Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting failure of tensioned reinforcements in a structure by means of a plurality of acoustic or seismic detectors disposed about the structure in a known arrangement, processing signals from the detectors to determine frequency contents and origins, and identifying simultaneous signals as due to the failure of tensioned reinforcements in the structure when they meet spectral and origin criteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring characteristics of meat, such as beef. More particularly, the invention uses quantitative analysis of ultrasonic A scan signals to measure the following characteristics of meat in real time: the percentage of intramuscular fat, the quality grade, the merit number, the depth of back fat, the depth of the rump fat, and the body composition (yield grade). The ultrasonic A scan signals are measured above the twelfth rib, above the thirteenth rib, between the twelfth and thirteenth ribs, and in the rump area. The invention can be used with either live or processed animals.

Abstract: An electromagnetic acoustic transducer for inducing and sensing vibrations in a cylindrical object and methods of using an electromagnetic acoustic transducer to determine resonant frequencies and physical properties of cylindrical objects. The electromagnetic acoustic transducers produce specific modes of vibration in cylindrical objects including axial shear vibrations, torsional vibrations, radial vibrations and plane strain vibrations. The methods of determining physical properties of a cylindrical objects include comparing sensed resonant frequencies of the cylindrical object to known relationships between resonant frequency and the physical properties of interest. The methods can be used to determine the temperature, dimensions, elastic constants, and damping coefficients of cylindrical objects, the magnitude of a load applied to a cylindrical object, or the texture or grain orientation of the material forming a cylindrical object.

Abstract: A method for measuring permanent length deformations in materials includes determining a change of an initial distance between two measuring points on the material surface. A first pair of impressions is formed on a portable impression body that corresponds to these two measuring points prior to the expected deformation and a second pair of impressions is formed after a critical loading of the material. The distances between the first and the second pairs of impressions are then compared. A device for carrying out the method uses a fixed portion arranged on the material being measured and a portable impression body. The fixed portion of the device is provided with a pair of measuring elements which correspond to the measuring points disposed at a mutual distance from each other, and the portable impression body of the device has an impression face adapted for receiving the impressions that are created by the measuring elements.

Abstract: A vortex sensor senses the generated vortices and provides a vortex signal. A filtering circuit is coupling to the vortex sensor to receive the vortex signal and provide an output indicative of fluid flow. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the fluid and provides a temperature value, while a pressure sensor senses a pressure of the fluid and provides a pressure value. A processor is operably coupled to the filtering circuit, the temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor for receiving the output, the temperature value, and the pressure value, respectively. The processor calculates a calibration factor as a function of the output, the temperature value, and the pressure value for use in calculating the output value indicative of the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter is described and depicted that operates according to the Coriolis principle, with a straight Coriolis tube that conducts the flowing medium, with an oscillation driver, assigned to the Coriolis tube and which excites the Coriolis tube, with two detectors assigned to the Coriolis tube and which register Coriolis forces, or Coriolis oscillations caused by Coriolis forces, and with shell that encloses the Coriolis tube. The mass flowmeter has a notably smaller total length relative to the nominal length of the Coriolis tube than mass flowmeters made according to the prior art because the Coriolis tube is flexibly mounted to an inlet and outlet in the shell.

Abstract: A cup-shaped flexible external gear 3 of a flexed meshing type gear drive 1 is flexed into an elliptical shape by a wave generator 4. A first torque detection device 6 is disposed on a portion of the external gear 3, for example, on a diaphragm 33 thereof which has a pair of torque detection elements arranged at an angular interval of 90° around a center axis 1a. Likewise, a second torque detection device 7 is also disposed, which has a pair of torque detection elements arranged at an angular interval of 90°. The first and second torque detection devices 6, 7 are arranged at an angular interval of (k×45°) around the center axis 1a with each other. A torque detection mechanism of this invention synthesizes outputs of the two torque detection devices 6, 7, thereby realizing a high accurate torque detection with quite few effect of rotational ripple and with high linearity.

