Abstract: An electro-mechanical system for shifting gears on a multi-gear bicycle or other human-powered vehicle includes a closed loop derailleur position control system using circuitry for measuring derailleur position. Shifting gears is accomplished automatically based on rider cadence or manually using signals supplied by hand operated switches. The system calculates gear ratios based on bicycle speed and cadence and then sorts the gear ratios in order from lowest to highest. During automatic operation, the system calculates a cadence from bicycle speed and gear ratio, determines if the calculated cadence is within predetermined limits set by the rider, and it changes the gear ratio if the calculated cadence is not within the predetermined limits.

Abstract: A bicycle multi-step transmission sprocket assembly includes a large sprocket gear, an intermediate sprocket gear, and a small sprocket gear. The intermediate sprocket gear is provided in the top surface of a predetermined tooth with a first recess and is further provided with a chain guiding slot located in the back side of a plurality of adjoining teeth along the reverse revolving direction of the predetermined tooth. The large sprocket gear is provided in the top surface of a predetermined number of teeth thereof with a second recess corresponding in location to the chain guiding slot of the intermediate sprocket gear in the reverse revolving direction. The sprocket chain is capable of shifting from the small sprocket gear to the intermediate sprocket gear with speed, thanks to the first recess and the chain guiding slot of the intermediate sprocket gear.

Abstract: An autotensioner for use in applying a tension to a moving belt, having a damper apparatus which can follow a sudden change in tension of the belt by improving the piston and plunger structure of the damper apparatus so that the viscous fluid has a liquid surface kept high even when the plunger rises its uppermost position to prevent air from entering underneath the piston.

Abstract: An automatic tensioner to be used with a drive train of a self-propelled mower for drivingly connecting a ground wheel to the mower transmission, wherein the tensioner includes tensioning mechanism, which may be constructed as a spring biased idler arm having an idler member rotatably mounted thereon, to apply a tensioning force against the flexible element of the drive. The tensioner further includes an anti-slackening assembly having an elongated takeup rod being pivotally coupled with the idler arm at one end thereof so that the takeup rod moves generally with the idler arm, as the arm moves in a tensioning direction and opposed slackening direction. The anti-slackening assembly also includes a swingable control tab having an aperture receiving the other end of the takeup rod.

Abstract: Drive sprocket assembly for chain saws, where a saw chain runs around a loose drive ring that rolls upon cylindrical surfaces of a drive sprocket. Drive links of the saw chain project through holes of the drive ring and enter recesses of the drive sprocket to be driven thereby. The recesses of the drive sprocket have an axial dimension substantially larger than the thickness of the drive links, to enable the drive ring and chain to have substantial axial play relative to the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A low profile snowplowable road marker and method of installation is disclosed. The snowplowable road marker has a circular dome section having a pair of deflectors which wrap/encircle a signalling device along a circumferential edge of the marker. The deflectors are separated by a gap to permit drainage. The deflectors have wedge shaped ends to lift the snowplow over the signalling device. The circumferential edge is radiused and mounted in a bore as to be below the level of the road surface.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly prevents flow from or to completion segments further downhole from the well control valve assembly once the stimulation stimulation/shifter string has been removed from the production tubing string. The well control valve assembly features a shaped flapper plate which, when opened, conforms closely to the shape and size of the production tubing string's interior diameter. The flapper plate is biased toward a closed position by a compression spring arrangement that includes an arm which levers the plate upward toward a seating surface. The valve assembly's closure is mechanically induced and is not responsive to a sensed well condition.

Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and phased or offset sprockets. The transmission system includes a random or hybrid chain with the offset sprockets. The timing system can include single or dual overhead camshafts, with phasing of the crankshaft sprockets and camshaft sprockets.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive (1) having adjustable mass and moment of inertia camweights (40, 56) is shown for use primarily in conjunction with snowmobile, golf cart, all terrain vehicle and small automobile engines. In one version, the camweight (40) includes a series of perforations or score lines (47, 48, 49) surrounding a cross section of the camweight arm (45). The perforations define a volume that may be snapped or cut off of the arm (45) with a suitable tool. Also, a series of bores (52, 53, 54) are formed through the arm (45). In order to increase the mass of the arm (45), a molten metal or similar flowable material may be poured into one or more of the bores (52, 53) and allowed to cure. In another version of the invention, a reduced cross section arm (59) serves as a base onto which shims (64, 65, 66) are added or reoriented in order to achieve the desired mass and moment of inertia characteristics.

Abstract: A rotary drive apparatus has a drum with a first plurality of generally parallel grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart. A capstan adjacent the drum has a second plurality of generally parallel grooves spaced the same predetermined distance. The capstan may be disposed adjacent the drum with its grooves disposed between the grooves on the drum. The drum and the capstan may have parallel axes of rotation. A continuous cable in the grooves of the drum and the capstan couples the drum and the capstan for joint rotation. A pulley and spring adjacent the capstan tension the continuous cable.

