Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an active suspension system employing a linear hydraulic cylinder including a piston connected in parallel with a spring between a wheel and a vehicle body, the piston having two pressure receiving surfaces of different areas facing two chambers separated by the piston in the cylinder, comprising a balancing valve for reducing the pressures of the two chambers to a level near the atmospheric pressure, a switch valve provided in a bypass passage between the two chambers for selectively communicating the two chambers with each other, a flow restricting orifice provided in the bypass passage; and an accumulator connected to the bypass passage capable of accommodating a change in the capacity of one of the chambers due to a piston rod extending from the piston out of the cylinder when the pressures of the two chambers are at the level near the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A plurality of workpieces are supported on a workpiece holder disposed over an opening defined in a horizontal base plate and connected to an evacuating device. A reaction chamber, which is supported on an arm of a lifting and lowering device, is vertically movable with respect to the base plate between a lowered position in which the reaction chamber defines a closed space which accommodates the workpieces therein and a lifted position in which the workpieces are exposed out of the reaction chamber. A heating device, which is supported on an arm of another lifting and lowering device, is vertically movable with respect to the base plate between a lowered position in which the heating device surrounds the reaction chamber and a lifted position in which the reaction chamber is exposed out of the heating device.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system, suitable for steering the rear wheels of a four wheel steering vehicle, comprising a steering rod received in a housing assembly so as to be moveable in the longitudinal direction, an indicator member is connected to the steering rod by way of a connecting arm member extending radially from the steering rod so that the steering output of the steering system may be detected by cooperation between a sloping surface provided in the indicator member and a stroke sensor mounted on the housing assembly and engaged to the sloping surface and/or so that the rotation of the steering rod around its central axial line may be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning a laser tool at multiple distances relative to an object to be treated with the laser tool comprises an adjustable distance guide such as a flat body, an adaptor for securing the flat body to the laser tool and an adjustable incremented member which can be selectively, resiliently disposed at various predetermined lengths projecting away from the flat body. The positioning apparatus may be provided in a kit together with a set of predetermined, standardized specifications for using the apparatus together with the laser tool for achieving various different treatment effects, and a set of blank forms for generating additional specifications. A method is disclosed for utilizing such kit.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for a tuned harmonic filter is provided to prevent electrical system and filter damage. A tuned harmonic filter is provided in an electrical system to prevent overheating, motor damage, flickering lights, capacitor failure, etc. The present invention provides a sensing device in conjunction with the filter reactor to provide a signal indicative of the true operating condition of the filter. A monitoring circuit compares the signal with normal operating conditions of the filter to determine if a "fault" is occurring. Timing devices provide for a delay or rapid disconnection of the filter and/or electrical system. Indicator devices are provided to aid in diagnostic analysis of an electrical system. A remote indicator device may be included.

Abstract: A slide type electric wall receptacle comprising a fixed receptacle body and a slide receptacle body slidable along the fixed receptacle body in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the receptacle body such that it moves between its withdrawn position at which the electric outlets are hidden in the receptacle body and its protruded position at which the electric outlets are exposed externally. The slide receptacle body has at its lower wall electric outlets so that a plug of an electric appliance can be connected to each exposed outlet under the condition that it is disposed in parallel to the front surface of the receptacle. The slide receptacle body comprises a front member provided with the electric outlets and protruded outwardly of the outer plate at the protruded position of the slide receptacle body and a rear member coupled to the front member and disposed in the fixed receptacle body to slide along the fixed receptacle body.

Abstract: A game includes a plurality of sets of components, each set including a string, a mounting member stationarily attachable to a playing surface and connected to one end of the string, and a body having first and second opposed ends. The string slidably passes through an aperture formed adjacent the first end of the body. The body is formed or coated with a high friction material to engage the underlying playing surface without slippage. The second end of the string is freely supported by a player. Repeated tensioning and untensioning of the string by a player causes the body to progressively advance in a stepwise manner toward the second end of the string.

Abstract: A folder for storing flat sheet articles, formed from a one-piece sheet material blank to provide a rectangular container which is fabricated by appropriately folding a rectangular blank and does not require any fasteners, The device is structured in a manner that it may be collapsed about the articles to be stored in a way that completely captivates the articles.

Abstract: A stator of a steering angle sensor is fixed to a steering column through a combination switch case and a stationary bracket, and a rotor of the sensor is rotatably fitted over a steering shaft. A locking collar is slidably but nonrotatably connected to the rotor. The locking collar and the stator are respectively provided with a locking groove and a locking tooth which engage each other to lock the rotor in a predetermined rotational alignment. When the steering angle sensor is not mounted to a vehicle, the locking groove and the locking tooth are brought into engagement with each other by a locking spring to lock the rotor. When a steering wheel is mounted to the steering shaft in a predetermined rotational neutral position of the steering shaft, a clamping pressure caused by the mounting causes the locking collar to be moved to a lockreleasing position or disengage position and the rotor is connected to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A device for transporting food and food related items including an insulated container having foldable all-terrain wheels, foldable tray members, and a telescoping handle. Tie-down hooks are provided to permit securement of a saddlebag to the device. The saddlebag will provide increased transporting capacity. The tray members may be locked into a horizontal use position to support plates, beverages, food containers, etc. An auxiliary support pole may be attached to the container to support an umbrella or light.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus provided as a unitary structure which automatically collects fluid samples according to modes of operation selected by a user, while monitoring an analyte of interest on a real-time basis on the basis of signals from a fiber optic sensor, and collecting and storing sampling and analyte data for later retrieval. The user may select from various modes of operation, including sampling triggered by a predetermined value(s) of the analyte, flow proportional sampling, and/or sampling at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus includes a self-contained microprocessor, together with associated program and data memory, for automatically controlling sampling operations, calculating analyte values on the basis of signals from the fiber optic sensor, calculating flow rate on the basis of signals from a flow sensing arrangement, and storing data relating to sample collection, analyte levels, and flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and indicating the location of an end portion of a probe inserted into an external body. As the probe moves it rotates a measuring wheel to indicate linear translation, and optionally also moves another measuring wheel to indicate angular rotation of the probe. The data representative of probe linear insertion and angular orientation is recorded synchronously on a record for display with data obtained from a transponder positioned near the end portion of the probe.

