Abstract: An enhanced fingerprint sensing circuit in which a voltage change is applied to the body during sensing. When the person's fingerprint is being sensed, the person's body is in contact with an electrical terminal. When the sensing occurs, the voltage on the electrical terminal changes, which changes the voltage on the person's body. The pattern of the fingerprint performs two functions in the sensing circuit. In addition to being a plate of a capacitor whose distance is being sensed, it is now a source of input charge as well. The electrical effect on the cell of a voltage change on a person's finger is different at a ridge than at a valley in the fingerprint sensing circuit. Thus, the input capacitance to the sensing circuit is variable, depending upon whether a ridge or a valley is present. The sensing circuit also detects a change in its own capacitance based on the presence of a ridge or a valley.

Abstract: A processing unit for processing at least one semiconductor wafer includes a processing station for processing the wafer, a measuring station for measuring the at least one wafer, a robot for moving the wafer between the processing and measuring stations, a wafer handling system and a buffer station. The wafer handling system operates in conjunction with the measuring station and moves the wafer to and from a measuring location on the measuring unit. The buffer station is associated with the wafer handling system and receives measured and unmeasured wafers thereby to enable the robot to arrive at and leave the measuring station with at least one wafer thereon.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a ball screw actuator of the type having a housing, and externally threaded lead screw and a drive nut movable along the lead screw in which the stabilizer includes a first member rotationally fixed but movable linearly relative to the cylinder housing and a second member rotatable relative to, but linearly fixed, relative to the first member.

Abstract: For setting selection gate positions for change speed in a gear-shift mechanism of an automatic gear transmission, a first actuator is activated to rotate a shift-and-select lever for shifting one of shift heads engaged therewith in its neutral position to a low or high speed side in a shift direction, and a second actuator is activated to effect movement of the shift-and-select lever in a select direction perpendicular to the shift direction in a condition where the shift head was shifted to the low or high speed side. The second actuator is deactivated when the movement of the shift-and-select lever in the select direction was restricted by engagement with the shift head shifted to the low or high speed side. When the second actuator was deactivated, an output value of a selection-stroke sensor for detecting operation of the second actuator is read out for setting a selection gate position of the shift head shifted to the low or high speed side based thereon.

Abstract: A transmission (3) has a reverse gear with high and low speeds, and also has a normal shift mode for gear by gear shifting and a skip shift mode for plural-gear by plural-gear shifting. A switch (25) for selecting the shift mode is provided, which is operated manually by a driver. A controller (9) selects the low speed reverse when the normal shift mode is selected, and selects the high speed reverse when the skip shift mode is selected. The controller (9) may prohibit the shifting to the reverse gear unless vehicle speed is zero.

Abstract: A control method/system for controlling range section (14) shifting in a range-type transmission (10) having a “repeat-H ” shift mechanism. Under certain conditions, a shift from the highest ratio position in low range (4/8) toward the lowest ratio position (1/5) will cause an automatic shift to the high range, even if the range selector (96) is in the low range selection position.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a transmission ratio for a transmission built into a motor vehicle. Selection devices actuable by the driver of the vehicle are provided. With these selection devices, the driver can pregive pulses to change the transmission ratio. In a first component object, the pulse processing, pulses are detected whereupon in a second component object, the counter, count values are determined and stored in dependence upon valid pulses. In a third component object, the switch request, shift requests are determined in dependence upon count values and while considering pregivable peripheral conditions. The transmission ratio is adjusted in dependence upon the shift requests. With the defined interfaces of the objects, the exchangeability thereof is made possible whereby especially a reuse of the software is facilitated.

Abstract: A mesh type automatic transmission is equipped with a plurality of shift gears arranged to rotate freely to an output shaft for providing driving force to the wheels. Cogged clutches 12, 15 engage with the output shaft. Counter shift gears corresponding to each speed are fixed to a counter shaft rotated by the rotation of an input shaft and mesh with the shift gears for performing automatic shifting by controlling engagement of one of the cogged clutches with the voluntary shift gears determined from the accelerator command value and the vehicle speed. An assist mechanism transmits rotational force of the input shaft to the output shaft via the assist shaft which rotates from the rotation of the counter shaft when no cogged clutch of the plurality of cogged clutches is engaged with any of the plurality of shift gears occurring during switching when an engaged cogged clutch of the plurality of cogged clutches is disengaged and one of the cogged clutch of the plurality of cogged clutches is to be engaged.

