Abstract: An air pressure activated apparatus includes a substantially endless housing and an underlying plate member. The plate member has a variety of different constructions for providing enhanced air flow and pressure distribution for improved flotation, grass cutting, mulching, or vacuum cleaning while making it more difficult to contact moving parts within the housing.

Abstract: A powered rake for windrowing debris for subsequent collection is provided which includes a main frame for coupling to a tractor, a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the main frame about an upright pivot axis, a roller pivotal with the subframe to an oblique angle relative to the direction of travel, and a material control member including a blade extending along the length of the roller and presenting a gap therebetween. The subframe is preferably pivotal for presenting the roller at an oblique angle to the right or left with respect to the intended direction of travel, thereby permitting the powered rake hereof to continuously windrow the debris in the path of the roller. The roller is rotatably mounted on a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending legs which present substantially open areas outboard of the roller to permit debris to pass freely outboard into a windrow without any obstruction from the frame or subframe supporting the roller.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-controlled shifting of a bicycle is provided. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a computer system that detects speed, hub speed, and crank speed, determines the optimum bicycle gear selection to maintain a desired cadence, and shifts the bicycle to the optimum bicycle gear. The computer also inputs a shift up and shift down signals from the cyclist to override the computer-selected gear. When the cyclist indicates a shift up or down, the computer adjusts the desired cadence. The computer determines the gear selection to ensure a uniform transition from the current gear to the next gear. The computer ensures that when shifting from the current gear to the next gear, the bicycle does not transition through a gear that is not between the current and next gears.

Abstract: A drive apparatus, able to perform positioning of a driven object to be driven with a high degree of accuracy, sufficiently obtain the desired thrust even when using the low output of a driving source such as a motor, and allow the speed of movement of the driven object to be set as desired, is provided. This drive device, wherein a first belt-shaped member, to which driving force is applied with a driving source such as a motor, is engaged with a driven object to move said driven object, is equipped with a speed reduction function that functions by mounting a rotating body having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion onto said driven object, engaging this large diameter portion with a belt-shaped member, stretching another belt-shaped member parallel to said belt-shaped member, engaging this belt-shaped member with the above-mentioned small diameter portion, and setting the ratio of the diameters of the above-mentioned large diameter and small diameter portions as desired.

Abstract: A tamping shoe for a vibration rammer has a plurality of through holes communicating between an under surface and an upper surface. The through holes permit the escape of air trapped between the under surface and a surface being tamped, and thereby reduce the amount and pressure of air compressed under the tamping shoe. This reduces noise pollution produced during tamping. In a preferred embodiment, the through holes are tapered outward in the direction of air flow. Air passing through a through hole in a mount is released through a further through hole bored through a wall of the mount.

Abstract: There is provided a flow-through cell with a diverter valve for continuously monitoring specific parameters of a fluid which passes through the flow-through cell. The diverter valve diverts a portion of fluid flow from a fluid line to the flow-through cell. The flow-through cell has an analyzing probe capable of monitoring a plurality of conditions of the fluid that is flow through the cell. By continuously monitoring specific parameters of the fluid as it moves through the flow-through cell, it is possible to constantly monitor the condition of the fluid and react to changes or stabilization of the readings provided by the probe.

Abstract: In a walk behind lawn mower, a height of cut adjustment system that includes a frame (12), a cutting blade (20) rotatably supported by the frame (12), a ground engaging wheel (14) coupled to and supporting the frame (12), height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height setting of the blade (20) relative to the ground engaging wheel (14), and a grass height gauge (28) operatively connected to the frame (12) wherein the grass height gauge (28) indicates a desirable height setting for the cutting blade (20) so that a predetermined portion of the standing grass blade is removed.

