Abstract: A fixture and method allows a mechanic to add a key to a crankshaft without removal of the crankshaft from the engine. The keying fixture has a main body having an axial internal bore for mounting over a crankshaft. The main body includes a sealing portion for forming a seal between the engine and the keying fixture to prevent debris from the keying operation from entering the engine. The main body also includes a bushing mounting portion for mounting drilling/reaming bushings of a desired size in the keying fixture to provide for precise radial alignment of a correspondingly sized drill bit or reamer used for creating a radial key bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for feeding cigarette packets (3) out of a packing machine, where the packets (3), being substantially in the shape of parallelepipeds, are moved forward with their large lateral faces (4) in contact with each other along a first path (P1) by a conveyor (2) that stabilises them in a defined direction (D) transversal to the large lateral faces (4). Downstream of the stabilising conveyor (2), there is a unit (33) for printing on the packets (3).

Abstract: A description is provided of a volumetric operating system (10) for scissors-type vehicle lifts, comprising a plurality of cylinders (16, 18, 20, 22) for movement of the vehicle lifting runways (12, 14), of which the main cylinders (16, 22) receive the operating fluid directly from supply means (24, 28, 30), and the secondary cylinders (18, 20) receive the operating fluid from the outlet (32, 34) of a respective one of the main cylinders (16, 22), wherein with each runway (12, 14) there is associated at least one of the said main cylinders (16, 22), and at least one of the said secondary cylinders (18, 20). Preferably, the outlet of each main cylinder (16, 22) which is associated with one of the runways (12, 14) supplies a secondary cylinder (18, 20) which is associated with the other runway (12, 14).

Abstract: Containers are conveyed through a carousel type filling machine by a plurality of grippers each comprising a bracket element, and a pair of jaws connected to the bracket element by way of relative pivots; the two jaws are joined one to another by a removable segment of elastic material positioned with two ends seated in corresponding sockets afforded by the jaws. During the steps in which the containers are taken up and subsequently released by the grippers, the two jaws rotate about the two pivots and are centered by a locating pin, the pivots, the pin and the bracket element all being molded in a single piece from plastic material.

Abstract: For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in beam intensity is detected. By preference infra red light is emitted at one focal point of an elliptical reflector, and detected at the other focal point. The light is emitted in pulses in the preferred embodiment, and the optical sensing system has automated calibration and error detecting functions.

Abstract: A device for air mass flow control in a gas turbine engine includes at least one inlet duct 1, which can issue into an air duct 2, a counter-pressure duct 3, and a double-action shut-off element, which is connected between the counter-pressure duct 3 and the inlet duct 1 and is responsive to pressure differences between the two ducts to control air flow in the air duct 2.

Abstract: A rigid pack (100) with a hinged lid (12) serves both as a carton proportioned to accommodate a plurality of packets (1) of cigarettes (3), and as a single packet (1); in either instance the pack comprises a container (10) surmounted by a lid (12) hinged to one open end (11) of the container and rotatable between positions in which the container (10) is open and closed, respectively. The pack (100) appears prismatic in shape and substantially triangular in section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically discovering and utilizing an optimized network path through overlay routing for the transmission of data. A determination whether to use a default network path or to instead use an alternate data forwarding path through one or more overlay nodes is based on real-time measurement of costs associated with the alternative paths, in response to a user request for transmission of message data to a destination on the network. Cost metrics include delay, throughput, jitter, loss, and security. The system chooses the best path among the default forwarding path and the multiple alternate forwarding paths, and implements appropriate control actions to force data transmission along the chosen path. No modification of established network communication protocols is required.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing and sustaining a glow discharge plasma in a plasma discharge space comprising at least two oppositely spaced electrodes, means for supplying a gas or a gas mixture under atmospheric pressure conditions in the discharge space, AC power supply means for energizing the electrodes, and electric stabilisation means for stabilizing current variations in the plasma. The stabilisation means connect between the electrodes and the power supply means, and are arranged for providing a negative feedback opposed to a positive feedback of the plasma to instabilities in the plasma.

