Abstract: A shaft extractor for removing a golf club head from a golf club shaft without causing side-loading to occur comprising: a central body piece having two split screw portions threaded in opposite directions, at opposite sides of a split central hex nut section. The threaded screw portions receive a pair of end split hex nuts, each threaded to fit on one of the oppositely-threaded screw sections of the central body, such that when the central nut is rotated with the end nuts held against rotation, the end nuts move outward or inward together. The split in the central body piece of the shaft extractor forms a central cavity for receiving the golf club shaft. An extractor wrench is used to hold the end nuts against rotation.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a plurality of vanes in chambers defined by a housing and a spool valve. The vanes define an advance and retard chamber. At least one of the vanes is cam torque actuated (CTA) and at least one of the other vanes is oil pressure actuated (OPA). The spool valve is coupled to the advance and retard chamber defined by the CTA vane and the advance chamber defined by the OPA vane. When the phaser is in the advance position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the OPA vane to the retard chamber defined the CTA vane. When the phaser is in the retard position fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the CTA vane to the advance chamber defined by the CTA vane.

Abstract: The forming apparatus of the present invention preferably includes an orifice on top of the trough. The uniquely shaped orifice substitutes for the weirs as the controlling entity for glass thickness. The orifice is designed such that as it deforms, it maintains a linear flow characteristic with respect to its length. As the orifice is made larger by the applied stress, the percentage width increase is the same over its length and consequently the percentage flow increase is the same over the length of the orifice. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustment to change the flow characteristics of the trough to compensate for the degradation of the forming trough during an extended production run. A flow control plug can be inserted into the trough, such that flow dynamics can be altered during hot operation by insertion, removal or position adjustment of the flow control plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delubrification of parts. The method comprising the steps of moving the parts on the belt into a chamber of the furnace, heating the parts, igniting the unused combustible atmosphere above the parts, and allowing the atmosphere above the parts to escape through a vent in the chamber. The parts are heated uniformly by a heat source beneath the belt. The hot atmosphere is forced up through at least one plenum by blowers. The unused combustible atmosphere in the chamber above the parts on the belt is ignited using a burner and vented through the vent in the chamber.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser having a low beam divergence is disclosed. The laser includes at least one waveguide comprising an active layer generating an optical gain by injection of a current, a photonic band gap crystal having the refractive index modulation in the direction perpendicular to the propagation of the emitted light, and at least one defect. The active layer is preferably placed within the defect. The photonic band gap crystal and the defect are optimized such that the fundamental mode of laser radiation is localized at the defect and decays away from the defect, while the other optical modes are extended over the photonic band gap crystal. Localization of the fundamental mode at the defect results in the relative enhancement of the amplitude of the mode with respect to the other modes. Therefore, there is a larger confinement factor of the fundamental mode as compared to the confinement factor of the other modes. This enables efficient single-mode lasing from the laser having an extended waveguide.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has a camshaft having a plurality of cam lobes, a plurality of valves where each of the valves are actuated by a lifter actuated by the camshaft with a cam lobe. The lifter comprises a lifter body having an upper surface and a lower surface. A cam contact plate pivots on an axis on the upper surface of the lifter body. Opposed hydraulic actuators are present on either side of the axis of the cam contact plate, where each hydraulic actuators comprise a fluid chamber in the lifter body, a piston in the chamber, and a spring biasing the piston into contact with the cam contact plate. The lifter further comprises a line supplying hydraulic fluid to the fluid chambers of the hydraulic actuators and a control valve for controlling fluid flow from one hydraulic actuator to the other hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A movable member 6 is connected to a first hinge member 2 such that the movable member 6 is unable to turn but able to move in the axial direction. A hammer member 7 is non-turnably connected to a second hinge member 3. The movable member 6 is caused to abutted against the hammer member 7 by a coiled spring (not shown). A force conversion mechanism (not shown) is disposed between contact surfaces of the movable member 6 and hammer member 7 and adapted to convert a biasing force of the coiled spring to a force for turning the hammer member 7. An abutment projection 32 is formed on an outer periphery of the second hinge member 3. An abutment recess 71 into which the abutment projection 32 is fitted is formed in an outer periphery of the hammer member 71. A width 2 of the abutment recess 71 is set slightly larger than a width W1 of the abutment projection 32 so that the hammer member 7 can be turned relative to the second hinge member 3 to that extent.

