Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a heart valve annulus in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A helical anchor is provided, having a memory set to a coiled shape or state. The helical anchor is further configured to self-revert from a substantially straight state to the coiled state. The helical anchor is loaded within a needle that constrains the helical anchor to the substantially straight state. The needle is delivered to the valve annulus and inserted into tissue of the annulus. The helical anchor is then deployed from the needle (e.g., the needle is retracted from over the helical anchor). Once deployed, the helical anchor self-transitions toward the coiled shape, cinching engaged tissue of the valve annulus.

Abstract: A motor end bell assembly includes an end bell having an opening in a face of the end bell for accessing terminals of the motor. An additional aperture in the end bell facilitates passage of a power cord through the end bell. A cover at least partially closes the opening and is formed as a single piece of material. The cover includes a tab for at least partially closing the aperture.

Abstract: A motor end bell assembly includes an end bell having an opening in a face of the end bell for accessing terminals of the motor. An additional aperture in the end bell facilitates passage of a power cord through the end bell. A cover at least partially closes the opening and is formed as a single piece of material. The cover includes a tab for at least partially closing the aperture.

Abstract: A pulley housing with a cylindrical exterior surface and a cylindrical interior surface is provided. A pair of shafts at opposite ends of the pulley housing mount the pulley housing for rotation about the pair of shafts. A motive source operatively connected with the pulley housing is adapted to drive the pulley housing in rotation. A wiper is positioned and adapted to wipe thermal transfer fluid from the interior surface of the pulley housing and to direct the thermal transfer fluid into thermally conductive contact with the motive source, preferably with both sides thereof, such that the thermal transfer fluid absorbs heat directly from the motive source. A method of cooling a conveyor pulley includes redirecting the thermal transfer fluid into thermally conductive contact with the motive source such that heat is directly transferred from the motive source to the redirected thermal transfer fluid.

Abstract: A motorized conveyor pulley comprises a cylindrical pulley drum with axially opposite end plates enclosing an electric motor and a drive transmission within the drum. The end plates of the pulley are mounted on a pair of shaft ends that pass through the end plates at the axially opposite ends of the pulley and support the motor and drive transmission in the pulley as well as supporting the pulley drum housing for rotation. As well as the motor and transmission, the pulley drum housing also contains an amount of lubricant that lubricates the bearings and gears of the drive transmission and cools the motor. A passive lubrication collector and manager is mounted in the pulley drum housing and wipes lubricant from the interior surface of the pulley drum housing and then directs the wiped lubricant to the bearings and gears of the drive transmission.

Abstract: In a motorized conveyor pulley of the type comprising a cylindrical pulley drum with axially opposite end plates enclosing an electric motor and drive transmission, the pair of end plates of the pulley are constructed with an increased axial thickness compared to prior art end plates and are supported on a pair of shaft ends by pairs of bearings and are sealed by a pair of lubricant seals between each pair of bearings. The enlarged end plates and the pairs of bearings resist bending loads exerted on the conveyor pulley by the conveyor belt and thereby reduce loading stresses on the motor and drive transmission contained in the pulley permitting more economical manufacture of the motor and drive transmission.

Abstract: A load directing trunnion mount for a linear actuator is constructed to receive all of the tensile forces exerted on the actuator shaft or lead screw of the linear actuator. In this manner, the load directing trunnion mount relieves a transmission drive element (for example, a drive gear or a sprocket or pulley) and the transmission housing enclosing the drive element from tensile forces exerted on the actuator shaft during use of the linear actuator.

