Abstract: Multistage deterministic lateral displacement devices, methods of forming the devices, and methods of separating a fluid mixture including particles having three or more particle sizes generally include a first module and at least one additional module. Each module includes a condenser portion and a separate portion. The condenser portion is generally configured to focus a streamline of all particles to a center of a channel whereas the separator separates the streamline of all particles into two different streamlines. One of the streamlines focuses the largest particles in the fluid mixture along a sidewall of the channel and the other streamline of smaller particles is between opposing sidewalls that define the channel. Each additional module can be used to further separate the largest particles remaining in the fluid mixture from the smaller particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing and separating pieces of plastics material from contaminating material that also includes metal elements includes a stirring device having a plurality of blades which are driven in a washing fluid to generate a turbulent stirring action to mechanically remove part of the contaminating material from the plastics material. The tilt of the blades and the rotation speed of the stirring device are chosen carefully to generate an upward thrusting action to maintain the plastics material with a specific weight that is greater than the specific weight of the fluid in a floating condition. The plastics material is retained inside the container for sufficient time to obtain a desired degree of purity and decontamination for the plastics material, after which it is evacuated by controlled overflow.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes a turbine shell, turbine hub, and a thrust washer. The turbine hub is coupled to the turbine shell via a fastener. The thrust washer is disposed on the turbine hub and includes at least one tab configured to contact the fastener. The fastener axially and radially retains the thrust washer on the turbine hub.

Abstract: A device for sorting objects, such as used beverage or food containers, that are conveyed on a conveyor. The device includes a first guiding member which is pivotable about a first pivot axis and configured to, when the sorting device is situated in a first sorting position, guide containers in a first sorting direction, a second guiding member which is pivotable about a second pivot axis, a rotatable drive member, a first cam mechanism interconnecting the rotatable drive member with the first guiding member, and a second cam mechanism interconnecting the rotatable drive member with the second guiding member, wherein the device is configured to, upon rotation of the drive member, be actuated between the first sorting position and a second sorting position.

Abstract: A coupling for an AWD vehicle comprises a disc package with alternate discs, which are connected for rotation with, but are axially movable in relation to an ingoing and an outgoing axle, respectively, of the coupling, and a hydraulic piston for pressing the disc package together under the action of hydraulic pressure, hereby establishing a connect mode, in which the ingoing axle is connected to the outgoing axle. A coupling slack adjuster is provided for mechanically establishing a rest position for the hydraulic piston in a disconnect mode, in which a predetermined slack in the disc package is established, irrespective of the wear of the discs.

Abstract: A method for handling harvested root crops such as potatoes. The method includes the steps of optically imaging (i.e., by the hyper-spectral imaging system) a bulk flow of a harvested root crop to produce image data and analysing the image data to identify discrete objects within the bulk flow. Each identified object is categorised as either acceptable or unacceptable based on a comparison with at least one discriminator and objects classified as unacceptable are removed (by the ejector actuator) from the bulk flow to provide a sorted flow of the harvested root crop.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for vehicle inspection and passenger tracking. In one aspect, a portable vehicle data input device includes an electronic display and a data processor coupled to the display and containing instructions configured to cause the device to: display information related to inspection of different portions of a vehicle, receive driver input indicating completion of vehicle inspection tasks, display information related to a plurality of passengers associated with the vehicle, receive input identifying specific passengers as the specific passengers board or exit the vehicle, and update a roster of passengers in response to receiving the input.

Abstract: A bicycle hub structure has a hub member, a clutch set, a driving base and a sleeve. The thread angle of the outer threaded section of the driving base is greater than the thread angle of the inner threaded section of the driving central shaft, so that the driving central shaft and the external toothed coupling collar have a coupling state instantly which greatly reduces the actuation stroke of the clutch set, improves the smoothness of driving and the sensitivity of the hub member.

Abstract: A gear system is provided to secure lubrication passages when the gear system is changed between driving, neutral, and parking modes. The gear system includes a planetary gear assembly, a hollow portion output shaft selectively engaged with a carrier such that the output shaft is configured to rotate with the carrier when the output shaft is engaged with the carrier. The gear system further includes a first lubrication passage formed radially at a first point on the carrier, a second lubrication passage formed radially at a second point on the output shaft, and a third lubrication passage formed between the outer surface of the output shaft and the inner surface of the carrier and configured to connect the first lubrication passage and the second lubrication passage.

Abstract: A screen assembly for vibratory separation includes a screen having a plurality of raised screen components formed therein, with each of the raised screen components defining a face oriented to oppose a flow direction of the screen assembly. In examples, a screen of the screen assembly is assembled from a plurality of metal cloth layers bonded together. Bonding of the metal cloth layers may be accomplished by a sintering process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch (100) comprising: a fixed hub (101, 1101) comprising a central coupling hole (301) configured for coupling with a rotating shaft (1200); a movable hub (102, 1102) configured for being mounted along an axial direction onto the fixed hub (101, 1101); a plurality of discs (103) interposed between the fixed hub (101, 1101) and the movable hub (102, 1102). The fixed hub (101, 101) and the movable hub (102, 1102) are shaped so as to rotate jointly with each other and so as to axially slide with each other, getting farther or closer to each other so that the fixed hub (101, 1101) and the movable hub (102, 1102) exert a variable axial load onto the plurality of discs (103), thereby transmitting a torque.

