Abstract: A compressor assembly is provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to compressors used in chiller air conditioning systems for indoor spaces. The disclosed compressors have magnetic bearings that support rotating components. In one embodiment, the compressor comprises a partially segmented thrust bearing stator core. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lid stay for furniture includes a setting arm pivotably attached on a base element around a first setting axis between an open position and a closed position, and an energy accumulator coupled to the setting arm. The setting arm is acted upon by a force along at least a part of the pivot path of the setting arm between the open position and/or closed position and the energy accumulator includes a flat spring which is made from a plate-like flat material and the flat spring is elastically supported against the base element and the setting arm in a plate plane of the flat material.

Abstract: An adjustable spacer with a non-hardened intermediate portion therebetween is mountable between a pair of roller bearings also mounted on a shaft such an axle or spindle or the like. The intermediate portion allows the spacer to collapse in the axial direction to maintain desired axial loads on the bearings.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump comprises a cylinder, an inlet check valve, a piston, an outlet check valve and a purge circuit. The cylinder has a first end and a second end. The inlet check valve is disposed proximate a first end of the cylinder. The piston is disposed within the cylinder between the inlet check valve and the second end. The outlet check valve is disposed within the piston. The purge circuit extends across the inlet check valve and the outlet check valve to fluidly couple the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A passive structural system includes a structural element which may be subjected to energy which gives rise to vibration in the element. At least one bi-stable sub-structure is coupled to the element. Each bi-stable sub-structure has two stable equilibrium states between which the sub-structure can physically transition when subjected to a sufficient amount of energy which gives rise to vibration in the element, with each bi-stable sub-structure arranged to dissipate at least a portion of the energy and thereby damp the vibration in the structural element when it transitions from one equilibrium state to the other. The passive structural system may also be intentionally mistuned such that when subjected to energy which gives rise to vibration, the vibration energy is substantially confined to localized regions within the system. The bi-stable structures are then located in the localized regions and arranged to dissipate the localized vibration energy.

Abstract: A flexure bearing “planar” spring that can spring multiple, independently reciprocating bodies, such as springing each body to a third body or springing a first body to a second body and springing the second body to a third body. A primary arm set of primary spring arms are separated from each other by openings and extend inwardly from a peripheral frame along a non-radial primary path progressing inwardly toward a central axis and angularly about the central axis. A secondary arm set of at least one secondary spring arm extends along a non-radial secondary path progressing radially and angularly about the central axis. Each secondary arm is interposed in an opening between the primary arms allowing the primary arms and the secondary arms to pass by each other through the openings without interfering with each other.

Abstract: A spring unit including a resin spring that is made of a resin, has a structure having a single beam, and has a resin spring curved part between a pair of resin spring end parts; and a metallic spring that is made of a metallic wire and has a metallic spring curved part between a pair of metallic spring end parts, wherein each of the metallic spring end parts is attached to each of the resin spring end parts, wherein, in a state where each of the metallic spring end parts is attached to each of the resin spring end parts, the resin spring and the metallic spring are positioned on a same plane and are mutually separated at parts other than the resin spring end parts and the metallic spring end parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring unit whose spring constant can be easily changed. The spring unit includes a plurality of wire springs each including a bent part formed in the middle of wire by bending, extending parts extending from the bent part, and end parts formed at ends of the extending parts. The wire springs are arranged side by side, and a deformed part protruding in a direction of arrangement of the wire springs is formed in one or more of the extending parts.

