Abstract: Mating bevel gears generally include a pinion gear having a body that rotates about an axis and a side gear having a body that rotates about an axis that intersects the axis of the pinion gear. Pinion gear teeth of the pinion gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the pinion gear teeth. Side gear teeth of the side gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the side gear teeth. The curvatures on the pinion and the side gear teeth cooperatively define a controlled relative radius of curvature section except where the involute sections are located. The controlled relative radius of curvature section defines a sum of values of radius of curvature at a point of contact between the curvatures of the pinion gear teeth and the side gear teeth. The sum has a constant or decreasing value.

Abstract: Mating bevel gears generally include a pinion gear having a body that rotates about an axis and a side gear having a body that rotates about an axis that intersects the axis of the pinion gear. Pinion gear teeth of the pinion gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the pinion gear teeth. Side gear teeth of the side gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the side gear teeth. The curvatures on the pinion and the side gear teeth cooperatively define a controlled relative radius of curvature section except where the involute sections are located. The controlled relative radius of curvature section defines a sum of values of radius of curvature at a point of contact between the curvatures of the pinion gear teeth and the side gear teeth. The sum has a constant or decreasing value.

Abstract: Mating bevel gears generally include a pinion gear having a body that rotates about an axis and a side gear having a body that rotates about an axis that intersects the axis of the pinion gear. Pinion gear teeth of the pinion gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the pinion gear teeth. Side gear teeth of the side gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the side gear teeth. The curvatures on the pinion and the side gear teeth cooperatively define a controlled relative radius of curvature section except where the involute sections are located. The controlled relative radius of curvature section defines a sum of values of radius of curvature at a point of contact between the curvatures of the pinion gear teeth and the side gear teeth. The sum has a constant or decreasing value.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in dentistry to obtain positional data related to movement of a mandible about a maxilla comprises a rigid support frame for supporting a maxilla support member, a positionable mandibular member and sensing assemblies. The support member fixedly attaches to the support frame. The mandibular member is positionable proximate the maxilla member. The sensing assemblies attach to the support frame and connect to the mandibular member to obtain positional data related to the movement of the mandibular member. The positional data is collected by a computing device and stored in a data storage medium as time history files. The files can then be transformed into usable information to replicate the mandibular movement in real time either virtually or mechanically.

Abstract: Mating bevel gears generally include a pinion gear having a body that rotates about an axis and a side gear having a body that rotates about an axis that intersects the axis of the pinion gear. Pinion gear teeth of the pinion gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the pinion gear teeth. Side gear teeth of the side gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the side gear teeth. The curvatures on the pinion and the side gear teeth cooperatively define a controlled relative radius of curvature section except where the involute sections are located. The controlled relative radius of curvature section defines a sum of values of radius of curvature at a point of contact between the curvatures of the pinion gear teeth and the side gear teeth. The sum has a constant or decreasing value.

Abstract: An apparatus to replicate and analyze movement of a mandible relative to a maxilla with dental casts thereof includes a base frame, an arm connected to the base frame and a suspension assembly positionable by a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. The arm connects to the base frame and supports the dental cast of the maxilla in a fixed position relative to the base frame. The suspension assembly, having opposing first and second sides, supports the dental cast of the mandible in working relation to the dental cast of the maxilla. The plurality of actuators each selectively impart movement to the sides of the suspension assembly such that the movement of the mandible obtained during a recording process can be replicated on the apparatus in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus to replicate and analyze movement of a mandible relative to a maxilla with dental casts thereof includes a base frame, an arm connected to the base frame and a suspension assembly positionable by a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. The arm connects to the base frame and supports the dental cast of the maxilla in a fixed position relative to the base frame. The suspension assembly, having opposing first and second sides, supports the dental cast of the mandible in working relation to the dental cast of the maxilla. The plurality of actuators each selectively impart movement to the sides of the suspension assembly such that the movement of the mandible obtained during a recording process can be replicated on the apparatus in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in dentistry to obtain positional data related to movement of a mandible about a maxilla comprises a rigid support frame for supporting a maxilla support member, a positionable mandibular member and sensing assemblies. The support member fixedly attaches to the support frame. The mandibular member is positionable proximate the maxilla member. The sensing assemblies attach to the support frame and connect to the mandibular member to obtain positional data related to the movement of the mandibular member. The positional data is collected by a computing device and stored in a data storage medium as time history files. The files can then be transformed into usable information to replicate the mandibular movement in real time either virtually or mechanically.

