatably accommodates at least one land wheel, at least one subframe is pivotably mountable on the vehicle, and at least the further substrate is pivotally mounted on the one subframe.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) and method adapted for locating objects under a body of water comprising a frame structure (12) and at least one sensor assembly (16) connected thereto. The sensor assembly (16) is pivotally coupled to the frame structure (12) and includes a rigid member (20) and a geographic location system receiver (42) connected thereto. An arm member (22) is connected to the rigid member (20) and an object detection device (38) is associated with the arm member (22). The object detection device (38) is operable to detect a density change indicative of an object under the body of water, said object detection device (38) being further operable to emit a signal (46) indicative of the detection of an object under the body of water relative thereto based density change sensed thereby; and its position is known relative to the position of the GPS receiver (42). The geographic location receiver (42) is operable to emit a signal (50) indicative of the present position of the receiver (42). An electronic controller (48) coupled to both the object detection device (38) and the geographic location receiver (42) is operable to both receive signals (46, 50) therefrom and to output a signal (52) indicative of the location of the object detected under the body of water.
Abstract:
Extruded reinforced hoses are useful in fluid systems which operate at high pressures. Other reinforced hoses are prepared in individual stations for particular parts of the reinforced hose consequently requiring large amounts of manufacturing floor space. Still other processes require extruding a hose on a mandrel and subsequently applying a fabric reinforcement member. In these processes, the length of the hose is limited by the length of the mandrel. The present apparatus produces an extruded reinforced hose (10) by braiding a metal reinforcement member (16) on a mandrel (42) and extruding a liner (21) and cover (22) at approximately the same location as the member (16) leaves the mandrel (42). The formed hose (10) is pulled at a linear rate faster than the hose (10) is being produced in order to change the braid angle of the braided member (16) to a predetermined selected braid angle and holding for subsequent curing. The metal braided reinforcement member (16) provides the high strength characteristic while the extruding of the liner (21) and the cover (22) at approximately the same location near the mandrel (42) eliminates the need for separate lengthy mandrels on which to extrude the hose (10), thus minimizing manufacturing floor space and reducing costs.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided for continuously extruding an elastomeric hose (10) having a controlled internal size. A controlled internal size is necessary in order to mount various types of couplings to the hose. Other hose making processes require extruding the hose on a mandrel in order to control the internal size. The use of mandrels restrict hose length and require additional floor space due to the lengthy mandrels. An extruded hose (10) having a controlled internal size is continuously made by extruding an elastomeric material over a first end portion (104) of an internal shaping member (102) and continuously monitoring the flow of air between a gauge member (112) and the internal size of the hose (10). The rate of extrusion is controlled in response to the flow of air between the gauge member (112) and the internal size of the hose (10) changing from a predetermined range. The continuous monitoring of the internal size adjacent the internal shaping member and adjusting the rate of extrusion in response thereto produces a continuous hose with a controlled internal size without the use of long mandrels.
Abstract:
A wheel assembly machine (10) for mounting first and second rim halves (20) on a tire (14). Means (34) for expanding at least a portion of a first circumferential portion (24) permits mounting of the second rim half (20) without excessive difficulty or damage to the tire (14). An elevator (58) evenly forces a belt (56) onto the tire (14) avoiding misalignment between the belt (56) and the tire (14). The present invention lessens the likelihood of tire damage or tire-rim misalignment during assembly of a wheel (12).