Abstract: An apparatus which forms a controlled engageable low maintenance seal between the slide and the gib of a mechanical press and which prevents lubricant from exiting the area between the slide and the gib and entering the die space. The sealing arrangement is selectively actuatable depending upon an operational condition of the press.

Abstract: A pier or dock adjustment method permits adjustment of a height of a pier platform relative to a pier structure, the pier structure including at least a first post. The method includes the step of providing a platform height adjustment apparatus, the platform height adjustment apparatus including a platform support member and a height positioning mechanism. The platform height adjustment apparatus is slidably mounted on the first post. The post position of the platform height adjustment apparatus is fixed relative to the first post, the post position being situated above and proximate the pier platform. The platform support member is moved into a platform supporting position relative to the platform. The height positioning mechanism is actuated to thereby one of lower and lift the pier platform.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a flex disk brake secured to a brake device of a press clutch-brake combination. A plurality of axially flexible finger elements extends from a peripheral side of the flex disk in a bent or arcuate configuration. The finger elements extend at least in part in a circumferential direction of the flex disk generally opposite to a direction of rotation of the press crankshaft. Each finger element is secured at one end to the stationary press crown. During brake activation, the axial flexibility of each finger element accommodates axial displacement of the attached brake device as the brake device undergoes actuated movement into its braking position. The flex brake disk provides a torquing rigidity that renders it rotationally stationary.

Abstract: A positive lock for infinite adjustable stroke alignment mechanism for a mechanical press with an eccentric bushing disposed within a press connection member with a second eccentric member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the second eccentric member. A positive lock alignment mechanism is included for aligning the press connection member with the eccentric bushing to prevent rotation therebetween and permitting rotation of the second eccentric member with the eccentric bushing for infinite stroke adjustment whereby rotation of the crankshaft, when the mechanism is activated causes a press stroke adjustment.

Abstract: A backup ring is provided adjacent a seal apparatus for delivering a controlled space between two relatively moving parts. The backup ring provides protection against seal extrusion and failure, and can provide an auxiliary seal when needed. The backup ring includes either an arcuate surface that deforms under pressure, or a cantilever portion that deforms under pressure, or both.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled fuel dispenser includes a card reader adapted to retrieve a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data element encoded on a card-type device furnished by the customer. The URL data element defines the Internet address of a server that hosts an e-mail messaging account preferably belonging to the customer. A client machine at the dispenser position accesses the server specified by the retrieved URL data element and receives the email messages downloaded by the server in response to the e-mail request. The customer views the downloaded e-mail messages on a display installed at the dispenser position. The dispenser position is provided with a suitable connection facility to make a networked connection to the Internet, which preferably includes the World Wide Web.

Abstract: A method for forming an oxidation-passive layer having high corrosion resistance to highly oxidizing materials such as ozone; a stainless steel and a titanium base alloy having corrosion resistance to an ozone containing fluid; and a fluid containing part, a process apparatus, and a fluid feed/discharge system made by using the same. The method comprises the steps of heat-treating the surface of a stainless steel or titanium-base alloy having an Al content of 0.5 percent by weight to 7 percent by weight either at 300° C. to 700° C. in a mixed gas atmosphere composed of an inert gas and 500 ppb to 1 percent H2O gas or 1 ppm to 500 ppm oxygen gas, or alternatively at 20° C. to 300° C. in a mixed gas atmosphere composed of an oxygen gas and at least 100 ppm ozone gas to form an oxidation-passive layer containing an aluminum oxide or a titanium oxide.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a variable drive arrangement. The press includes a link drive which drives a crankshaft. The drive altering mechanism includes an adjustment device which changes the position of the link drive, thereby altering the drive mechanism of the mechanical press and the corresponding velocity curve of the press slide.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing the gap between two relatively moving members is provided with a pivot point on its cross-sectional perimeter. As pressure against the seal increases, the seal rotates about the pivot point, resulting in an increased sealing surface area on the seal. Additionally, a recess is provided on the cross sectional perimeter, advantageously offering a more frictionless sealing relationship between the seal and the moving member. Further, a recess is provided on outer portion of the cross sectional perimeter on a surface of the seal that would contact an energizer ring, the recess eliminating a dynamic interface between the energizer ring and the seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the original warranty and extended warranty for a mechanical device. A value indicative of the severity of the use of a mechanical device is utilized to develop a value of original warranty and a value of extended warranty. Extended warranty information may additionally be used to offer an automatic buyback of the mechanical device.