Abstract: A chain for use in transmission and transportation with low friction, less wear, and low noises. The chain has central portions directly in engagement with a sprocket tooth face. Each of a number of pins is supported by rolling bearings attached individually to one of inside link plates and outside link plates, and plain bearings attached to the other link plates. With this arrangement, the sprocket tooth face and pin tooth face are brought into rolling contact with one another, and the link plates bend relatively to one another as the pins rotate in rolling contact. Also, the size and weight of the chain are reduced. Since the entire amount of friction and wear are small, power loss and elongation are reduced to thereby preserve a high accuracy of the chain.

Abstract: A rocker joint for a power transmission chain constructed of an assembly of links and pivot members including a chain assembly having a plurality of sets of links interleaved with other sets of links. Each link has end portions and a central body portion and a pair of spaced apertures each spaced aperture defining a boundary. The pivot members include a pair of pins, each pin having a circular arc rocker surface, a circular arc seat surface opposite to the rocker surface and concentric with the rocker surface and a pair of side surfaces connecting the rocker surface and the seat surface. The pin side surface includes a circular arc having its center located outside the pin. Each aperture has a circular arc support surface located toward the end portion of the link. The aperture circular arc support surface engages the seat surface of one of the pins.

Abstract: A method of raising material, such as production fluid (6), from a bore hole (3) involves pumping water down a pipe (7) to a fluidising unit (A) so that the water activates and entrains the material and carries it up through a discharge conduit (8) to a separator (B).

Abstract: A single drilling guide base for subsea oil wells includes two parts, namely a lower part (1) and an upper part (2), which are bolted together (at 7). The whole arrangement is provided with a seating indicator (5) connected to the lower part and holes in a funnel shaped portion of the upper part for the discharge of gravel.

Abstract: A safety delineator is provided having either a conical or a tubular body portion, which has an improved handle feature permitting easy and comfortable full hand gripping of the delineator. The invention additionally solves a longstanding problem common to prior art support bases for delineators and the like, by providing a convenient handle, molded integrally with the support base element, for picking up the base. The inventive handle not only provides a convenient means for grabbing the delineator, but it also provides an additional advantage with respect to conical delineators, in that it prevents them from sticking together when they are stacked. Two types of inventive support bases are disclosed. One is a base molded from a heavy solid material, such as rubber, and includes additional advantageous features such as anti-skid grippers on the bottom surface of the base element and stacking rings molded onto the upper surface of the base element for assisting in compactly stacking a plurality of bases.

Abstract: A method is described, using a polyurethane resin mixture, for sealing off points through which water enters geological rock formations. The method utilizes an isocyanate component (a) and a polyol component (b), to be intimately mixed in a static mixer. The mixture is introduced under pressure into the rock formation through boreholes or injection lances. Primary or secondary di or polyamines are substituted for a portion of the polyol component (b) in quantities such that the polyol remains in excess. These amines greatly accelerate the gelation time for the resin, resulting in an instantaneous increase in viscosity of the gel.

Abstract: A self-contained rotary hydraulic belt tensioner. The tensioner includes a housing mounted for eccentric rotation about a shaft and biased in a first angular direction to apply tension to a timing belt, and a hydraulic element within the housing which is operable to resist rotation of the housing in a direction opposite the first angular direction. The hydraulic element acts against a cam which is received within the housing, a rotary seal acting between the shaft and the housing being effective to contain the oil supply for the hydraulic element within the housing.

Abstract: An annular wellhead member has an inner mating surface. The wellhead member has a auxiliary fluid passage with an inboard opening at the inner mating surface. A tubing hanger is landed concentrically within the wellhead member. The tubing hanger has an outer mating surface which mates with the inner mating surface of the wellhead member. A production fluid passage through the tubing hanger places the production tubing string in communication with a production line. A hydraulic line extends from a hydraulically operated downhole safety valve to the tubing hanger. A tubing hanger auxiliary fluid passage has a first opening and an outboard opening. The first opening is connected to the hydraulic line. The outboard opening is located on the outer mating surface of the tubing hanger and registers with the inboard opening of the wellhead member auxiliary fluid passage. The wellhead member auxiliary fluid passage is connected to a hydraulic supply line.

Abstract: A tension device for tensioning a chain of a bicycle includes a coupler for securing to the bicycle. A bracket is rotatably secured to the coupler and has a pair of lugs. A shaft is engaged between the lugs for rotatably supporting a sprocket which may engage with the chain so as to tension the chain. The sprocket and the bracket are rotatable relative to the coupler for suitably supporting the chain in place. The distance between the sprocket and the bracket is smaller than the width of the chain so as to prevent the chain from disengaging from the sprocket.

Abstract: A process to adjust the pretensioning force for the transmission element of a continuously variable transmission, complete with two disc assemblies comprising two discs each, will be described. For optimized specification of the pretensioning force, the following process steps will be provided:a) determining transmission element length,b) specifying a start value for the pretensioning force,c) reducing the pretensioning force and determining transmission element virtual length,d) determining transmission element slip status by comparing actual length and virtual length of the transmission element,e) changing pretensioning force in relation to slip status, whereby, if actual length and virtual length of the transmission element correspond, the pretensioning force will be decreased, and, if actual length and virtual length of the transmission element differ, the pretensioning force will be increased.