Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of a linkage assembly of a power clamp. An enclosed bilateral housing of a power clamp is provided, wherein a linear actuator is connected to the housing and provides a piston rod extending into the housing. A linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod and disposed within the housing for converting the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of a clamp arm. A high strength plate and beam structure is disposed within the housing and connected to the linkage assembly for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces generated by the linkage assembly. By absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of the linkage assembly, the high strength plate and beam structure allows the housing to be fabricated from a lightweight, inexpensive material.

Abstract: A decoupler for coupling/decoupling drive between a power train output and road wheels or marine drive means in an amphibious vehicle, is integrated with a constant velocity joint, saving space, weight, and cost for low production volumes, and simplifying mounting arrangements. Power train output shaft enters casing through aperture, and terminates in a flange with splines. Baulk ring and synchrocone provide synchromesh action between drive ring and driven CV joint cap. Rod is attached to selector arm, located in slot, allowing coupling and decoupling by an external control, which may be assisted by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. The synchromesh parts may be sourced from truck gearboxes. CV joint is mounted in bearings, and may be a Rzeppa type. Groove allows fitment of a conventional dust gaiter.

Abstract: A door latch comprises a follower mounted for rotational movement in a latch housing, a guide pin provided on an actuating arm of the follower which is operatively linked to a multiplier, a bolt biased outwards of the housing, and an inelastic flexible element connected between the multiplier and bolt. In operation rotational movement of the follower is amplified by the guide pin acting on the multiplier. The increased rotational movement of the multiplier is converted to rectilinear movement of the bolt into the housing by the inelastic flexible element, which wraps around an outside edge of the multiplier.

Abstract: A Brake Transmission Shift Interlock and Park Lock System having a shift lever, electromagnetic device, and blocking member operating with reverse logic. The system includes disabling means for disabling operation of the electromagnetic device when the shift lever is moved out of the PARK position and overriding means for manually withdrawing the blocking member from a position blocking the movement of the shift lever out of the PARK position. A time delay circuit decreases the speed of blocking member movement from the blocking position to the withdrawn position. A wire harness, including a park detection switch, electrically connects the BTSI to an automotive electrical system.

Abstract: A screen assembly 22 includes a conveyor 26 pivotably mounted beneath a screen 24 for segregation of fractions of material, for example from a mobile crusher 10. Hydraulic cylinders (not shown) are used to selectively move telescopic arms 48 (only one of which is shown in the Figures), to raise or lower the conveyor 26 between operative position and inoperative positions. In the operative position the conveyor 26 is substantially parallel to the screen 24 for receiving material which has passed through the screen mesh, in use. In the inoperative position the conveyor 26 is angularly displaced relative to the screen 24 about the pivot, to provide access to the underside of the screen 24, e.g. for maintenance purposes. Removable pins 50 are provided for releasably securing the attitude of the conveyor 26 relative to the screen 24 in the operative position.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a pair of opposing surfaces in response to an electrical activation having a support including a rigid non-flexing portion, at least one pivotable arm portion extending from the rigid non-flexing portion, a pair of opposing surfaces with one opposing surface on the at least one pivotable arm portion for movement relative to one another, and a force transfer member operably positioned for driving the at least one pivotable arm portion in rotational movement. An actuator is operably engaged between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to drive the force transfer member in movement relative to the rigid portion to pivot the at least one pivotable arm portion with a loss of motion of less than 40% in response to an electrical activation of the actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus is capable of simultaneously stamping indicia on each of a plurality of packages positioned within a larger container. The apparatus is programmable to process packages and containers of different sizes by adjusting the position of a transport conveyor with respect to the operable elements of the apparatus. The apparatus can include a loading station, an opening station, a stamping station, a closing station, and an unloading station. A programmable control system is provided for responding to one or more sensors in accordance to a control program stored in memory. The one or more sensors can include sensors to determine if a container is present at one or more locations, and one or more temperature sensors.

Abstract: An actuating device, specifically for actuating locking differentials on vehicles, having an actuating shaft, a drive unit to drive the actuating shaft, where the drive unit comprises an armature core mounted to the actuating shaft so as not to rotate, and a commutator mounted to the actuating shaft so as not to rotate and/or with an electromagnetic brake unit to slow and/or stop the actuating shaft, where the brake unit includes a brake hub flange mounted on the armature so as not to rotate and having a single- or multi-piece housing tightly enclosing the drive unit and the brake unit, where the free end of the actuating shaft extends from the housing and with a sensor to measure the angle of rotation of the shaft, where the sensor unit includes at least one trigger wheel indirectly coupled to the shaft and at least one sensor scanning the trigger wheel position and coupled indirectly to the housing.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle in which wheel slippage is effectively controlled and regenerative energy is effectively stored for subsequent utilization in the system. A hydraulic embodiment of the invention includes a hydraulic motor, a pump, a tank, an accumulator for storing pressurized fluid, and a device for sensing system back pressure. In response to a loss of system back pressure the pressure of the fluid being supplied to the motor is reduced and the motor discharge is directed to the accumulator, and in response to a sensed resumption of system back pressure regenerative energy from the accumulator is directed to the motor to assist in powering the motor. An electric embodiment of the invention includes an electric motor, an electric generator, a device for storing electrical energy such as a battery pack or a capacitor bank, a DC tachometer driven by the motor and operative to sense the motor power requirements, and a directional circuit switch assembly.

