Abstract: Gear devices and methods for operating gear devices are provided. In one example, a gear device is provided that comprises structures designed to attenuate targeted vibrations occurring during rotation of the gear device. The structures includes radially aligned struts extending between an inner carrier and an outer carrier, a plurality of openings arranged between the struts, and/or resonators extending between sequential struts.

Abstract: A twisted string transmission for converting a rotational motion to a linear motion is provided, comprising a motor (1) and a string (2) to be connectable to a load (3). The string (2) has a variable diameter along its length.

Abstract: A method for inverting a rotation of an impeller driven by a motor of a watercraft is disclosed. In response to sensing that the motor is stopped, a direct linkage is disconnected between the motor and the impeller and a reverse connection is established between the motor and the impeller. The motor is started after sensing that the reverse connection is established. A watercraft propulsion system having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method and a watercraft including the watercraft propulsion system are also disclosed. Reverse operation of the impeller is useful in removing debris from the jet propulsion system.

Abstract: An extension/contraction mechanism capable of preventing a swing of an extension/contraction part when it is extended or contracted is provided. An extension/contraction mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an extension/contraction mechanism including a telescopic extension/contraction part and a base part that supports the extension/contraction part so that it can be extended/contracted, in which the extension/contraction mechanism includes a support part that contacts an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the extension/contraction part in order to prevent a wobble in a root part of the extension/contraction part with respect to the base part, and the support part is provided on a side surface of the base part that is opposed to the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface of the extension/contraction part that the support part contacts.

Abstract: A system for rotating inner and outer propeller shafts via a driveshaft. The system includes a stub shaft extending between forward and aft ends, the aft end having an engagement feature for engaging with the inner propeller shaft such that rotating the stub shaft rotates the inner propeller shaft. A reverse gear and a forward gear are each rotatably coupled to the stub shaft. The reverse gear and the forward gear mesh with the driveshaft and are engageable to become rotatably fixed to the stub shaft such that rotating the driveshaft rotates the stub shaft in reverse and forward directions, respectively. An outer driving gear is coupled to the inner propeller shaft to rotate therewith. An outer driven gear is coupled to the outer propeller shaft and a pinion rotatably coupling the outer driving gear to the outer driven gear such that rotation of the outer driving gear rotates the outer propeller shaft.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for operating a gearbox that includes: a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis; a first actuator assembly operatively connected to the first shaft; a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis; a second actuator assembly operatively connected to the second shaft; and a plurality of engagement elements connected in rotation to the second shaft. The first shaft is hollow, is fitted on the second shaft, and is axially movable relative to the second shaft. The plurality of engagement elements are moreover connected in translation to the first shaft and are axially movable therewith along the first longitudinal axis and relative to the second shaft. The first and second shafts can be operated independently of one another for execution of the movements of selection and engagement of the gears of the gearbox.

Abstract: A gear wheel, in particular an idler gear, for reducing backlash in a gear train, includes a first wheel part and a second wheel part. The first wheel part has multiple teeth that are distributed over a periphery of the first wheel part. The first wheel part may rotate about a first axis (A). The second wheel part has multiple teeth that are distributed over a periphery of the second wheel part. The second wheel part may rotate about a second axis (B) that is arranged parallel to and offset with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: An end effector device includes a housing, a cable, and a winding mechanism. The cable includes at least one of lines that include a power supply line and a signal line. The winding mechanism is located inside the housing and configured to wind the cable. The winding mechanism includes a case, a reel, and a spiral spring. The reel is supported in the case and allowed to rotate and wind the cable. The spiral spring urges the reel in a retrieval direction of the cable pulled out of the reel.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear having a first hub surrounded by a first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth each define a respective first contact region. The gear assembly includes a second gear having a second hub surrounded by a second plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are adapted to mesh with the first plurality of teeth at the respective first contact region in order to drive a respective load in a first direction. The first hub and the first plurality of teeth include respective zones defining a respective elastic modulus. A three-dimensional distribution of the respective physical size and the respective elastic modulus of the respective zones is optimized such that a fluctuation of mesh stiffness along the respective first contact region is at or below a first predefined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly comprises a steering member with a rack portion having rack teeth, a pinion gear having pinion teeth configured to be engaged with the rack teeth, a yoke support assembly supporting the steering member in a housing, and a ball nut operatively connected to the steering member. The pinion gear divides the steering member into a first side having the yoke support assembly outboard of an area of engagement of the rack and pinion teeth and a second side having the ball nut. The yoke support assembly includes complementary convex and concave bearing surfaces configured to provide relative rotation between the convex and concave bearing surfaces. The yoke assembly also includes a spring member configured to produce a variable rate spring force to maintain an engagement between the rack and pinion teeth.

Abstract: A compact translation stage having a frame, a motor, a carriage, a translation screw and at least one guide is described herein. The carriage is slidably coupled to the guide and engages the screw. The screw is rotatably coupled to the motor. The motor is embedded in an inner volume of the screw and the screw rotates upon actuation of the motor to translate the carriage relative to the frame.