Abstract: A fiber optic system and method in which the transmission of light through a fiber optic core of a fiber optic element is stabilized and optimized by eliminating the destabilizing effect of light independently propagated along the clad of the fiber optic element. The propagation of light along the clad may be essentially eliminated by a field stop member disposed between a light-receiving end of the fiber optic element and an LED light source, whereby light from the LED is entirely shielded from the clad. The field stop member is particularly effective when used in a fiber optic sensor, wherein the effect of clad light on transmission of light through the core is particularly destabilizing. Alternative structures for mitigating or eliminating the destabilizing effect of clad light are also provided in the form of alterations of the clad structure, or by providing a clad light stop diaphragm at the light-emitting end of the fiber optic element.

Abstract: A thin-film coating apparatus for forming a metal oxide film or diffusion source film on the surfaces of materials to be treated. The apparatus includes a solution-dropping nozzle device including an inner tube adapted to cause a solution to flow down therethrough and an outer tube enclosing the inner tube. The inner wall of the outer tube is spaced from the outer wall of the inner tube so as to define a flow path therebetween, the flow path being adapted to supply a cleaning solution to the tip portion of the inner tube. Because the tip portion of the inner tube can be cleaned efficiently, any concentration or deposition of the dropping solution is prevented from occurring at the tip portion of the inner tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission system comprising a housing having at least an oil tank containing oil, an oil pump mounted in the housing and having an inlet port and an outlet port, an oil motor mounted in the housing and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a high-pressure oil passage defined in the housing and interconnecting the outlet port of the oil pump and the inlet port of the oil motor, a low-pressure oil passage defined in the housing and interconnecting the outlet port of the oil motor and the inlet port of the oil pump, an oil supply passage defined in the housing and interconnecting the low-pressure oil passage and the oil tank, for supplying oil pumped from the oil tank by the oil pump for circulation between the oil pump and the oil motor through the high-pressure oil passage and the low-pressure oil passage, and a return oil passage defined in the housing and connecting at least a portion of the low-pressure oil passage to the oil tank, for removing air trapped in the oil circulating between th

Abstract: A cutter and housing assembly for a lawn mower has a cutter having a plurality of blades disposed dispersely as viewed in plan, and a cutter housing accommodating the cutter therein and having at least an upper panel and a side grass clipping discharge outlet. The upper panel has an elevated panel portion which defines a grass clipping discharge passage. The elevated panel portion is spaced from lower ends of the blades by a distance ranging from 120 mm to 140 mm, and is higher than the upper panel by a distance ranging from 0 mm to 20 mm.

Abstract: A suspension system on a motor vehicle includes a transverse leaf spring interconnecting knuckles on which road wheels are rotatably supported. The suspension system includes a pair of knuckle members on which the road wheels are rotatably mounted, an elongate leaf spring which is vertically resilient and extends transversely with respect to the vehicle body, the leaf spring having opposite ends coupled to the knuckle members, respectively, a support member supporting the leaf spring at two supporting points thereon which are spaced from each other transversely with respect to the vehicle body, for allowing the leaf spring to move transversely but limiting the leaf spring against vertical movement with respect to the vehicle body, and a transverse movement limiting mechanism for allowing the leaf spring to move vertically but limiting the leaf spring against transverse movement with respect to the vehicle body.

Abstract: In a "steer-by-wire" vehicle steering control system which steers steerable wheels with a powered actuator according to an input signal obtained from a sensor associated with a steering wheel, to the end of achieving an optimum vehicle response to a steering input, a compensatory transfer function is introduced between the steering wheel and the powered steering actuator. The compensatory transfer function can be obtained by suitable manipulation of the transfer functions of the hardware involved and a desired overall transfer function. The frequency domain compensatory transfer function is transformed into a time-domain input-output relationship, and the steering mechanism is actuated accordingly as a real time operation. By suitable selection of the desired overall transfer function, it is possible to achieve a vehicle response both stable and favorable.

Abstract: A pit defining a machining cavity is positioned downstream of a loading conveyor. A workpiece such as a foam block to be machined into a lost foam pattern for use in full-mold casting is fixedly mounted on an invertable workpiece mount base that is positioned above the machining cavity. The machining cavity houses a cutting unit for cutting, from below, the foam block supported on the workpiece mount base. Chips produced when the foam block is cut by the cutting unit are discharged by a chip discharger disposed beneath the machining cavity. The machining cavity can be substantially closed by the workpiece mount base or the foam block mounted thereon. There may be employed upstream and downstream machining stations each having the machining cavity, the workpiece mount base, and the cutting unit. The workpiece mount base in the upstream machining station is vertically movable, and the upstream and downstream machining stations are interconnected by transfer units.

Abstract: In a "steer-by-wire" vehicle steering control system which steers steerable wheels with a powered actuator according to an input signal obtained from a sensor associated with a steering wheel, a secondary actuator is coupled to the steering wheel for the purpose of giving the operator of the vehicle a reaction force. The reaction force on the steering wheel is sharply increased or oscillated when a limit of the angular displacement of the steering wheel has been reached for the purpose of allowing the vehicle operator to know how far the steering wheel has been turned. The limit of the angular displacement of the steering wheel typically corresponds to the maximally steered condition of the steerable wheels.