Abstract: An adjustable spindle includes an inner housing displaceable within an outer housing along a longitudinal axis thereof. The inner housing and outer housing define a chamber therebetween. A pump selectively pressurizes the chamber to displace the inner housing, while a clamping device centers and retains the inner housing on the longitudinal axis. An electric rotating machine is mounted inside and displaces with the inner housing.

Abstract: A gear tester method and apparatus for inspecting a contact area between a gear member, such as a spiral bevel or hypnoid gear, relative to a second gear, such as a pinion. The gear tester includes a spray system for coating a portion of the gear member with a gear marking compound, such that when the pinion contacts the gear member the gear marking compound provides an indication or footprint of tooth contact made between the gear member and the pinion. A strobing device illuminates the gear member for inspecting the footprint while the gears are still rotating. In a preferred embodiment, a sensing device senses images of the footprint and a display device displays the sensed images whereby the gear mesh is non-invasively inspected.

Abstract: A gear testing machine for evaluating the performance of a set of gears including a base support platform that mounts a pinion for movement in at least two mutually perpendicular axes, and permits fixing the pinion in place. The gear is then mounted relative to the pinion through controllable actuators attached to the frame so that the gear support can be positioned at a desired location relative to the pinion spindle axis to compensate for errors in mounting and to provide for very accurate mounting in accordance with specified parameters. The position of the gear carriage can be changed during a testing sequence when the gears are being run to observe changes in parameters on the gears.

Abstract: A test system providing a very rigid support for gear testing, having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel plates that are connected together. Each of the plates has an actuator section for operation against a flange of a gear mounting carriage positioned between the plates to control the gear position relative to the plates. Three actuators are spaced around the axis of the gear mounting housing so that control of the housing in at least three degrees of freedom can be achieved. Additional actuators control the positioning of the housing in direction parallel to the spaced apart plates and such actuators are mounted between the plates for increasing rigidity.

Abstract: A gear suspension system is disclosed that permits movement of a gear, such as a spiral bevel or hypoid gear relative to its pinion with up to four degrees of freedom. Specifically, the gear suspension system includes a support frame with a movable carriage mounted thereon. The carriage includes a lower carriage member connected to an upper carriage member with suspension struts. The gear is mounted to the upper carriage member for rotation about a central axis. Actuators connected to the lower carriage member adjust the gear mounting distance and the shaft angle between the pinion and the gear, while actuators mounted to the upper carriage member adjust the H and V positions of the pinion relative to the gear.

Abstract: A gear suspension system is disclosed that permits movement of a gear, such as a spiral bevel or hypoid gear relative to its pinion with six degrees of freedom. The gear suspension system includes a support structure with a moveable carriage mounted thereon. The carriage is supported by six actuators interconnected together to form three connection joints to the support structure and three connection joints to the gear carriage. The gear is mounted to the carriage for rotation about a central axis. The actuators allow the gear mounting distance, the shaft angle, the H position and the V position to be adjusted. In addition, the actuators further allow the gear carriage to be rotated about the central axis and to be rotated about an axis that is parallel to an axis of a pinion and passing through the central axis.

Abstract: A table for use with CNC machines has section one table feature being mounted for movement on the base and the other table section being mounted on the one table section. The table means are movable along mutually perpendicular axes, and are controlled in the axes. Motion error is compensated by providing feedback signals that sense and feed back position signals in one controlled axis as the table sections are moved in the other perpendicular axis. Compensation for deviations in motion in the mutually perpendicular axis is provided so that position in each direction of motion is controlled by two feedback signals for error compensation.

Abstract: An iterative spline function controlled positioning mechanism such as a machine tool. A movable element of the machine tool is driven about a plurality of axes under computer control along a path formed by a plurality of sections. Each of the path sections is represented in parametric form by spline functions. The element is driven through a plurality of intermediate positions approximating positions on the path sections. An iterative algorithm implemented by the computer permits efficient computation of the intermediate positions.

Abstract: A control system for precision machine tools and similar devices provides a precise position during active operations on a table supported workpiece or part. The present system provides a support table on which a machine part or specimen is mounted that is controlled in its position through a friction free spring type hinge relative to a base, and which is held therein with a piezoelectric actuator operated in an active closed loop system to maintain a set position without any backlash.