Abstract: A system for assembling a vehicle drive shaft is provided with the steps of installing yokes on respective ends of a drive shaft tube, each yoke having first and second bores therethrough for receiving respective distal ends of respective spider arrangements, and rolling the outer edges of the bores using carbide rollers to urge a portion of the material of the yoke to overlie radially the respectively associated distal end of the spider arrangement. Datums are defined on the yokes and the shaft tube for determining a spatial relationship between the yokes and shaft tube. The rolling of the bore of the yoke is performed while the spider, the bearing caps, and the retention elements are maintained in preload to achieve zero tolerance. Prior to roller forming the outer edge of the bore, the spider arrangement is supported on the true rotating center of the drive shaft tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for friction welding termination elements at first and second ends (21, 23) of a cylindrical shaft (15) in alaignment with an axis. A shaft receiver (17) receives the cylindrical shaft (15), and a first chuck (70) grips and rotates the cylindrical shaft (15) in alignment with the axis. A second chuck (75) grips the cylindrical shaft (15) and translates the second chuck (75) between first and second axial positions. A first termination receiver (155) receives the first termination (30) and axially translates same to a first installation position. An installation drive (90) urges the first termination (30) axially toward the cylindrical shaft (15) as it is rotated. A second termination receiver axially translates second termination (32) to a second installation position in allignment with the axis. A second installation drive (91) urges the second termination element (32) axially toward the cylindrical shaft as it is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a drive shaft (11) for a vehicle, the drive shaft (11) having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. There is provided a drive arrangement for coupling to the first end of the drive shaft and applying a rotatory force to the drive shaft (11). A second end support arrangement rotationally supports the drive shaft (11) at its second end. Also, a transaxial drive (35) for applying a transverse force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (11). The transaxial drive includes a transaxially displaceable roller arrangement for communicating with an outer surface of the drive shaft (11) in a region thereof intermediate of the drive arrangement and the support arrangement, via which the transverse force is applied. The transverse force has a magnitude sufficient to cause bending of the drive shaft (11) in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof as the drive shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A system for verifying the quality of a pressing operation of a press-fit part onto a receiving portion of a receiving assembly. The system is applicable to the installation of a bearing cup onto a shaft, or a valve seat into a cylinder head. A probe measures a predetermined dimension of the press-fit part to establish a first measurement value. In the case of a valve seat installed a receiving pocket of a cylinder head, a measuring probe is inserted into the receiving pocket of the cylinder head to measure its depth. The depth is recorded as a second measurement value. The valve seat is then pressed into the pocket, and the residual depth is measured to determine the distance between the outermost surface of the pressed in valve seat and the outer surface of the receiving pocket. A computation compares the depth of the pocket against the thickness of the valve seat to determine a difference which is then compared to the residual depth.

Abstract: A system for enabling communication between one of a plurality of riders of a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle, wherein each rider has associated therewith at least one of a plurality of predetermined conditions, which may be normal and handicapped conditions. A first memory stores a first message associated with a first one of the predetermined conditions, and a second memory stores a second message that is associated with a second one of the predetermined conditions. An announcement system issues an indication perceptible to the operator of the vehicle and to the plurality of riders of the vehicle. A coupling arrangement couples the first and second memories to the announcement system.

Abstract: An arrangement for isolating an energy transfer system while it is subjected to a test process for noise. The energy transfer system is of the type having an energy input and at least one energy output, and may be mechanical or electrical. The isolation arrangement has a base that supports the energy transfer system. An isolation support supports the energy transfer system, yet affords multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the base. The energy transfer system is clamped in a manner that permits at least one degree of freedom with respect to the base, by means of an engagement arrangement that secures the energy transfer system to the isolation support. When mechanical or electrical energy is applied to the energy transfer system, acoustic energy in the form of sound and/or vibration is issued by the energy transfer system under test, which acoustic energy is monitored by an acoustic sensor that issues a corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: A gaming machine has variable display devices for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, a controller for controlling variable action of the variable display devices, and a display device for displaying optional images. The images displayed by the display device are necessary for a secondary game different from a principal game executed by the variable display devices and are determined in relation to the symbols displayed when the variable action of variable display devices is stopped.

