Abstract: A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bale cutting apparatus comprising attachment means for coupling the apparatus to a prime mover and a cutting means to cut through a bale containing fodder. The apparatus has cutting means that is operable to retain the bale against a stop member and cut through the bale such that the fodder is discharged from the bale and any bale covering materials are retained by the apparatus. The present invention eliminates the need to separately remove any covering materials in which the fodder is wrapped.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes a tie-down compensation arrangement (40). A tension member (42) extends between a cab (22) and counterweight (26) to provide a desired amount of tension on a load bearing rope or belt (30) that supports the cab and the counterweight. The tension member (42) in one example comprises a coated steel belt. At least one sheave (46) is supported on a base module (48) and remains stationary relative to a floor of a pit (52). A damper (50) is supported for movement with the counterweight (26) or the cab (22) to absorb energy that would otherwise tend to cause counterweight jump following a rapid descent and stop of the cab (22).

Abstract: A pulley is concentrically disposed around a hollow shaft, and a one-way clutch is disposed between the hollow shaft and the pulley. At least one bearing is provided between the shaft and the pulley. In the one-way clutch, a roller as a meshing member and a coil spring as a biasing member are integrally rotated together with an outer ring. The roller moves in a meshing-releasing direction by a centrifugal force when a rotation speed of the outer ring becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, and a biasing force of the coil spring has enough magnitude for permitting this movement. The pulley is provided at its inner periphery with a cam surface, and the pulley and the outer ring of the one-way clutch are integrally formed.

Abstract: In a gear-jumping-proof positive-locking clutch for connecting a vehicle transmission shaft to a transmission component mounted coaxially and rotationally with it, the positive-locking clutch includes an axially displaceable sliding sleeve on which at least one locking roller element may be supported which is displaceable in a radial locking recess with axial displacement of the sliding sleeve due to a radial force component. In a gear-jumping-proof positive-locking clutch which does not cause any transmission noise when disengaged, the positive-locking clutch is free of synchromesh bodies and the locking roller element is axially displaceable.

Abstract: In order to reduce shift shock in shifting from a 2 driving range to a 3 driving range and improve the endurance of an automatic transmission, a 2-3 up-shifting shift control device of an automatic transmission of the present invention is provided, comprising a vehicle speed sensor, a shift lever position sensor, a throttle position sensor, a shift control unit, and a shift drive unit performing a predetermined 2-3 upshifting drive control operation by controlling hydraulic pressures in response to the sensors.

Abstract: A multiplate clutch is provided with a clutch case and a sleeve fitted in an inner circumferential wall of the clutch case with their piston oilways registered with each other. The sleeve is provided in an outer circumference thereof with at least one notch. The inner circumferential wall of the clutch case has been crimped at a portion thereof into each notch such that a crimped portion is formed to fixedly secure the sleeve on the inner circumferential wall of the clutch case. Preferably, the crimped portion can be formed such that a front surface of the crimped portion is shallower on a side of the sleeve and deeper on a side of the clutch case. The front surface may desirably have an inclination of from 5 to 15°. Desirably, the sleeve can be provided with two or more notches.

Abstract: A power distribution control apparatus determines a command value that corresponds to the driving state of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, and a coupling device that changes the power distribution to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The control apparatus detects the differential rotation speed between the average rotation speed of the front wheels and the average rotation speed of the rear wheels. The control apparatus estimates the exothermic energy generated in the coupling device based on the product of the differential rotation speed and the command value. The control apparatus determines an optimum drive mode for the four-wheel drive vehicle based on the estimated exothermic energy and for selecting map data corresponding to the determined drive mode. The control apparatus determines the command value that corresponds to the driving state by using the map data.

