Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle includes a crank axle, crank arms mounted to the crank axle to rotate the crank axle, a carrier shaft slidably mounted on the crank axle and configured to slide relative to the crank axle, and a sprocket mounted on the carrier shaft. A position sensor determines a relative position of a diametric axis of the sprocket relative to a central longitudinal axis of the crank arm at an end of a power stroke. Further, an actuator is operatively coupled to the carrier shaft to slide the carrier shaft, and a controller is configured to actuate the actuator to slide the carrier shaft relative to the crank axle based on input from the position sensor to change a start time of the power stroke of the sprocket.

Abstract: A gearbox is disclosed. The gearbox can have planetary gears. Each planetary gear can revolve around a rotational center of itself while concurrently revolving around a rotational center of the gear system as a whole. The gearbox can be used to deliver rotational output energy at a right (or other angle) from the direction of a received input energy.

Abstract: A safety opening/closing valve for easy checking of an opened/closed state thereof includes: a ball valve part having a rotating shaft part configured to open and close a flow path of the ball valve part by rotating; a housing part having an upper surface and having a plurality of gear teeth vertically formed along the inner circumference of an inner space of the housing part; a rotating part arranged in the housing part such that the rotating part rotates relative to the central axis of the housing part; at least three satellite gear parts mounted rotatably to the upper portion of the rotating part while being in engagement with gear teeth formed at the inner circumference of the housing part; a driving part including a sun gear part provided as a bar shape and inserted through an open central area of a top surface of the housing part.

Abstract: A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) assembly or automatic temperature balanced actuator (ABA) assembly controls a manifold assembly through a push pin bearing mechanism. The push pin bearing mechanism comprises a push pin that moves in a linear direction responsive to rotational movement of a motor gear that is coupled through a helical gear. Rotational movement of the push pin is prevented by a ball bearing assembly. Movement of the push pin is transferred to a manifold pin, which in turn, controls the manifold assembly. Because the push pin moves in a linear rather than a rotational fashion, erosion of the mated manifold pin is substantially reduced with respect to transitional approaches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive pawl within a bicycle transmission, wherein at least one torque transmission path extends from an input side to an output side across the same, and that has allocated thereto, relative to a first component supporting said pawl, a rotatable ring part, which interacts with the pawl for the alternate activation and deactivation of the pawl.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying a rotational force to a structural element during a surgical procedure. The instrument may be designed for increasing an input force to produce an enlarged output force adequate for fracturing an excess section of the elongated element from a remainder of the structural element. The instrument may include an input mechanism that receives an external rotational input force, a planetary gear system that multiples the input force, and an output mechanism that attaches to and delivers the multiplied rotational output force to the excess section of the structural element. The output mechanism may also be configured to capture the separated excess section. The instrument may include a housing and a handle for grasping and manipulating during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Torque devices are disclosed for controlling insertion of medical devices into a lumen of a patient. The torque devices allow for modulation of the speed of rotation of the medical devices. Methods related to the torque devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a shift cam engaged with a planetary gear assembly in the planetary gear transmission, the shift cam having a shift cam stop, a rotatable cable ring connected to a moveable cable, the cable ring comprising a ramped portion, a rotatable ramped ring, the ramped ring comprising a ramped portion cooperatively engaged with the cable ring ramped portion, and further the ramped ring having a stop cooperatively engagable with the shift cam stop, a rotation of the cable ring urges the ramped ring a predetermined distance in a direction normal to the plane of rotation of the cable ring, the shaft cam held against rotation by engagement with the ramped ring, and at which predetermined distance the ramped ring is allowed to rotate with the cable ring simultaneous with the axial movement of the ramped ring, and a spring connected between the cable ring and the shift cam, the shaft cam reacting to the spring force rotates upon rotation of the ra

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.

Abstract: A drive train connection has a shaft, a joint, particularly a constant velocity joint, and a coupling device. The coupling device is a planetary gear mechanism having a hollow wheel, at least one planet wheel and a sun wheel. The shaft and the sun wheel have corresponding locking means oriented in the axial direction. The sun wheel, together with the joint, can be screwed onto the shaft or unscrewed from the shaft by turning the hollow wheel.