Abstract: A rolling-body screw drive (10) comprises a threaded spindle and a threaded nut (12) enclosing the threaded spindle. A helically running threaded channel (16) is provided between an outer circumferential surface of the threaded spindle and an inner circumferential surface (12a) of the threaded nut (12). The threaded channel (16) forms, together with a return channel (22) in the nut (12) which connects the two end regions (16a, 16b) of the threaded channel (16), an endless circulatory channel (24) in which an endless series of rolling bodies is accommodated. Each of the two end regions (16a, 16b) of the threaded channel (16) is assigned a deflecting element (18) which is retained on the threaded nut (12) and has a deflecting channel (20) for transferring the rolling bodies between the threaded channel (16) and the return channel (22). At least one of the deflecting elements (18) is made up of at least two deflecting-element parts (26, 28) which together bound the deflecting channel (20).

Abstract: For providing an improved weight compensation for a robot, the invention provides a weight compensation device on a robot, which is characterized by a plurality of parallel tension-proof, pressurized hose elements fixed by their ends to common fixing elements.

Abstract: A pull cable system, includes a cable for transmitting a tensile force, a flexible tube for accommodating the cable, and a casing surrounding the tube for absorbing a pressure force. The casing is composed of a plurality of form-parts so joined to one another as to form a continuous axial passageway which is defined by an inside dimension. The form-parts are so configured that abutting end faces between successive form-parts have a complementary configuration to thereby enable a disposition of the casing along an arcuate path, with the tube being defined by an outside dimension corresponding to the inside dimension of the passageway.

Abstract: A pedal box for a vehicle (V), comprises a pedal (E) pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pedal pin (PP) carried by the pedal box, so as to have, beyond each side of the pedal pivot (PP), a lower pedal part carrying a footpad (FP), and an upper pedal part; an abutment surface (S) provided in or on the upper pedal part and so located with respect to the pedal pivot axis (PP) that the abutment surface (S) is beyond a top dead centre position of the pedal pivot (PP) at the driver/passenger compartment (PC) side; and an activation device (C, D) adapted, in use, to be secured between a portion (Q) of the vehicle (V) designed to deform upon frontal impact, and a portion (P) of the vehicle (V) designed for minimal deformation upon frontal impact and, upon activation, to engage the abutment surface (S) such that the upper pedal part is rotated towards the driver/passenger compartment (PC), and the lower pedal part is rotated away from the driver/passenger compartment (PC).

Abstract: Pull-handle arrangement for releasing a foot-operated parking brake of a motor vehicle. A pull-handle arrangement having a handle element which is held in a linearly movable manner in a handle mounting fixed on the vehicle and, with the aid of a cable, acts on the foot-operated parking brake, and also is in operative connection with a restoring spring of the foot-operated parking brake. Dampers which retard the return movement of the handle element are provided between the handle element and handle mounting.

Abstract: A hand wheel 10 for a nursery gate frame adjustment mechanism comprises a ratchet member 12 received in a housing. The ratchet member 12 has respective ratchet surfaces 24, 26 on opposite faces thereof, A screw-threaded bore 22 is formed through the ratchet member 12. The housing has a first part 14 for co-operating with the ratchet surface 24 on one face of the ratchet member 12 and a second part 16 for co-operating with the opposite ratchet surface 26 on the other face of the ratchet member 12. A compression spring 18 biases the ratchet member 12 towards the first part of the housing. In that way the hand wheel 10 rotates the ratchet member 12 in one direction by engagement of the first part 14 with the ratchet surface 24. In order to rotate the ratchet member in the opposite direction, the housing and ratchet member must be moved relative to each other against the bias of the spring 18 so that the second part 16 of the housing engages the ratchet surface 26.

