Abstract: A rotary power tool may include a main housing, a motor positioned within the main housing, a handle extending from the main housing, a trigger that is configured to activate the motor when depressed, and a control board disposed within the handle and including a microcontroller (MCU), a first Hall sensor, and a second Hall sensor. The trigger includes a trigger body, a holder fixed to the main housing, the trigger body being movable relative to the holder along a longitudinal axis, an arm fixed to the trigger body and having a magnet holder that receives a magnet, and a spring for biasing the trigger body away from the holder. The first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are configured to detect depression of the trigger and emit signals to the MCU for controlling operation of the motor.

Abstract: A tool bit including a tip configured to engage a work surface, a shank extending from the tip and defining a longitudinal axis, and a drive portion coupled to an end of the shank opposite from the tip and configured to be engaged by a tool, wherein the drive portion includes a plurality of splines circumferentially spaced around the longitudinal axis, each spline having opposing sidewalls which extend through the drive portion

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Zg(t)=Vg(t)/Ig(t). The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool including a motor housing, an electric motor supported in the motor housing, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The drive assembly includes an anvil including an anvil lug, and a hammer that is both rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil. The hammer includes a hammer lug for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil lug. The rotary impact tool further includes a first printed circuit board assembly including an anvil sensor, a first carrier supporting the first printed circuit board assembly, a second printed circuit board assembly including a hammer sensor, and a second carrier supporting the second printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for use in a power tool including a housing, a motor, an output shaft that drives a workpiece about a central axis, and a transmission. The transducer assembly includes a transducer positioned between the motor and the transmission. The transducer including an inner hub being rotationally affixed to the housing, an outer rim affixed to a rotatable component of the transmission, a plurality of webs extending radially outward from the inner hub to the outer rim, and a sensor affixed to each of the webs for detecting strain of each of the webs in response to a reaction torque applied to the transmission from the output shaft. A width of each of the webs gradually tapers from at least one of the outer rim or the inner hub toward a midpoint of each of the webs in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z g ( t ) = V g ( t ) I g ( t ) . The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: A muzzle loading blackpowder firearm is disclosed having a barrel with a standard caliber bore therein. The firearm is adapted to fire a projectile having a skirted aft end of a larger initial diameter than the standard caliber bore of the firearm. The barrel has an enlarged bore at its outer end sized to receive the projectile aft end first, and a tapered transition between the enlarged bore and the standard caliber bore so that upon forcing the projectile through the enlarged bore and through the tapered transition, the tapered transition reduces the skirted aft end to the diameter of the standard bore.

Abstract: A muzzle loading blackpowder firearm is disclosed having a barrel with a standard caliber bore therein. The firearm is adapted to fire a projectile having a skirted aft end of a larger initial diameter than the standard caliber bore of the firearm. The barrel has an enlarged bore at its outer end sized to receive the projectile aft end first, and a tapered transition between the enlarged bore and the standard caliber bore so that upon forcing the projectile through the enlarged bore and through the tapered transition, the tapered transition reduces the skirted aft end to the diameter of the standard bore.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in packet switching networks provides a Collision-Eliminating Multiple Access protocol in which nodes desiring to transmit over the network channel transmit reservation requests during a plurality of contention slots, the number of contention slots being dynamically controlled according to network load. A node designated to next obtain control of the channel receives the identifiers of nodes transmitting reservation requests and, prior to transmitting application data, transmits network control data consisting of the identifiers of nodes from whom successful reservation requests were successfully received. The transmitted identifiers are received and stored by each node in an identical queue, whereby subsequent control of the channel is rotated based on the order of node identifiers appearing in an identical queue on each node.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing with two nacelles disposed on opposite sides of the fuselage, each of the nacelles having a turbo fan therein with drive means connected thereto for air flow through the nacelle from a forward air inlet to air exit openings, the air flow within the nacelle divided into twi air streams, one of the air-streams being directed downwardly through a variable area forward chin nozzle provided with a cascade of vanes for directing the outflow in a desired direction with the other air stream exhausted through an aft nozzle of variable area at the aft outlet opening against a slotted flap system mounted aft of the aft nozzle against which the outflow from the aft nozzle is directed so that the two air streams provide pitch, roll and yaw control as well as balanced lift and propulsion utilizing controlled thrust modulation and vectoring for all regimes of flight from vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or short takeoff and landing (STOL) or a combination o

Abstract: An externally located crashworthy self-sealing fuel tank for use in combination with military aircraft is provided. The tank, having a cross-sectional shape with a substantially flat top and a shallow catenary extending below the flat top, is suspended within a hammock which is connected to the underside of the aircraft. This installation eliminates the normal surrounding structure which would tend to tumble incoming projectiles and increase the severity of tank wounds, minimizes the damaging effect of hydraulic ram upon the aircraft structure and minimizes hazards of explosions or fires by eliminating voids or cavities adjacent to the fuel tank.