Donald R Rutledge

US Patent:

45036764, Mar 12, 1985

Filed:

Dec 30, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/567051

Inventors:

Donald R. Rutledge - Budd Lake NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

F03G 700

US Classification:

60527

Abstract:

Apparatus for directly converting thermal energy into rotational movement. A long shaft relative to its cross-section and made of an elastic material with a high thermal coefficient of expansion is equipped with a plurality of journals at prescribed points along its axial length. A corresponding number of fixedly mounted circular bearings receive the journals. The bearings are arranged to constrain the shaft into an elastic arc. Thermal energy is applied to all or a substantial part of the concave surface of the arced shaft. Means may be employed to force cool all or a portion of the convex portion of the arced shaft. As a result of this arrangement, the shaft elastically rotates about its axis within the bearings. Structure is disclosed for coupling the rotational movement of the shaft to a utilization device.

US Patent:

43725350, Feb 8, 1983

Filed:

Aug 25, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/181056

Inventors:

David W. Gibson - Chester NJ
Albert L. Hale - Berkeley Heights NJ
Daniel L. Pope - Chester NJ
Donald R. Rutledge - Budd Lake NJ
Kirk P. Wells - Glen Gardner NJ

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B66D 176

US Classification:

254319

Abstract:

A capstan winch for pulling cable through conduit includes means for measuring the torque applied to the capstan and a take-up reel. The torque measuring means comprises an inner drum connected by a tension spring to a concentric outer drum. A patterned disc on the inner drum is visible through a window in the outer drum. The pattern indicates the relative position of the inner and outer drums, which is correlated to the applied torque.