Abstract: A drive train (10) for driving a motor vehicle has a combustion engine (12) for providing purely mechanical drive for the motor vehicle. A transmission (16) can be coupled to the combustion engine (12) via a shaft unit (14) for transmitting torque between the motor vehicle transmission (16) and the combustion engine (12). A reserve volume (18) is between the combustion engine (12) and the motor vehicle transmission (16) and is penetrated by the shaft unit (14). The reserve volume (18) can accommodate a high-voltage electric machine for purely electric drive of the motor vehicle or a low-voltage electric machine (32) for applying an electrically generated assistance torque to the motor vehicle transmission (16). As a result, a hybrid functionality can be made available to an at least limited degree, with the result that a cost-effective drive train (10) configured for a hybrid motor vehicle is made possible.

Abstract: A drive device includes a screw-and-nut system comprising a threaded rod and a first nut that is connected to the threaded rod by means of a screw connection; a gearset, allowing a rotational movement to be transmitted to the threaded rod, a first toothed wheel and a second toothed wheel engaged with the first toothed wheel; a set of stops comprising a first stop connected to the first wheel rotating about an axis of rotation of the first wheel and a second stop connected to the second toothed wheel rotating about an axis of rotation of the second wheel, the first stop and the second stop being configured and arranged to butt against one another so as to limit an angular travel of the threaded rod at a first angular position in a first direction.

Abstract: An adjusting drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a motorized drive unit and an external threaded spindle which has an external thread and a coaxial internal thread into which an internal threaded spindle engages. The external threaded spindle and the internal threaded spindle can be driven in rotation relative to one another about an axis by the drive unit. In order to provide an adjusting drive which requires a reduced drive torque and delivers an optimized free adjustment path, the external threaded spindle engages with its external thread in a drive nut, wherein the drive nut or the internal threaded spindle is able to be driven in rotation by the drive unit and is supported relative to the drive unit in the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter assembly including a housing pivotally supporting a shifter lever between Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Manual shifter positions. A plurality of gate locations configured upon an underside of the housing and corresponding to each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear positions. A gate lock incorporated into the lever and biased against a selected one of the gate locations. A PCB board with processor and sensor integrated into the housing communicating with a motor connected to the shifter lever. Upon the processor determining existence of a return to park condition, a return to park mechanism actuates the motor for returning the shifter lever to the Park position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of stroke-controlling mechanism, and discloses a stroke-limiting control assembly and an operating method. The stroke-limiting control assembly comprises a housing and a film winding. A transmission input gear, a transmission gear, a guide wheel, and a spring box that can be rotated to reset by an elastic force are rotatably connected within the housing. When a moving component moves to an end of an upper stroke, a first metal needle abuts a first proximity switch. When the movable component moves to an end of a lower stroke, a second metal needle abuts against a second proximity switch. At least a stroke-limiting control assembly is provided which enables simplification of a product requiring stroke-limiting, such as an electric jack or an electric support leg, by arranging the proximity switches outside a screw nut lifting unit in the electric jack or the electric support leg.

Abstract: An identification number setting system includes a first element component including a first storing section, coupled to a first branch communication line branching from a main line of a bus-type communication wire, and coupled to a power supply, a second element component including a second storing section, coupled to a second branch communication line branching from the main line, and coupled to the power supply to be capable of switching energization and disenergization, and a control device coupled to the main line and configured to communicate with the first element component and the second element component. The control device writes a first identification number in the first storing section in a first state and writes a second identification number different from the first identification number in the second storing section after the writing of the first identification number and in a second state.

Abstract: A segmented bending system includes multiple linkages coupled to one another in a stacked arrangement. The segmented bending system also includes multiple rotation assemblies coupled to one another to extend through the multiple linkages. The multiple rotation assemblies include multiple cam members, and each cam member of the multiple members extends into a respective opening formed in a corresponding linkage of the multiple linkages. At least one cam member of the multiple cam members is offset from at least one other cam member of the multiple cam members in a circumferential direction about a center axis of the multiple rotation assemblies.

Abstract: A composite metal flexplate is disclosed that includes an aluminum center plate and a steel ring gear joined to the aluminum center plate by a solid-state joint. The solid-state joint that joins together the aluminum center plate and the steel ring gear may be formed by friction welding. During the friction welding process, a surface of an annular body of the steel ring gear is preheated, followed by bringing the preheated surface of the annular body into contact with a surface of a periphery of a circular body of the aluminum center plate. The two contacting surfaces are then caused to experience relative rotational contacting movement, which generates frictional heat therebetween and softens adjacent regions of the steel ring gear and the aluminum center plate. Once this occurs, an applied force is administered to compress and forge the contacting surfaces together, thereby establishing the solid-state joint.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of rotating mass attitude control. The method and apparatus entails rotating a mass to generate thrust. Varying the speed and direction of rotation provides some control of the magnitude and direction of the thrust generated. The method and apparatus of the invention pertinent to an attitude control system for spacecrafts or astromotive vehicles under conditions of zero to low gravity and atmosphere.