Abstract: A high resolution magnetic resonance force microscope is adapted to study biological systems, such as isolated cells, sub-cellular organelles and other sub-cellular structures, or cellular receptors and proteins, at resolutions ranging from 1 micron to 1 Å. The proposed magnetic resonance force microscope allows the direct, non-destructive, chemical specific, three-dimensional imaging of biological systems. In some embodiments, the biological sample may be altered to enhance its ability to be detected by its nuclear or electron spin resonance. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a paramagnetic agent is incorporated into cells by endocytosis.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a principal display that displays a plurality of symbols in varying and stopped states. The player is rewarded when the stop state corresponds to a specific stop state. A predictive display displays whether the specific stop state is to be displayed. Start and stop devices are manipulated by a player, and a controller determines whether the specific stop state is to be permitted and a predictive display mode based on the result of the determination. The controller determines whether the likelihood of appearance of the specific stop state is changeable in conjunction with a change in the game resulting from the passage of time. The player adjusts the stop manipulation while confirming changes of the predictive display or expecting the appearance of a known predictive display. In this manner, an effective variable demonstration is achieved, and the fun of the game is enhanced.

Abstract: A puller device (10) for engaging with a pallet of the type having at least a bottom deck formed of a plurality of substantially parallel spaced-apart slats, such slat being fixed to the slat-coupling side of a stringer that extends substantially orthogonal to the parallel slats. The puller device has a puller portion (11) having an elongated configuration along an axial direction thereof. The puller portion has first and second ends that are distal from one another. An engagement portion (13) is fixed to the first end of the puller portion and is provided with a stringer cradling portion (14) that is fixed to the first end of the puller portion and extends transverse to the axial direction for communicating with the slat-coupling side of the stringer in the region between the spaced-apart slats. The engagement portion has a thickness that is predetermined to prevent same from being urged between the slat and the stringer.

Abstract: A gaming machine that is provided with an outlet for paying out gaming media has a receiver for paying-out the gaming media, the receiver being disposed forward of the outlet. The receiver is illuminated so was to permit the player to view the gaming media that has been collected in the receiver, whereby the amount thereof readily can be confirmed. Illumination of the receiver is achieved from within the gaming machine, the illumination being emitted from the outlet for paying the gaming media. Thus, as the gaming media is paid out, a glistening effect that is entertaining and visually pleasing is created. Illumination of the receiver, which may be in the form of a receiver tray, is effected, in one form of the invention, by an internal source of illumination that also illuminates the front panel of the gaming machine. Light is propagated through a transmission element to the receiver.

Abstract: A bench testing system creates a predetermined wear and friction environment wherein wear elements, illustratively a piston ring and a cylinder liner, can be tested, along with lubricant properties, under simulated conditions of an internal combustion engine. The effects of speed and normal load can be examined under multiple lubrication regimes, and variations in the coefficient of friction can be observed as a function of crank angle degree. Profilocorder techniques are used to examine photomicroscopic surface characteristics. The cylinder wall wear element is supported in a first support arrangement that is driven reciprocatingly along a substantially axial path. A dynamic counter-reciprocating arrangement is coupled thereto for controlling second harmonic inertial forces. A second support arrangement that supports the piston ring wear element is coupled to a linear drive that urges same in a direction transverse to the substantially axial path of reciprocation of the cylinder wall wear element.

Abstract: An axial displacement arrangement in the form of a ball screw and nut achieves a highly compact configuration by effecting ball recirculation entirely within the ball screw shaft. The ball recirculation portion of the ball screw shaft is axially short with respect to an elongated driven nut. As the nut is rotated, illustratively by an electric motor coupled thereto, the ball screw shaft is displaced axially along an axial support member. The axial support member has radially outward extending splines, and the ball recirculation portion of the ball screw shaft has radially inward extending splines, the inward and outward splines being arranged to face one another whereby a linear ball bearing region is formed. The linear ball bearing permits the ball recirculation arrangement and its associated actuation element to be displaced axially along the support element, but is precluded from rotating.

