Abstract: A clutch unit includes an operation lever, an operation bracket, an output shaft member, an input-side clutch, an output-side clutch, and a housing. An input-side outer ring member of the input-side clutch is a member including a bottom part and an outer ring part. A part of the outer ring part is a thick part. The thickness of the thick part in the radial direction is larger than the thickness of a non-thick part in the radial direction.

Abstract: An article processing apparatus includes: a configuration determination unit configured to determine a configuration of at least one transport unit including articles and stacked article groups each including a pallet, and at least one of the articles placed on the pallet, wherein first article groups are article groups excluding uppermost one of the stacked article groups; a palletizing mechanism configured to place the at least one of the articles on the pallet so as to form each of the stacked article groups; and a stacking mechanism configured to stack the article groups formed by the palletizing mechanism so as to form the transport unit, wherein the configuration determination unit is configured to determine the configuration of the at least one transport unit such that a load applied to each of the first article groups is smaller than a load index set to each of the first article groups.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel gold pan and associated method for improved yield of gold during the panning process. The gold pan has a continuous curved sidewall and a base, wherein the curved sidewall and the base are used for collecting gold. A portion of the curved sidewall has a plurality of ripples, each ripple having a ridge, an extending lip, and a cavity, the cavity is used for trapping black sand and gold particles, wherein a vortex of mixture of water, gravel, sand and more is produced in the pan and upon circulating and repeating of the pan, the gravels and blonde sand is rinsed out while leaving the black sand including the gold behind. The process does not require a user to keep looking in the pan during the panning process and improves the yield of the gold or other gemstones being panned.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to torque amplifiers. In an illustrative example, prime movers may be disposed radially to and orbiting about a central axis. Each prime mover, for example, may include a rotor coupled to the central axis by planetary gearing such that a torque generated by the rotor is transmitted to the central axis via the planetary gearing. Each prime mover may, for example, include a stator and a counter-torque anchor coupled to the stator and suspended by the central axis such that the counter-torque anchor generates a counter-torque on the stator such that the torque of the rotor and the corresponding counter-torque additively generate work relative to the central axis. Various embodiments may advantageously increase a power output of the torque amplifier relative to a power supplied by the prime movers.

Abstract: A unit includes a housing configured to accommodate a gear connected to a motor, and a cover having a portion sandwiched between the gear and the motor, wherein a catch guide is provided in the housing, the catch guide has an opening that opens toward the gear, and the catch guide has a portion that overlaps a radial side surface of the cover when viewed in a radial direction.

Abstract: ESP particle collector (1) for collecting particles in a particle containing gas stream, comprising an inlet section (4), a collector section (6), and an electrode arrangement (8), the inlet section comprising a flow tube (10) defining a gas flow channel (12) therein bounded by a guide wall (24) extending between an entry end (14) and a collector end (16) that serves as an inlet to the collector section (6), the entry end comprising an inlet (28) for the particle gas stream and a sheath flow inlet portion (26) for generating a sheath flow around the particle gas stream, the collector section comprising a housing (18) coupled to the flow tube, and a collector plate (20) mounted therein having a particle collection surface (23). The ESP particle collector is configured to allow optical analysis of the collector plate particle collection surface to measure particles collected thereon.

Abstract: A planetary gear system for setting a drive ratio of a transmission includes an outer ring gear; a plurality of planetary gears; an inner sun gear; a first rotary input coupled to one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears, and the inner sun gear; a second rotary input coupled to another one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears, and the inner sun gear; and a rotary output coupled to a remaining one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears the inner sun gear. In some cases, the planetary gear system is combined with a second planetary gear system, and the first rotary input of the planetary gear system and the first rotary input of the second planetary gear system are the same, allowing generation of two independent outputs from three inputs.

Abstract: A shiftable wheel end reduction may be mechanically coupled to a driven axle shaft and to a driven wheel of a wheeled vehicle. The shiftable wheel end reduction may be switched between a first operating mode, in which torque carried by the driven axle shaft is increased and transferred to the driven wheel by the shiftable wheel end reduction, and a second operating mode, in which torque carried by the driven axle shaft is maintained and transferred to the driven wheel by the shiftable wheel end reduction.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling an electric vehicle. The method includes obtaining by a controller of the electric vehicle a first state indicator of a state of the electric vehicle, receiving at the controller a status indicator of an operating status of the electric vehicle, and updating by the controller the state of the electric vehicle based on the status indicator to an updated state. The updated state may be associated with a second state indicator. The method also includes determining by the controller a given braking type of a braking to be applied to the electric vehicle. This determining may be based on one or more of the second state indicator and the status indicator. The method also includes applying to the electric vehicle the braking of the given braking type. Systems for applying such braking are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously sorting a particulate stream, comprising: a) a conveyor (1) for conveying the particulate stream to a separation device, b) a sieve (7) for separating the particulate stream according to size, characterized in that it further comprises c) a per-sieve (3) comprising elongated sieve openings located between the convey or outlet and the sieve d) and a mechanical impact device for providing mechanical impacts to the pre-sieve (3). The pre-sieve allows to separate elongated objects like threads or wires form the particulate stream which would otherwise clog or block subsequent separation devices including the sieve.

