Abstract: A clutch release device for use in combination with a clutch having a declutching member that is rotatable about the axis of the clutch comprising a fixed cylindrical guide having an axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the clutch but subject to misalignment with respect thereto, and a sleeve which surrounds the guide and is slidable therealong. The sleeve is provided with an end section that extends radially outward from the sleeve. An inner ring surrounds the sleeve and is spaced radially therefrom, the inner ring also being spaced axially from the radially extending end member of the sleeve and having a driving element attached to the end opposite the end section of the sleeve for engagement with the declutching member.

Abstract: An improved solenoid apparatus for operating valves such as hydraulic/air valves or other mechanical devices including a pressure proof tube which is wholly or partially nonmagnetic and has one end connected sealingly to a stationary core, an armature slidably mounted in contact with the inner face of the pressure proof tube, and a coil assembly comprising substantially a yoke and a coil encompassing the pressure proof tube. A cylindrical magnetic ring enclosing a part of the stationary core and a part of the pressure proof tube in the vicinity of the end face at the attracting side of the stationary core is inserted between the stationary core and the coil assembly the one end of the magnetic ring protruding axially over to the armature side, whereby the solenoid can be used either with alternating or direct current merely by replacing the coil assembly.

Abstract: A liquid phase sintered dense composite body comprising a hard refractory metal carbide which is densely cemented by sintering with a metal or alloy components. The sintered composite body incorporates at a surface or in the interior a multiplicity of metallic elements consisting of coarse grains, strands and/or plates of either the same metal or alloy as the cementing component or metallic elements having a melting point at least 120.degree. C. higher than the temperature at which the liquid phase takes place on sintering. This liquid phase sintered dense composite body is manufactured by placing the coarse grains, strands and/or plates on the surface or within the compacted powder mixture prior to the liquid phase sintering operation.

Abstract: A lubricated friction speed change gearing of the type which employs a plurality of cylindrical rollers mounted between a fixed outer race and a rotatable inner race in a compressed and elastically deformed condition, and a spider member having spider arms which are inserted between adjacent pairs of the rollers, thereby transmitting rotary power between the inner race and the spider member with change of rotational speed, wherein the spider members have substantially plane rigid surfaces which contact the outer surfaces of the rollers.

Abstract: An AC solenoid apparatus of the armature-in-tube type for operating valves such as hydraulic/air valves, or other machines. The apparatus comprises a solenoid having a sealingly closed part including a pressure proof tube preferably made from a thin nonmagnetic material, and an exciting assembly having a coil encompassing the closed part and a yoke having a generally rectangular cross section. A slotted annular magnetic ring made from a magnetic material is inserted between the pressure proof tube and at least one part of the yoke. The solenoid of this invention is small in size and of low cost, and yet is endowed with a high force and a capability of restraining heat by being generated from the solenoid.

Abstract: A liquid phase sintered body for brazed joints having a multiplicity of pores, grooves and/or indented patterns formed on a desired surface. The liquid phase sintered body is produced by a method comprising the steps of forming a compact body of a mixture of a hard refractory material, such as carbides, nitrides, oxides, borides and silicides mixed with cementing metal in powder form, placing on the desired surface any one of coarse grains, strands or plates of a metal having a diameter or a thickness over ten times as great as the grain size of the cementing metal, and sintering the compact body under conditions suitable for melting the coarse grains, strands and/or mesh of strands or plates after densification of the compact body has been completed or substantially completed. The metal forming the coarse grains, strands or plates must have a melting point which is more than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A multistage speed reducer for high speed rotation including a planetary roller friction reducer for the first stage reducer and a geared reducer for the second stage reducer, the planetary roller friction reducer having its output shaft also used as the input shaft of the geared reducer. Such an arrangement permits transmission of a very high speed and large horsepower rotation at a relatively high reduction ratio with low noise while at the same time consuming less space. The speed reducer may preferably be equipped with safety means for excessive torques.

Abstract: A shaft supporting apparatus for a planetary gear reduction device wherein a driven shaft having a secured flange on one end is supported by both a tapered bearing and a thrust bearing. The outside surface of the tapered bearing is secured within a counterbored recess of the housing of the gear reduction device and the inner bearing bore of the tapered bearing is journaled on the driven shaft. The thrust bearing is disposed within a space between a radially extending wall of the driven shaft flange and a radially extending interior wall of the gear reduction device housing.In the presence of a radial force exerted on the driven shaft, the driven shaft is supported by the tapered bearing and the thrust bearing. By this simple arrangement, the required bearing space for supporting the driven shaft is minimized, thereby providing a thinner and lighter weight planetary gear reduction device.

