Abstract: Human cells or tissue in suspension or immersion in physiological solution are stored at a basic storage temperature of about 4.degree. C., and periodically subjected to a higher temperature within the range of from 25.degree.-37.degree. C. for a period of time and at intervals sufficient to inhibit irreversible losses in function and viability of the cells or tissue. The method is particularly suitable for the storage of blood platelet concentrates in plasma to be subsequently used in transfusions, enabling prolonged storage periods with improved overall effectiveness of the transfused platelets.

Abstract: A heat extraction or reclamation system particularly adapted to recover otherwise rejected heat from the refrigerant gas flowing through air conditioning and refrigerating systems includes a counter-flow heat exchanger for transferring heat to a medium such as water, the heat exchanger being installed in the tubing upstream of the conventional condenser. The heat extraction system has a pump for circulating water or other medium to be heated, located on one side of the heat exchanger. Hot refrigerant gas, the so-called superheated gas flowing from the compressor of the air conditioning or refrigerating system, is circulated through the other side of the heat exchanger. The pump flow rate and the heat transfer area between the refrigerant gas and the water or other medium are chosen to ensure that the refrigerant gas outlet quality remains within limits which ensure flow continuity in operation. Refrigerant gas leaving the system will contain some liquid in the form of droplets or a small stream.

Abstract: An ice cube making machine includes agitator paddles which oscillate or reciprocate in a horizontal path between freezing elements to agitate the water to provide clear ice cubes. An ice cube thickness sensor is carried by the agitating paddle assembly and moves in a path toward and away from the cube. When the desired ice cube thickness has been attained, the sensor actuates circuitry to interrupt the freezing cycle and initiate the harvest cycle. Control of the various functions of the machine is afforded by a compact control module which contains proximity switches located adjacent exterior faces of the module and eliminates the need for limit switches. Feelers or links containing switch actuating magnets swing past the proximity switches to initiate or trigger or discontinue the various cycles.

Abstract: An evaporator assembly for a heat transfer unit comprises a sealed thermally conductive container and a duct mounted in the container. Channels are formed between the walls of the duct and those of the container and thermal transfer fins are attached to the inside surfaces of the walls of the container and located in the channels. An evaporator extends transversely across the width of the duct and a defrosting heater bank is located downstream from the evaporator in the duct. Suitable fans and a drive motor are mounted at one end of the duct to circulate air or other gas through or across the evaporator, through the duct, and through the channels. During use of the assembly, heat is transferred from the container walls and the fins to the circulating air and the heat is then extracted from the air or gas by thermal transfer through the evaporator. The assembly provides a buffer between the heat source and the evaporator in order that the evaporator may operate in a near moisture free environment.

Abstract: A chilling apparatus for broiler carcasses comprises a chilling room, a conveyor for continuously conveying the carcasses, an air chilling unit for feeding cold air to chill the carcasses in the process of conveyance, and a device for spraying water onto the carcasses during the process of conveyance and chilling, whereby the surfaces of the carcasses are moistened by the water spray and then chilled by cold air.

Abstract: A solid adsorption air conditioning apparatus and process using water or ammonia refrigerant in a generator-condenser-evaporator-adsorber cycle wherein the refrigerant is adsorbed on a solid adsorbent coated on the interior of a combination adsorber-generator module and then generated from said adsorbent, the adsorber-generator modules alternately performing each of these functions. The apparatus and process may be used for cooling and heating functions by simple adjustment of dampers. The apparatus and process provides an air conditioning apparatus which may utilize solar heat for a substantial portion of its energy input requirements and does not require any liquid pumping.