Abstract: A multi-speed internal bicycle hub transmission assembly includes a stationary hub axle, a driver, a hub shell, a power transmission mechanism and a shift control mechanism. The stationary hub axle includes a positioner that is movable in a radial direction. The driver and the hub shell are rotatably supported to the hub axle. The power transmission mechanism is operably disposed between the driver and the hub shell for transmitting rotational power from the driver to the hub shell through a plurality of power transmission paths. The shift control mechanism includes a pawl control member movable in rotational directions relative to the hub axle to a plurality of orientations. Each orientation corresponds to selection of a corresponding one of the plurality of power transmission paths of the power transmission mechanism. The positioner is disposed to urge the pawl control member to remain the selected orientation.

Abstract: Provided are a portable winch assembly for use in lifting equipment and a planetary reduction gearbox that may be incorporated into existing winch assemblies. The planetary reduction gearbox of the winch assembly includes a primary sun gear, a first plurality of planet gears, a secondary sun gear, a second plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear. The primary sun gear is fitted with a drive head, which is configured for engagement by a handheld torquing device, such as an electric drill. The rotation of the primary sun gear results in the subsequent rotation of a cooperatively engaged gear-driven lifting assembly, to which a rope, cable, or strap may be attached for hoisting equipment. Optionally, a handle assembly may also be included, the handle being selectively disengageable from the lifting assembly, so that the handle may be remain stationary with respect to the rotation of the primary sun gear.

Abstract: A clamping structure for a handled tool including: (1) a chuck body, provided with gear teeth, ratchet and guiding holes, (2) a plurality of grippers, mounted in the guiding holes of the chuck body and having partial thread on one end; (3) an inner gear ring, (4) a control outer sleeve, having a plurality of control keys and a plurality of driving keys thereon, (5) a driving member having inner taper thread and a plurality of pinions thereon, wherein the inner taper thread engages with the threads of the grippers, and wherein the pinions, mounted to the driving member through pin shafts, engage with both the inner gear ring and the gear teeth of the chuck body, (6) a plurality of resilient anti-loose members with pawl.

Abstract: A planet gear mechanism 19 interposed between a steering 2 and steerable wheels 4L and 4R is interposed. A torque controlling motor 25 for controlling a torque acting on the steering 2 and a transmission-rate varying motor 20 for driving the planet gear mechanism 19 are arranged coaxially (on an axial A) with the planet gear mechanism 19. This eliminates the need for arranging each motor 20 and 25 on the both ends of the axis A to face each other, and also reduces a space occupied by the motors 20 and 25 with respect to a radial direction of the axis A. As a result, reduction in the size of an apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: A manual roller shade includes a clutch mechanism having a gear train transferring rotation of an input sprocket to rotation of an output member engaging a roller tube. The gear train includes a sun gear, planet gears supported by a carrier and engaging the sun gear, and a ring gear engaging the planet gears. According to one embodiment, the carrier does not rotate. The ratio between the diameters of the input sprocket and the roller tube is selected to offset mechanical advantage of the gear train to provide an effective gear train ratio of approximately 2:1. A drive chain guide system includes spaced guide wheels controlling where a drive chain is suspended from the manual shade. A roller shade mounting system includes a bracket receiving either an input assembly of the manual roller shade or a motor of a motorized roller shade to facilitate conversion.

Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a planetary gear assembly having a first planetary gear, a second planetary gear rotatable relative to the first planetary gear, and a torquing mechanism. The torquing mechanism generates a torsional spring force of the planetary gear assembly to cause the first planetary gear to rotate along a first direction and the second planetary gear to rotate along a second direction, opposite to the first direction. As a result, the teeth of the first planetary gear contact teeth of a corresponding first stationary ring gear and the teeth of the second planetary gear contact teeth of a corresponding second stationary ring gear. The torquing mechanism, along with the configuration of the planetary gear assembly, minimizes or eliminates the presence of gaps between the contacting teeth of the planetary assembly and the stationary gear rings and minimizes backlash within the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A traction cable actuator has a sun gear, with a lever, at least two planetary gears engaged with the sun gear, and a housing with a toothed race engaging the planetary gears. The housing further has a lock spring seat, and a traction cable sleeve seat. A drive shaft operatively engages with the sun gear to turn the sun gear. The shaft has at least one release tab. A pulley is disposed within the housing. The pulley has planetary gear axles disposed to receive driving force from the planetary gears. The pulley also has a traction cable wire seat. A lock spring disposed to engage said lock spring seat in the housing engages the lever on the sun gear when the sun gear is turned. The lock spring holds said pulley in a position selected by turning the drive shaft. A bearing and groove stop assembly may be included.