Abstract: A drive coupling arrangement for transmitting torque from a drive arrangement to a gear assembly under test is provided with a first coupler portion attached to the gear assembly under test. The coupler has a polygonal cross-sectional configuration and has a plurality of substantially planar surfaces that extend parallel to the predetermined length of axis, in the form of an assembly nut of the gear assembly under test at a rotatory terminal thereof. A second coupler portion is coupled to the drive arrangement and has an internal cross-sectional configuration that accommodates the polygonal cross-sectional configuration of the first coupler portion. The second coupler portion has a plurality of engagement portions that communicate exclusively with a predetermined number of the substantially planar surfaces of the first coupler portion, and is axially translatable along the first coupler portion for a portion of its length of axis.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for signal analysis enable “pass/fail” determinations to be made with respect to noisiness of a mechanical or electrical system under test, particularly the presence of bumps and nicks in gear train systems under test. In a process aspect, for a gear system, a torque input is applied. A first signal responsive to the torque applied to the gear system under test is produced, which is converted to digital data responsive to a first correlation between the first signal and time. Peaks in the digital data are measured to determine whether they exceed a predetermined threshold magnitude. The peaks that exceed the predetermined threshold magnitude are subjected to harmonic analysis, the results being compared to gear tooth harmonics to determine whether the peaks constitute an anomaly. Such an anomaly is a bump or a nick on a tooth of the gear system under test.

Abstract: A zero back-pressure conveyor system of the type having a continuous transport element for urging articles along a predetermined conveyor path employs a frame that supports the continuous transport element and is formed of first and second side on opposite sides of the continuous transport element. Articles being transported along the conveyor system are supported on wear strips that are fashioned as segments along the conveyor path and are each individually actuatable between distal and proximal positions with respect to the continuous transport element. Preferably, the wear strips are actuated in pairs by operation of an articulated mechanism that precludes tilting of the articles during coupling and decoupling with respect to the continuous transport element. The articulated motion is achieved by operation of a support bar coupled to the associated wear strip, the support bar having at least one pair of pivotally coupled coupling arms.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a symbol display arrangement that displays a variation action of a variable plurality of symbols that are necessary for playing a game. A predictive display arrangement performs a predictive display that informs the player of the likelihood of the appearance of a specific symbol display state when the variation action is stopped. A determination whether or not the symbol variation action is to be stopped with the appearance thereon of the specific symbol display state is made by a controller that also determines which predictive display mode from among a plurality of predetermined predictive display modes is to be displayed. In one embodiment, the controller controls the predictive display arrangement so that the probability of the appearance of a specific symbol display state is changeable in conjunction with the change in the game with the passage of time.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a symbol display arrangement that displays a variation action of a variable plurality of symbols that are necessary for playing a game. A predictive display arrangement performs a predictive display that informs the player of the likelihood of the appearance of a specific symbol display state when the variation action is stopped. A determination whether or not the symbol variation action is to be stopped with the appearance thereon of the specific symbol display state is made by a controller that also determines which predictive display mode from among a plurality of predetermined predictive display modes is to be displayed. In one embodiment, the controller controls the predictive display arrangement so that the probability of the appearance of a specific symbol display state is changeable in conjunction with the change in the game with the passage of time.

Abstract: A machining tool and method of making same includes a blank that is formed to a shank and which is provided with machining faces. The machining faces are configured to expose material of a PCD or PCBN element that is formed in a recess in the blank and fused to the blank using material from the transition group of elements, such as cobalt. The recess has a configuration that is defined by side walls, a base wall, and end walls, so as to define a mold in which the PCD or PCBN material is formed into an element that becomes fused with the blank. Such fusing is achieved by leaching of the cobalt into the PCD or PCBN element during the application of heat. Thus, no additional fabrication process is required for joining the PCBN or PCD material to the blank.

Abstract: A heat and shelf-stable oil-in-water emulsion useful as a tissue or cell-selective delivery vehicle. Radioactive or stable, synthetic or semi-synthetic polyhalogenated triglycerides, such as 2-oleoylglycerol-1,3-bis[7-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodophenyl)heptanoate] or 2-oleoylglycerol-1,3-bis[.omega.-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl)hepatanoate] or phenyl acetate, can be incorporated into the lipophilic core of a lipoprotein-like emulsion particle. The lipophilic core is surrounded by a phospholipid membrane comprising cholesterol and apolipoproteins. For hepatocyte-selective delivery, the emulsion is chylomicron remnant-like by being in a size range of 50 to 200 nm as measured by number weighting analysis with a narrow size distribution (<2% greater than 300 nm) and having a composition simulating naturally-occurring chylomicron remnants. Use of cholesterol in the emulsion formula facilitates association of apolipoproteins, especially Apo E which are recognized by liver cells and necessary for binding and uptake.