Abstract: A core bar includes upper and lower half shells, each having a boss portion including a boss-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges, a shaft fixing part placed substantially in the center of the boss portion and mounted to a steering shaft, and a weak part placed between the boss-edge coupling part and the shaft fixing part and wherein the shells face each other without being coupled; and a rim portion including a rim-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges and a rim hollow part defined between the shells. A spoke portion is interposed between the boss and the rim portions, and includes a spoke-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges and a spoke hollow part defined between the shells.

Abstract: A coupling device having a drive-side centrifugal mass, which is actively connected in rotation-proof fashion to a driving gear that acts on the drive train. On the centrifugal mass, there is an accommodating fixture that faces the driving gear and is equipped with a tooth system. The driving gear has an axial shoulder that, on its end facing the accommodating fixture, is also embodied with a tooth system. At least one tooth of the tooth system of the driving gear is pressed, under radial prestress, into the space between two teeth of the tooth system of the accommodating fixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery and refining of rhodium starting from a mixture containing rhodium and other transition metals, including those of the platinum Group, as well as metals of the main Groups, said process comprising the following passages: a) formation of an adduct between rhodium trichloride and a halide of a metal selected from metals of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA, IVB, VB and VIB; b) carbonylation of the precipitated adduct, deriving from passage a) with the formation of rhodium halogen carbonyls and c) sublimation of the carbonylated product obtained in the previous passage.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molten metal iron by charging a starting material at least comprising a carbonaceous reducing material and an iron oxide-containing material into a rotary hearth furnace, reducing under heating the charged starting material into a solid reducing iron, carburizing the metal iron in the solid reduced iron with the carbon ingredient in the carbonaceous reducing material, thereby melting the metal iron, separating the slag ingredient contained in the starting material by the melting, and discharging the molten metal alloy in the molten state as it is to the outside of the rotary hearth furnace for recovery, wherein a downward inclined surface is disposed at an angle 3 to 30° relative to the horizontal plane on the upper surface of a hearth of the rotary hearth furnace on which the starting material is placed, and the molten metal iron is discharged at the discharging position for the molten metal iron from the lowest portion of the inclined surface.

Abstract: A process comprising: charging a raw material compacting substance containing a carbonaceous reducing agent and an iron oxide contained substance into a moving hearth type furnace; reducing the raw material compacting substance to a reducing ratio 30 to 80% within the reducing furnace to thereby form a shell formed of metal iron or forming a state that a shell formed of metal iron or metal iron are stretched around in a network fashion and a carbonaceous reducing agent remains in a clearance therebetween; agglomerating produced slag containing FeO therein; charging the compacting substance reduced into a melting furnace in a state maintaining a high temperature, and carrying out final reducing and melting to obtain molten meal iron.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a first tubular and a second tubular, in certain aspects, the first tubular extending through a power tong and the second tubular extending through a backup tong, the apparatus including positioning apparatus for guiding the power tong with respect to the backup tong and for maintaining said power tong and said backup tong in a certain juxtaposition during a tubular stabbing operation, the positioning apparatus including a plurality of spaced-apart locating rods projecting from one of said power tong and said backup tong and a plurality of spaced-apart blocks on the other of said power tong and said backup tong, and each block having a recess shaped to receive an end of one of the plurality of spaced-apart locating rods.

Abstract: A device for use in a torque transmitting system including a driver having a specially configured driver end and a fastener having a specially configured recess for receiving the end of the driver, wherein the respective externally configured and internally configured components include a body having an axis in which the body has an outer polygonal cross section defined by a perimeter wall, an inner polygonal central portion positioned within the perimeter wall and having an area less than the area of the outer polygonal cross section; a drive wall which forms a portion of the perimeter wall and extends on a plane from a proximal end outwardly from the polygonal central portion to a distal end; a first outer wall forming another portion of the perimeter wall has a proximal end joining the distal end of the drive wall at an angle which may be less than 900 and a distal end terminating on the perimeter wall.