Abstract: Drive device for manually driving a blind, roller shutter or the like, comprising an epicyclic reduction gearbox consisting of the juxtaposition of two simple planetary gear trains of type I (A1, B1, a1,/A2, B2, a2), the sun wheels (A1, A2) of which are mechanically linked so as to be driven simultaneously at the same speed and the annulus gear (B1) of the first planetary gear train of which, on the input side of the reduction gearbox, is fixed and the other annulus gear (B2) of which can rotate. The reduction ratio is less than or equal to 3. This drive device makes it possible to obtain a low reduction ratio with a small diameter.

Abstract: A shift control device for a bicycle is disclosed having a planetary gear assembly for varying the relative angular position between an actuating member and a control member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shift control device includes a control member engageable with a ring gear to drive a plurality of planetary gears about a fixed base member. The fixed base member preferably includes a sun gear integrally attached thereto. The planetary gears are preferably carried by an actuating member configured to pull and release a bicycle shift cable. Rotation of the planetary gears results in the tension or release of the bicycle shift cable. The shift control device can include a positioning mechanism for controlling the position of the actuating member relative the base member.

Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle uses a chain and a plurality of auxiliary sprockets to achieve high ratios of wheel speed to pedal-rotation speed. The crank assembly is designed for use on a full-suspension bicycle, as the relative motion of the drive sprockets (22) of the transmission is isolated from the motion of the rear suspension arms (18, 20), which form the chain stays of the bicycle, and whose pivot is co-axial with the axle of the pedal cranks (14). Motion of the suspension arms about the pivot induces rotation by an equal angular measure of the drive sprocket of the transmission. So no relative motion of the drive sprocket and suspension arms occurs except that which is induced by the pedal cranks.

Abstract: A shift control device for a bicycle is disclosed having a planetary gear assembly for varying the relative angular position between an actuating member and a control member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shift control device includes a control member engageable with a ring gear to drive a plurality of planetary gears about a fixed base member. The fixed base member preferably includes a sun gear integrally attached thereto. The planetary gears are preferably carried by an actuating member configured to pull and release a bicycle shift cable. Rotation of the planetary gears results in the tension or release of the bicycle shift cable. The shift control device can include a positioning mechanism for controlling the position of the actuating member relative the base member.

Abstract: A single speed gear assembly suitable for use in a wheelchair is disclosed. The assembly incorporates a sun gear together with a plurality of planet gears which reduces the amount of torque required by the user in order to effect rotation of the wheel to which the assembly is attached. Specific ratios for the diameter of the sun gear to the each planet gear is taught. The assembly conveniently eases the use of a wheelchair by those confined to using same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for displacing the parts of an objective with at least one adjusting ring 6. A fine adjusting ring 40 is also provided and there is no switchover device which must be actuated by the operator. The fine adjusting ring 40 is at standstill when it is not actively rotated by the operator. A coarse adjusting ring 6 is rotatably journalled in the housing 10 of an objective. A transmission or gearing for suitably fine adjusting this coarse adjusting ring 6 includes a sun gear wheel 1 mounted fixedly on the objective housing 10, a fine adjusting ring 40 which includes a shaft pin 4 on which planetary gear wheels 2 are journalled and an output gear wheel 3 rotatably mounted on the coarse adjusting ring 6 via a slip clutch 5.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for adjusting the angular relationship of co-axial primary and second drives while both are running comprises a double planetary gear train having a freely rotatable common sun gear (201) and first and second ring gears (213, 223) rotatable relative to each other and each coupled to the sun gear by respective sets of caged planet gears (208, 218). One ring gear (213) is normally held against rotation and the other (223) is adjustable relative thereto. The gear cages are fast with the respective drives.

Abstract: Backlash free articulation reducing mechanism, usable notably for the setting of the various portions of an automobile vehicle seat, characterized in that each satellite has a central axis with a cylindrical (inner or outer) bearing surface intended for centering itself and reacting on a complementary cylindrical bearing surface (respectively outer or inner) provided on a star-shaped satellite-holder having due to its material and design, a sufficient resiliency for constantly applying the toothings of the satellites in the toothing of their respective flange, thereby allowing taking up clearances inherent to manufacture of this type of mechanism and allowing also absorbing without deterioration any overload able for example to appear during use of the reducing mechanism as an articulation of an automobile vehicle seat.