Abstract: In a machine in which a rotating shaft extends into a housing through a gland, the shaft being rotated in only one direction, the housing containing lubricant, the gland including an opening of substantial length with an annular radially inwardly extending flange at an axially inner end, an anti-leakage device comprises a sleeve mounted on and around the shaft closely but to permit rotation of the shaft, and mounted against rotation in the gland opening. The sleeve has an annular seat, in which an O-ring is mounted, and a helical groove in a surface contiguous the shaft, the groove being formed in a direction with respect to the direction of rotation of the shaft to move fluid in a direction toward the housing. The clearances between the shaft and housing when the shaft is not rotating are such as to prevent the lubricant in the housing from leaking out.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for attaching a capacitor cover or other enclosure to a motor shell without welding studs to the motor shell or drilling holes in the motor shell. The apparatus includes a motor shell having mounting tabs integrally formed from the frame band which forms the motor shell. The tabs can be formed by punching or cutting tabs in the frame band. The tabs can be configured for mating with apertures in the enclosure and can receive a threaded nut or can be bent or crimped to secure the enclosure in place. The method of attaching an enclosure to the motor shell comprises the steps of forming tabs from the frame band, inserting the tabs through apertures in the enclosure and bending, crimping or threading a nut on the tabs. In this manner, an enclosure can be attached to a motor shell without welding studs to the motor shell and without drilling holes in the motor shell.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication system in which a shaft is journaled for rotation in an integral bearing in a gear box, the bearing being primarily loaded through less than its full circumference, leaving an unloaded reach of the bearing, the bearing being interrupted through a substantial arc in at least a portion of the unloaded reach to define a gap in the bearing through which lubricant travels, is provided with a fixed scoop for channeling lubricant into the gap. The bearing is a solid bearing, of a piece with a gear box housing, as is the scoop.

Abstract: A self contained limit switch assembly includes a gear box containing gears which mesh with a gear mounted on the shaft of a rotor. The gear box gears drive a cam. Limit switches, which are operatively connected to the motor's control circuit, are placed in the path of the cam to be actuated thereby. The limit switch assembly includes a housing which may be applied to an end shield of the motor, allowing the limit switch assembly to be applied optionally to any motor which may be incorporated into a product which requires use of a limit switch in the product's operation.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication system in which a shaft is journaled for rotation in an integral bearing in a gear box, the bearing being primarily loaded through less than its full circumference, leaving an unloaded reach of the bearing, the bearing being interrupted through a substantial arc in at least a portion of the unloaded reach to define a gap in the bearing through which lubricant travels, is provided with a fixed scoop for channeling lubricant into the gap. The bearing is a solid bearing, of a piece with a gear box housing, as is the scoop.

Abstract: A linear actuator of the present invention includes a hollow drive tube. A slip clutch having front and rear camming surfaces is housed in the tube for rotation about an longitudinal axis. The slip clutch is axially fixed in the tube by a shoe. The slip clutch threadably receives a threaded shaft which is connected to a gear motor to be driven thereby. The shaft has stop nuts at either end, each of which has a camming surface which mates with a respective camming surface of the slip clutch. When the shaft is rotated by the motor, it rotates in the slip clutch. The slip clutch frictionally engages the drive tube, via the shoe, so that the tube will move linearly. When the slip clutch is engaged by one of the stop nuts, the slip clutch will free wheel in the tube and the tube will cease its linear movement. The slip clutch will continue to rotate in the tube till the motor is stopped or its direction is reversed.

Abstract: An improvement to a linear actuator (9) having a lead screw (15) received in a drive tube assembly (17) is provided in the form of a bushing (41) mounted on the end of the screw. The outer dimension of the bushing generally corresponds to the inner dimension of the tube. The bushing has a recess (53) formed in one face to accommodate a washer (55). A retaining ring (59) holds the bushing in place. The bushing serves both to prevent contact between the lead screw and tube to reduce noise during actuator operation, and as a positive stop to prevent disengagement of the lead screw from the drive tube assembly.

Abstract: An improvement to a linear actuator (9) having a lead screw (15) received in a drive tube assembly (17) is provided in the form of a bushing (41) mounted on the end of the screw. The outer dimension of the bushing generally corresponds to the inner dimension of the tube. The bushing has a recess (53) formed in one face to accommodate a washer (55). A retaining ring (59) holds the bushing in place. The bushing serves both to prevent contact between the lead screw and tube to reduce noise during actuator operation, and as a positive stop to prevent disengagement of the lead screw from the drive tube assembly.

Abstract: An improvement (17) for a linear actuator mechanism (1) includes a brake mechanism (19) acting on an intermediate gear (39) of a gear mechanism (21) of the actuator. The brake mechanism includes a spring washer (61) installed on a gear shaft (53) and thrust washers (59) mounted on the gear shaft on each side of the gear. A constant force is exerted on the gear by the brake mechanism to eliminate "back drive" forces operating on a lead screw (5) of the actuator when its motor (7) is de-energized.