Abstract: A shaft sealing means for use in a hydraulic pump/motor having a rotary shaft rotating within its body, an oil seal fitted in the gap between the rotary shaft and the body for sealing therebetween and between the high and low pressure sides, and a spacer fixed in the gap. The shaft sealing means comprises anti-protrusion means fitted relatively tightly in the gap with its high pressure side surface in close contact with the low pressure side surface of the oil seal for preventing protrusion of the oil seal toward the low pressure side, and anti-friction means inserted in the gap between the anti-protrusion means and the spacer for providing a sliding motion between the anti-protrusion means and the spacer thereby reducing the generation of frictional forces therebetween.

Abstract: A process for case hardening martensitic stainless steels comprising the steps of forming non-explosive and neutral or weakly reducing atmosphere consisting essentially of 97.5% to 95% by volume of nitrogen gas, 0.5% to 1.5% by volume of carbon monoxide and 2% to 3.5% by volume of hydrogen gas. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases are produced by heat decomposition of an organic solvent mixed with the nitrogen gas. The martensitic stainless steel is heated in this atmosphere at a solution heat treatment temperature in the range 900.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C. for a period required to cause nitriding of a surface thereof to a predetermined depth. The steel is then quenched at a temperature within the range of 150.degree. C. to room temperature, the quenching gas being selected from the group consisting of nitrogen gas and the resulting gaseous atmosphere. As a result of this process, resistance against planar pressure by loads and the strength of the martensitic stainless steel are increased.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of carbonitriding an iron-containing article. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the article to a carbonitriding atmosphere which atmosphere contains ammonia and an oxygen-containing organic solvent. The ratio of the oxygen atoms to the carbon atoms in the solvent is from about 0.5 to 1.5; and maintaining the article in the carbonitriding atmosphere until at least the surface of the article has increased its carbon and nitrogen content a predetermined amount.Inasmuch as the carbonitriding treatment of the instant invention has a propensity to produce "HCN" which is well-known noxious gas, as well as NH.sub.3 and CO, it is also within the method of the instant invention to mix the gases used initially to contact the iron-containing article with a fuel gas and remove such a mixture of gases from the furnace where the mixture is subsequently burned thereby decomposing and detoxifying the HCN contained in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to the heat treatment of an iron-containing article and comprises the steps of subjecting the article to an atmosphere comprising specific amounts of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide and heating this article in this atmosphere. The furnace comprises first and second interconnected chambers, with the first chamber being a heating chamber and the second chamber being a cooling chamber. The first chamber is selectively joined to the second chamber by a gate means. The heating chamber has a heating plate disposed therein arranged and configured to support an article thereon. The heating chamber further has heating means for heating the chamber disposed therein. The cooling chamber has means for positioning the article therein and at least one nozzle for selectively introducing nitrogen gas into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: The alloy steel consists (by weight) of C 0.8-1.2%, Si 1.0-2.5%, Mn 0.2-1.0%, Cr 15.0-25.0%, one or both Ni 0.5-3.5% and Co 0.3-5.0%, where both Ni and Co are used, the sum of Ni and Co being 1.0-5.0%, one or both of Mo 0.3-3.5% and W 0.5-3.5%, when both Mo and W are used, the sum of Mo and W being 0.5-3.5% and the balance of Fe and inpurities. Where one, two or more of less than 0.5% of Al, less than 1.0% of Cu, less than 0.5% of V, less than 1.0% of Nb, less than 0.3% Ti, less than 0.25% of Zr, less than 0.2% of B and less than 0.3% of N are contained, the wear resistant and heat resistant property of the alloy can be improved further.

Abstract: A gas carburizing furnace wherein the liquid organic composition is introduced into the furnace through a perforated container contained therein. The perforated container comprises a thermal plate at the bottom and perforated walls made from a catalytic material. Therefore, the liquid organic composition entering the container through the dropping port is vaporized when it comes in contact with the hot thermal plate and is cracked while passing through the perforations in the catalytic material.