Abstract: A processor implemented stabilization system for load handling equipment monitors at least a portion of the equipment weight load at an equipment support member. Reduction below or increase above predetermined values signals an approaching tip over condition and triggers alarm condition responses for stabilization of the equipment. In a counterbalanced lift truck, the equipment weight load on a rear steer wheel is carried by an outer bearing race of a spindle and is transferred from the race to a load cell which is positioned between the race and a shoulder of a mounting tube. The load cell output is received at a processor which monitors the cell to determine if there is an approaching longitudinal tip over condition (toward or away from the load) as well as a lateral tip over condition.

Abstract: The SPIRAL SAMPLER is a sampler for airborne particles. The spiral groove in the sampler allows for sticky or liquid particles as well as solid or bouncy particles of any given aerodynamic diameter to be sampled with the same efficiency. The SPIRAL SAMPLER does not require any oil or grease, which may become dislodged during operation and contaminate the particle deposit. By varying the dimensions of the inlet tube and the spiral groove, as well as the number of turns of the spiral, samplers may be made for sampling at any desired flow rate and with chosen particle size cutoffs. The SPIRAL SAMPLER may be scaled to any size, from personal to an area sampler. For sampling in areas with high loadings of large particles, a particle trap may be used to effectively and compactly separate oversized particles which would adversely affect the sampler operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically monitored mechanical pipette which includes a microswitch in its volume delivery adjustment mechanism which operates to signal the electrical volume monitoring system of the pipette when a fluid volume delivery setting adjustment is being made. In this manner, the pipette operates in a low power mode during normal operation to display the present fluid volume delivery setting, but moves to a high power consumption mode when changes are being made to the fluid volume delivery setting. The microswitch allows the high power consumption elements in the electronic volume monitoring system, such as a Hall-effect transducer assembly, to be inactive and receive no power input until it is needed during adjustment of the fluid volume delivery setting.

Abstract: A pipeline distortion monitoring system equipped with an inertial system measures geometric characteristics of the pipeline, and generates signals representative of the characteristics. Additional sensor means are used to aid in correcting the signals. Corrected signals along with other characteristics yield pipeline profile characteristics used to assess pipeline distortions.

Abstract: The device is constructed to position a measuring sensor, especially a sensor head at an angle to a sensor shaft, precisely at the point of measurement and in the direction of a fluid flowing in a test tube, in which there is an adjuster through which the measuring sensor, in a coaxial arrangement, can be adjusted via a first adjusting motor about its axis and/or by a second adjusting motor along its axis. A control device communicates with an electronic computer for controlling the sensor adjustment. An adjuster (4) is coupled to the sensor to rotate in unison therewith and has a rotatable pendulum which, in the position of rest transversely to the test tube axis defines the zero position of the sensor. Limit positions of the pendulum are predetermined from a relative movement of the adjuster about the axis which can be photometrically converted into position signals.

Abstract: A rotary-to-linear actuator includes a threaded rigid shaft, and a collar engaging the threads. The collar is formed from a low friction material reinforced by successive layers of parallel filaments. The filaments are oriented to lie across the outwardly convex projecting faces of the shaft threads.

Abstract: A neutral returning control system and method for electronic pneumatic shift device adapted to return a striker by way of manipulating an emergency neutral return switch when the striker deviates from a normal shifting position during activation of a shifting operation, the electronic pneumatic shift device including a change lever position sensor for detecting a manipulation of a change lever, a magnetic valve assembly for controllably supplying air according to a signal from the change lever position sensor, a gear shift device actuated by the air supplied via an air pipe connected to the magnetic valve assembly, a shift stage position sensor disposed at one side for detecting an operation of the gear shift device, and an electronic control device for discriminating electrical signals from the shift state position sensor and change lever position sensor and for controlling the magnetic valve assembly, wherein the system comprises an emergency neutral return switch electrically mounted from allowing the elec

Abstract: A transmission for transmitting power from a printing device drive to drive a media pick roller to pick individual sheets of print media from a supply tray through the printing device without the necessity of requiring a separate pick roller motor and controls. The transmission uses a sun gear and a planet gear with a cam track and follower to move the planet gear into and out of driving relationship with the pick roller.

Abstract: A hypoid gear structure which includes a hypoid ring gear disposed coaxially with a rotation axis, and a hypoid pinion gear provided with a rotation axis of an electric motor and engaging with the hypoid ring gear. The hypoid ring gear includes a first toothed portion disposed on the inner side and a second toothed portion disposed on the outer side, and one of the first toothed portion and the second toothed portion is urged by a spring to press the hypoid pinion gear.

