Abstract: An omni-directional wheel is provided which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake rotor having improved damping characteristics and a method for producing the same. A surface of the brake rotor is EDG machined, also known as EDM machined, for improving the damping characteristics of the rotor. The decay rate of the brake rotor is increased and the Q factor of the brake rotor is reduced. The portion of the brake rotor which is EDG machined is formed of an electrically conductive material, preferably a ferrous material, more preferably a cast iron material, a gray iron material or a damped iron material. The brake rotor may include a solid friction section or a ventilated friction section. The brake rotor is preferably cast from a single material, although alternatively, it may be a composite rotor formed of more than one material.

Abstract: A reversing transmission shiftable under load in which the reversing clutches (1, 2) are automatically evacuated by the flow of pressure medium through the clutch (1, 2) not subjected to pressure wherein bores (9, 24), which in this shifting state, are connected to the oil reservoir (5) are placed at the highest point of the piston chamber. The shifting clutches (1, 2) are configured as negative clutches. For modulating the pressure during a reverse shift, an accumulator (27, 28) is provided from which pressure medium flows out via orifices (25, 29). For inching a valve (30) is provided via which the closed clutch (1, 2) can be subjected to a pressure whose level can be continuously varied.

Abstract: In a damping force generator for a hydraulic damper, the valve is protected from pressure rise in the damper and its durability is thereby enhanced. The damping force characteristics can be vary in stepwise fashion by providing a main leaf valve 21 and a sub-leaf valve which closes an opening 21A formed in the main leaf valve 21, and the approximate mid-point of the main leaf valve 21 is supported by a plurality of intermediate seat surfaces 16 from the side of a port 13. The outer circumference of a main leaf valve 64 is supported by an outer circumferential seat surface 62, and the outer circumference of a sub-leaf valve 65 extends outwards to the vicinity of a part where the outer circumference of the main leaf valve 64 and the outer circumferential seat surface 62 overlap.

Abstract: A power take-off unit includes a drag brake assembly that is automatically engaged when a hydraulically actuated clutch assembly is disengaged. The drag brake assembly includes a brake piston that is axially aligned with the output shaft and is urged into frictional engagement therewith by a spring. When pressurized fluid is provided, the clutch assembly is engaged to cause the output shaft to be rotatably driven by the input gear. At the same time, the pressurized fluid causes the brake piston to retract axially within the cylindrical recess against the urging of the spring. As a result, the brake piston is moved out of frictional engagement with the output shaft to permit free rotation of the output shaft. When pressurized fluid is not provided, the clutch assembly is disengaged to prevent the output shaft from being rotatably driven by the input gear.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder assembly has a principal structural group including a cylinder and another principal structural group including a piston rod which has a part-length axially displaceably arranged within the cylinder. The piston rod adopts a default stroke position without external displacement forces acting on the piston-cylinder assembly, the default position being determined by positioning equipment. The positioning equipment includes at least one energy accumulator which acts in the inward and outward movement directions of the piston rod as a function of the stroke position of the piston rod. The at least one energy accumulator includes a tension spring arrangement and a compression spring arrangement.

Abstract: A spring having a main gas chamber, a secondary gas chamber and sealing surfaces which, during a portion of the stroke of the piston rod, define a gas tight seal between them to provide two separate gas chambers each providing a force acting on the piston rod in opposed directions to each other to reduce the net force on the piston rod. When the piston rod is near its fully extended position the sealing surfaces provide the gas tight seal and the net force on the piston rod is minimal and in the direction to move the piston rod to its fully extended position. Thus, until the cooperating surfaces are displaced to terminate the gas tight seal, only a slight force is required to initially move the piston rod from its fully extended position. This greatly reduces the impulse or impact force imparted to a press ram upon initial actuation of the fully extended piston rod. A second seal assembly may also be provided which controls the rate at which the piston rod assembly returns to its fully extended position.

Abstract: A universal friction lining support is affixed on or just under the surface of a friction lining to resist wear and vibrations caused by the road, eliminating the need for a backing plate. The support is configured to fit in the corners of friction linings of various lining assembly sizes. Extensions on the exterior edge of the support locate the friction lining relative to the caliper housing as the piston is engaged. Various attachment features, such as holes or protrusions, can be also added to the support to secure the support to the friction lining.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the operating integrity of a dual sensor system takes in signals from each of the sensors in the dual sensor system. The signals are preferably generally on the same cycle, and the control evaluates whether a single sensor has sent two consecutive cycle signals to the control without a corresponding cycle from the other of the sensors. If so, an indication is made that the other of the sensors may be failing, or is intermittent. Preferably the sensors are associated with wheel speed indicators and the control is an ABS control.