Abstract: In a screwing element (1) for accommodation of a fastener head (5) of a fastener (6) there are provided jaws (3, 4) for seizing the fastener head. The jaws (3, 4) can be axially inserted into or withdrawn from the holder (2), wherein the jaws in the withdrawn position can be pivotably forced apart into open position. At their free end the jaws are provided with incisions (15, 16) and, adjoining these, with gripper-like parts (17, 18) jutting outwardly toward the central axis for the purpose of engaging mechanically and/or frictionally with the fastener head (5) from behind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for making a series of cuts at different angles in one or more panels using a panel sawing machine. The method comprises the steps of: placing a stack of panels on a worktable; turning the stack a first time in a first direction of rotation; making a first series of cuts in the stack; turning the stack a second time in a direction opposite to the first direction of rotation and in such a way as to move the stack closer to the cutting line; and making a second series of cuts in the stack. The device comprises: a worktable having a cutting line for a panel sawing machine; a pickup element that moves along a first guide perpendicular to the cutting line; and a pusher element that moves along a second guide parallel to the cutting line.

Abstract: From an extruded panel manufactured continuously by means of a twin-belt conveyor, shorter sections may be profitably removed by a cutting device equipped with an adjustable program controller which fixes optimum start-of-cut positions related to a reference point and lying immediately in front of the edges of the extruded panel. The cutting blade is brought into the optimum start-of-cut position in good time before each cut.

Abstract: A modular conversion unit for converting punching machines from single-punch to multiple-punch comprises an upper main cylindrical magazine rotatably supported by a turret of the punching machine and provided with a plurality of radial seats for accommodating corresponding upper secondary cylindrical magazines, supporting a preset number of punches surmounted by corresponding hammer elements fitted so as to rotate, a corresponding lower main cylindrical die-holder magazine accommodated so as to rotate synchronously and in alignment with said upper cylindrical magazine in a hollow seat formed in a worktable of the punching machine and provided with a corresponding number of radial seats for lower secondary die-holders vertically aligned with the upper secondary magazines, each die-holder being provided with a plurality of dies whose number is equal to the number of the punches.

Abstract: A compound punching apparatus for providing a substrate having half of the perforations formed from one major surface of the substrate and the other half of the perforations formed from the opposite major surface. The arrangement of the punches create equal and opposite stress forces in the substrate that essentially cancel each other out to provide a product meeting exacting planarity requirements. The compound punching apparatus includes two diametrically opposed dies and punching tools, a feed system, a drive system and a frame.

Abstract: An explanation for a function selected for a help display is displayed in text on a display screen, and a light-emitting element disposed to correspond to a switch for performing the selected function is operated to blink or light, so that the trouble of finding an operation element when a desired function is performed can be reduced.

Abstract: A music apparatus is constructed for processing a music tone signal in response to a clock signal at each sampling period. In the music apparatus, a clock generator generates the clock signal. A signal processor is operable in synchronization to the clock signal for time-divisionally processing a plurality of music tone signals through a plurality of channels within one sampling period. A clock controller is operative during a supply duration allocated within one sampling period for supplying the clock signal to the signal processor from the clock generator to thereby operate the signal processor, and is operative during other than the supply duration within one sampling period for stopping the supplying of the clock signal to the signal processor to thereby suspend the signal processor.

Abstract: There is provided a waveform data time expanding and compressing device, which includes a waveform memory for storing data of a PCM waveform; a block address memory for storing addresses of respective blocks, the respective blocks having a length equal to a wavelength of a pitch as a trend of the PCM waveform or an integral multiple thereof; a parameter determining unit for determining an expansion and compression parameter; and a waveform reproducer for carrying out waveform reproduction by determining a reading number for waveform data in a certain block in response to the expansion and compression parameter, sequentially reading out the block addresses according to the determined reading number, and reading out the PCM waveform data based on the block addresses thus read out.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and composing musical works by selecting existing musical elements and applying modification modules to them. Existing musical selections reside in a database as metrics, or targets for the composition of new pieces. The present invention composes a new piece of music by, for example, specifying component musical features in the selected targets that should be modified or retained in creating the new work. Such musical features include, for example, rhythmic characteristics, harmonic characteristics, and the like. In this manner, a user who is musically untutored is able to create satisfying, original works having desired characteristics as specified by the user.