Abstract: An accumulator for receiving a mixture of gaseous and liquid refrigerant fluid and liquid oil from an evaporator in an air conditioning system and for delivering only gaseous refrigerant fluid with oil atomized therein to the compressor. The accumulator has radially spaced telescoped straight lengths of tube to conduct the gaseous refrigerant fluid with oil atomized therein from the interior of the accumulator to the exterior thereof to thus eliminate the conventional U shaped tube for this purpose whereby the diameter of the accumulator may be smaller than the diameter needed to accommodate a U-shaped tube.The inner one of the telescoped tubes conducts gaseous refrigerant fluid from the top of the accumulator to the bottom end of the outer telescoped tube where it picks up oil from the bottom of the accumulator through a bleed port through the wall of the outer tube and then passes unwardly between the tubes to an outlet port at the top of the accumulator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously freezing and melting a fluid mixture, for use in separating a fluid mixture into dilute and concentrated components which have been made separble due to the freezing. A turbine is used to produce mechanical energy to drive a refrigeration compressor, while exhaust heat from the turbine is used for secondary cooling. Heat from a refrigeration condenser is used to melt the liquid frozen by a refrigerant evaporator. The evaporator and condenser may comprise a plurality of plates or may comprise a bubbler for bubbling refrigerant directly into contact with the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A ring comprising a metal body which defines a plurality of finger passages is disclosed. Each of the passages is defined between a pair of orifices located peripherally on the body with an orifice being shared by two passages of different size.

Abstract: An overload coupling has two relatively rotatable parts that are joined for corotation about a common axis by at least one frangible pin. The parts have recesses with cutting edges that sever the pins and springs that urge alternative pins on remainders of the severed pins through the recesses to automatically re-establish frangible connection. An assembly of pins can be spring loaded with the aid of a draw pin that releases the pins when in place and mounted on the coupling.

Abstract: A rotary torque transmission device has at least one pair of balls or rollers transmitting a torque load through respective contact points or lines with driving and driven members of the device and a contact point or line with each other. The contact points (or lines) do not lie on the same line (or plane) whereby the torque load produces an offset force. This is resisted by resilient means and increases with the torque load until the force overcomes said resistance and causes substantially friction-free rolling of the balls or rollers on said contact points or lines. In different embodiments the rolling movement disengages the drive through the device or it is utilized to stop the drive input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding yarn to a knitting machine having needle selecting means so that the length of yarn required to be knitted into each sequence of a small number of stitches is not constant. The length of yarn as actually fed to the knitting machine during each sequence of a small number of stitches is measured, and a value or signal representing the actual measured length of yarn is then compared to a predetermined length value which represents or is a function of a predetermined stitch length. The tension in the yarn as fed to the knitting machine is continuously adjusted in response to deviations or differences detected by the comparison of the predetermined and measured length values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an impregnation/rinsing of a web with fluid is disclosed wherein the web is repeatedly gently squeezed and allowed to open. A perforated conveyor belt carries the web within a longitudinal tank in which a series of squeeze rollers and a series of singular or cooperating rollers are arranged with the cooperating rollers being disposed intermediate the squeeze rollers. The web is carried by the conveyor belt beneath the first squeeze roller where the web is gently squeezed in a nip defined between the conveyor belt and the roller. The conveyor belt then carries the web above a cooperating roller. After the web has been gently squeezed, it is allowed to absorb the fluid in the tank without restraint until the web is gently squeezed again between the conveyor belt and the next squeeze roller. The steps of squeezing and absorbing are repeated throughout the longitudinal tank.

Abstract: The forward slip and the backward slip at a first stand are dependant upon a draft, the back tension, the front tension, and the shape of a sheet in a tandem type rolling mill. It is difficult to control the shape solely by detecting the tension distribution between the last stand and the tension reel.In the method of this invention, the shape of a rolled sheet is controlled by disposing a first shape meters between the pay-off reel and the first stand and a second shape meter between the last stand and the tension reel whereby shape control can be attained through a simple system.Tension distributions detected by the two shape meters are functions of the forward slip and the backward slip.

Abstract: Band making apparatus comprising a mandrel on which is wound wire of U-shaped cross-section with relatively inverted portions alternating longitudinally of the axis of the mandrel having a side edge interengaged in the channel of the other, has a guide for guiding the wire onto the mandrel provided with a guiding surface which engages the external surface of a side of the wire incoming to the mandrel, and the wire and mandrel are relatively rotated about the axis of the mandrel and reciprocated longitudinally of that axis at a controlled speed ratio such that the back pressure of previously wound turns maintains the incoming wire side against the guiding surface.

