Abstract: Provided herein are several embodiments of a dexterity tool for opening a contact lens package to remove a contact lens inside. Some embodiments may have a housing which clamps down on the contact lens package to aid in the removal of the lid from the contact lens package. Some embodiments may also have a top clamshell housing with a movable jaw connected to the top clamshell housing and an opening in the top clamshell housing. Some embodiments may also include a bottom clamshell housing hingedly attached to the top clamshell housing so that the top housing hinges about a hinge axis relative to the bottom housing and further contains a bowl positioned within the bottom clamshell housing and a platform surrounding the bowl. A fixed jaw may be connected to the platform such that when the tool is placed in a closed position the contact lens package is sandwiched in between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw.

Abstract: Fitting methods for astigmatic contact lens sets that include apodized single vision lenses for lower cylinder error correction and toric lenses for higher cylinder error correction, and related astigmatic contact lens sets. An astigmatic eye with cylinder error greater than a higher designated cylinder error label power (e.g., >1.25 diopter (D)) can be fitted with a non-apodization toric lens that has a stabilization mechanism. However, an astigmatic eye with a cylinder error up to the higher designated cylinder error label power (e.g., <=1.25 diopter (D)) can be fitted with an apodized single-vision lens. The apodized single-vision lenses have an apodization profile that reduces aberrations to provide improved vision such that a larger number of astigmatic patients up to a higher cylinder error may find vision with an apodized single-vision lens acceptable, and with enhanced comfort that comes from not having a stabilization mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring for preload in a planetary traction drive designed for a driven turbocharger on an engine. The ring roller of the planetary traction drive has two parts with a spring between the two parts for generating a preload force on the ring roller assembly of the planetary traction drive. The spring provides a spreading force on the ring roller, and allows for setting a desired preload force on the traction surfaces of the traction drive during assembly and operation, even with variations in manufacturing of the different parts of the traction drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable ring shim for a planetary traction drive designed for a driven turbocharger on an engine. The adjustable ring shim has two parts that interface through a ramp feature to provide an ability to vary the overall width of the ring roller assembly of the planetary traction drive. This adjustability in the width of the ring roller allows for setting a desired preload force on the traction surfaces of the traction drive during assembly, even with variation in manufacturing of the different parts of the traction drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring for preload in a planetary traction drive designed for a driven turbocharger on an engine. The ring roller of the planetary traction drive has two parts with a spring between the two parts for generating a preload force on the ring roller assembly of the planetary traction drive. The spring provides a spreading force on the ring roller, and allows for setting a desired preload force on the traction surfaces of the traction drive during assembly and operation, even with variations in manufacturing of the different parts of the traction drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable ring shim for a planetary traction drive designed for a driven turbocharger on an engine. The adjustable ring shim has two parts that interface through a ramp feature to provide an ability to vary the overall width of the ring roller assembly of the planetary traction drive. This adjustability in the width of the ring roller allows for setting a desired preload force on the traction surfaces of the traction drive during assembly, even with variation in manufacturing of the different parts of the traction drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment of a turbocharger roller support system that utilizes roller-shaft interfaces that are slanted to locate a turbocharger shaft with a turbine and compressor. Slanted contact surfaces on the turbocharger shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the roller support system. The rollers entirely locate the turbocharger shaft, so that no bearings are necessary directly on the turbocharger shaft. The rollers spin at a slower speed than the turbocharger shaft, so can utilize lower speed bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbine bypass for an engine with a driven turbocharger. During engine cold start, or periods of idle or low load engine operation, the bypass can be utilized to direct hot exhaust gasses directly to an exhaust aftertreatment. This provides higher temperatures to the exhaust aftertreatment, increasing the ability to eliminate harmful emissions such as NOx. The driven turbocharger can still provide boost to the engine through supercharging, so that engine torque and power can be maintained while the turbine bypass is in operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driven turbocharger for an engine with dual stage compressors. In addition to the turbine and compressor on the main turbo shaft of the driven turbocharger, an additional compressor is coupled to a transfer gear of the driven turbocharger to provide two-stage compression for the engine. This enables higher boost pressures, which can help boost engine efficiency. The driven turbocharger retains the single turbine, so that no additional heat sinks are added to the exhaust to keep exhaust temperatures high for aftertreatment functionality.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of thrust absorbing planetary traction drives that utilize roller-shaft traction interfaces that are slanted to absorb thrust created on a turbo shaft by a turbine or compressor. Slanted traction surfaces on the sun portion of the turbo shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the planetary traction drive. Either double roller planets or single roller planets can be used to absorb thrust in the axial direction of the turbo shaft. Various curved and slanted surfaces can be utilized to create traction interfaces that hold and stabilize the turbo shaft both axially and radially.