Abstract: A sorter processes trading cards in an affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use manner. The sorter includes an input and output bin. A transport path moves cards between the bins and has two scan bars, one above and one below the path. The scan bars capture an image of a top and bottom surface of ones of the cards. A controller coordinates movement of the cards along the path and receives the image for processing. Users interact with the controller by way of an interface to influence the processing. The sorter also includes a coil to detect metal foil on the cards. Other embodiments are envisioned.

Abstract: A hub device is provided, including: a hub shell, defining an axial direction, including a room and a projection, the room having an opening open in the axial direction, an inner wall of the room being integrally connected with the projection, the room further including an annular toothed portion, the projection projecting radially within the room; and a ratchet ring, including an outer toothed portion and an engaging slot corresponding to the projection, the ratchet ring being disposing in the room, the outer toothed portion being engaged with the annular toothed portion so that the ratchet ring is rotatable with the hub shell, the engaging slot being disposed on the ratchet ring, the projection being engaged radially within the engaging slot and abutted radially against the hub shell.

Abstract: A gear assembly having a rotatable housing with an axial end face and a lubrication in-flow opening and a gear set located therein. A lubricant collection ring having an axially extending outer wall is connected to the axial end face. A radially inwardly extending sidewall extends from the axially extending outer wall in a position spaced apart from the axial end face. A lubricant deflector ring is connected to the rotatable housing radially inwardly from the lubricant collection ring. The lubricant deflector ring has a plurality of radially outwardly directed vanes that overlap with the lubricant collection ring. The vanes are configured to fling lubricant against the radially outwardly located lubricant collection ring which directs the lubricant to the at least one lubrication in-flow opening to provide lubricant to the at least one lubricant in-flow opening in the rotatable housing in order to lubricate the gear set located therein.

Abstract: A system for instrument conveyance may include a shuttle device including an internal compartment for containing instruments; at least one handling unit configured to dispense instruments, where the handling unit includes: an opening mechanism configured to open the shuttle device to expose the internal compartment of the shuttle device, and a loading mechanism configured to load instruments into the internal compartment of the shuttle device; at least one head unit configured to obtain input from a user in connection with a transaction involving instruments; and a transportation system disposed between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit, where the transportation system is configured to transport the shuttle device between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit.

Abstract: An overhead buffer double-entry detection system, which includes an overhead hoist transport, a first sensing unit for scanning and generating detection data of a horizontal range, a driving device for moving the first sensing unit in a vertical range, a controlling unit, and an overhead hoist transport controlling system for sending a detection instruction and a driving instruction to the controlling unit when the overhead hoist transport moves to a corresponding overhead buffer position, whereby the controlling unit bases on the driving instruction to control the driving device to move the first sensing unit in a vertical range, bases on the detection instruction to control the first sensing unit to scan and generate detection data of each horizontal range within the overhead buffer during movement process, and bases on the detection data of each horizontal range within the overhead buffer to judge whether there is obstacle in the overhead buffer.

Abstract: A spent and/or decommissioned accumulator treatment plant and process, wherein a plurality of objects originating from separate waste collection of spent and/or decommissioned accumulators, nominally comprising lead-acid accumulators and accumulators and objects of a different type, are subject to an X-ray scan. If an analysis of the X-ray scan indicates that an object is not a lead-acid accumulator, and in particular is a lithium-ion battery or accumulator, it is deviated out of the treatment workflow, that comprises grinding the objects and separating lead from other materials.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing power generation during towing of an electric vehicle. The mechanism includes: a rod-shaped coupling member receiver into which a rod-shaped coupling member to be used during the towing is configured to be inserted on a front portion or a rear portion of the electric vehicle, and to which the inserted rod-shaped coupling member is configured to be locked; and a switcher that is provided between the axle and the decelerator, and that is configured to bring the axle and the decelerator into a decoupled state in an inserting operation of inserting the rod-shaped coupling member into the rod-shaped coupling member receiver, and to bring the axle and the decelerator into a coupled state in a removing operation of removing the rod-shaped coupling member from the rod-shaped coupling member receiver.

Abstract: A method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes: a rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells, a central control unit configured to receive, transmit and process data signals of a plurality of container handling vehicles for handling storage containers of the automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A powertrain of a vehicle can be operated. The powertrain can have at least one transmission housing, a clutch assembly which is arranged therein and which comprises a clutch that operates in a positively locking manner, and an actuation unit for actuating the clutch. The clutch comprises at least one first clutch component, which can be moved along an axial direction, and a second clutch component, said clutch components being connected together in a form-fitting manner upon actuating the clutch; wherein the actuation unit comprises an electromagnetic actuator with a piston, and the piston is moved from a starting position into an end position along the axial direction upon actuating the clutch, thereby moving the first clutch component.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a bogie including: a chassis; a first set of latches configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to retain the bogie below a floor of the trailer; a driven axle suspended from the chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle and configured to output torque to the driven axle and regeneratively brake the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly: including a second set of latches configured to transiently engage a second subset of engagement features, in the first array of engagement features and in the second array of engagement features, to retain the battery assembly adjacent the bogie; and configured to receive electrical energy from the motor.