Abstract: A tube swaging machine used, in particular, for swaging the ends of tubes or for forging objects of round sections in which hammers are radially arranged relative to a workpiece. The hammers are fixed to a piston in a hydraulic power cylinder, through a piston rod on which a spring is mounted. The hydraulic power cylinder is connected to a vibration generator through a conduit. The vibration generator rotates relative to the workpiece and is mounted on a central shaft. The latter is held in bearings in a housing, and is driven through transmission by a motor which may be in the form of a hydraulic motor. The vibration generator is provided with nozzles, and a screen is mounted on an auxillary shaft having a rotational speed and direction which are independent of the rotational speed and direction of the central shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic working of metals and the reducing of a workpiece along its axis by a pair of shaped rolls with formation in the workpiece of a transitional length whose cross section gradually changes from a starting one to several cross sections of finished bars interconnected by webs. The reduction of the workpiece is alternated with its axial displacement through one feed step, whereas at the end of a transitional length adjacent bars are displaced one with respect to another in opposite directions perpendicularly to webs so as to separate the bars. Mill rolls used with the method have several grooves of a variable cross section which form passes for rolling bars. The profile of each groove in transversal (with respect to mill roll axis of rotation) cross section is formed of two mutually conjugated arcs successively coming into contact with the workpiece. The grooves have an arc for reducing the workpiece and an arc for dividing bars one from another.

Abstract: Method of forming profiled reed blades by stamping from a metal strip, in which method the reed blades are processed while the ends thereof are still a part of the metal strip, with a final stamping out of the ends to complete the formation of the reed blades.

Abstract: A tool such as a vise or a pair of pliers has two relatively movable jaws linked via respective shanks with operating means such as a pair of handles, each jaw comprising an elongate base with upstanding parallel webs having workpiece-engaging faces alternately inclined in opposite directions. To facilitate the interfitting of these webs in a working position, particularly with pivotally interconnected shanks whose pivotal axis parallels the planes of the webs, the jaws are swingably mounted on their shanks with swing axes parallel to the pivotal axis. One shank is connected to its handle by way of an interposed resilient pad of adjustable elasticity.

Abstract: A two-armed lever press for attaching a terminal or coupling sleeve to electrical cables or the like used on an interchangeable die block, preferably of relatively adjustable parts which together define a die cavity which substantially completely embraces the work so that, when pressure is applied the material flow induced in the sleeve can take place in the longitudinal direction only. Because of the heavy stresses involved, the force-transferring zones of the press are equipped with roller and needle bearings at the moving parts.

Abstract: A trapping and measuring device is provided for collecting and weighing wind borne particles of sand in the desert or the like. The device includes a rotatable trapping housing which is constructed to permit the wind to pass therethrough while trapping the sand carried by the wind. The column-like housing is mounted on a fixed base which contains a funnel and collector cup assembly together with a transducer for weighing the sand collected in the cup. A wind-catching plate attached to the rotatable housing provides orientation of the housing entrance openings so as to face the wind. A tortuous path provided within the trapping housing promotes release of the sand from the wind passing through the housing and screens at the exits block egress of the sand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a specific leaking tube or tubes and for detecting the position of a defect within a tube in a liquid metal-to-water tube type heat exchanger, generally used in a sodium cooled nuclear reactor. Subsequent to draining of the heat exchanger a solid reaction product of the liquid metal and water forms at a leak location. Introducing an inert gas to the exterior of the tubes, creating a pressure differential across the tube wherein the interior pressure is less than the exterior pressure, and heating the tube, provide dissociation and isolation of the reaction product, which, when analyzed for chemical content, indicates which tube or tubes is defective. A heat probe apparatus which traverses the interior of the tubes may be used in the heating step, which, as a result of the speed of the dissociation process at high temperatures provides a means for detecting the specific leak location within the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing hardness properties of materials may comprise: a clamping assembly including a housing in which is carried a magnet for magnetically attaching the apparatus to the material being tested and a head assembly having a penetrator member mounted for engagement with said material being tested and for limited axial movement from a first position to a second position; an actuator connected to the penetrator member for applying predetermined loads thereto; and an indicator responsive to axial movement of the penetrator member to measure the hardness of the material.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous measurement of the fuel consumption of internal combustion engines, in which a fuel-metering member predetermining with its position the through-put fuel quantity as a function of displacement. A preferably electrical displacement pick-up is coupled with the fuel-metering member which produces an analog signal corresponding to the deflection of the fuel-metering member from its normal position while an instrument for the indication of the signal is arranged within the field of vision of the operating person.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the resultant normal component of loading forces acting substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of machine elements wherein a continuous hole is bored substantially along the longitudinal axis of the machine element; an elastic line extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis is arbitrarily selected and includes two spaced points, each of the points being symmetrically located with respect to the point of application of the loading forces; and mounting a transducer in the hole for measuring the change in the angle between the two tangents each extending through one of the spaced points. A transducer includes a measuring part and two expansionable attachment parts mounted at respective ends of the measuring part. Each attachment part includes means for securing the transducer in the hole within the machine element such that the measuring part extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine element.

