Abstract: A piston type energy conversion machine in which the thrust of one or more reciprocating pistons is transmitted to a nutating tubular member having longitudinally spaced journal surfaces of revolution about a nutating axis adjustably inclined with respect to a primary engine axis. The journal surfaces on the nutating member are engaged by a crank member rotatable on the primary engine axis and carrying adjustably eccentric bearings to engage the journal surfaces of the nutating member. Angular adjustment of the axis of nutation effects a variable piston stroke distance as a result of a connection of the pistons to the nutating members at points spaced radially from the nutating axis. Compression ratio is adjusted independently by shifting the point of piston connection with the nutating member along the nutating axis.

Abstract: In this device, two stacks of discs form at least two sub-assemblies separated by an axially movable intermediate pressure disc, the first of these sub-assemblies being located between the intermediate pressure disc and a stop integral with one of the bodies, whereas the second is located between the intermediate pressure disc and an end pressure disc also axially movable, the control means exerting their action in the direction of the stop, first of all on the two pressure discs so as to cancel out the clearances between the discs of the first sub-assembly, then on the end pressure disc so as to cancel out the clearances between the discs of the second sub-assembly and finally on the whole of the discs of both sub-assemblies so as to compress them.

Abstract: A device comprising a motor housing communicating with a pressure source and with the atmosphere through a traversable valve member operatively interlinked with the engine crankshaft, a link accommodated in the hollow space of the housing traversably in response to a pressure variation therein and operatively interconnected with the actuator of the clutch, a magnet for operating the valve member to disengage said clutch. Said operative association of said traversable member with the engine crankshaft is effected through an electric crankshaft speed transmitter and a transducer unit to convert the frequency of a signal from said electric transmitter into a current magnitude, the input of said unit being electrically connected to said electric transmitter and the output thereof, to the coil of said magnet, the armature of which is interconnected with the valve member. The construction of the device is simple, which enables the device to be located practically at any suitable place of a transport vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a throttle-valve control arrangement for an engine mounted by vibration dampers on a support structure. The arrangement insures that pivotal movements between the engine and the support structure about a pivot center do not effect the throttle-valve setting, by the use of a throttle-valve linkage incorporating a pair of interengaging levers having mutually contacting surfaces, one of which surfaces is curved and has a center of curvature situated on the pivot center between the engine and the support structure.

Abstract: Disengaging device for a clutch includes support means, an anti-friction bearing having one bearing race predisposed to act upon and co-rotate with disengaging means of the clutch and another bearing race predisposed not to co-rotate with the clutch disengaging means and being actable upon by the support means through a contact surface so as to effect a disengaging movement, and means providing a resistance to displacement in radial direction effective between the support means and the antifriction bearing, the means providing a resistance to displacement comprising at least one bracing or holding member elastic in axial direction, the bracing member being clamped, on one hand, by bracing profile means formed in one of the non-rotating bearing race and the support means so as to be braced directionally neutral in axial direction, the bracing member effectively engaging, on the other hand, the other of the non-rotating bearing race and the support means so as to hold the non-rotating bearing race and the suppo

Abstract: A vacuum operated road speed control system release valve with vacuum in the release chamber exerting a closing force on the valve. When the release circuit is opened to atmosphere by brake actuation, vacuum is lost in the release chamber and the valve is opened by the higher pressure in the control system. The open valve then connects the higher pressure side of the servomotor of the control system to vacuum to provide a powered release.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor is composed of a series of channel sections arranged end-to-end with shaped components on one side defining a guide for a machine such as a plough. Each component has a tubular track or rail at its upper end and these rails are spaced apart to receive coupling devices. Each device has a cylindrical body matching the rail profile and located between adjacent rails. Spigots engage with clearance in these rails; one spigot being integral with the body and the other spigot being slidable within the body so as to retract or extend therefrom. A recess in the body receives a block which is detachably secured to the body to prevent the slidable spigot from retracting.

Abstract: Each of several types of speed changers comprise a pair of generally dish-shaped housing sections releasably secured in confronting relation around their peripheries with a high speed shaft journaled in an axial bore of one section, and a low speed shaft or hub journaled in the other section coaxially of the high speed shaft. At least one two-step cluster gear is secured to the inner end of the high speed shaft and has a pinion section drivingly engaged with a set (three) of two-step planetary cluster gears that are rotatably mounted on three shafts that are fixed at opposite ends in a pair of circular carrier plates which also are journaled coaxially in the housing sections to be rotatable therein in unison. The pinion sections of the planetary cluster gears are drivingly engaged with the teeth of an internal sun gear secured in the housing coaxially thereof.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing having thin-walled inner and outer races. To the inner surface of the inner race is secured a sleeve of resilient material. This sleeve may have a plurality of ribs in contact with the tube guide of the gear box. A single blind annular recess or plurality of substantially axial full length or blind recesses is disposed in the thickness of each sleeve, substantially in the area of each rib. Self-alignment of the release bearing is obtained by deformation of the walls between the ribs and the recesses or by radial compression of the ribs or both. The ribs may be substantially radially inclined and preferably there are at least six such ribs. Alternatively, the sleeve has an inner cylindrical portion, either unitary or axially split, in contact with the tube guide.

Abstract: A two-speed inertia motor having a pair of wheels secured to a common axis, one of the wheels being a drive wheel and having a gear portion coaxial therewith for selectively coupling to an inertia wheel through a first or second gear member for providing two-speed ratios between the rotation of the drive wheel and the inertia wheel. A main gear member is coupled to the drive wheel, the main gear member having a splined shaft portion for slidably receiving a clutch member for concurrent rotation therewith, the first and second gear members being freely rotatable on either side of said clutch member. Means are provided for shifting the clutch member into locking engagement with either the first gear member or the second gear member to secure the so-locked gear member into direct coupling relation between the drive wheel and the inertia wheel.