Abstract: A highly expandable musical sound generator using a sound library. Each module receives pointer structures as an argument and executes a processing. Each pointer structures includes attribute data pointers, input data pointers and output data pointers.

Abstract: In a braiding machine having a braiding assembly which comprises a plurality of yarn carriers moving about a bed to interlace the yarns to form a braided fabric, a take-up including take-off rolls engaging and drawing off the just braided fabric, and a drive for driving the braiding assembly about the bed and the take-off rolls of the take-up. The drive comprises a drive train connecting the braiding assembly and the take-up with a power source. The drive train includes a first mechanical variator, having a control knob, interposed between the braiding assembly and the power source for driving the yarn carriers about the bed, and a second variator, having control knob, connected with the power source for driving the take-off rolls of the take-up. The variators are operative to adjust the rate of rotation of the yarn carriers about the bed and the rate of rotation of the take-off rolls of the take-up to achieve a desired product at maximum machine efficiency.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of devices for connecting and separating objects such as microsatellites with respect to a structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake booster that, although simple in construction, capable of adjusting the braking force derived by operation of a solenoid mechanism without worsening the braking response. In the brake booster according to the present invention, when a movable member (34) is shifted toward the rear side by electromagnetic force of a solenoid (31), the shifting movement is transmitted to a valve seat member (21) through pins (50) to open an atmospheric valve (27) through which air is introduced into a variable pressure chamber (9,10), whereby a pressure difference is created between the variable pressure chamber and a constant pressure chamber and generates booster output (thrust output force).

Abstract: A controller for controlling the flow rate of compressed air to a spray paint gun as well as to a comparable tool which is optimally operative dependant upon receiving a specified flow rate of air includes a flow control valve which regulates the air flow rate therethrough based on a pressure differential signal received from an air flow meter. The pressure differential signal transmitted to the air flow controller is balanced against an opposing spring biased needle in the flow controller.

Abstract: A hollow piston has an end wall that receives the pressure of a cylinder bore of a compressor. Several reinforcing ribs are formed on the inner end face of the end wall. The ribs extend radially from the axis of the piston. Therefore, the piston is light and strong.

Abstract: A one-piece piston comprises a piston crown made of steel and a bottom component made of forged steel, and a cooling channel that is formed by welding the crown and the bottom component of the piston together. The cooling channel is located radially behind the annular grooves. The crown and the bottom component of the piston jointly form a central cooling chamber whose lower limiting wall is forged as one piece with the bottom component of the piston. The welding seams joining the crown and the bottom component of the piston are friction welding seams. The piston provides for superior cooling of the crown of the piston and simplifies the production of the welding seams.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston for a disc brake assembly includes a metallic cylinder with a bottom at one end and a hollow resin cylinder with an opening at each end. The hollow resin cylinder is disposed in an inner surface of the metallic cylinder and closes the opening at one end of the hollow resin cylinder. The hollow resin cylinder further includes a main part disposed in the inner surface of the metallic cylinder and a flange portion having an outer diameter which is wider than the outer diameter of the main part of the hollow resin cylinder. The flange portion is formed on the main part at the other end of the hollow resin cylinder, integrally or with a separate member. An annular groove is defined between the flange portion and an open end of the metallic cylinder.

Abstract: The air cleaner has a minus ion generator and a positive electrode. The minus ion generator carries a high minus voltage, and the positive electrode carries a high plus voltage. Preferably, the minus ion generator has a heater. The air cleaner may have an absorbing sheet positioned close to the positive electrode. Preferably, the minus ion generator is apart from the positive electrode by a distance not less than a half of the maximum distance between walls of room. Preferably, the high plus voltage is not less than 4,000 Volts, and the absolute value of the high minus voltage is larger than the absolute value of the high plus voltage. Preferably, the air cleaner has a sterilizing function.