Abstract: A static sealing element (1) includes an elastic tapered washer (10) the deformation of which enables a force to be transmitted, a casing (18) to establish the seal, and two supporting washers (27 and 28) which transmit the forces originating from the elastic washer (10) to the curved edges (20, 21) of the casing (18) so as to exert on them a pressure which maintains the seal. The casing (18) made thus be manufactured from a ductile material, but one which is less deformable than the customary elastomers.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: This invention provides the combined driving spring in the slide cover hinge of the mobile communication terminal. It comprises multiple springs in the same shape, the multiple springs are arranged and combined in turn on the same plane, with their both ends fixed; the driving spring is provided with connections on its both ends to match with the slide in the slide hinge. The shape of the spring is similar to the shape W. The driving spring provided by this invention can be directly used as a driving mechanism in the slide hinge for the mobile communication terminals, simplifying the structure of the driving mechanism. In particular, when the spring in the shape of W is employed, the spring can not only facilitate the combination connection, but also provide a greater force. Besides, when the slide cover slides, less area is occupied when the spring deforms, making it easier to arrange other parts of the mobiles device.

Abstract: In a curved spring configured to generate, based on a relative approaching displacement of the one-side bearing section and the other-side bearing section in an approach/separation direction, an urging force in a separation direction in which a one-side bearing section and an other-side bearing section are separated from each other, a linear elastic body is provided to extend on a closed curve, which includes a one-side portion arranged along a circumferential direction of the one-side bearing section and an other-side portion arranged along a circumferential direction of the other-side bearing section, and to constitute elastic sections of two lines between the one-side portion and the other-side portion.

Abstract: A curved spring includes one and another end parts configured to approach and separate relative to each other in an approaching/separating direction and plural beam parts that bend between the one end part and the other end part and extend in an extending direction. The plural beam parts are arranged in a width direction orthogonal to the approaching/separating direction. At least one combination of adjacent beam parts among combinations of the plural beam parts includes an outer side beam part having a width greater than a width of an inner side beam part in the width direction. The outer side beam part has a length less than a length of the inner side beam part in the approaching/separating direction. The one and the other end parts and at least one beam part of the plural beam parts are integrally molded on a shared plane by a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A bi-stable or multi-stable device having two or more stable positions includes an elastically deformable member having two or more stable positions of minimal potential energy, the deformable member being movable, in response to an external force applied to the deformable member, between stable positions by moving through a position at which the deformable member has a peak potential energy. The device also includes an energy storage member, either separate from or part of the deformable member, that absorbs energy from the external force applied to the deformable member as the deformable member moves from a stable position toward a position of peak potential energy, and releases energy as the deformable member moves from a position of peak potential energy toward a stable position, wherein the energy storage member includes a super elastic shape memory alloy (SMA).

Abstract: A slide mechanism includes a main body, a slide body and an elastic member. The slide body is slidably connected to the main body. The elastic member is positioned between the main body and the slide body. The main body includes a base plate and two guide rails fixed on opposite sides of the base plate. The guide rails are elastic. A distance between the guide rails is less than a length of the elastic member in a normal state. Opposite ends of the elastic member are fixed to the guide rails, and a middle portion of the elastic member is fixed to the slide body, so that the elastic member remains bent between the guide rails.

Abstract: Check valve includes a housing, a bore, and a movable valve body, which is spring-loaded and rests with a sealing action on a valve seat, where the bore is designed as a stepped bore, where the bore with the smaller diameter has the valve seat, and where the bore with the larger diameter holds the movable valve element. The valve body is designed as a ball, which is guided in the bore by at least two guide ribs, and a retaining element in the terminal area of the bore captures the ball and simultaneously spring-loads it.

Abstract: Collapsible containers and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a collapsible container assembly that includes a foldable support member that has a length and a width. The support member has a concave cross-section that causes the support member to resist bending until a threshold force is exceeded. The support member has a folded position and an extended position where the support member is unfolded. The assembly further includes at least one surface member carried by the support member. The assembly has a deployed position where the support member is in the extended position and the at least one surface member forms an enclosure with an interior. The assembly also has a collapsed position where the support member is in the folded position. The container assembly has less exterior volume in the collapsed position than in the deployed position.