Abstract: A combined worm/spur gear reducer drive assembly for rotating an upper support plate, for example, the boom plate of an aerial lift truck with respect to a stationary lower support, for example, the bed of the truck. The drive assembly includes a one-piece member forming a housing section containing the primary and secondary gear sets and a securing ring mounted between the inner race of a turntable bearing and fixed to one of the upper or lower plates, the outer race of the bearing being secured to the other plate. Spur gear teeth are provided on the external surface of the outer race and the secondary set includes a spur pinion engaging the gear teeth. The one-piece casting and the gear sets housed therein are mounted in the space between the boom plate and the bed plate.

Abstract: A device for converting a rotary motion into an axial motion has a threaded spindle (1), a nut concentrically surrounding the threaded spindle with a clearance and a plurality of axially parallel rollers (2) guided in a cage (6) and arranged in the clearance, said rollers (2) have a circumferential profile by which they mesh with the external thread of the threaded spindle (1) and with the corresponding internal thread of the nut. Each of these rollers (2) is axially displaceable within the cage (6) by the dimension of the thread pitch during a rotation of the nut relative to the threaded spindle (1), while at the end of such a rotation, each roller (2) is re-displaceable within an axial groove (7) of the nut into the starting position by a cam (8, 12) arranged in the vicinity of each end face of the cage (6). According to the invention, the nut is a thin-walled sheet metal sleeve (3) made by non-chipping shaping. In this way, a device with a simpler structure and more economic to manufacture is obtained.

Abstract: An operating device for an automated gear box having a shift gate with a selector slot, three or more shift slots intersecting the selector slot, and an actuator for actuating a gear or shifting shaft in shifting motions. The shifting shaft has a pin or shaft extending through the shift gate. A blocking device with one or more blocking elements moveable generally along the selector slot allows movement of the pin to an adjacent shift slot and shifting within the shift slot by the actuator while blocking further movement of the pin along the selector slot upon engaging a blocking element.

Abstract: A selection system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission has locking system in which a toggle lever arrangement is connected with the selector element and is arranged to be movable thereby relative to a locking body. The locking body is arranged to be movable into the moving path of the toggle lever arrangement into a locking position which locks it and out of this moving path into an unlocking position which does not lock it and can be driven by the actuator arrangement for carrying out its movements. As a result, the selection system can be securely unlocked also by low forces of an actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A steering mechanism and associated gearbox is disclosed for a toy car or other small motorized vehicle. The steering mechanism comprises a steering arm, collar, return spring and an alignment adjustor. These components are externally mounted on a gear box and motor that allow remote control of the steering mechanism, and the wheels controlled by the steering mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides an easily adjustable foot-operated pedal assembly, such as a brake pedal for use in heavy equipment, that can be placed in multiple positions to accommodate people of differing heights and body shapes. The pedal is mounted in an assembly including a dual linkage operating apparatus having one element of that linkage that freely rotates about a shaft. A second link of the pedal linkage is connected to a fixed link through an adjustment mechanism. The fixed link is fixedly mounted to the same shaft as the pedal link. The adjustment mechanism incorporates a latch that has multiple settings yielding three or more pedal positions. The pedal is urged upwardly to effect adjustment to raise the pedal. A latch bar of the pedal assembly is urged up to allow lowering of the pedal.

Abstract: A brake actuating lever for a bicycle comprises a body made in one piece of thermoformable material, reinforced with long structural fibres. To the anchoring pin for anchoring the brake actuating cable there is associated a metal bush having one portion deformed on the anchoring pin so as to connect the latter rigidly to the lever.

Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a pedal body having a tubular portion for mounting rotatably on a bicycle pedal shaft around an axis, front and rear end walls in a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis, and right and left pairs of front and rear lateral walls that extend respectively from the end walls in a first transverse direction to form rightmost and leftmost pairs of front and rear end portions. Two forward and rearward anchor members are respectively mounted between the rightmost front and rear end portions in the longitudinal direction and proximate to upper surfaces of the lateral walls, and between the leftmost front and rear end portions in the longitudinal direction and proximate to lower surfaces of the lateral walls, such that the forward and rearward anchor members are in symmetry relative to the first axis. Two force adjusting members are disposed between the left and right pairs of lateral walls in the longitudinal direction and proximate to the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism is provided to enable discrete angular displacement of a first body 10 relative to a second body 12. An intermediate body 22 is provided, and is rotatable relative to both the first and second bodies 10,12. Mutually engageable detent elements on the first and intermediate 10,22, and intermediate and second 22,12 bodies, provide indexing of the first body 10 relative to the intermediate body 22 and the intermediate body relative to the second body 12 respectively. The angular separations of adjacent indexed positions provided by the first and second sets of detent elements differ such that the first body 10 is indexable relative to the second body 12 in finer indexing increments than are provided by either the first or second detent elements individually.

Abstract: A micro tube cap opening device includes a tubular holder, a lifting bar and a mounting sleeve. The holder has a well supported by a sidewall of the holder and open at a first end thereof for receiving therein a tube body of a micro tube. The mounting sleeve is attached on and along the sidewall of the holder. The lifting bar is slidably mounted by and through the mounting sleeve to undergo movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A first end of the lifting bar in the retracted position is disposed adjacent to the first end of the holder and adjacent to a cap of the micro tube in a closed position interference fitted into the tube body of the micro tube when the tube body of the micro tube is disposed within the well of the holder.

Abstract: A tool for removing a retainer from the opposed tangs of a spring-type hose clamp is provided. The tool includes a first member adapted to fit between the retainer and the hose clamp and dislodge the retainer from the tangs of the hose clamp. The tool also includes a second member adapted to retain the retainer to the first member after the removal of the retainer from the hose clamp. A method for employing the tool is also provided.

Abstract: A tire repair plug installation tool that can be used from the outside without requiring the tire to be removed from the rim upon which it is mounted. An all-in-one tool which contains all of the various parts required to effect a repair in a tubeless tire. The objectives are accomplished by providing a handle including a compartment defined therein for storing extra plugs, a shaft drivingly engaging the handle with a plug hook means incorporated therein and a reamer at an end of the shaft opposite from the point where the shaft attaches to the ratchet means.

Abstract: A shock-proof structure of the handle cover of a hand tool for improving the shock-proof ability of the handle cover. Wherein the handle cover is made of soft elastic material and has a hollow handle shape. The center portion of the handle cover has an axial engaging hole for being engaged by an inserting portion of the hand tool. Characterized in that: banks of vents are formed at sides of the upper and lower portions of the handle cover, each vent has a certain depth within the handle cover without penetrating the handle cover. Thereby, the vents is formed as air bags in the upper and lower portions of the handle cover and as a shock-proof structure of the handle cover. Wherein when a react impact is induced from an object due to the hand tool, since user's hand holds the periphery of the vents, thus, the vents will be compressed and pinched so as to reduce the volume thereof. Meanwhile, the react impact from the hand tool is buffered.

Abstract: A nut holding device is mounted in a socket of the type including a compartment defined by a polygonal inner periphery. The nut holding device includes a body mounted in the compartment, elastic plates formed on an upper side of the body for holding a nut to be loosened, a positioning arrangement formed on the body to position the body in the compartment, and resilient plates for biasing the nut to a level partially beyond the ratcheting tool. The positioning arrangement includes a number of legs extended downward from an underside of the body. Each leg includes a column section that engages with an associated angular section of the polygonal inner periphery of the ratcheting tool when the nut holding device is received in the compartment of the ratcheting tool.

Abstract: A golf shoe spike tool used for installing or removing golf spikes made of polyurethane or similar material. The tool has a handle, a head and shaft between the head and handle. The head has a plurality of teeth with engage a spike. Through rotational force, the spike is installed or removed from a golf.

Abstract: The socket wrench extension has an insertion member with a polygonal socket head having a lateral socket head surface. A receiving member with a polygonal socket is provided and a tube rigidly connects the insertion member and the receiving member. The locking member is moveably connected within the insertion member such that the locking element partially projects from the lateral socket head surface. The pressure transmission member is axially moveable in the tube. The pressure transmission member has a first and a second end. The first end serves as an actuation member for the pressure transmission member. The second end transforms the axial movement of the pressure transmission member, directed toward the insertion member, into an outward movement of the locking member. The receiving member has an axial bore and a guide sleeve which is inserted into the axial bore of the receiving member for guiding the first end of the pressure transmission member.