Abstract: The outfeed unit of a cigarette maker establishes a feed path along which at least one cigarette rod is caused to advance in a predetermined direction from the outfeed end of a beam, on which the rod is formed, toward a cutter device by which the rod is divided into sticks constituting single cigarettes; the unit is equipped with a cut-off device located in close proximity to the outfeed of the forming beam, by which the rod is severed and diverted from the feed path, and, at a given point downstream of the cut-off device, with pinch rollers by which a portion of the rod separated through the action of the cut-off device is removed from a final stretch of the feed path between the cut-off device and the cutter device.

Abstract: A flat blank (1; 25) for the formation of a rigid carton (2; 26) having the shape of a parallelepiped, in which two panels (5′, 8′) form a front wall (5) and, respectively, a lid (8) on the carton (2; 26), and in which the panel (5′) which forms the front wall (5) is divided by a pre-wakened tear line (10) into a first and a second portion (11′, 12′); and the panel (8′) which forms the lid (8) is divided by a fold line (13; 29) into a first and second portion (14′, 27′; 15′, 28′), the first portion (14′, 27′) being adjacent to the panel (5′) that forms the front wall (5).

Abstract: A cigarette packet includes a first inner wrapper (2) enveloping a group of cigarettes, a second outer wrapper (5) wrapped around the first inner wrapper (2), a revenue stamp (14) and, in the event that the packet (1) is of the rigid type with a hinged lid, a reinforcing frame (10), all identifiable as specific packaging components of the packet (1). The packet (1) includes a layer (16) of opaque material, removable by scratching, which is designed to conceal at least one predetermined message or image (18) on at least one predetermined area (17) of at least one of the specific packaging components (13).

Abstract: A device for the pneumatic inspection of cigarettes comprises a roller which turns about an axis of rotation and has a plurality of seats, each designed to receive a cigarette. For each seat the device has a pair of caps made of strong material, designed to connect with the ends of the cigarette in such a way that, at an inspection station, each cigarette is connected to a source of a fluid which can subject the cigarette to the action of the fluid. A pneumatic—electric pressure transducer is connected to each seat. The transducer issues a signal which depends on the action of the fluid and which indicates the state of the cigarette.

Abstract: A method for the production of a sealing element with a backing 1 and a honeycomb structure 2 attached to this backing 1, in which the cellular arrangement of the honeycomb structure 2 is formed by individual, profiled layers 3 to 7 made of a thin, foil-like, metallic material, and in which the layers 3 to 7 are bonded to each other and the honeycomb structure 2 is bonded to the backing 1, wherein the bonding of the individual layers 3 to 7 of the honeycomb structure 2 and the bonding of the honeycomb structure 2 to the backing 1 is effected by means of a brazing process in which pure aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used as the brazing filler material.

Abstract: A turboprop aircraft engine includes at least one outer air intake 1 and at least one downstream inner duct system 2 for the delivery of air to a compressor, and the inner duct system 2 spirals around the center axis 3 of the engine.

Abstract: A split computer (122) comprises a main module (140) remotely connected by external PCI bus (170) to a input/output (I/O) or extension module (142). The main module (140) comprises a processor (181) and an external PCI bus first interface (300). The input/output (I/O) module comprises one or more input and/or output device controllers and an external PCI bus second interface. The external PCI bus connects the external bus first interface of the main module with the external bus second interface of the input/output (I/O) module. The main module executes application programs, maintains user configurations, and maintains application configurations. Yet since the main module is located remotely, e.g., at a data center (150), the both security and centralized management are realized using existing hardware and software. The input/output (I/O) module has a relative small footprint and primarily performs input and output operations.

Abstract: In a cigar-making machine, the cigars advance continuously in orderly succession occupying a plurality of respective pockets transported by a conveyor along a predetermined feed path toward a piercing station where they are engaged by a plurality of needles fitted to respective movable heads; the heads are caused to advance parallel to the predetermined feed path followed by the cigars, proceeding continuously and synchronously with the pockets in such a manner that each of the single cigars can be pierced by a corresponding needle with a relative hole, aligned substantially on a longitudinal axis of the cigar.