Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. The power piston reciprocates along a first piston-cylinder axis which is offset from the crankshaft axis. The offset substantially aligns a point of maximum combustion pressure applied to the power piston with a point of maximum torque applied to the crankshaft during the power stroke.

Abstract: A laser based processing machine incorporates in the path of a laser beam (7) at least one optical element (1) which has a surface (5) situated in the path of the laser beam (7) and a scavenging medium delivery device which flushes its surface in an essentially counterflow-free fashion. The device includes a delivery element with flow nozzles about a portion of the periphery of the optional element and through which the scavenging medium flows onto the surface of the element and thereacross.

Abstract: A gas laser includes a control to modify the distribution of the intensity of the laser light over the laser beam cross section produced in the lasing gas within at least one laser tube by at least two electrodes and a voltage supply unit by means of which a voltage can be fed to electrodes. A discharge area forms in the lasing gas and this can be affected by adjusting the amplification profile of the laser over the excitation cross section of the laser tube.

Abstract: A gas laser (1) has an optics system and a mode-masking diaphragm in the beam guiding chamber of the laser resonator. The optics system is adjustable between two settings in each of which any higher-order modes of the laser beam (3) are masked out. The Gaussian mode (9) can be generated in one of the two settings, and the ring mode (10) in the other setting. An appropriate control permits switching between Gaussian and ring modes depending upon the intended processing operation.

Abstract: A laser cutting method employs at least two sensors which are operative during the cutting operation to monitor process parameters and send signals indicative of the monitored parameters determining parameters of the cutting operation in which are indicative of the status of the penetration of the workpiece. The signals from each of the sensors is evaluated by comparing the sensed parameters in the signals with usability criteria to determine the usability of the signals. The signal which compares most favorably with the usability criteria therefor is transmitted to the controller to modify the parameters for the cutting workpiece. In the absence of a control signal from the evaluation, the controller proceeds with the cutting in accordance with parameters which are then operative in the controller. Generally, the selected signal effects the speed of relative movement between the workpiece and cutting head.

Abstract: An HF-excited gas laser has a laser tube of ceramic material containing a laser gas, and the tube includes a chemical component which will preclude passage therethrough of secondary radiation of a wavelength within a proscribed range which would interact with the material of the laser tube to create defects therein. The chemical component to prevent damage to the laser tube may be provided as a layer on its inside surface which is essentially impermeable to and/or reflects the secondary radiation back into the lasing gas. Alternatively, the material of the laser tube may incorporate the chemical component, preferably over the portion of the wall adjacent its inner surface.

Abstract: A vehicle has a chassis with at least one front wheel pivotable about a first vertical axis to control the direction of the vehicle. A rigid swing arm is pivotally mounted on the rear end of the chassis for pivoting about a horizontal axis. On the rear end of the swing arm is a wheel mounting assembly including a hub and pivot means mounting the hub on the rear end of the swing arm for pivotal movement about a second vertical axis. The rear wheel is rotatably supported on the hub and naturally tracks the front wheel in a cooperating turning arc.

Abstract: A document folder has a cover formed of relatively flexible sheet material with a back and front panels, and a spine hingedly connecting the panels so that they may be disposed in an overlying position and provide an enclosure for documents therebetween. The panels are movable relative to each other about the spine, and disposed therebetween is a relatively rigid stiffener dimensioned cooperatively with the back panel to rigidify the folder when stored vertically. A document holder is engaged with the stiffener for securing a multiplicity of documents between the stiffener and the front panel. The cover may be integrally formed or assembled from separate panels, one of which provides the spine. At least a portion of the cover is formed from a material which may be imprinted in a computer printer.

Abstract: A laser beam generating assembly for materials processing includes a resonator to generate a linearly polarized laser beam, and a beam forming assembly which includes mirrors to orient the polarization plane of the laser beam in a prescribed orientation relative to the vertical and a delay plate which has its reflective surface oriented so that the polarization plane of the beam impinges thereon is at an angle of 45°. The delay plate serves to produce a polarized laser beam with a rotating polarization vector, and in particular an elliptical or circular polarization of the laser beam.