Abstract: A high-speed switching circuit with a low or zero inductance shunt resistor is constructed using a trace resistor having parallel overlying trace portions on opposite plane faces of a printed circuit board. The resulting shunt resistor is used in combination with a detector to input data to a microcontroller which controls an automotive load device such as a blower motor. The traces which form the resistor may be extended by horizontal or vertical zig-zag folding or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A windscreen wiping system for automobiles has a fixing device with at least three fixing mechanisms situated at a distance from each other. Two of these fixing mechanisms are situated on a connection line. The third fixing mechanism is situated at a distance from the connection line. The fixing device also includes at least three receiving devices which engage the fixing mechanisms. A damping element formed of a vibration-damping material is provided between the fixing mechanisms and the receiving devices. The damping elements are mounted on a part of the fixing device that is situated on the side of the wiping system.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a pair of opposing surfaces in response to an electrical activation having a support including a rigid non-flexing portion, at least one pivotable arm portion extending from the rigid non-flexing portion, a pair of opposing surfaces with one opposing surface on the at least one pivotable arm portion for movement relative to one another, and a force transfer member operably positioned for driving the at least one pivotable arm portion in rotational movement. An actuator is operably engaged between the rigid portion and the force transfer member to drive the force transfer member in movement relative to the rigid portion to pivot the at least one pivotable arm portion with a loss of motion of less than 40% in response to an electrical activation of the actuator.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a cam for an accumulating conveyor system has a primary cam and a secondary cam that operably rotate about a common axis at substantially the same speed. The primary and secondary cam each have an outer circumferential surface that defines a receiving portion and a cam surface. The receiving portion of the cam is engageable with a cam follower of a shoe for moving the shoe between an upper and lower horizontal run of the conveyor. In another aspect of the present invention, the conveyor system has two sets of primary and secondary cams. One set of primary/secondary cams is positioned at a beginning of the conveyor system, while the other set is positioned at the end of the conveyor system. The primary cams are positioned at opposite corners of the conveyor system. Each cam is configured differently than the other three cams.

Abstract: A coaxial narrow angle dark field imaging system is provided. The system utilizes a telecentric lens to illuminate objects with symmetric coaxial narrow angle dark field illumination. The illumination technique is particularly suited to highlight minor features or defects on planar specular objects. In particular, the coaxial light source directs light rays towards a telecentric lens which redirects the light rays towards the substantially planar specular object. The light rays are reflected back through the telecentric lens towards a camera. To the extent that the light rays are reflected from a planar specular portion of the object the light rays are blocked by a telecentric stop. Light rays reflected from a defect or feature in the planar specular object will pass through an aperture in the stop to a camera.

Abstract: A drive device includes an electric drive motor, a housing with a housing cover, at least one shaft that is powered by the drive motor and compensating element(s) for compensating the axial play of the shaft. The compensating elements include at least one axially elastic, deformable elastomer element having at least one contact surface. The contact surface(s) has a PTFE, PET or corresponding coating.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector sealingly latches first and second components, one of which has a through bore and the other has a raised bead spaced from a tip end. A retainer is mountable through a transverse bore in one end of the first component and latched to the first component by projections carried on a pair of legs. A flange on the retainer is positioned to engage a surface of the first component to position the retainer on the first component. Inner disposed arms on the retainer engage a constant diameter portion of the second component and resist movement of the raised bead into or out of the bore in the housing when the retainer is in a fully latched position. The flange on the retainer is spaced from the legs of the retainer to enable the legs to be of minimal thickness for a reduced axial length for the retainer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and mounting a sleeve and a thrust member in a bore in a motor/gear drive housing shaft to support the motor/gear drive shaft against radial and axial movement. Gates are formed in the motor/gear drive housing and communicate with separate first and second bores in the housing. A mold core is inserted into the housing and closes off one bore to allow the injection of molten plastic into a cavity formed between the tip end portion of the mold core and the first bore to form an annular sleeve. The annular sleeve has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the end tip portion of the motor/gear drive shaft to be nominally spaced from the outer diameter of the drive shaft, but is supportingly engaged by the drive shaft under radial deformation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Hygiene instrument for removing stains, cleaning and polishing the surface of the teeth and the composite materials of dental fillings. The structure of the hygiene instrument is made up of fibers and optionally a load of particles embedded in a resinous matrix giving the working surface of the hygiene instrument a continuous abrasive power.