Abstract: A seat structure is provided for disposing below an assembly in order to support the assembly from underneath. The assembly has a base portion formed with an opening. The seat structure includes a bottom seat for placing within the opening in the base portion and a plurality of flexible connecting elements. Each flexible connecting element includes an outer bent end connected to a periphery confining the opening in the base portion, an inner bent end connected to the bottom seat and a main body between the outer and inner bent ends. The vibration of the assembly is absorbed by the seat structure to provide stability to the assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides the combined driving spring in the slide cover hinge of the mobile communication terminal. It comprises multiple springs in the same shape, the multiple springs are arranged and combined in turn on the same plane, with their both ends fixed; the driving spring is provided with connections on its both ends to match with the slide in the slide hinge. The shape of the spring is similar to the shape W. The driving spring provided by this invention can be directly used as a driving mechanism in the slide hinge for the mobile communication terminals, simplifying the structure of the driving mechanism. In particular, when the spring in the shape of W is employed, the spring can not only facilitate the combination connection, but also provide a greater force. Besides, when the slide cover slides, less area is occupied when the spring deforms, making it easier to arrange other parts of the mobiles device.

Abstract: An elastic member used for a slide device includes a plurality of spring wires and first and second connecting sections that are locked to one ends and the other ends of the spring wires, respectively. Locking ends are formed at one ends and the other ends of the spring wires, both ends of the spring wires including the locking ends are formed in a symmetrical shape, the connecting sections include retaining engagement portions that make the plurality of spring wires be engaged with the connecting sections, and the first and second connecting sections are separately formed by forming the same assembling members and the same superposed members. If the assembling members are fixed to the superposed members while the ends of the spring wires are fitted to the grooves of the retaining engagement portions and the superposed members are assembled to be superposed on the assembling members, the ends of the plurality of spring wires are disposed at predetermined intervals and retained by the connecting sections.

Abstract: A spring member extending from a first end to a second end about a longitudinal axis, the spring having an inherent bias to assume an extended position with a first end spaced from the second end along the axis, the spring assuming compressed positions when compressed by forces applied parallel to the axis, in the compressed positions the spring resiliently urges its first and second ends axially away from each other toward the extended position, the spring member having a wall in the shape of a solid of revolution rotated about the axis and defining a central cavity therein open at the first end of the spring and substantially closed at the second end of the spring, the wall when in the unbiased extended position having a greatest diameter at the first end and a least diameter at the second end, a plurality of openings through the wall, the openings disposed symmetrically both circumferentially and axially relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device with at least one control element, which is positioned in a device housing for the device, such that the control element is designed as a snap disk, which is made of metal, and such that the snap disk has a rim which is connected to the device housing through material engagement and which forms a seal between the device housing and the control element, such that an area of the snap disk that borders the rim is designed as a reversibly deformable uncoupling area.

Abstract: A method for post-fabrication modification of the snap actuation properties of a thermally responsive bimetallic actuator by exposing a pre-formed bimetallic actuator to laser energy, thereby permanently altering the thermal response properties of the bimetallic actuator, and a thermally responsive bimetallic actuator having snap actuation properties developed according to the method.

Abstract: A holder for a cathode ray tube includes a stud engaging portion having an engaging hole in order to be engaged to a stud pin mounted inside a panel, a frame engaging portion engaged to a mask frame which supports a shadow mask, and a connecting portion for connecting the stud engaging portion and the frame engaging portion. Lower end surfaces of a pair of holders are arranged facing toward each other so that the lower end surfaces of the connecting portion are in substantial contact with each other.

Abstract: A bowed snap-disc includes inner and outer perimeters that provide the disc with operating characteristics not found in comparably sized discs. At certain points along its circumference, the inner perimeter extends farther from the disc's center than certain other points of the disc's outer perimeter. This provides the disc with a unique combination of spring constant, compressive force, deflection and coefficient of compliance. The disc is particularly useful as a small, flat compression spring; a shaft or bar locking element; tightness indicator for a threaded fastener; or a lock washer.

Abstract: An adjustable disc spring system includes at least one beveled disc spring axially aligned with the adjustable spacer. The adjustable spacer is compressible in a substantially axial direction relative to the at least one beveled disc spring.