Abstract: The present invention is a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw from the supply of screws. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the lead screw from the supply of screws during a screwdriving operation wherein the lead screw is driven into a workpiece. A releasable bit locking assembly is disposed in the housing and constructed and arranged to operatively connect the bit member to the rotary power source to enable the rotary power source to rotate the bit member during the screwdriving operation. The releasable bit locking assembly includes bit locking structure constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the bit member.

Abstract: In a fast tool servo, a single-point flexure mechanism amplifies a low force, large stroke range actuator's force while reducing its stroke range to reduce the arcuate motion of the cutting tool. The flexure mechanism bends around a pivot point in the X-Z plane and is very stiff along the Y-axis. The actuator applies force to the unpinned end of a lever arm causing it to move back-and-forth through a large stroke range. In response, the shorter tool arm rocks around the pivot point causing the tool to oscillate back-and-forth along the Z-axis through a very shallow arc thereby superimposing the toric deviation on the base curve while maintaining surface quality.

Abstract: A cutting insert which includes a holder that contains a pocket and a hard insert that has a rake surface. The hard insert is contained within the pocket so as to present a cutting edge. The cutting insert also includes a chipbreaker which comprises a plate with a bottom surface. The chipbreaker is attached to the cutting insert (or optionally to the holder) so that the plate is spaced above the rake surface of the hard insert a first distance forming a conduit for passage of the chips away from the cutting insert. The conduit is defined at least in part by the rake surface of the cutting insert and the bottom surface of the chipbreaker plate.

Abstract: A portable batt cutter custom cuts standard width, continuous, extended length fibrous insulation blankets at a construction site to form batts with specific dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the structural framework cavities to be insulated. The portable batt cutter includes storage for retaining a fibrous insulation blanket; a feed mechanism for feeding the fibrous insulation blanket from the storage to a transverse cutter; and the transverse cutter which makes a transverse cut across the width of the fibrous insulation blanket to determine the length of the batt. The portable batt cutter may also include a cutter for making a longitudinal cut in the fibrous insulation blanket to form a batt having a width less than the width of the fibrous insulation blanket and a measuring device to measure the length of the batt prior to forming the transverse cut in the fibrous insulation blanket.

Abstract: A device for securing a table saw accessory downstream of a saw blade. The device comprises a mount for securing the device to a table saw beneath a throat plate of table saw; a slide for receiving a stem carrying a table saw accessory; a releasable detent for capturing such stem and holding a table saw accessory in place; and an actuator for releasing the detent. The actuator is actuated from directly above and moveable downwardly vertically to release the detent. The device is particularly suited to quick change of saw splitter devices.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: A dual spring hold down for use with wood working tools, such as table saws, routers and shapers comprises a bracket mounted on the wood working table behind the tool and a hold down bar pivotably attached to the bracket with the hold down bar surrounding the wood working tool. A threaded rod is threaded into and extends upward from an extension arm of the bracket and though a slot in a hold down bar cross plate. A first coil spring surrounds the threaded rod immediately above the cross plate and a second, stronger coil spring surrounds the threaded rod above the first coil spring while a cylindrical sleeve surrounds the first coil spring. The hold down bar is free to drop down to act as a safety barrier when no wood panel is present. Then, initial lifting of the hold down bar by a wood panel is initially against the relatively light downward bias of the first coil spring until the sleeve is lifted to a “hold down height” at a point sufficient to compress the first coil spring within the sleeve.

Abstract: A circular saw includes a table for placing a workpiece thereon, a saw unit having a circular saw blade mounted thereon, and a support mechanism for supporting the saw unit on the table, so that the saw unit is movable in forward and rearward directions. A lock device includes a lock member that is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the lock member permits the saw unit to move in both forward and rearward directions. In the second position, the lock member prevents the saw unit from moving in one of the forward and rearward directions.

Abstract: A reciprocating cutting assembly for cutting a vertically supported web of material includes elongated cutting means having opposite facing cutting edges, each of which have a plurality of blunt teeth, and a drive means for driving the cutting means between first and second positions on opposite sides of the web. Preferably, the cutting assembly includes first and second support arms, each of which has a plurality of fingers which contact the material web and support the web during the back-and-forth cutting action of the cutting assembly.

