Abstract: It is suggested to apply mechanical vibratory motions to the interface area between catalyst and the reacting substances in a catalytic reactor in order to intensify flow intensity as well as reaction intensity between the reacting substances.

Abstract: A mechanical wedge mechanism comprising base member, output member, and movable wedge member in which frictional connections between mutually movable mechanical members are replaced with shear deformations in elastomeric shims connecting respective surfaces of the members, thus effectively reducing frictional losses in the mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical wedge mechanism comprising base member, output member, and movable wedge member in which frictional connections between mutually movable mechanical members are replaced with shear deformations in elastomeric shims connecting respective surfaces of the members, thus effectively reducing frictional losses in the mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is mounted to the steering wheel (12) and is actuatable for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) is movable relative to the steering wheel (12) for actuating an electric device (108) associated with the vehicle when a force is applied to any one of various locations on the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (104) for substantially blocking tilt of the movable portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) relative to the steering wheel (12) during movement for actuating the electric device (108).

Abstract: The instant invention proposes an artificial intervertebral disc providing for angular displacements between adjacent vertebrae wherein these displacements are accommodated by internal shear in an elastomeric layered element residing between the upper and lower bases attached, respectively, to the upper and lower adjacent vertebrae, without sliding.

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet containing a beverage brewing ingredient. The apparatus includes one or more injectors to inject the aqueous fluid into the sachet during the brewing and a clamp for the sachet. The clamp has one or more members that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet during the brewing. The members further define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity wherein the inner surface of at least one clamp member includes at least one deformable region mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position. The shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration of the sachet.

Abstract: A surface connection between mechanical components having intermediate deformable elements between the connected contact surfaces, shaped as segments of solid or hollow cylinders with straight or curvilinear axes and their cross sections are compressed in the radial direction during assembly of the connection, thus allowing for adjustments of relative positioning of the connected components, for compensating dimensional imperfections, and for enhancement of stiffness and/or damping of the connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for the brewing of a beverage by transmission of an aqueous fluid through a sachet (4,16,39) containing a beverage brewing ingredient, the apparatus comprising: one or more injectors (14,63) to inject the acqueous fluid into the sachet (4, 16,39) during the brewing; and a clamp for the sachet, the clamp comprising one or more members (1,2,12,13,30,31,61) that are movable to open and close the clamp, the members having inner surfaces which in a closed position of the clamp define a cavity adapted to substantially enclose and support the sachet (4, 16, 39) during the brewing and further adapted to define a beverage exit pathway in a lower part of the cavity, and wherein the inner surface of a least one clamp member comprises at least one deformable region (3, 30,43) mounted on a support that is movable while the clamp is in the closed position, whereby the shape of the cavity or of the exit pathway can be changed while the clamp is in the closed position to provide a desired brewing configuration o

Abstract: A mechanical wedge mechanism comprising base member, output member, and movable wedge member in which frictional connections between mutually movable mechanical members are replaced with shear deformations in elastomeric shims connecting respective surfaces of the members, thus effectively reducing frictional losses in the mechanism

Abstract: A three-dimensional (spherical) joint for connecting mechanical links has its concave and convex concentrical spherical surfaces connected by preloaded in compression high shape factor (thin-layered) elastomeric elements, whose shear deformation provides for 3D mobility.

Abstract: It is suggested to apply mechanical vibratory motions to the interface area between catalyst and the reacting substances in a catalytic reactor in order to intensify flow intensity as well as reaction intensity between the reacting substances.

Abstract: A surface connection between mechanical components having intermediate deformable elements between the connected contact surfaces, shaped as segments of solid or hollow cylinders with straight or curvilinear axes and their cross sections are compressed in the radial direction during assembly of the connection, thus allowing for adjustments of relative positioning of the connected components, for compensating dimensional imperfections, and for enhancement of stiffness and/or damping of the connection.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (spherical) joint for connecting mechanical links has its concave and convex concentrical spherical surfaces connected by means of preloaded in compression high shape factor (thin-layered) elastomeric elements, whose shear deformation provides for 3D mobility.

Abstract: A differential mechanism connecting two shafts and/or wheels, allowing for rotation of these shafts/wheels with different angular speeds, and having frictional connections between its sun gears and planets.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus for controlling various functions of a liftgate of an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes an elastomeric member which is operably disposed in connection with a gear which imparts a driving force to a drive shaft of a window wiper member. The elastomeric member, in one embodiment, is a coiled spring which allows movement between the drive shaft and the gear driving the drive shaft in the event the wiper becomes frozen to the window of the vehicle or otherwise immovable. In this manner various other functions can be carried out by the apparatus regardless if the wiper becomes temporarily immobilized.

Abstract: A bushing for connecting mechanical components while providing a limited mobility between them has rubber elastic elements of streamlined shapes (cylinder, sphere, torus, etc.) thus having nonlinear load deflection characteristics in several coordinate directions and provides for adjustability of stiffness constants in various directions if adjusting means are built in.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing apparatus for a steering wheel (10) having an airbag assembly (16) attached to the steering wheel (10). The air bag assembly (16) is attached to a reaction plate (18) which is resiliently attached to an absorber plate (22) with elastomeric members (26). Attachment by the elastomeric members (26) is such that a predetermined resiliency of the elastomeric members (26) is not affected. This provides a consistent and repeatable apparatus for attachment, ensuring proper and efficient operation of the airbag as a mass damper.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus for controlling various functions of a liftgate of an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes an elastomeric member which is operably disposed in connection with a gear which imparts a driving force to a drive shaft of a window wiper member. The elastomeric member, in one embodiment, is a coiled spring which allows movement between the drive shaft and the gear driving the drive shaft in the event the wiper becomes frozen to the window of the vehicle or otherwise immovable. In this manner various other functions can be carried out by the apparatus regardless if the wiper becomes temporarily immobilized.

Abstract: A flexible connector for vibration isolators, dynamic vibration absorbers, and other vibration control devices for mechanical systems which is composed of streamlined elastomeric resilient elements with nonlinear load-deflection characteristics. These elements are embedded, possibly together with inserts, into a soft matrix which maintains relative positioning of the resilient elements and inserts while not significantly influencing deformation characteristics of the resilient elements. The inserts define the external shape and modify deformation characteristics of the connector, if necessary.

Abstract: A wheel with a pneumatic tire, with the tire cavity divided into two fluid-filled reservoirs connected with a passageway (orifice, capillary, or porous material) having a required degree of flow restriction in order to generate a desired damping action when the tire is subjected to a vibratory exertion. The flow in the passageway is maintained at a laminar regime.