Abstract: A method of increasing the cycle life of a thermostatic disc element for use in a disc assembly used in thermostatic switches in which a weld slug is used to weld the disc element to the disc assembly thereby causing a heat affected zone of the disc element comprising the step of engaging the surface of the disc element opposite the surface adjacent the weld slug with a fulcrum member at a location spaced from the heat affected zone so that upon reversal of the curvature of the disc element, the disc element will bend about the fulcrum member at a location removed from the heat affected zone.

Abstract: An electroplating rack includes a cathode flight bar from which depends an insulated rack bar over an acid bath. A clamp is fixed to the rack bar, and has a bridge electrically connected to the flight bar through a conducting core inside the insulated rack bar. The clamp has a main body made of plastic, which includes a slot in which protrudes the bridge. An electrically conducting spring clip is installed in the slot, and is formed of two arms continuously biased into a spreaded, opened condition in the slot. A screw carried by the main body, when rotated in a first direction, can force the spring clip into a closed condition, in which it can hold an article to be electroplated between its two arms, and in which one of the spring clip arms is forced against the bridge member. Thus, electrical current can pass through the rack flight bar and conducting core, then through the bridge member, the spring clip and finally into the article to be electroplated.

Abstract: An oxygen concentration detector easily assembled without producing conducting malfunctions at an external electrode includes a cylindrical housing and a detecting element being inserted into and disposed inside the housing. Powdery seal materials made of ceramic power are filled under pressure between a top portion of the detecting element and the housing. The detecting element has the external electrode at an external surface thereof and a lead portion extending upwardly from the external electrode. A ring-shaped conducting member is installed between the lead portion of the detecting element and the housing as a ground to conduct electricity therebetween and has a resilient contacting piece in contact with the lead portion at an inner peripheral portion of the ring-shaped conducting member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch with a return spring comprising a housing having a cylindrical shaped rotor having a brace member extending therefrom and in a centered position, the brace member is positioned adjacent to a stop abutment member protruding within the aperture of the switch housing and a spring member mounted on the rotor having arms which abut against the edges of the brace member and the stop abutment in the centered position and upon rotation of the rotor, the arms of the spring will cause the rotor to return to its centered position. The brace member abuts the arms of the return spring and upon rotation of the rotor, the braces cause the arms of the return spring to deform. The return spring in a preferred embodiment has an Omega shape.

Abstract: A short-stroke dome-shaped disc film spring comprising a dome-shaped portion and a skirt figure portion, wherein the cross section of the skirt figure portion rises in a line, the rise angel is inclined inward between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, the height of the skirt figure portion is between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, and the dome-shaped portion and the skirt figure portion are formed from a resin film of thickness 75 to 200 .mu.m. The dome-shaped film spring has a short stroke at which a feeling of a click is obtained.

Abstract: A snap-acting positioning device comprising an enclosure, including a spring member having a plurality of sine-shaped bow sections disposed equidistantly in a circular pattern to take a disc shape and stressed to cause the spring member to take a substantially dome-shaped configuration and the sine-shaped bow sections to store a predetermined amount of energy. The spring member is made of flexible material and is adapted to co-act with an activating member to define a snap-acting function. The snap-acting device is capable for employment in snap-acting valves, snap-fasteners, linear positioning devices, vibration and shock reduction hardware and spring suspensions for rotating machinery.

Abstract: A spring design particularly suitable for use in the core of a nuclear reactor includes one surface having a first material oriented in a longitudinal direction, and another surface having a second material oriented in a transverse direction. The respective surfaces exhibit different amounts of irraditation induced strain.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fallable type pole supporting device comprising a wire extending in a longitudinal direction of a pole extended to a mounting side end of a pole member. A resilient member is disposed between an extreme end of the wire and a mounting side end of the pole member. The pole member and the longitudinal direction of the wire are maintained in a straight line by a resilient force in an axial direction of the resilient member. A lower mounting end of the pole member is tiltably maintained and the pole member is made engageable with a base body through said wire.