Abstract: The present invention alters the flow path at the inlet of the sheet glass forming apparatus to improve quality. The bottom of the downcomer pipe is preferably shaped to alter the character of the vortex flow in the quiescent flow zone between the pipes. In another embodiment, a bead guide provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension stress and thus reduces the influence of surface tension on the formation of thick beads on the edges of the sheet. The present invention also measures the temperature of the glass by immersing thermocouples in the glass, at locations where any defects caused by the immersion are in the glass that forms the unusable edges of the sheet. In another embodiment, the support structure for the trough is altered to substantially reduce the aging of the trough due to thermal creep.

Abstract: Smaller and lighter hydraulic pump/motors provide remarkably improved volumetric efficiency with pistons having body portions substantially as long as the axial length of the respective cylinders in which they reciprocate. A plurality of respective lubricating channels form a single, continuous lubricating passageway entirely within the cylinder block and not connected by either fluid “input” or fluid “output” passageways, being replenished solely by a minimal flow of fluid to and from the valve end of each cylinder and passing between each respective cylindrical wall of each cylinder and the axial cylindrical body of each respective piston. Several embodiments are disclosed in combination with various spring-biased hold-down assemblies. The preferred embodiment included a fixed cylinder block, a roller bearing mounting between the wobbler and rotor of a split-swash plate, with piston shoes contacting the wobbler directly without any intermediary apparatus.

Abstract: A flywheel power unit that can be inserted into a variety of machines. The standardization of the power unit means that the more expensive gearing, clutch and flywheel components do not have to be duplicated in each human powered machine. Standard bicycle gearing components can be assembled with a modified clutch for a typical motorcycle to create an inexpensive human powered flywheel power unit. As the user pedals, power is stored in the flywheel. The flywheel axle is connected to a transmission transfer gear that turns a transmission input gear for a transmission with multiple gears in a gearing ratio of 10:1 to 0.8:1 (which is typical for a motorcycle transmission.). A transmission input gear and the transmission transfer gear are approximately a 1:1 gearing ratio. A transmission output gear is attached to the transmission that provides power output from the flywheel only when a clutch within the transmission in engaged.

Abstract: A package for one or more solid state devices in a single module that allows for operation at high voltage, high current, or both high voltage and high current. Low thermal resistance between the solid state devices and an exterior of the package and matched coefficient of thermal expansion between the solid state devices and the materials used in packaging enables high power operation. The solid state devices are soldered between two layers of ceramic with metal traces that interconnect the devices and external contacts. This approach provides a simple method for assembling and encapsulating high power solid state devices.

Abstract: An improved driveway gutter having a flexible gutter mat bridging the trough in the gutter for improving driving over driveway gutters. The mat is made of flexible material such as heavy rubber. The mat is placed with its flat bottom bridging the gutter, and fastened down by bolts in recessed holes in the mat. Because the mat is flexible, when a car drives over the mat it is forced down to conform with the gutter, and the top of the mat smoothes out the gutter for the car. When the weight is removed the mat springs back into shape bridging the gutter, so that the passage of water is not impeded. The fastening holes are deep enough that the fasteners do not protrude above the surface of the mat when it is deformed by a tire crossing the mat.