Abstract: Dough products are stored in a fermentation chamber on a rack system in which in each of a multiplicity of horizontal planes located one above the other, the palettes carrying the dough products are substantially contiguous and are pushed from rack to rack section from the upstream side to the downstream side upon the insertion of a palette at the upstream side. The empty palettes are recirculated below the palettes carrying the dough products and the displacement is effected solely by pressing of each upstream palette against the next downstream palette.

Abstract: A transfer device with which the hollow bodies to be printed in a printing machine may be transferred from a supply conveyor means to a capstan plate associated with the printing device. Since the hollow bodies are supplied by the supply conveyor means with a distance between them, which is smaller than the pitch of the receiving capstans of the capstan plate serving to accept the hollow bodies, a transfer rotor is placed in between, which possesses holding units, which perform the hollow body transfer as part of a pitch matching operation. A similar arrangement may also be employed to transfer already printed hollow bodies from the capstan plate to a removal conveyor means.

Abstract: A machine for printing on or otherwise decorating hollow bodies. It comprises a rotationally driven decoration application drum, which peripherally is provided with decoration faces, which are able to be moved along a first orbit. On an adjacent capstan plate receiving capstans are arranged for capstan units for carrying hollow bodies. On rotation of the capstan plate the radially inwardly facing sections of the hollow bodies proceed along a second orbit. Pitman units serve to so correct the second orbit on passage through a decoration zone that it coincides with the first orbit.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus and method for forming printed wiring on a substrate, such as a wafer. The apparatus includes a reservoir disposed beneath a screen having a plurality of openings forming a pattern thereon. Disposed within the reservoir is a printing paste. The screen is pressed into the printing paste such that convex structures are formed on the upper surface of the screen, and are printable onto the substrate. A wiper is also movably disposed within the reservoir, cooperating with the screen to establish contact between the screen and the substrate.

Abstract: A method for applying a gravure printing plate to a gravure printing drum including: applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces away, from the drum, applying a double-sided adhesive foil to the gravure printing drum, wherein the two edges of the adhesive foil overlap, cutting through the overlapping edges of the adhesive foil and through the release liner, removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the adhesive foil to the drum, applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces towards the adhesive foil, applying the gravure printing plate onto the double-sided adhesive foil, wherein the two edges of the plate overlap in the area of the release liner, cutting through the overlapping edges of the gravure printing plate and through the release liner; and removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the gravure printing plate to the adhesive foil.

Abstract: In order to manufacture a cylinder of a rotary printing machine cost-effectively, its cylinder body is assembled from a cylinder casing and a first and second side part located at the ends of the cylinder casing, one and the same first and second side part being capable of being completed in order to produce different cylinders with cylinder casings of different outside diameters.

Abstract: A device for infeeding a material web into a rotary printing machine includes an infeed element for receiving a material web start, the infeed element being introducible onto an introduction path extending at least approximately parallel to a path of the material web in the rotary printing machine. Also included are suspension stations at which the material web is connectable to the infeed element, the suspension stations being assigned to respective components of the rotary printing machine along the path of the material web through the rotary printing machine; and a web-processing rotary printing machine having a guide path for the infeed element.

Abstract: A sheet-braking device for a sheet-processing machine includes a plurality of brake modules with a revolving suction belt formed with at least one suction opening. The brake modules have assigned thereto individual drives with controls for stipulating a reference speed relative to a speed of the machine.

Abstract: A system for forming artistic ink impressions. A case stores ink stamping accessories and/or allows large surface area stamps to be used.

Abstract: A sleeve for pressing rollers consists of an internal tube made of expandable material whose inside diameter is adapted to the diameter of the roller that is intended to carrying said material and that is connected with an outer dimensionally stable casing tube. To prevent oscillations of the casing tube that would impair good printing, the latter is provided at its terminal areas with carrying discs or bushings that at least have segments whose boreholes are adapted to the diameter of the roller with a snug fit or a pressing fit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for correctly registering mounting of a printing plate. Task of the invention is to provide an apparatus to control the correctly registered position of a printing plate, which can be realized with simple means and can withstand abrupt load changes of the printing plate. The task is solved according the invention by inserts allocated to registering elements, which are contacting the printing plate electrically isolated from the registering elements and are connected to a control unit.