Abstract: An apparatus for installing a continuous track onto a track-driven vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first curved track engaging member, a second curved track engaging member and an elongated member connecting the first and second curved track engaging members in opposed relation. A method of installing a flexible drive track around the drive mechanism on a track-driven vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method of constructing a swivel hook. The method comprises the steps of: forming a hook body by way of a stamping process; forming a swivel connector by means of a forging process; placing a first washer having a rectangular shaped right angled bore over a rectangular stem on the hook body; inserting the rectangular stem of the hook body through a circular bore in a first end of the swivel connector; placing a second washer having a generally rectangular shaped right angled bore over the rectangular stem of the hook body and into abutment with the swivel connector such that the end of the stem extends through the second washer; and, thereafter, peening the tip of the rectangular stem extending through the second washer to secure the second washer in place over the rectangular stem.

Abstract: A stator core which assures a favorable workability for coupling core segments and has favorable magnetic characteristics even when made by coupling core segments that are formed by laminating core division sheets. A method of manufacturing a core for rotary electric machines includes forming a coupling convexity having an arc-like planar shape and a coupling concavity engageable with the coupling convexity on core segments, forming a serial core segment assembly by engaging the coupling convexity on one of the core segments with the coupling concavity formed on an adjacent core segment so as to be rotatable by more than 180 degrees, and forming a magnetic circuit by bending the serial core segment assembly into an annular form.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: A lot management production method in which the lot size is reduced in order to respond to an order for small volume of large variety, without increasing the intermediate inventory and reducing lead-time, however without reducing the productivity of a production of large volume of small variety. Part of the processes in a production line are performed for pieces, or products to be manufactured, in a single lot, while other processes are done for pieces in a group or aggregate of single lots.

Abstract: A microactuator, or micromotor, (60) and method for making it are presented such that a symmetrical build up of material is performed on opposite sides of a substrate. This reduces mechanical stresses in the device. In its construction, respective layers of circuit portions (108, 110) are built on each side of the structure, thereby eliminating the need to stack complex patterns. Stacking one complex pattern on top of a similar pattern is difficult because the surface, which is the base for subsequent layers, is not flat. The photolithography process that forms these patterns is not very forgiving to non-flat surfaces. Avoiding the stacked layers also allows thicker conductors to be considered for each circuit. Thicker circuits increase current carrying capacity, which in one of the key variables increase the power of the micromotor.

Abstract: A truss manufacturing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving upper and lower chords thru a series of assembly stations of the apparatus. A board is inserted between the chords at one station and secured in place forming a trimmable end of a truss. One or more web boards can be inserted between the chords at a second station and secured in place by connector nail plates forming a opening in the truss for ductwork or the like. Metal web members are secured to opposite side edges of the truss at a third station to form a web between the chords. The chords are positioned in a generally vertical plane with one above the other in the apparatus and the board, web boards and web members are moved into position from one or both sides of the chords.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mould body (40) serving as an original or master or, alternatively, a matrix, said mould body having at least one surface area (41a) in the form of a microstructure, designed so that it can be transferred as a complementary surface area to a matrix or an object. The mould body (40) is constructed from one or more prefabricated discrete elements (41). A base plate belonging to the mould body (40) is applied and secured in at least one of these discrete elements (41). This element shall be provided with said surface area (41a) in the form of a microstructure. A matrix or object formed by the mould body (40) is provided with a complementary microstructured surface area from said discrete elements. The invention also relates to a mould body produced in this way.

Abstract: A method for mounting an external heat dissipater to a light emitting diode is disclosed. The heat dissipater is comprised of at least one heat dissipation board. A long metal strip is conveyed through a working platform and is punched to form a number of heat dissipation boards connected thereto by connection sections. Light emitting diodes are positioned on the heat dissipation boards and the heat dissipation boards are cut and separated from the metal strip to form finished products of light emitting diodes to which a heat dissipater comprised of the heat dissipation board is mounted.

Abstract: A method for laser drilling blind vias at multiple depths in a multilayer panel comprising forming a panel having a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers interposed therebetween, a first relief in the first conductive layer, a second relief in a second conductive layer, and a blind pin in the third conductive layer, the first and second reliefs and blind pin being aligned. The panel is irradiated, laser energy passing through the first and second reliefs to remove material from the first and second dielectric layers and then plated, thereby forming a blind via from the first to third conductive layers through the second conductive layer. A printed circuit board has two conductive layers by a dielectric layer, and a blind via electrically interconnecting the first and third conductive layers through the first and second dielectric layers and second conductive layer. The blind via can be round or oblong.

Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from an extruded aluminum tube to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is about 35 mm thick.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating a cull from a molded part including a chip mounted on a tape circuit board are provided. The apparatus includes a cull support block for supporting a cull and a cull holder for clamping the cull. The cull holder is disposed above the cull support block. The apparatus further includes a frame support block for mounting a molded part and a frame holder for pressing the molded part against the frame support block to fix the molded part thereon. The frame support block is hinged on a first axis near the cull support block. The frame holder is hinged on a second axis near the cull support block. The apparatus also includes a pressing means configured to move downward against a distal end of the frame holder to cause the frame support block and the frame holder to rotate about the first and second axes, respectively, to separate the cull from the molded part.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a wash chamber or tub including a sump and a side wall. A pump is fluidly connected with the sump and a supply tube is supported adjacent the tub side wall and receives wash liquid from the pump, the supply tube has a manifold portion including a plurality of outlet openings. A coupling retainer is connected to the supply tube and has a plurality of funnel shaped coupling ports corresponding in number and spacing to the outlet openings of the supply tube. Each of the coupling ports includes a center opening which is provided with a sealing surface. A valve member supports a plurality of valve elements for sealing the outlet openings and is captured between the coupling retainer and the supply tube such that the valve elements generally align with the coupling parts.

Abstract: A method of making a small chip resistor properly and efficiently is provided. This method makes chip resistors each of which comprises a unit substrate which is rectangular as viewed in plan and has a predetermined thickness, a resistor element provided on an upper surface of the substrate, and electrodes provided at opposite ends of the unit substrate.

Abstract: A method of assembling a part to a workpiece with a combination tool supported on a robot, where a mounting surface of the part is assembled on a target surface of the workpiece including the following steps. (a) Indexing to the assembly position. (b) Picking a part with the part gripper on the part delivery arm from a part supply station. (c) Indexing part delivery and workpiece preparation arms to the preparation position. (d) Operating the workpiece target surface scanning module and communicating workpiece target surface position data to the robot. (e) Moving the robot to set the tool operating axis and calculate tool offsets relative to the position and orientation of the scanned target surface. (f) Simultaneously: engaging the part mounting surface with the part surface preparation module; and engaging the workpiece target surface preparation module with the target surface. (g) Indexing to the assembly position.

Abstract: An electric motor including a permanent-magnet rotor having embedded magnets held in place by several segments. The embedded magnets are secured by segments including non-circular openings near their centers. Several non-magnetic, non-conductive bars extend through the non-circular openings of the segments to secure the segments in relation to the shaft. The motor is capable of producing high torque while only requiring a minimum amount of space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented that improve the efficiency of stator production by connecting stator coil leads to final attachment devices before the coils are inserted into a stator core. After coil insertion, the final attachment devices are merely mounted to the stator receiving the stator core, eliminating most if not all post-coil-insertion lead identification and manipulation processes. The final attachment devices can be terminal receivers that include a plurality of wire sockets for receiving a plurality of coil leads. Coil leads are connected to final attachment devices during the coil winding stage. Such connections add little or no additional time to the winding stage.

Abstract: A motor armature which allows assembly works to be facilitated and which can be miniaturized and thinned is provided. An inner cylinder 1 and an outer cylinder 2 are disposed coaxially and a plurality of pole pieces 3 are provided radially at equal intervals between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2. The inner cylinder 1 is formed into a cylindrical shape by curling up in the longitudinal direction a hoop member (band steel) made of a magnetic material and having a predetermined thickness and length. The outer cylinder 2 is made of the hoop member similarly to the inner cylinder 1. The pole piece 3 is what a coil 4 is wound around a wire piece 5 obtained by cutting a wire (wire rod) made of a magnetic material and having a predetermined thickness into a predetermined length. One end of the wire piece 5 is fixed to the outer peripheral face of the inner cylinder 1 by means of welding or the like and the other end of the wire piece is fixed to the inner peripheral face of the outer cylinder 2.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for manufacturing a wrought triple-glazed stained-glass panel, in which are combining the single-glazed stained-glass panel techniques with the wrought-iron techniques for obtaining a final product with combined decorative and resistance features provided by the single-glazed stained-glass panel and the wrought-iron frame, respectively.