Abstract: A device for providing additional torsional energy for a cam shaft is provided. The device includes at least one main cam lobe formed on a rotating shaft; a valve operating mechanism disposed to be engaged by the main cam lobe; and an outer cylinder encompassing the valve operating mechanism, and capable of movement that is independent of the valve operating mechanism, the outer cylinder being disposed to provide torsional energy to the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A device having a first and second rocker arm, and a control linkage. The first rocker arm has a first end receiving a first roller and a second end riding on a camshaft lobe. A second roller travels along an upper surface of the first rocker arm. The upper surface of the second rocker arm receives the first roller. When the control linkage is in a first position, the first rocker arm and roller slides along the upper surface of the second rocker arm towards the first end of the rocker arm, such that the valve head has maximum duration and lift from the valve seat. When the control linkage is in a second position, the first roller slides along the upper surface of the second rocker arm towards the second end of the rocker arm such that the valve head has minimum duration and lift from the valve seat.

Abstract: A VCT system for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft and a VCT phaser mounted to the camshaft. The phaser having a plurality of advance chambers and retard chambers, an advance line in fluid communication with the advance chamber and leading to a cam bearing area of the camshaft, and a retard line in fluid communication with the retard chamber and leading to the cam bearing area of the camshaft. A cam bearing supports the cam bearing area around the camshaft and has ports aligned with the advance line and the retard line. A plurality of seals are located inside the cam bearing. At least one seal is between the ports to the advance line and the retard line, and a pair of seals are on opposite sides of the ports aligned with the advance and retard line. A control system is located separately from the phaser.

Abstract: An analysis system comprises an endoscope 10 insertable into the vessel and a Raman analysis apparatus 40. An insert cable 54 of the Raman analysis apparatus 40 is inserted into a channel 10a of the endoscope 10. An excitation optical fiber 60 and a bundle 70A of a plural number of light receivingoptical fibers 70 are received in the insert cable 54. A transparent small piece 63 having a film-like excitation optical filter 64 is abutted against the distal end of the fiber 60. A transparent plate 71 having a film-like light reciving optical filter 72 is abutted against the distal end of fibers bundle 70A. The plate 71 has a center hole 71a and the piece 63 is fitted into the hole 71a.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing having an outer circumference for accepting drive force, a rotor for connection to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor, a locking pin, and a centrifugal valve. The locking pin is slidably located and radially moveable in a radial bore from a locked position in which the inner end fits into the recess defined by the housing, locking the relative angular position of the rotor and housing, to an unlocked position in which the inner end does not engage the receiving hole defined by the housing. The centrifugal valve is in fluid communication with an inlet line coupled directly to an engine oil supply controlling flow of oil to the locking pin.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a housing and a rotor. The housing has an outer circumference for accepting drive force. The rotor has a connection to the camshaft coaxially located within the housing. The housing and the rotor define at least one vane separating a chamber in the housing. The vane is capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor. A portion of the outer circumference of the housing is supported by a journal bearing fixed to a non-rotating part of the engine, which may be the engine block or the cylinder head.

Abstract: Recent advances of the research on synergistic effect of a mixed baculovirus infection demonstrated the presence of viral molecules enhancing the early event of infection. The enhancins from the Trichoplusia ni was identified to have such a function, i.e., disrupting the structural integrity of peritrophic membrane of midgut of T. ni larva. The enhancin gene was ligated downstream of the CaMV 355 promoter of a binary vector pBI121. With a drug resistant gene, the gene was introduced to a piece of tobacco leaf, from Nicotiana tobacum cv. Havana SR1. We screened 11 regenerated plants out of 37 by feeding tobacco powder mixed in artificial diet, to 3rd instar Pseudaletia separata larvae. The larval stage was usually delayed from 1 to 3 days in comparison of that of control larvae. The larvae did not pupate normally. The larvae showed irregular morphology of half larva and half pupae, suggesting a hormonal disturbance caused by the transgenic tobacco.

Abstract: A method that provides increased flexibility to measure dynamic range of a rotating system is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first rotating member; providing a second rotating member suitably engaged to the first rotating member; providing a set of sensors disposed to sense variations in characteristics along a circumference of the first member and the second member respectively; providing a controller for receiving information sensed by the sensors; determining a rate of rotation of the rotating members; selectively using the sensed information thereby at different rate of rotation different amount of the sensed information is used.