Abstract: A test stand including a coupling for coupling a dynamometer to a drive sprocket of a vehicle to be tested and including a housing adapted to be rotated about an axis and having elongated guides in a plane generally transverse to the axis, at least two slides movably received in the guides, a screw shaft journalled for rotation in the housing and connected to the slides, the screw shaft being fixed against substantial longitudinal movement within the housing and, when rotated, effecting simultaneous movement of the slides towards or away from the axis, detents carried by the housing and engaging the screw shaft for holding the screw shaft against rotation, and a plurality of teeth, one for each slide, each mounted on an associated slide and extending therefrom in a direction generally parallel to the axis for receipt between the teeth of a sprocket.

Abstract: A force is translated into a pair of oppositely acting moments or electric signals up to a limited magnitude of that force by means of a folded beam structure which has a first leg presenting a first end of the folded beam structure, and a second leg, shorter than the first leg, presenting a second end of the beam structure. The first end is maintained relatively stationary and the force to be transduced is applied to the second end of the folded beam structure. The second leg is thereby moved with the applied force and there is thus applied on the first leg a first moment acting in a first portion of the first leg on one side of the second end and a second moment acting oppositely to the first moment in a second portion of the first leg on another side of the second end. According to the invention, overloading of the first leg is prevented by limiting the travel of the second leg against movement of that second leg by the applied force.

Abstract: A flow control device incorporates a flow sensor and a flow control circuit responsive to the output signal of the flow sensor. The flow control circuit operates, via a servo, a flow control valve. The flow sensor incorporates a self-heated thermistor located in the divergent discharge throat of a nozzle in the flow stream. Two unheated thermistors are also located in the fluid, at arbitrary points distant from the nozzle, and incorporated in the control circuit for temperature compensation. The valve controls the flow of fluids therethrough by the distention of an integral seal tube into a cavity formed in an anvil inset into the seal tube. The cavity is conical in shape and the elastomeric seal tube is pressed thereinto by means of a ball. Two orifices issue into the cavity and terminate in the flow channel at the upstream and downstream ends of the valve. With the ball at the inmost limit of its travel, the seal tube blocks the exits of both orifices into the cavity and prevents flow in the channel.

Abstract: A fluid flowmeter comprising a rotor mounted in a chamber for rotation about a predetermined axis of the chamber by flow of fluid through the chamber. The fluid enters the chamber in use at or near both poles of the axis in a plurality of separate flows parallel to and including the polar axis and leaves the chamber at an equatorial region of the chamber relative to the axis. The rotor is supported during movement in the chamber solely by means of fluid flow there through. The flowmeter is further provided with means for sensing the rate or amount of rotation of the rotor without physical contact therewith.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting the level of fuel oil in a tank of a vessel to control the quantity of fuel oil in the tank, a sensing pipe having a sensing hole in its lower portion is inserted into the tank and gas is continuously supplied into the sensing pipe. Hence, the pressure in the sensing pipe is continuously increased as the level of fuel oil is raised above the level of the sensing hole. When this pressure reaches a desired value, a fluid pressure response device connected to the sensing pipe is operated by the pressure to operate an alarm device, thereby to detect the level of fuel oil above the sensing hole. The pressure in the sensing pipe required to operate the alarm device can be set to a desired value.