Abstract: A power unit includes: a crankcase which accommodates a crankshaft and a main shaft arranged in parallel to each other; a crank side cover which covers one end portion of the crankshaft from the outside in an axial direction of the crankshaft; a primary driven gear which is provided in the main shaft and meshes with a primary drive gear of the crankshaft; a clutch provided at one end portion of the main shaft; and a clutch cover which covers the clutch from the outside in an axial direction of the main shaft and is fastened and fixed to a packing surface provided on the crankcase to surround the clutch, wherein the primary driven gear and the packing surface overlap in a virtual straight line when viewed from the axial direction of the main shaft.

Abstract: The sluice box mouth and sifter pan system includes a sluice box mouth and a plurality of stackable sifter pans. The sluice box mouth includes a substantially planar bottom plate with a first upright sidewall extending from a first edge of the plate and an opposing second upright sidewall extending from an opposing, second edge of the plate. One of the sifter pans can be removably positioned on the bottom plate. The first and second sidewalls each include an arcuate portion for engaging a peripheral wall of the pan and securing the pan to the sluice box mouth.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine. The gear set includes a ring gear formed by a cylindrical base with a perimeter surface facing the engine and a circumferential row of castellations extending in a radial direction from the perimeter surface. The starter-generator device further includes a mounting arrangement comprising a drive plate configured to be secured to a crank shaft of the engine and a flex plate mounted to the drive plate. The flex plate includes a row of engagement apertures configured to receive the castellations of the ring gear to rotationally couple the ring gear to the engine via the mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A front end accessory drive system is disclosed. The system includes a hub configured to drivingly engage with a crankshaft and a gear transmission system. A one-way clutch includes a first bearing ring connected to an end of a plurality of planet pins of the gear transmission system, and a second bearing ring connected to a sun gear of the gear transmission system. A pump configured to direct hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic fluid circuit. A clutch pack is in fluid connection with the hydraulic fluid circuit. The clutch pack includes at least one clutch plate supported by the gear transmission system, such that a portion of the gear transmission system is grounded via frictional engagement of the at least one clutch plate in an actuated state of the clutch pack.

Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter is disclosed. The lock-up device includes a clutch part, first and second rotary members, a plurality of elastic members and a stopper mechanism. The clutch part is provided between a front cover and a turbine, and transmits the torque inputted to the front cover to the turbine. The first rotary member is disposed between the clutch part and the turbine. The second rotary member is rotatable relative to the first rotary member. The elastic members elastically couple an outer peripheral part of the first rotary member and an outer peripheral part of the second rotary member in a rotational direction. The stopper mechanism is disposed axially between the elastic members and an outer peripheral part of a turbine shell. The stopper mechanism includes an engaging portion restricting an angular range of relative rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member.

Abstract: There is provided a microparticle sorting method including a procedure of collecting a microparticle in a fluid that flows through a main channel in a branch channel that is in communication with the main channel by generating a negative pressure in the branch channel. In the procedure, a flow of a fluid is formed that flows toward a side of the main channel from a side of the branch channel at a communication opening between the main channel and the branch channel.

Abstract: A rotary clutch uses a wrap spring clutch. An actuator generates a drag force to control the wrap spring clutch to engage or disengage the clutch. The actuator includes an electromagnet, a two-component armature and an axial return spring. The two-component armature includes first and second components threadingly connected one another for relative axial translation as they rotate relative to one another, and an angular position biasing member connecting them. The second component translates axially under magnetic force from the electromagnet, and when stopped by the electromagnet the first armature component translates axially due to their threaded connection. Due to the previous axial movement of the floating component the translation of the first armature component occurs in conditions where the air gap and reluctance of a magnetic circuit is reduced compared to the prior art, and thus the overall strength of the applied magnetic field can be comparatively reduced.

Abstract: An item sorting system having a tray handling system and a tote handling system. The tray handling system having a tray conveying system, a tray transfer system, and optionally a tray storage region. The tote handling system may have a cubby array, the cubby array having a plurality of cubbies into which a tote may be placed. The system can transfer an item from the tray into the tote, and a method is disclosed for the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dry separation of bulk particulate material, especially coarse particles, is provided. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a screen adjacent the chamber and a fluidising device fluidly connected to the chamber. The screen has a screen surface, a plurality of apertures and an opening larger in size than the aperture. A mixture of the coarse particles and a fine particulate medium is fed into the chamber. The fluidising device directs a fluidising fluid to fluidise a fine particulate medium and create a fluidised bed directed towards the screen. The fine particulate medium and the coarse particles pass from the chamber through the openings. The fine particulate medium passes back through the apertures to the chamber. Relatively high density coarse particles also pass back through the openings to the chamber. Relatively low density coarse particles are retained on the screen surface. Vibrations may also be used.