Abstract: A drilling tool for percussive and rotary drilling in advance of a trailing casing tube (20) has a reamer (15) pivotally journalled and an eccentric shaft (12) rearwardly of a centric pilot bit (11). The reamer (15) has an eccentric portion (32) carrying axially directed hard metal button inserts (36-40) grouped within an arcuate angle (V) of a circle sector centered on the drilling axis (C). The inserts comprise primary inserts (36-38) with a radial reach defining the full diameter of the drilled hole and inner secondary inserts (39, 40) closer to the shaft (12). The reamer (15) is pivotable on the shaft (12) between a projected and a retracted position. When projected, the group of button inserts (36-40) ream up the hole from the diameter drilled by the pilot bit (11) to the full diameter of the hole enabling the casing tube (20) to advance. In the retracted position, the drilling tool (10) can pass through the casing tube (20).

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for obtaining liquid samples from a well which incorporates a vented packer. The packer reduces the amount of groundwater which must be pumped by the pump of the apparatus in order to purge the well by isolating the input of the pump to a reduced volume of groundwater. The region below the packer, which is the region in communication with the pump, is vented to the atmosphere in order to permit the pump to operate at its maximum pumping rate regardless of the recovery rate of the well. The venting of the packer eliminates the condition where the pump is trying to pull a vacuum due to a low recovery rate of the well.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a plunger slidably fitted in a mounting cavity n a housing and biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A variable orifice check valve permits fluid to only flow into, and thereby protrude the plunger, but not out of the mounting cavity is disclosed. The variable orifice check valve is accomplished with a cylindrical compression spring in which the spring coils are normally mutually contacting, thus preventing the transfer of fluid, but which move to a non-contacting orientation upon experiencing a desired pressure. A mechanical no-return capability is provided to the plunger through an internal ratchet positioned within the mounting cavity and constructed from a cylinder having two helical openings which the plunger engages when the plunger experiences sufficient force to be pushed inwardly.

Abstract: A guide channel for receiving and guiding guide chains for energy lines has a bottom that is divided in the longitudinal direction and has a width that is adjustable to varying sizes of guide chains to be guided. The guide channel is assembled from a system of prefabricated parts. Channel sidewalls of varying heights are provided. The bottom is comprised of two profiled carrier elements having a meander-shaped profile that, in the longitudinal direction, are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement relative to one another in a common horizontal plane. Each profiled carrier element is comprised of three U-shaped profiles. A first and a second one of the U-shaped profiles are open in an upward direction, and a third one of the U-shaped profiles is open in a downward direction. The third U-shaped profile is connected between the first and the second U-shaped profiles.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt-drive transmission has a primary pulley operatively connected to an engine and a secondary pulley operatively connected to wheels of a motor vehicle, a primary cylinder and a secondary cylinder, and a hydraulic circuit having an oil pump. Primary pressure for the primary cylinder is generated by reducing secondary pressure. Steady flow rate in the primary system in a steady state is calculated, and transient flow rate in the primary system in a transient state is calculated. A primary pressure changing rate is determined to the value that the sum of secondary flow rate, the steady flow rate, and the transient flow rate becomes smaller than a discharge flow rate of the pump. In response to the primary pressure changing rate, a primary pressure control valve is operated so as to maintain balance of flow rate between the primary system and the secondary system.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a belt or cable, reeved about first and second pulleys or sprockets, both mounted for rotation on supports. The apparatus includes a base plate and a post mounted through a closely-sized aperture in the base plate. An arm is mounted to the post at a mounting point at one end of the arm, such that the arm is rotatable about the post with respect to the base plate. An idler sprocket is rotatably attached to the arm at a point spaced apart from the mounting point of the arm, near the opposite end, and positioned so as to be engageable with the belt or chain. Engaging pins are positioned on the arm at a point near the idler sprocket. The base plate has corresponding holes for engaging the engaging pins on the arm in a plurality of positions with respect to the base plate.

