Abstract: A snow thrower having a power supply with a crankshaft operatively connected thereto is provided. The snow thrower further includes an impeller operatively connected to a first drive shaft. A first drive train operatively connects the crankshaft to the first drive shaft to provide a first rotational speed of the first drive shaft and impeller. An impeller speed adjustment assembly includes a second drive train that operatively connects the crankshaft to the first drive shaft to provide a second rotational speed of the first drive shaft and impeller therebetween, wherein the first and second rotational speeds of the first drive shaft and impeller are different.

Abstract: An electric power-assisted bicycle includes a transmission mechanism (3), a speed reduction mechanism (16) and a drive motor (15) which are arranged in parallel in the direction of the an axle, inside a rear hub (1) of a drive wheel. The transmission mechanism (3) and the speed reduction mechanism (16) are each formed by planetary gear mechanisms, and a planetary carrier (3c) is shared between the transmission mechanism and the speed reduction mechanism.

Abstract: A rotation direction switching device for switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft includes a pulley unit for switching the rotation direction of the drive shaft. The pulley unit has a forward rotation drive belt and a reverse rotation drive belt. The forward rotation drive belt extends between the forward rotation drive pulley and a forward rotation driven pulley. The reverse rotation drive belt extends between a reverse rotation drive pulley and a reverse rotation driven pulley. When the drive shaft is forwardly rotated, the forward rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the reverse rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state. When the drive shaft is reversely rotated, the reverse rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the forward rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state.

Abstract: A power transmission device is capable of switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft between positive rotation and negative rotation as power is transmitted to the drive shaft from a drive source via the power transmission device. To cause positive rotation of the drive shaft, only the positive rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the positive rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the positive rotation shaft. To cause negative rotation of the drive shaft, only the negative rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the negative rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the negative rotation shaft.

Abstract: A power transmission device is capable of switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft between positive rotation and negative rotation as power is transmitted to the drive shaft from a drive source via the power transmission device. To cause positive rotation of the drive shaft, only the positive rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the positive rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the positive rotation shaft. To cause negative rotation of the drive shaft, only the negative rotation belt is tensed by the belt switching means, and rotation from the negative rotation drive pulley is transmitted to the drive shaft via the negative rotation shaft.

Abstract: A supercharger control system is installed at the bottom front end of the engine, directly onto the crankshaft. An accessory drive belt around the accessory belt pulley rotates continuously to keep vehicle accessories operating. A second belt around a larger pulley drives the supercharger blower. When the dashboard mounted switch is turned on, electricity from the engine energizes an electromagnet, which compels engagement of the rotating accessory pulley with the supercharger pulley by means of a slide plate. The belt around the supercharger pulley then rotates, operating the supercharger. If the driver does not require extra power and performance delivered by the supercharger, the switch is turned off, stopping the flow of electricity. This shuts down the magnetic field, causing the pulleys to be disengaged and disconnecting the supercharger, while still allowing the crankshaft to operate the accessories.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising first and second harmonic gear drive (HD) units disposed in back-to-back relationship. Each HD includes an elliptical wave generator (WG), a flexspline (FS) deformable by the WG, and a circular spline (CS) for engaging the FS. A dynamic spline (DS) connects the first and second FSs. The first HD is an input HD driven by an engine crankshaft via a sprocket wheel connected to the input CS. The second HD is an output HD driving an engine camshaft. The DS is meshed with both the input FS and the output FS. The phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft may be changed by changing the angular relationship between the first and second WGs. Such change is effected by holding the first WG stationary and varying the angular position of the second WG via an electric motor.

Abstract: A rotation direction switching device for switching the rotation direction of a drive shaft includes a pulley unit for switching the rotation direction of the drive shaft. The pulley unit has a forward rotation drive belt and a reverse rotation drive belt. The forward rotation drive belt extends between the forward rotation drive pulley and a forward rotation driven pulley. The reverse rotation drive belt extends between a reverse rotation drive pulley and a reverse rotation driven pulley. When the drive shaft is forwardly rotated, the forward rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the reverse rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state. When the drive shaft is reversely rotated, the reverse rotation belt is placed in a tensioned state, and the forward rotation belt is switched to a relaxed state.

