Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving operating efficiency of a hydraulic actuator loop and an improved hydraulic actuator loop. The method includes transferring hydraulic fluid between a first and a second hydraulic actuator when the actuators are disengaged from a load and transferring hydraulic fluid from an energy source to each of the actuators separately when the actuators engage the load. The method also includes transferring fluid from the energy source to the first actuator when the actuators are approaching the load and transferring fluid from the first actuator to a drain when the actuators are retracting from the load.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for construction machines with an improved pressure compensating valve assembly comprising a first directional control valve (3, 5, 7) of closed center type connected in series with a second directional control valve (12) of open center type.

Abstract: In a valve mechanism for controlling oil pressure in an oil path (13) connecting between a hydraulic pump (11) and motor (12) of a hydrostatic transmission (10), a differential piston (23) serving as a relief valve member for gradually increasing the oil pressure has a larger pressure-applied surface area at the side opposite to the oil path than at the side of this path. A throttled oil passage (24) is provided for conducting oil pressure in the path to the larger surface area. The piston is biased by a valve spring (25) through a control piston (26). A receiving member (27) for the spring and a stopper member (28) for the control piston are provided such that they are adjustable in position independently of each other. By this, the manner of increasing the oil pressure may be adjusted in a large variety. The valve mechanism also serves as a relief valve for excluding a possible, excessively high pressure.

Abstract: A pilot operated directional control valve communicates fluid between a hydraulic actuator, a pump and a reservoir. A lockout valve is connected between each main control valve work port and a corresponding cylinder port, and operates to reduce fluid leakage therefrom. Each lockout valve includes a pressure responsive poppet valve member which is exposed to fluid pressure in a lockout chamber. A vent control valve is connected between each lockout valve and a corresponding one of the pilot valves. Each vent control valve includes a vent check valve which controls fluid venting from the lockout chamber and a vent piston which is biased to urge the vent check valve to a closed position thereby trapping fluid in the lockout chamber. When both pilot valves are energized, both lockout valves are vented and a float valve moves to a position wherein both cylinder ports are communicated, via the lockout valves and the float valve, with each other and with the reservoir.

Abstract: A space (32) is formed between an inner end of a fitting hole (31) formed in a piston (21) and a piston rod (22) and is positioned radially inside a sealing member (24). By circulating a cooling fluid through the space, the majority of heat which is transmitted to the piston rod (22) can be absorbed, preventing transmission of heat to the sealing member. The temperature of the sealing member is kept lower and its deterioration can be inhibited.

Abstract: An indexing rotary actuator is provided for unidirectionally rotating an output shaft through a specific angle per each indexing operation accurately without cumulative error. A pair of symmetrical housing members are mounted together to form an actuator housing. Within the actuator housing are formed a main piston chamber and a clutch piston chamber. Within the clutch piston chamber, a pair of piston mounting rings are mounted opposing each other, wherein a pair of respective main pistons within the main piston chamber are affixed to outer diametrical surfaces of the piston mounting rings. Furthermore, a pair of clutch pistons are provided within the clutch piston chamber slidably supported along the output shaft within the clutch piston chamber. The main pistons are air or fluid powered to be rotatable about the annular main piston chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporating a double acting piston and cylinder and a bi-directional pump/motor derives energy from a drive system when operating in the pump mode and delivers energy to the drive system when in the pump mode and includes a circulation valve for supplementing fluid flow to and from and fluid supply in accordance with the unequal demands of the chambers driving the hydraulic actuator in one direction or the other by circulating fluid between the chambers.

Abstract: A finisher for an image forming apparatus and capable of changing the binding angle of a staple relative to a sheet stack to be bound, as desired. A stapler is rotatable substantially about the binding position thereof to change the angle thereof relative to a sheet stack. This maintains the binding position substantially constant in both of parallel binding and inclined binding.

Abstract: An engine component assembly is disclosed having a bi-material wrist pin which secures a piston rotatably to an associated connecting rod. The bi-material wrist pin includes a cylindrical ceramic core. Surrounding the cylindrical core is a tubular shell which fixedly secures the core in relation to the shell. The shell rotatably cooperates with the piston and is fixed in relation to the connecting rod.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for calibrating a document assembly system. An operation is initiated of a document assembly line of the document assembly system. During the operation, an activation is sensed of an activation element along the document assembly line. In response to the activation, positional information is determined for relating the activation element to the document assembly line.