Abstract: A resilient element such as a thin flat plate or disc spring, commonly known as a "Belleville" spring, which is capable of deflecting along an axis normal to its surface is modified to include an amplifying segment disposed in a central aperture in the form of an approximately "W" shaped strip connected at its ends to opposite positions on the inner margin of the central opening. The central portion of the "W" forms an inverted "U" which is subjected, after positioning within the central aperture, to torquing stress in the plane of the material to bring the ends of the open end of the "U" slightly closer together than the inner edges of the "U" nearest its closed end. One of a pair of switch contacts is mounted on the closed end of the "U" shaped portion of the device opposite another contact carried on the switch bases.

Abstract: An attached locking pin for releasably securing adjacent concrete forms used in the formation of poured concrete. Such concrete forms are characterized by having a peripheral rail with apertures therethrough adapted to abut the rail and align the apertures of an adjacent form to hold the cement in its desired shape until the concrete has set. The attached locking pin includes a sleeve with an opening therethrough adapted to interlock within one of the aligned apertures of abutting rails. A pin is provided having a head and an end with an intermediate portion having a slot passing therethrough typically for receiving a locking wedge. The pin is adapted to pass the end and slotted intermediate portion through the sleeve and the adjacent aligned aperture to releasably hold the abutting rails securely together after the wedge is driven into the slot.

Abstract: An inversion spring unit for a thermal overload relay and method for making the same, comprising a support member, a spring plate having a first end, a second end, an elongated central axis, and first and second side portions disposed on opposite sides of the central axis, the side protions being bent towards each other at the first end and attached at the first end to the support member for causing the second end of the spring plate to curve in a first direction away from the central axis, and a lug disposed intermediate the first and second ends for selective engagement with a drive portion to cause the second end of the spring plate to curve in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An inversion spring unit for a thermal overload relay and method for making the same, comprising a support member, a spring plate having a first end, a second end, an elongated central axis, and first and second side portions disposed on opposite sides of the central axis, the side portions being bent towards each other at the first end and attached at the first end to the support member for causing the second end of the spring plate to curve in a first direction away from the central axis, and a lug disposed intermediate the first and second ends for selective engagement with a drive portion to cause the second end of the spring plate to curve in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A leaf spring system, in particular for influencing a least one body operating or comprising one or more contacts of an electric switch, with a frame aperature and at least one leaf spring which can act on the at least one body. The leaf spring system comprises a supporting frame for receiving the leaf spring in the frame aperture thereof. The spring is supported at one end and has another projecting free end whereby the one body to be influenced by the spring action is accommodated between this other end and the supporting frame. The dimension of the body in the frame aperture is greater than the distance between the edge of the supporting frame and the free end of the at least one leaf spring when the latter is situated essentially in the plane of the supporting frame. The supporting frame is secured against movement relative to the leaf spring and body. The invention further relates to electric switches provided with such a leaf spring system.

Abstract: Applicant's novel invention comprises an easy to use, portable, and versatile base support assembly attachable to a wide variety of equipment poles. The versatility of the support assembly is provided by a thick resilient sleeve with an internal diameter sufficient to mate with the ends of equipment poles of varying diameters. The outer surface of the resilient sleeve is mateable with an axial bore formed in the central hub of the assembly. Thereby, many different diameters of equipment poles may be accommodated by the system. Upright stability of the pole is achieved by means of an additional bolt set within the central hub, mating with a suitable threaded bore in the equipment pole. Applicant's invention has legs that fold in order to enhance portability of the base support. These legs are biased toward the folded storage position for ease of operation.