Abstract: A strip of metal is wrapped into a ring configuration such that ends of the strip are positioned in a predetermined relationship to each other. The ends of the strip are attached together by a temporary weld joining the two ends of the strip, thereby forming a temporary continuous ring. After heat treating the temporary continuous ring, the ring is separated at the temporary weld to provide a heat treated split bearing ring with a controlled clearance at the split.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly includes a clamp assembly having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to fit over a hitch tube of a trailer hitch on a motor vehicle. The clamp assembly also includes an inner clamp disposed over the hitch tube and an outer clamp disposed over the inner clamp. The trailer hitch cover assembly further includes a front cover mounted to the clamp assembly and having an aperture extending therethrough aligned with the hitch tube of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A brake adjuster is provided for a vehicle brake such as for heavy duty vehicle. The brake adjuster includes a brake module that produces an electrical signal for adjusting the vehicle brake. The heavy duty vehicle brake typically includes a pair of pistons each having first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. A friction element or brake pad is arranged proximate to the second portion and is movable from a desired position to a worn position as the brake pads wear during operation of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second portions are slip fit within a sleeve assembly. At least one adjustment member is arranged between the first and second portions. The adjustment member is constructed from a material which expands in response to an electrical signal, such as a magnetostrictive or a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: An automatic clutch control method and system includes steps for controlling a vehicle master clutch to prevent the clutch from destructively overheating due to excessive slipping. A heat buildup value is determined from various engine operating parameters, such as output torque, engine speed, and input shaft speed. The heat buildup value can be increased or decreased depending on the various engine operating parameters. A signal generating device is responsive to the heat buildup value exceeding a first predetermined heat buildup limit to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in an aggressive mode of operation to fully engage the clutch at a faster rate. The signal generating device is also response to the heat build value exceeding a second predetermined heat buildup limit and slow vehicle speed to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in a fully disengaged mode of operation.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle with a reduced scale chassis having a seat configured to accommodate at least one child. The vehicle further includes a drive assembly, which includes one or more drive wheels and a battery powered motor assembly. The battery powered motor assembly includes a motor output and a torque attenuation system, which is configured to regulate the transmission of torque from the motor assembly to the one or more drive wheels. The torque attenuation system incorporates a force reducing mechanism adapted to receive a rotational input from the motor output and regulate the transmission of that rotational input to the one or more drive wheels. In some embodiments of the invention, the torque attenuation system is a self-contained system, and in some embodiments of the invention, the torque attenuation system is adapted to be retrofit on existing children's ride-on vehicles.

Abstract: A controllable equipment mount is provided that is adjustable to accommodate various loads. The controllable equipment mount comprises a base, a load plate and a connecting mount connecting the base and the load plate. An internal chamber is created which can be used to adjust stiffness of the mount by adjusting pressure within the chamber, e.g., by introducing a gas through an air passageway. An electromagnetic augmentation unit may also be provided in the chamber for adjusting the stiffness within the chamber.

Abstract: A lining member is provided for a drag mechanism of a fishing reel. The lining member includes fibers (43) which are adhered to a base member (41) by an adhesive layer so that each fiber extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base member (41), wherein one end of each fiber is adhered to the adhesive layer, and other end of each fiber is free from the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The invention is a plate for holding a friction material in a brake assembly. The plate preferably comprises a contact surface for attaching the friction material to the plate, a second surface opposing the contact surface; and a plurality of retaining structures formed on the contact surface, each retaining structure comprising a projecting member extending from a point between the contact surface and the second surface, so that the member extends outwardly from the contact surface for engagement with the friction material.

Abstract: A device for damping vibration in mounting vibration-prone devices, such as fans or other devices with moving parts. A fan may be mounted at the center of a spiral spring to prevent transmission of vibrations including sounds from the fan to a surrounding structure, such as a cell phone powered by a metal-air battery.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator for a motor vehicle brake system includes a housing having a bore for supporting a first piston operably connected to a brake pedal. An elastomer spring encapsulating a magnet or magnetized by the dispersion of ferrous particles throughout the spring body is engageable by the first piston and is disposed in the emulator housing. A second piston is disposed in the housing and engaged with the elastomer spring and with a mechanical spring. Hall effect sensors mounted on the emulator housing sense changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet to provide signals to a controller proportional to travel and force exerted on the brake pedal for use in controlling the vehicle brake system.

Abstract: A rotary stage having a rotary table mounted by a bearing on a shaft defining a table axis of rotation and supported on a base plate by an optically polished surface, the bearing comprising a ball bearing pre-loaded axially by an axially adjustable split ring in engagement with an annular chamfer on a race of the bearing to center the bearing relative to the table axis.