Abstract: A clamp attaches an electric submersible pump cable to a sucker rod to deploy and support the cable in an oil well. The clamp includes a core portion having a bore extending axially through the core portion for receiving the sucker rod. A pair of arms extends radially outwardly from the core portion. The arms grip the cable on the facing surfaces of the arms for engaging the cable in a space between the arms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the makeup and breakout of oil well drill pipe for a top drive drilling system. By using drill stock in units of 2 or 3 joints, top drive systems can significantly reduce the drill time. The apparatus comprises a lower housing placed over a rig mouse hole and an upper housing disposed on the lower housing. The housings have jaws to hold individual drill pipe joints and spring biased legs to permit play in the positioning of the lower housing with respect to the rig platform and the positioning of the upper housing with respect to the pipe. A rotatable jaw rotates one of the pipe sections to connect the pipe. The unit drill stock can then be released from the apparatus jaws and inserted into the drill string. Also disclosed is a tool joint box pipe clamp for hoisting of a drill pipe in the practice of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive device (7) with variable transmission ratio for driving an auxiliary aggregate of a motor vehicle. A belt pulley (11) of the drive device (7) has a chamber (38) connected to a reservoir (30) of a hydraulic medium. The centrifugal action of the hydraulic medium contained in the chamber (38) is used to change the speed of the driven shaft (13). By applying a supporting pressure to the chamber (38), it is possible additionally to vary the output speed of the drive device (7).

Abstract: A well service tool has a mandrel including a fluid flow conduit therethrough in fluid communication with a workstring including a fluid pressure source. An expendable knife-mounting sleeve is coupled to the mandrel and includes at least one cutting knife pivotally secured thereto. A housing is disposed about and secured against rotation relative to the mandrel by drive pins and is selectively movable relative to the mandrel responsive to fluid pressure from the fluid pressure source. The housing includes a positive extender to extend the cutting knives and temporarily maintain them in an extended position. A closure member is coupled to the mandrel to selectively obstruct fluid flow through the fluid conduit, wherein fluid pressure within the fluid conduit is increased, and wherein relative movement between the housing and the mandrel is induced. A probe is coupled to the housing to open the closure member upon a selected extension of the cutting knives wherein fluid pressure within the mandrel is decreased.

Abstract: A belt tensioning system, a belt tensioner therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the belt tensioning system comprising a tensioner arm pivotally mounted to a support, and a wound coiled spring having opposed ends one of which is operatively interconnected to an abutment of the support and the other of which is operatively interconnected to the arm, the arm having a shoulder for being engaged by the one of the opposed ends of the wound coiled spring so as to permit removal of the arm and the wound coiled spring as a self-contained unit from the support when the arm is pivoted to a certain position where the shoulder of the arm engages the one end of the spring and effectively moves the one end of the wound coiled spring out of contact with the abutment of the support.

Abstract: An adjustable belt retainer is provided for use with a belt driven mechanism, such as an auxiliary blower for a mower deck. The retainer allows quick and easy adjustment between a belt retaining and a belt removal position. Its L-shaped with one leg being slidably mounted to the housing, the other leg extending adjacent the belt near its contact with the pulley. A releasable stop is provided between the housing and retainer being biased towards engagement to maintain a retainer in its belt retaining position. A finger handle is provided to allow the operator to disengage the stop easily without the need for tools and guide surfaces are provided to allow quick and easy sliding adjustment of the retainer between its two positions.

Abstract: A wellbore jetting tool has a novel packer assembly which enables the tool to be raised, lowered and rotated while operating, a nozzle which automatically raises to extend radially from the tool, and a flow system for returning slurry in an inner tube of cross section. The packer assembly is hydraulically actuated, and traps fluid to provide lubrication, which enables raising, lowering and rotation during operation while substantially maintaining the necessary sealing. The nozzle is raised by a torque generated by vanes disposed within the nozzle head reacting to fluid flow, and also by thrust from the cutting jet. The nozzle discharges this jet at an angle, thus biasing the nozzle appropriately. A breakaway feature allows abandonment of the nozzle if it jams when it is extended, ensuring that the pipestring may always be retrieved. The return of slurry through its own conduit reduces chances of a particle lodging in the slurry return line.