Abstract: A bump cam is provided with a sacrificial force transmitting block disposed between the driver and the tool holder and floatingly coupled to the tool holder whereby lateral loading imposed on the block by the driver is not transmitted to the tool holder.

Abstract: In a die board for cutting and/or creasing sheet-type work material, a base is provided that includes a first upper surface and a second lower surface. At least one slot extends along the first upper surface and includes a first slot section extending from said first upper surface at least part-way through the die board base. The at least one slot also includes a second slot section extending from said second lower surface at least part-way through the die board base. The first and second slot sections each have a width with at least one of the slot section widths being adapted to grip and retain at least one die-board rule.

Abstract: A method for contactless inductive transmission of programming data to a programmable time fuse included in a shell for a single shot, semi-automatic, or fully automatic shell firing barrel weapon. While the shell is situated in a cartridge chamber of a barrel of the weapon, data is transmitted to the programmable time fuse from a programming device of the weapon via a transmitting coil arranged around the cartridge chamber of the barrel to a receiving coil arranged in the shell. At least a part of the barrel lying between the coils is replaced by a non-magnetic material and designed so that it does not form an electrically conductive short circuited layer that would prevent transmission between the coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defeating high-velocity projectiles. A plurality of disks of equal size and having a thickness greater than 0.100″ are milled in a plurality of places. Each milled place having a radius of curvature approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the disk. The disks are then laid out in an imbricated pattern row by row such that each disk in a row is in substantially a straight line with the other disks in the row and overlaps a milled place of a disk in a row above its row and has its milled place overlapped by a disk in the row below its row. The imbricated pattern is then adhered to a flexible, high tensile strength substrate and overlaid by a second high tensile strength layer such that the imbricated pattern is enveloped between the substrate and the second layer. The envelope is then coupled to a soft body armor backing.

Abstract: A removable bullet resistant desk top is described for releasable attachment to a desk frame. The desk top includes a sheet of bullet resistant material having a top writing surface and a bottom surface. At least one clip is provided, configured to releasably secure the sheet to a desk with the top writing surface facing upwardly.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively transferring storable units, particularly artillery propellant charge units, between a storage space and a location outside of the storage space, the system including a storage magazine having a plurality of parallel, axially elongated chambers opening at an end of the storage magazine, a shuttle having a transfer mechanism tube movable relative to the storage magazine between positions of axial alignment with each of the plurality of elongated chambers and the location outside of the storage space, and a feed mechanism to move the units between the transfer tube and the elongated chambers.

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus having a housing with a bore therein which is divided by a power piston into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The power piston has a passageway for connecting the inlet chamber with an outlet chamber. A valve arrangement controls the flow of a fluid under pressure from a source through the passageway. The valve arrangement including a valve seal, a valve spring and an input rod. The valve spring urges the valve seal into engagement with the input rod to define a working chamber within said passageway. The fluid under pressure flows from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber by passing between the valve seal and a valve seat located in the working chamber. The flowing of fluid past the valve seat in a rest mode of operation develops a turbulence which creates a broad band non-resonance sound having an acceptable audible level of approximately 30 dB.

Abstract: A negative-pressure booster is provided with a housing, two movable walls, a power piston, an input member, an air valve seat, a negative-pressure valve seat, a control valve having an air sealing valve portion and a negative-pressure sealing portion, an output rod, an reaction disc, a slider valve, and an actuator. The output of the negative-pressure booster can be adjusted by adjusting the driving force of the actuator.

Abstract: A bypass valve is disclosed which relieves pressure on the end cap and rod guide of a cylinder as the piston approaches them. The bypass valve has a cylindrical body with end caps on each end, the end caps serving as stop members. The bypass valve is provided with longitudinal grooves along the cylinder body, along which working fluid can pass through a bore in the piston in which the bypass valve is inserted. Inner smaller diameter counterbores and outer larger diameter counterbores are provided coaxially with the bore on the opposing faces of the piston. The end caps of the bypass valve are received in the counterbores when the piston is urged along the cylinder. When the piston approaches either the rod guide or the end cap, the bypass valve is urged away from its seated position when an end cap of the bypass valve touches the approached rod guide or end cap of the cylinder.