Abstract: A pipe fixing device comprising a plurality of pipes, for conducting liquid or gas, arranged to cross each other, and a fixing member for fixing the plurality of pipes. The fixing member comprises a plurality of pipe fixing bores, and a plurality of fitting bores for the fitting of bands used to tighten the pipes. The present invention can secure not only easy insertion of the pipes arranged to cross each other, but also enhancement in a coupling force of the pipes through the use of the tightening bands, resulting in stable and reliable fixation of the pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical pickup guiding structure for an optical disk drive. The structure of the present invention comprises a pickup base 30 with a pickup window 32 formed therein, and an optical pickup 34 that is provided in the pickup window 32 and includes at least one end movably supported by a molded structure integrally formed on the pickup base 30. The end of the optical pickup and a molded structure for movably supporting the end of the optical pickup 34 are formed with a guide channel 37c and a guide rib 41r, respectively, which are complementary to each other, thereby guiding the optical pickup. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that the number of parts of the optical disk drive is minimized, and the change in the installation state of the optical pickup is minimized during use, so that the operational reliability is improved.

Abstract: A joint member for interconnecting a first member to a second member having an input member, an output member; and a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly may include a plurality of beam member and/or a U-shaped member assembly and allows one translational degree of freedom between the connecting parts. Each of these joints provides very high degree of compliance in the desired direction of motion and very high stiffness in other directions (off-axis), without experiencing high stress concentrations commonly found in prior art designs.

Abstract: A reconfigurable multi-spindle apparatus for use with a machining device in a plurality of configurations across part families. In one embodiment, the reconfigurable multi-spindle apparatus may include at least two spindle head modules, a mechanism for transmitting power between the spindle head modules, and a mechanism for reconfigurably connecting the spindle head modules such that the multi-spindle apparatus is reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration across part families. An embodiment of a spindle head module may include two tool holders and a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the tool holders such that the multi-spindle apparatus is reconfigured within a part family.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tool changer allows a tool cartridge to be easily attached to, or detached from, a standard machine-tool spindle head. The modular design, includes a revolving tool cartridge having a plurality of tool holders, a meshing gear for engaging a tool holder with the spindle of the machine tool, and an adapter block for positioning the revolving tool cartridge on any standard machine-tool spindle head. The adapter block allows the automatic tool changer to be easily coupled to a wide variety of commercial machine-tool spindles, making the invention a truly reconfigurable and portable tool changer. The revolving tool cartridge incorporates a novel three-dimensional cam structure mechanism, which allows tool indexing to be achieved by means of only one actuator.

Abstract: A reconfigurable power spindle accommodates different power requirement in an efficient design that conserves time, equipment resources, and physical space. Two or more power sources provide the inputs which can be distributed equally or unequally, as desired, by means of an inventive epicyclic-type gear train (the component gear train). When two or more such component gear trains are arranged in series so that the output of one is connected to the input of the next, the result is a gear train system with as many inputs as the number of the component gear trains plus one. In alternate embodiments, the component gear trains may be arranged in parallel or in a combination of in series and in parallel to create a compound gear train system with a plurality of inputs and one output, and which is still capable of achieving equal contribution power among all the inputs.

Abstract: A robot comprises a member traveling along a threaded rotary shaft which decelerates when the member approaches a predetermined location on the shaft. Rotation of the rotary shaft is subjected to a resistance imposed by a fluid whose viscosity is increasable by the application of an electrical charge to the fluid. The point at which the rotary shaft begins to decelerate is sensed, and an electrical charge is applied to the fluid to increase its viscosity and attenuate vibration of the member.

Abstract: A noise attenuator for a refrigerant-circulating compressor includes a casing whose interior space is divided into first and second chambers. The first chamber has an inlet for receiving refrigerant and is connected by a conduit with the second chamber. Additional conduits connect the second chamber with the compressor inlet. The cavity length L of the first chamber is determined as a function of a compressor noise to be attenuated, using the formula fr=C/4L (2n+1), where fr is the frequency of the noise, C is the speed of sound in refrigerant, and n is any whole integer (including zero). The first chamber may comprise a first portion and a second portion in the form of a branch line, with the cavity length L being defined by a combination of both of the portions.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a lot of hollowed projections provided on the bottom of a reservoir and an auxiliary condenser secured to the top of the hollowed projections by supporting pieces in which one end is fixed in contact with the outer surface of the auxiliary condenser and the other end is fixed along one face of the hollowed projections so as to always be in contact with water, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the auxiliary condenser and the evaporation efficiency of the water by directly transferring heat radiated from the auxiliary condenser to the water through supporting pieces.