Abstract: Disclosed is a turbine bypass for an engine with a driven turbocharger. During engine cold start, or periods of idle or low load engine operation, the bypass can be utilized to direct hot exhaust gasses directly to an exhaust aftertreatment. This provides higher temperatures to the exhaust aftertreatment, increasing the ability to eliminate harmful emissions such as NOx. The driven turbocharger can still provide boost to the engine through supercharging, so that engine torque and power can be maintained while the turbine bypass is in operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of eccentric planetary traction drives for use in a driven turbocharger. The eccentric planetary provides torque-based loading of the traction interfaces in the traction drive. A loading planet has a larger outer diameter and has translative movement when torque is applied to the traction drive so that it is forced into a wedge gap between the turbo shaft and outer ring of the planetary drive. The torque capacity of the traction drive increases with an increase of torque demand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speed reduced driven turbocharger that utilizes a step-down roller that is coupled to a turbo shaft with a traction interface. Either a flat or a shaped traction interface can be used. The step-down roller mechanically actuates either a mechanical or hydraulic transmission, or can be mechanically coupled to an electric motor/generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of thrust absorbing planetary traction drives that utilize roller-shaft traction interfaces that are slanted to absorb thrust created on a turbo shaft by a turbine or compressor. Slanted traction surfaces on the sun portion of the turbo shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the planetary traction drive. Either double roller planets or single roller planets can be used to absorb thrust in the axial direction of the turbo shaft. Various curved and slanted surfaces can be utilized to create traction interfaces that hold and stabilize the turbo shaft both axially and radially.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of thrust absorbing planetary traction drives that utilize roller-shaft traction interfaces that are slanted to absorb thrust created on a turbo shaft by a turbine or compressor. Slanted traction surfaces on the sun portion of the turbo shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the planetary traction drive. Either double roller planets or single roller planets can be used to absorb thrust in the axial direction of the turbo shaft. Various curved and slanted surfaces can be utilized to create traction interfaces that hold and stabilize the turbo shaft both axially and radially.

Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment of a turbocharger roller support system that utilizes roller-shaft interfaces that are slanted to locate a turbocharger shaft with a turbine and compressor. Slanted contact surfaces on the turbocharger shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the roller support system. The rollers entirely locate the turbocharger shaft, so that no bearings are necessary directly on the turbocharger shaft. The rollers spin at a slower speed than the turbocharger shaft, so can utilize lower speed bearings.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of eccentric planetary traction drives for use in a driven turbocharger. The eccentric planetary provides torque-based loading of the traction interfaces in the traction drive. A loading planet has a larger outer diameter and has translative movement when torque is applied to the traction drive so that it is forced into a wedge gap between the turbo shaft and outer ring of the planetary drive. The torque capacity of the traction drive increases with an increase of torque demand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speed reduced driven turbocharger that utilizes a step-down roller that is coupled to a turbo shaft with a traction interface. Either a flat or a shaped traction interface can be used. The step-down roller mechanically actuates either a mechanical or hydraulic transmission, or can be mechanically coupled to an electric motor/generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of thrust absorbing planetary traction drives that utilize roller-shaft traction interfaces that are slanted to absorb thrust created on a turbo shaft by a turbine or compressor. Slanted traction surfaces on the sun portion of the turbo shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the planetary traction drive. Either double roller planets or single roller planets can be used to absorb thrust in the axial direction of the turbo shaft. Various curved and slanted surfaces can be utilized to create traction interfaces that hold and stabilize the turbo shaft both axially and radially.

Abstract: Disclosed is high torque traction drive. The high torque traction drive utilizes planet gears that engage the inner mesh of a ring gear. The planet gears are mounted in rollers that have inner traction surfaces that engage sloped ring traction surfaces on traction rings that are attached to the ring gear. The sloped traction interface causes the rollers to move inwardly when forced toward the traction rings. The inward force on the rollers creates a shaft traction interface between a shaft and outer traction surfaces on the roller, so that rotational mechanical energy is effectively transferred between the rollers, the shaft and the ring gear. High rotational speeds can be achieved with a high degree of torque. Speed reduction ratios of at least 10:1 or greater can be achieved.