Abstract: Digital circuitry for use primarly in measuring the volume of gasoline in an automobile fuel tank. A measurement capacitor is mounted in the fuel tank to have its capacitance vary with the level of gasoline in the tank and forms part of a multivibrator circuit the repetition rate of which is consequently varied in an inverse manner with the capacitance of the measurement capacitor. Pulses generated in the multivibrator are fed to a counter coupled to a resetting circuit which is triggered by an output of this counter when a predetermined number of the said pulses has been counted so that a train of resetting signals are generated separated by intervals the length of which is a measure of the capacitance of the measurement capacitor.

Abstract: A temperature detecting device for image fixing means is used in an electrostatic recording apparatus, in which a temperature sensor element is supported on a mounting member through a slender conductive element at a small distance from the surface of and in the direction of length of the fixing means to be detected, so as to detect the temperature thereof with accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus may be connected to the temperature probe by means of a cable, and houses the display device, the electronic circuit, the voltage source, and the switches. The electronic circuit comprises a voltage multiplier, a control circuit, a supply circuit for supplying a highly constant voltage, a bridge circuit comprising four highly constant resistances, and a thermistor as temperature sensor, a voltage divider circuit for adapting the voltage generated by the bridge circuit, and an integrated circuit providing a 3-1/2 position digital-voltmeter which directly operates the display device.

Abstract: An electronic system for selectively measuring predetermined athletic parameters, such as reaction time and impact energy, and for displaying the results of the measurements is disclosed. The system includes transducer apparatus for sensing a participant's athletic reaction or motion, a selectively actuable timing circuitry responsive to initiation for providing after a pseudo-random delay a start signal to which the participant is to respond, and logic circuitry responsive to the transducer output. The timing circuit utilizes information provided by the logic circuitry and provides outputs indicative of predetermined parameters of the participant's motion or reaction time. The disclosed system further includes display apparatus responsive to the timing circuit outputs for displaying indicia of the measured parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sample feeding apparatus having a housing defining first and second chambers sealed one from the other and a needle movable longitudinally with respect to the housing. The first and second chambers continuously receive carrier and purging gases respectively through suitable conduits. The needle has an opening normally in communication with the second chamber for continuously purging the needle. Upon application of a sample vessel to a member telescopically received about the housing, the needle is displaced through a seal into the first chamber. Carrier gas is thus provided through the needle into the head space of a sample vessel and the sample will flow to the injection block of a gas chromatograph in response to pressure compensation between the injection block and head space. Upon withdrawal of the sample vessel from below the sampling apparatus, the needle is spring returned to its initial position preventing carrier gas from flowing from the first chamber through the needle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for substantially reducing the effect of the inherent transducer capacitance in a transducer-coupled electromechanical system which is subject to vibrational movement. First and second electromechanical transducers, mechanically coupled to the mechanical structure are interconnected by an electronic feedback network. The feedback network is characterized by very low input and output impedances thus overcoming the shunting effects of the inherent transducer capacitance. In preferred embodiments the feedback network is "electronically cooled" thereby providing low-noise damping.

Abstract: The invention relates to accelerometers comprising a vibrating elastic body associated with an electrical oscillator for maintaining its oscillations and a frequency measuring device for measuring its frequency. More particularly, the invention relates to an accelerometer in which the vibrations are in the form of elastic surface waves propagated along one face of a wafer of piezoelectric material cemented to a substrate. Measurement of the acceleration is based on the measurement of a frequency deviation or phase shift undergone by the elastic surface waves.

Abstract: An improved isolation diaphragm assembly for use in pressure transducers includes an open plenum containing an inert transmission fluid such as silicone oil. The plenum opening is bridged by a corrugated, circular diaphragm which has been tack welded at spaced locations on its periphery and then deformed into an underlying circular groove in the transducer housing, thereby providing a smooth sealing surface between the tack welds and the deformed portion. A domed cover having an O-ring seal contacting the smooth sealing surface is attached to the transducer housing so that a fluid whose pressure is to be measured may be introduced on the other side of the diaphragm from the inert transmission fluid. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: The pressure indicator has a body provided with an attachment shank having a pressure fluid passage. A cylinder bore is located at one end of the body communicating with the passage and has a threaded open end. An end plug having a bore and a counterbore is snugly threaded into the open end. A piston is nested in the cylinder bore and has a piston rod axially extending through the cylinder bore and projecting through and outwardly of the plug. A compression spring is interposed between the plug and piston and yieldably biases the piston towards said one end of the cylinder bore. The piston is variably movable longitudinally against the spring on application of pressure to the shank passage. The improvement resides in the provision of a bushing nested within the plug bore which axially and guidably receives the piston rod. A cylindrical slide seal of plastic material is nested within the plug bore and projects into and depends from the bushing in sealing engagement with the piston rod.

