Other

Inotek-westmoreland Joint Venture

William H Barner

Don Martin

Ernest N Martin

The inwardly facing portions of annular springs adjacent the inner edge thereof are formed into two or more regions of predetermined angular or curved slopes and radial extent. When the peak of a shaft cam passes an annular set of ball bearings between the springs, the loaded springs unload at a rate determined by each region slope and the radial extent of the regions to consecutively drive the shaft at corresponding rates and forces. To precisely obtain the desired spring characteristics, a composite spring can be used formed from a steel spring sandwiched together with a plastic member (e.g., nylon).

Multiple rate force and movement actuator

A particulate material dispenser comprising an elongate, vertically extending body defining an upwardly opening material holding compartment, an elongate, laterally extending semi-cylindrical chamber at the bottom of the body and opening upwardly into the compartment and an elongate, laterally extending vertical discharge opening with front, rear and end edges at the bottom of said chamber, an elongate rotor with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting webs with outside edges and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly opening material receiving and transporting pockets of predetermined volume, is positioned in and extends longitudinally of the chamber with the outside edges of two adjacent webs at the lower half of the rotor in sliding sealing engagement with the inside surface of the chamber adjacent the front and rear edges of the opening and with the pocket therebetween communicating with the opening, a spring is positioned in the compartment above the rotor to normally yieldingly urge the rotor down in the chamber, a drive is provided to intermittently move the spring, turn the rotor and sequentially advance the pockets into and out of communication with the opening.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America

William H Barner