Abstract: A combined clutch and brake mechanism for use in such applications as power lawnmowers. During actuation of a manual control the brake is released and power is transmitted from the engine to the blade carrier. If the manual control is released, power transmission is disabled and braking is initiated, the braking being maximized by the very motion of the member being braked. The invention is also shown in a form adaptable for use in general power transmission applications.

Abstract: A planetary (epicyclic) gear set is provided with a reversible rotating input shaft and individual outputs shafts actuated, respectively, by the ring gear and planet gear carrier. Latch means is positioned to selectively and automatically stop the ring gear or carrier member while releasing the other to provide the desired sequential output operation. The output shafts are reversed in sequence and direction of rotation by reversing rotational direction of the input shaft.

Abstract: A high deflection amplitude torsional vibration damper for use in a torsional coupling between a driving member and a driven member, such as a clutch driven member, utilizing a unique compression spring arrangement to provide a high deflection amplitude combined with a low spring rate. The damper includes a hub receiving a driven shaft and having oppositely disposed arms, a pair of equalizers with oppositely extending arms journalled on the hub, a pair of cover plates enclosing the assembly and havng integral driving means formed therein, and a plurality of compression springs within the plates and positioned between the hub and equalizer arms. A clutch friction element may be secured to the cover plates.

Abstract: A speed-responsive engaging mechanism adapted for use in a hydrodynamic device to couple turbine and impeller members including a disc secured to the turbine member having a series of cam surfaces thereon formed in apertures in the discs with a series of friction shoe assemblies mounted in the apertures in engagement with the cam surfaces. The friction shoe assemblies engage with the impeller at a predetermined speed of rotation of the turbine member, and the cam means induces a wedging engagement of the shoes with the impeller member. Spring means are provided to retain the shoe assemblies in the apertures, and a roller mechanism is provided in each shoe assembly to provide relatively frictionless relative movement between the cam surfaces and the shoe assemblies. Means are provided in the apertures which in cooperation with the spring means, tilt the shoe assemblies to eliminate the viscous drag effect.

Abstract: A speed-responsive engaging mechanism adapted for use in a hydrodynamic device to couple turbine and impeller members including a disc secured to the turbine member having a series of convexly curved cam surfaces thereon formed in apertures in the discs with a series of friction shoe assemblies mounted in the apertures in engagement with the cam surfaces. The friction shoe assemblies engage with the impeller at a predetermined speed of rotation of the turbine member, and the curved cam surface induces a wedging engagement of the shoes with the impeller member. Spring means are provided to retain the shoe assemblies in the apertures, and a roller mechanism is provided in each shoe assembly to provide relatively frictionless relative movement between the cam surfaces and the shoe assemblies. Each shoe in the assembly is made of a sintered metal material and has a spring retaining structure cast in the shoe.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a motor driven chain saw having a first clutch element driven by the motor shaft and a second clutch element normally engaged with the first clutch element but disengageable therefrom and a centrifugal clutch between the second clutch element and the drive sprocket for the saw chain. The second clutch element includes a spring disc and is axially yieldable between clutch engaged and clutch disengaged positions. A lever is provided moveable for disengaging the clutch elements and a brake member connected to the lever is operable for braking the drive sprocket when the clutch elements are disengaged.

Abstract: A cam system capable of converting a simple motion into a more complex motion contains, in combination, an elastomeric guide bearing and a shaped rod lodged therein, the bearing being held by a member allowing it to assume a proper orientation, either the bearing-holding member or the shaped rod being subjected to the input motion, so that the shaped rod and the guide bearing move relative to each other. Either the moving member or the stationary member is constrained in that it has only two degrees of freedom to rotate. Any moving point on the moving member can be made to perform useful work while it moves in a more complex pattern. A representative embodiment will convert a one-dimensional, sliding motion or a circular motion into a three-dimensional motion, the moving end of the moving member having attached thereto a spray-paint nozzle, which sprays paint in a three-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: A link drive mechanism for vertically moving the slide of a mechanical press comprises a power driven eccentric unit carried by a horizontal shaft arranged substantially vertically above the connecting means for the slide and having first and second adjacent eccentrics, a first eccentric strap carried by the first eccentric and extending downwardly therefrom and having first and second laterally arranged pivot connections, a first link pivotally connected between the first pivot connection and the connecting means for the slide, a second eccentric strap carried by the second eccentric and extending laterally therefrom, a substantially vertically extending fulcrum lever arranged laterally from the horizontal shaft and pivoted intermediate its ends and having one of its arms pivotally connected to the second eccentric strap, and a second link pivotally connected to the other arm of the fulcrum lever and to the second pivot connection of the first eccentric strap.

Abstract: A gear and boss protector for the spring driving mechanism of a tap selector such as a voltage regulator. A pair of hook cams form the protective means and they are mounted rotatably on the crank driven by the spring driving gear. One of the hook cams engages the driving boss on the driving gear should the gear reverse rotation in one direction, while the other hook cam engages the driving boss on the driving gear should the gear reverse rotation in the opposite direction. The engagement of the driving boss by the hook cam prevents the crank from being suddenly released causing damage to the gear or boss.

Abstract: A power distributing apparatus for vehicles includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts, a simple planetary gear set having a carrier operatively connected to the input shaft, a ring gear cooperating with the first output shaft, and a sun gear selectively engaged with the second output shaft, and means for selectively engaging the carrier and the sun gear and for integrally rotating the sun gear and the carrier in the engaging state of the sun gear and the carrier, and for more slowly rotating the sun gear than the carrier in the disengaging state of the sun gear and the carrier.