Abstract: A variable torsion converter for use with automobiles and other like vehicles using transmission whereas the present invention uses a magnetic clutch in which a ferromagnetic slurry forms a magnetic bond with a power output plate as the slurry is rotated by a power input plate that is electromagnetically energized accordingly in response to the operator depressing or releasing the accelerator pedal thereby eliminating mechanical connections that are prone to wear and tear and breaking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clutches for selectively transmitting torque, and more particularly, to compliant centrifugal clutches. A compliant clutch (10) may have a plurality of engagement members (42 and 44), preferably at least three, and more preferably at least six. Each engagement member has an outer edge that is movable toward an interior surface of a receiving member (28), such as a drum. Flexible segments (70 and 72) may connect the engagement members to each other. In embodiment, the engagement members are arrayed around a hub, but detached from the hub to form an expandable engagement portion. Both aggressive and non-aggressive engagement members are provided. In another embodiment, the engagement members are affixed by flexible segments to the hub to form an extensible engagement portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus comprising a housing (12) with a radial wall (14) coupled with another input shaft, a turbine wheel (104) coupled with a hub (54) and an output shaft; and a lockup clutch comprising a piston (40); an annular friction disc (152) with global radial orientation, coupled in rotation with the turbine wheel (104)/hub (54) assembly and bearing on a first surface a first counter-track (210) co-operating with a first friction track (200) integral with the piston to define a first annular friction zone (Z1), and which bears on its second surface opposite to the first surface, a second counter-track (230) co-operating with a second friction track (220) integral with the radial wall (14) to define a second annular friction zone (Z2). The invention is characterized in that the first and second friction zones (Z1, Z2) are radially offset relative to each other.

Abstract: A friction clutch comprising a flywheel having a rotational axis; a housing assembly which can be fixed to the flywheel for rotation in common about the rotational axis; a pressure plate mounted in the housing assembly so that it is free to move in the axial direction but is essentially unable to rotate relative to the housing; an energy storing device for loading the pressure plate toward the flywheel; a clutch disk assembly with an area located between the pressure plate and the flywheel, and an intermediate friction lining element assembly to transmit torque. The friction lining element assembly includes at least one friction lining element on the flywheel and/or at least one such element on the pressure plate.

Abstract: When a different speed change request occurs during pre-charging, an indicated pressure is stepwise changed up to a standby pressure for after pre-charge, and a processing in accordance with the different speed change request is commenced with the indicated pressure after the stepwise change, as an initial pressure.

Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.

Abstract: An automatic clutch for automotive and other applications employs a control rod to manually control engagement and disengagement of the clutch independently of its speed of rotation, and in one form of invention can be employed in manual start motorcycles to engage the clutch for bumpstarting purposes before the engine is up to speed, and in an alternate form a control rod can be employed in electrically started bikes to lock the clutch against engagement whether or not the engine is up to the speed required for automatic engagement of the clutch. The control rod may either extend through the transmission shaft from one end of the clutch housing or may extend through the opposite end of the clutch housing, and in certain applications the hereinbefore described control rods can be combined to selectively control bumpstarting to manually effect clutch engagement or as a locking mechanism to prevent clutch engagement.

Abstract: A clutch device for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus for transmitting power for a tape conveying regardless of the quantity of tape wound around a reel, including a rotating central shaft installed on a main chassis, a drive pulley connected to the rotating central shaft, and having a cylindrical pulley holder portion, said drive pulley being rotated by receiving power from a driving source, an up/down gear having a cylindrical gear holder unit with the outer diameter thereof being smaller than the inner diameter of the pulley holder portion and ascendable/descendable along the rotatable central shaft, and a clutch spring placed between the inner surface of the pulley holder portion and the outer surface of the gear holder unit for selectively transmitting power with a certain torque from the driving pulley to the up/down gear in accordance with the rotational direction of the driving pulley.

Abstract: A clutch operator arrangement for introducing an actuating force into a friction clutch includes a ball screw arrangement.

Abstract: A process for adjusting a friction clutch system of the type including a housing arrangement; a pressure plate; a stored-energy device supported against the housing and the pressure plate; a wear-compensating device installed in the path of support between the stored-energy device and one of the housing arrangement and the pressure plate, this device having a detection element on the pressure plate, which in association with a stop element fixed with respect to the housing arrangement, detects the amount of wear which has occurred in the friction clutch; a clutch-release mechanism for exerting force on the stored-energy device in the direction opposite its relaxation direction in order to carry out release operations; and a transmission shaft braking arrangement which is activated when a brake-release position is reached during a clutch-release operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starting unit for use in drive systems, especially of motor vehicles, which comprises a hydrodynamic speed/torque converter including at least one pump wheel, one turbine wheel and one stator, and comprises a torque converter lockup clutch. The output ends of the torque converter lockup clutch and of the speed/torque converter are interconnected in a rotationally fixed manner. In addition, a device for damping vibrations is provided which comprises at least one torsional vibration damper with hydraulic damping.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a hydrodynamic torque converter is provided with at least one input part and an output part, which is given the ability to move relative to the input part by stored-energy elements, where the output part is designed as a hub disk, which is connected nonrotatably to a hub centered on a transmission input shaft. The hub disk extends radially inward to the area of the outside circumference of the hub, where it is connected directly to the hub.