Abstract: A pressure responsive control device having a pressure housing assembly defining a pressure chamber, an actuable controller fixed to the housing assembly and, a pressure transducer hermetically closing the pressure chamber. The transducer includes plural duplicate snap acting pressure responsive diaphragms, a diaphragm control plate hermetically bonded to the diaphragms and a support member hermetically joined between the control plate and the housing assembly. The diaphragms each are formed from thin sheets of spring metal and includes a central dome section having a surface finish less than 6 microinches A.A. on both sides. The diaphragms are nested together so that confronting faces of the dished sections are engaged when the diaphragms flex.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus is disclosed, in which at least two flexible strips (1-3) are articulated, each via two articulation grooves (7, 8), to two parts (5, 6) that are movable relative to one another and are substantially cylindrical in embodiment, in such a manner that upon a relative movement of the two parts with respect to one another out of one stable position into the other stable position, the flexible strips are located in a substantially radial plane of the two parts (FIG. 3a).

Abstract: A tool-loadable biasing spring for a knob retainer plate securing a doorknob on its knob sleeve. The plate is slidable transversely in the sleeve and has a central opening. The biasing spring has a bight with a hook for engagement behind the linear forward border of the opening and with an axial offset for transmitting thrust to such border. Spring legs extend unrestrained across the face of the plate into camming relation with forwardly diverging inner faces of the sleeve, so as to generate forward bias on the spring. The legs have axial offsets with out-turned fingers to lock behind the plate. For loading, the spring is held in resiliently contracted condition across the end of a holder tool, and the tool is inserted into the end of the sleeve until both the bight offset and leg offsets and fingers pass simultaneously through the retainer plate opening. The spring is then released for self-movement into interlocked relation with the plate.

Abstract: A retaining ring (30) includes a cone-shaped, resilient rim (32) which defines a Belleville-type spring. A plurality of resilient teeth (36) extend radially inwardly or radially outwardly from one of the inner or outer edges of the rim, respectively. The retaining ring is receivable onto a shaft or into a housing bore where the resilient teeth (36) engage an annular groove (28) to retain the ring. The Belleville-type spring portion of the retaining ring provides a continuous axial force and allows for the resilient take-up of manufacturing tolerances in assemblies employing the retaining ring.

Abstract: A snap-action member of a metallic material having a predetermined grain orientation and having at least one projection for locating the snap-action member in a preselected assembly position on seating means therefor in a control device thereby to align the predetermined grain orientation with respect to the seating means.

Abstract: A resettable apparatus including a deformable restraining element adapted to contact and restrain active elements for producing a time-delayed force or displacement response. The apparatus functions by the release of the force and/or displacement active element by the creep deformation action of the restraining element at a time interval after actuation of the active element.

Abstract: A control device has a housing with an opening therein, and at least a pair of opposite spaced apart stopping abutments in the housing are arranged within the opening so as to intersect with a chord thereof. A snap-action member formed from a metallic material having directed grain orientation extending generally across the snap-action member is seated on the housing in a predetermined assembly position at least in part about the opening and in spaced relation with the at least stopping abutment pair so that the direction of the grain orientation in the metallic material of the snap-action member extends generally across the chord of the opening which intersects with said at least stopping abutment pair.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chatter-free arrangement of masses especially for such a chatter-proof arrangement in electrical switches and mechanical interrupters of current of all kinds. The arrangement of masses disclosed is constructed so that the kinetic energy of the two masses of pushing partners being pushed is absorbed by additional damping masses arranged in the direction of the push. The mass of the following mass or masses, in the direction pointing away from the two primary masses of the pushing partners is constructed to that the additional and successive mass or masses is decreasing and in that same direction the elasticity and the energy loss factor and, or the mobility of the additional masses is increasing. Such decreasing masses permit lighter chatter-free constructions and permits not only stationary parts but also moving parts to be provided with chatter-free arrangements, especially for example in electrical contacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an omega type spring assembly and particularly the pivotal connection between the omega spring element and a bearing element. In a broad sense the invention involves replacing the conventional knife edge pivotal with a ball and socket connection in which the "socket" has the form of an elongated aperture with arcuately shaped edges. The "ball" has a tapered portion which engages the edges and the tapered portion may be spherical, conical or elliptical in shape. There are two contact points between the bearing element and the arcuately shaped edges of the aperture in the omega spring element.