Abstract: A compliant shifting mechanism for a power tool includes a selector, a first shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the selector, a second shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the first shift plate, a shift member moveable in response to rotation of the second shift plate to shift between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, a first torsion spring coupled to the first shift plate, and a second torsion spring coupled to the second shift plate. In response to rotation of the selector in a first direction, the first torsion spring may bias the first shift plate in the first direction for shifting compliance in the first direction. In response to rotation of the selector in an opposite second direction, the second torsion spring may bias the second shift plate in the second direction for shifting compliance in the second direction.

Abstract: A mechanism is introduced that allows transfer of mechanical rotational-energy generated in a liquid environment to a gas environment but does not allow the liquid to penetrate into the gas environment.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source, and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. A multi-component damping mechanism is disposed between the input member and the output member which includes a first spring element cooperating with a second spring element to couple the input member to the output member. The first spring element defines a greater stiffness and shorter deflection relative to the second spring element.

Abstract: An adaptive, ergonomic designed multi-purpose air motor driven hand-held trimmer that uses the air motor as the handle, has the air motor offset at an angle of 25 degrees to the fore and aft axis of the base plate and downward 10 degrees, to thereby have the center of gravity as near as possible to the wrist of the operator so that there will not be a constant bending of the wrist or exerting of constant hard pressure on the tissue at the base of the hand, thus virtually eliminating the possibility of the operator acquiring the carpal tunnel syndrome. Further disclosed are particular flexible drive shafts which may be used in the tool.

Abstract: A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner (100) has a first pair of driven brushes (12, 14) and second pair of free brushes co-axially mounted for rotation on axles (16) at the opposite ends of the pool cleaner that are transverse to the direction of movement. The first pair of brushes are mounted on one side and are driven by a drive motor (110); the second pair of brushes are mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner. A rotational delay clutch (30) is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes so that reversing the drive motor causes the first pair of driven brushes to temporarily rotate at an angular rotational velocity that is greater than that of the second pair of brushes, thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes is initiated by the engagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A driving disc with a hub and a disc rim which are rotatably supported inside one another, with at least two wound wire springs which are mounted substantially coaxially relative to the hub and disc rim and whose one end is secured in the direction of rotation relative to the hub and whose respective other end is secured in the direction or rotation relative to the disc rim.

Abstract: A motor drive system includes a motor having a rotary motor output shaft, a driven component, and a flexible coupling connecting the motor output shaft to the driven component. The flexible coupling is a helix formed of a first wound wire. The helix has a helix unbonded free length that is less than about two times a helix outer diameter. The approach is particularly suitable for miniature motors and their driven components, wherein the motor output shaft has a shaft diameter of less than about 3 millimeters and the helix outer diameter is less than about 3 millimeters.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for incorporation into the torque transmission path between two components or subassemblies, especially for a hydrodynamic coupling device, includes at least two disk-like damper members. Each damper member has a radially outward coupling region and a radially inward coupling region, and at least one deformation region extending between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region. Each deformation region is elastically deformable at least in some areas to permit a relative circumferential movement between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism for power-transmittably coupling a rotating unit of a compressor (11) composed of a drive shaft (17), a rotating support (23) and a swash plate (27) with an engine (62), comprising a pulley (56) and an armature (58), both of which constitute a first rotating body provided on a side of the engine, a hub (57), which serves as a second rotating body coupled to the drive shaft of the compressor, and a helical spring (64), couples the first and second rotating bodies. The use of the helical spring can easily set a resonant frequency of a power transmission system outside a frequency band for troque variation produced on a side of the compressor or the engine. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress resonance of the power transmission system to prevent generation of noises and damage to the internal mechanism of the compressor.

Abstract: A bi-directional torsional coupler for transferring torque from a drive shaft to an integral machine element (pulley, sprocket, gear etc.), comprised of two wrap springs, each having an inner helical spring portion gripping a drive shaft and a coaxial larger diameter helical spring portion, gripping a cylindrical surface of the bi-directional torsional coupler, and surrounding the inner spring, each wrap spring wound in opposite rotational directions needed to grip the shaft to provide torque transfer in both rotational directions. Manual rotation of two end caps of the bi-directional torsional coupler facilitates quick installation, quick axial adjustment and removal from the shaft, by means for unwrapping the inner wrap spring coils from the drive shaft, releasing the torque transfer from the shaft.

Abstract: A clutch disc is constructed to achieve superior performance by increasing the allowable torque or the angle of torsion of the damper plate. The clutch disc includes a clutch hub, a disc spring, and the damper plate interposed between the clutch hub and the disc spring. The damper plate is provided with an arc-like slit. In a portion of the slit proximate to the end of the slit at the peripheral or the inner peripheral side of the damper plate, the slit is centrifugally curved or curved toward the clutch axis such that both ends thereof are close to a radius of a concentric circle. According to another aspect of the invention, the damper plate is provided with a plurality of first rivets and a plurality of first rivet holes. The radii of the first rivet holes gradually decrease as the distance between the clutch axis and each hole decreases, whereas the radii increase gradually as the distance between the clutch axis and each hole increases.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of coupling rotating elements employ a magnetically triggered constricting spiral coil that exerts only radial forces to transmit torque through unrestrained unattached universally movable spheres.

Abstract: A torsion damper comprising juxtaposed resilient plates which operate in parallel and are interposed between a support member and a hub. Each resilient plate comprises at least one resiliently deformable arm. The torsion damper has at least two pairs of similar resilient plates. One of the pairs lies between the plates of the other pair and is offset with respect to the other pair by an angle such that the two pairs of plates are radially balanced. The resilient arms of any one pair are aligned with each other.

Abstract: A rotatable elastic coupling for connecting two relatively rotatable shaft ends comprising a coiled spring having ends that are fixed to a respective shaft end. One of the shaft ends is provided with an extension that axially extends into the interior of the spring. In the region adjacent to the spring ends, an intermediate portion of the spring is radially spaced from the extension. A gap formed by the radial spacing between the intermediate spring portion and the extension is defined between an inner abutment surface of the spring portion and an outer abutment surface on the extension. Relative rotation of the shafts reduces the gap until the abutment surfaces come into contact and a rotational limit is reached.

Abstract: A torsional damping mechanism (30,32) disposed in a two mass flywheel assembly (24) for reducing the effects of driveline torsionals or vibrations. The assembly includes primary and secondary flywheel masses (26,28), a viscous damper assembly having an annular housing assembly (46c, 50a) integrally formed with the primary flywheel mass, an annular clutch assembly defined by radially inner and outer clutching members (72,74) disposed in the housing, and nested spiral wound springs (58,60) disposed between an inner hub portion (46a) of the primary mass and a radially inner portion (28b) of the secondary mass. The inner clutching member (72) is driven by an axially extending hub portion (28c) of the secondary mass and the outer clutching member (74) is driven by the inner clutching member through a lost motion means defined by splines (72c, 74b).

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: A method of making a tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path is provided and comprises the steps of providing a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, providing a belt engaging unit to be carried by the support unit and be movable relative thereto, operatively associating a mechanical spring unit with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, operatively associating a fluid dampening unit with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction thereof, forming the mechanical spring unit to comprise a pair of springs disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, disposing at least a part of the fluid dampening unit between the springs and in substantially parallel relation therewith, and forming the fluid dampening unit to compris

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.