Abstract: A gripping device for use in a transfer press machine includes a jaw assembly having an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member disposed in fixed spaced-apart relationship to one another. A piston-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder element mounted on the upper jaw member and a piston element reciprocatingly housed within the cylinder element. The upper jaw member is provided with a bore passageway formed therethrough that opens into the clamping space. The piston-cylinder assembly is suitably mounted on the upper jaw member such that the piston element is displaceable therein and extensible into the clamping space defined between the jaw members. Suitably pressurizing the piston-cylinder assembly effects a displacement of the piston element into the clamping space which is sufficient to clamp a workpiece between the displaced piston element and the stationary lower jaw member.

Abstract: A device and method for the plaining of glasses or glass-ceramics. The device is provided with a melting vat, at least two plaining containers serially connected after the outlet of the melting vat, and at least one of the plaining containers is built in accordance with the skull principle from a plurality of metal tubes comprising a cooling agent connection and a high-frequency device for inductively coupling high-frequency energy into the contents of the plaining container.

Abstract: An etching treatment agent which can etch insulating film with high speeds without damaging the resist pattern, provide realistic throughput when the insulting film etching process in the semiconductor manufacturing process is replaced with the single wafer processing etching treatment method, and prevent roughness on the surface of the semiconductor after etching.

Abstract: A plasma etching device which has an auxiliary electrode enabling realization of a uniform plasma density of generated plasma on the surface of a base and which enables uniform etching with respect to the base without depending upon pressure and without rotating a magnetic field applying means. The plasma etching device has magnetic field applying means which has two parallel plate electrodes I and II and RF power applying means, with the base set on the electrode I, and which is horizontal and unidirectional with respect to the surface of the base where plasma etching is carried out. In this plasma etching device, an auxiliary electrode is provided at least on the upstream side of the base in a flow of electron current generated by the magnetic field applying means. The auxiliary electrode includes a local electrode arranged on the side facing the electrode II and means for adjusting impedance provided at a part of the local electrode to be electrically connected with the electrode I.

Abstract: A laser processing method for processing a hidden surface of a workpiece, the hidden surface being disposed within a recess having an opening. The method includes inserting a reflective member into the recess and directing a pulse of coherent energy to reflect off of said reflective member and impact the hidden surface of a workpiece to create a shock wave. Alteratively a surface of the recess may be modified to laser shock process the hidden surface. In one particular embodiment, the reflective member is specifically shaped toprovide diction of a pulse of coherent energy to a hidden surface so that a substantially uniform energy density is applied to the hidden surface. In an additional embodiment, the method is optimized for preventing damage to the reflective member. In one particular embodiment, the reflective member is composed of a fluid.

Abstract: The invention related to a hydrodynamic-mechanical multi-speed compound transmission has at least four speeds. The transmission includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft as well as a hydrodynamic transmission part. The hydrodynamic and the mechanical transmission parts are connected in series when seen from the power flow direction. Mechanisms are provided for by-passing the hydrodynamic transmission part during power transmission. The hydrodynamic transmission part includes at least one hydrodynamic speed-torque converter. The mechanical transmission part includes a mechanical speed-torque converting device with at least two planetary gear sets. The mechanical transmission part is designed in such a way that transmission ratios in the individual gear steps cause gear step jumps of phi ≦1.45 between two successive gear steps of the individual speeds.

Abstract: Welding of material such as a piping using ferrite system stainless steel, in which a back sealed gas used for conventional welding is switched from argon gas (or a hydrogen gas/argon gas mix) to an argon gas to which an oxidizing gas is doped at the time of forming a chromium oxide passivation film. Welding conditions are set at the temperature in which the inner surface of the piping does not melt at the time of forming the chromium oxide passivation film. The temperature of the welding piping is set uniformly between welding conditions in conventional welding and welding conditions at the time of forming the chromium oxide passivation film, and in order to replace gases used with conventional welding with gases used at the time of forming the chromium oxide passivation film. A cycle of one round or more is performed under the welding conditions for forming a chromium oxide passivation film, thereby, to form the chromium oxide passivation film on a weld in concurrence with welding.

Abstract: A knife ring machining tool for machining chips, with a knife ring comprising a crown of knife packets as well as two carrier rings carrying the packets, which rings are arranged on the ends of the knife packets. Each knife packet includes a knife that is inclined against the radial direction and whose cutting edge faces inward, with a rotor arranged coaxially with the knife ring and surrounded by the latter. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor blades that carry strip-shaped cleaving knives on the outer ends, which knives for their part run parallel to the rotor axis and extend over the width of the rotor. Each cleaving knife is fastened by screws to the associated rotor blade, while each screw connection comprises a wedge element that tapers outward in radial direction in a wedge shape, as viewed in a section vertical to the rotor axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quality control of laser shock processing. The method includes measuring emissions and characteristics of a workpiece when subjected to a pulse of coherent energy from a laser. These empirically measured emissions and characteristics of the workpiece are correlated to theoretical shock pressure, residual stress profile, or fatigue life of the workpiece. The apparatus may include a radiometer or acoustic detection device for measuring these characteristics.