Abstract: A machine for converting pressure energy of a fluid into mechanical work comprises a working chamber (27,28) the volume of which is cyclically variable in response to reciprocatory motion of a wall (20) which defines the working chamber; a reciprocatory power member (15,16) which is displaceable by said wall (20) under action of the pressure fluid on the wall during expansion of the working chamber (27,28); an inlet conduit (12) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet circuit (13) communicating with the working chamber, an outlet valve (22) which is closable to prevent fluid flow in the outlet conduit in the direction away from the working chamber, and a driven member (17) operatively connected with the power member. The outlet conduit comprises a gap-like passage which substantially surrounds the working chamber (27,28) and extends along the periphery thereof and which is open or openable to permit fluid flow therethrough from the working chamber substantially without any pressure drop.

Abstract: A lifter for a disk mounted in a disk cartridge comprises a lifter body formed of a flexible thin plate material and having a fold, folded at a predetermined angle so as to define a fixing member at one side of the fold and a pressing member at the other. A cutout is formed at a position across the fold to minimize distorting forces concentrated at the fold.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a hydraulic brake system for automotive vehicles for shortening the actuating travel of the brake power booster to pre-charge the brake system. The actuating unit includes a master cylinder and a pneumatic brake power booster connected upstream thereof. A first sealing seat (10) of a control valve (9) of the brake power booster (1), which control valve is arranged in a control housing (8), is designed separately of the control housing (8) to be slidable within limits in relation thereto. The first sealing seat (10) is held on a stop (18) on the booster housing during a predefinable actuating stroke of the control housing (8) and, respectively, of a movable wall (5) generating the boosting force. After the required actuating travel of the brake power booster, the first sealing seat (10) is carried away from the stop (18) which causes a connection between the working chamber (7) and the vacuum chamber (6).

Abstract: The processing drum, rotatable about the axis for processing printing products, has advancing means for the step-by-step advancing of the printing products deposited in a straddling manner on the rests. In the upper region of the circulating path, these advancing means perform a working stroke about the axis and in the lower region a return stroke. The processing drum has a drawing member reaching around it from below, on which drawing member holding members are arranged at the spacing (A) of the rests, in order to prevent the printing products from falling down when they pass through the lower part of the circulating path and at the same time to support the elongate processing drum.

Abstract: The construction of a vibration damping device includes a splined or generally spiral groove formed either in the outer periphery of a damper pin, which is inserted into a damper, or in the inner periphery of a hole formed in the damper for inserting the damper pin therein.

Abstract: A flow compensator valve for use in a hydraulic system which includes a cylindrical body having inlet and outlet ports, and a slidable, spring-biased hollow piston insert disposed within a center bore of the body, which insert has a plurality of ports for flow control depending on the position of the insert as it reciprocates axially within the center bore of the valve body. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is used in connection with a hydraulically actuated lift which is particularly useful for assistance of handicap persons for vans and mass transit vehicles. The axially-reciprocable, spring-biased flow rate controlling insert has a small central axial bore for slow lift movement in the loaded condition and at least one larger transverse bore, which when exposed, permits flow therethrough for faster movement of the lift in the unloaded condition.

Abstract: A document feeder for feeding a plurality of different kinds of document to image forming equipment automatically, and a sheet finisher for sorting, stapling or otherwise finishing sheets inclusive of the documents. A drive source selectively drives a document support moving member in opposite directions to move document supports from an initial position to a document feed position and further to a stand-by position. This allows a particular document feeding operation to be effected with each of the document supports. Sheets are automatically stapled and then automatically removed from sheet accommodating members. A sheet receiving section collects such stapled and removed sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming books comprising pages of coated paper interspersed with pages of newsprint paper.

Abstract: A read-write head of a magneto-optical disc player has an optical head having an optical pickup, and a magnetic head having an electromagnet. Each of the optical head and the magnetic head is slidably held by guide members so as to be moved in a radial direction of an optical disc. Permanent magnets are mounted on both heads for attracting each other head. Thus, when one of the head moves, the other follows.

Abstract: A device for stacking sheets sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus on a tray. The device is capable of stacking both of stapled sheets and non-stapled sheets accurately without damaging them. In a stapling mode, the tray is positioned at a home position in which the top surface of the tray or the top-most sheet in the tray is spaced apart from a positioning roller a distance greater than a thickness of a maximum number of sheets which can be stapled together.