Abstract: A tandem motorcycle saddle and backrest has a backrest mounting unit embedded in the cushioning material in the front section of said passenger seat portion. The unit has a housing with a slot in the top wall, and a pivotable member pivotably mounted in the housing for movement in a path along the slot. A spring means biases the pivotable member about the pivot in a rearward direction to an upright position as oriented on the motorcycle, and a stop element limits movement in the rearward direction. The fabric covering and cushioning material have openings therein aligned with the housing slot. The backrest has an elongated rigid support arm having its lower portion extending through the opening in the slot, and removably seated in the pivotable member. The backrest is pivotable in a forward direction against the biasing pressure of the spring.

Abstract: A cutting device for tooling sandwich plates has as its cutting tool a cutting chain (5) with cutting elements in the form of chain links (27, 28, 29) and a chain guide as the guide mechanism, wherein the chain links (27, 28, 29), lying one behind the other in their direction of movement (23), can swivel relative to one another on a swivel axis running transverse to their plane of movement and are moved by means of the chain guide in the plane of movement sometimes in a straight line, sometimes in a curve. The chain links (27, 28, 29) also have several cutting teeth (34) lying one behind the other in their direction of movement (23), which project radially on the cutting chain (5) and have cutting edges (335), which run transverse to the plane of movement of the chain links (27, 28, 29), wherein the perpendicular projections of the cutting edges (35) are arranged in the plane of movement at least partially along a line curved radially to the outside.

Abstract: A stage installation for vertical movement of multiple stage elements has a computer controlled winch assembly comprising a support member having a channel, a platform adjacent the support member, electrical control and electrical power raceways in the channel, and a multiplicity of winches supported on the platform. The winches include a housing, a bidirectional servomotor, a rotating drum driven by the motor in either direction to haul or pay out cables operatively connected to the stage elements. Connectors are coupled to the electrical power and electrical control raceways, and a remote computer terminal transmits signals to the winches to initiate and terminate operation of the servomotor.

Abstract: A locating lug positioned on the bottom of a container for bi-directionally indexing the container to a desired orientation to facilitate the addition of labels, decoration and/or other functions on said container. The container having a lug defined by a first horizontal wall, two vertical walls and a wall generally angled toward the center. The lug is radially offset from the center and has vertical engagement side walls of sufficient length and height to ensure positive engagement with a locating pin. In use, the container is placed within a recessed area formed in abase cup. A spring loaded pin is positioned radially off center within the recessed area. The pin is then rotated until the pin engages either one of the vertical walls, upon which the rotation of the container begins, thus indexing the container into position for applying decoration, ornamentation, labels or for other means as needed.

Abstract: A laser assembly has at least one optic element (6, 8) in the path of the laser beam (5) and at least partially permeable to the laser beam (5). There is at least one component for detecting the temperature of the optic element (6, 8) or which can detect the intensity of the light beamed by the optic element (6, 8). The laser beam (5) can be controlled to influence the temperature of the optic element (6, 8) depending upon the light intensity detected.

Abstract: Sealed synthetic resin containers are spin welded by bringing opposed, generally complimentary horizontal mating surfaces of the lid and bowl into contact under a predetermined axial pressure and rapidly accelerating rotation of the lid relative to the bowl while maintaining substantially the axial pressure to produce melting of the mating surfaces until a desired torque value is attained. Thereafter, the rotation of the lid is immediately decelerated to terminate the rotation and allow the mating surfaces to bond. Generally, the torque is monitored repeatedly during the accelerating rotation until a plateau is reached and the accelerating step is continued for at least 50 milliseconds thereafter.

Abstract: A laser resonator is described, with a first and a second end mirror and with coaxial electrodes between which laser radiation reflected back and forth in the direction of an axis of symmetry of the laser resonator passes azimuthally segment by segment through a resonator volume with an annular cross section. The invention is distinguished in that the second end mirror is a substantially conical mirror that deflects the laser radiation striking it to respective azimuthally opposite regions of the resonator volume.

Abstract: A stream of coins of mixed denominations is passed through a first station in which the mixed coins are counted and the stream of mixed coins is then sorted to segregate coins of a selected denomination from those of other denominations. The coins of the other denominations are deposited into a first vault chamber, and the coins of the selected denomination are deposited into a second vault chamber. A report of the value of the counted coins of all denomination is generated. At a processing station to which the vault chambers are transported, the coins of the selected denomination in the second vault chamber from repeated sorting operations by many users can be weighed to determine the total value thereof. Thus, only the coins of other denominations need to be counted and separated into denominations, thereby reducing the processing time, the wear on high speed counting and sorting apparatus, and the costs of coin processing.