Abstract: An idler or tensioning assembly for an electronically controlled sanding/polishing machine is provided, the sanding/polishing machine utilizing a plurality of exchangeable polishing wheel assemblies of which the idler assembly is one. Each polishing wheel assembly interfaces with the sanding/polishing machine through a coolant manifold and a polishing wheel shaft receptor. The idler assembly is operative to provide releasable tension to a sanding/polishing belt that is situated around the idler and the associated sanding/polishing wheel. The idler assembly has a pivoting idler that is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder utilizes coolant tapped from the coolant manifold of the idler assembly for actuation. Coolant is provided to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a valve signal. The idler assembly thus has a tensioned mode and an untensioned mode.

Abstract: Belt tensioner comprising a support, a roller designed to be in contact with the belt to be tensioned, a roller carrier on which the roller is mounted rotationally and which is mounted on the support so as to move back and forth between two extreme positions, a spring arranged between the support and the roller carrier in such a way as to urge the roller carrier continuously from a first to a second of the two extreme positions, a two-way switch mounted on the support in such a way as to be actuated by the roller carrier to occupy a first state only when the roller carrier is at the first extreme position and to pass into the second state when the roller carrier has left this first extreme position under the action of the spring, and means for mounting the support on a base so that the roller carrier occupies the first extreme position only when the belt is intact and has a predetermined tension.

Abstract: A wheel driving device for a loader including a belt type transmission unit adapted to selectively drive wheels of the loader in a normal or reverse direction by power transmitted from an engine to a power transmission unit, the belt type transmission unit having forward and rearward belts for driving the wheels in normal and reverse directions, respectively, clutch type levers respectively mounted on the case at opposite sides of the case, the levers being adapted to selectively apply pressure to the forward and rearward belts, thereby operatively connecting the forward and rearward belts to the wheels, respectively, and hydraulic cylinders each adapted to hydraulically switch each lever between a position where it applies the pressure to each corresponding belt and a position where it releases the pressure applied to the corresponding belt.

Abstract: A motor 12 has an output shaft 18. A transmission device 14 transmits rotary power, selectively, in any one of two drive modes from the shaft 18 to an output shaft 16 connected to a rotary load. The drive modes differ in respect of direction of rotation and/or speed ratio. Output pulleys 20/22 are respectively connected to intermediate pulleys 44/54 on the device 14. Auxiliary intermediate wheels 48/58, which are respectively co-axial with and connected to the pulleys 44/54, are drivingly connected respectively in accordance with the two drive modes by means of a drive element 51 to an output wheel 42 on the shaft 16. The device 14 is pivoted about the shaft 16 as shown at 36. Pivoting in one direction tightens a V-belt 50 transmitting drive to the pulley 44 and thence via the wheel 48 in a first drive mode to the shaft 16; while slackening a V-belt 60 to disconnect drive to the pulley 54. Pivoting in an opposite direction causes drive via the pulley 54 and wheel 58 to the shaft 16 in the other drive mode.

Abstract: A power transmission which includes a drive pulley and multiple driven pulleys which accommodate forward and reverse drive belts. The driven pulleys are mounted to pivoting carriages which allow relative shifting between forward and reverse and biasing springs which urge the carriages into neutral upon release of the shift lever. A clutch wheel attached to one of the driven pulleys provides for a smooth transition from neutral into forward.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a main frame with rear wheels in substantially fixed alignment supporting the main frame, a steerable frame provided at the forward end of the main frame including front wheels in fixed alignment with the steerable frame and a motor mounted on the steerable frame. The front wheels are separated from each other a distance smaller than the separation of the rear wheels. A pivot connects the steerable frame to the main frame, the lower end of the axis of the pivot being in front of the upper end of the axis such that any angular displacement of the steerable frame with respect to the main frame causes a lateral displacement of the ground-engaging portion of the front wheels. Exhaust gases are directed from the motor to the rear of the main frame through a pivotal connection between a manifold and tail pipe, the pivotal connection being in axial alignment with the steering axis of the steerable frame.

Abstract: In a crop roll forming machine having a reversibly rotatable bale forming means there is provided an improved drive means with tensioning means movably affixed to the frame for cooperative interaction with the drive means and the bale forming means to selectively cause the bale forming means to cease being driven in a first direction and cause it to be driven in an opposing second direction when the tensioning means is moved to a predetermined position so that a completed crop roll is ejected rearwardly from the machine onto the ground.