Abstract: The pressure indicator has a body provided with an attachment shank having a pressure fluid passage. A cylinder bore is located at one end of the body communicating with the passage and has a threaded open end. An end plug having a bore and a counterbore is snugly threaded into the open end. A piston is nested in the cylinder bore and has a piston rod axially extending through the cylinder bore and projecting through and outwardly of the plug. A compression spring is interposed between the plug and piston and yieldably biases the piston towards said one end of the cylinder bore. The piston is variably movable longitudinally against the spring on application of pressure to the shank passage. A bearing or bushing is nested within the plug bore and axially and guidably receives the piston rod.

Abstract: An erect cylindrical pressure vessel, especially for a nuclear reactor, is constituted from cast-iron or cast-steel elements and is stressed by axially extending angularly spaced axial stressing elements and by axially circumferential peripheral stressing elements or cables. At least one of the axially stressing cables and at least one of the peripheral stressing cables serving for sustaining the operating load of the pressure vessel, i.e. the working elements rather than the addition or additional elements, is provided with a measuring device which triggers an alarm upon the detection of a change in the force developed at the respective stressing element or the length change thereof reaching 90% of the corresponding change at the pressure rating of the vessel.

Abstract: A cylindrical cam is obliquely mounted on a drive shaft to be shiftable in the axial direction. The cam and the drive shaft are concentric at the axial center and the eccentricity of the cam increases gradually towards the opposite ends and in opposite phases. A pair of contact members carried by a follower member engage the opposite sides of the cam. As the drive shaft is rotated a reciprocating motion is imparted to the follower member and by shifting the cam in the axial direction the amplitude of the reciprocating motion can be varied.

Abstract: A precise feeding table apparatus which comprises an XY-table assembly including a Y-table and an X-table mounted thereon. Electric motors for supplying a driving force to feed the X- and Y-tables are set on a base of the table apparatus. A driving shaft of the electric motor for the Y-table takes the form of a ball screw to cause a guide carriage supported by the driving shaft to make a minute reciprocation. A moment derived from the reciprocation of the guide carraige is not directly transmitted to the Y-table. A connection rod moving jointly with the guide carriage is connected to an output shaft fitted to the Y-table by means of a coupling including a fluid bearing. The fluid bearing supports the connecting rod in contactless relationship, thereby preventing the vibrations and moments of the connecting rod from being transmitted to the output shaft.

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle, which is used for switching a driving chain to at least two sprockets provided at a crank, comprises a fitting member fixed to the bicycle frame extending substantially vertically of the bicycle body, a speed-change mechanism having a chain guide and connected to the fitting member, a first adjusting device for adjusting the chain guide in its position with respect to each of the sprockets in radial direction thereof, a second adjusting device for adjusting an angle of the line extending longitudinally of the chain guide with respect to the axis of each of the sprockets, and a holding device for fixing a support of the shifting mechanism at a desirable position on a fitting face of the fitting member, the fitting member being fixed non-movably at a given position of the bicycle frame with the shifting mechanism being adjusted by being moved longitudinally of the bicycle frame and on a plane perpendicular thereto, so that the chain guide may be positioned most properly with re

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle, which is used to switch a driving chain to each of at least two sprockets, is provided with a fixing member, a chain guide and an adjuster provided between the fixing member and chain guide. The chain guide is supported with respect to the fixing member in relation of being movable axially of the sprockets and toward at least two positions corresponding to the sprockets respectively, and the adjuster is capable of desirably adjusting the chain guide in its position with respect to the fixing member correspondingly to each of the sprockets in use and has a sustainer for maintaining the adjuster position of the chain guide.

Abstract: A low-friction, light-load, low-cost mechanical transmission for converting rotary motion to linear motion, comprising an elongate screw shaft having a rolled thread groove, a multi-part follower nut comprising a sleeve having a through hole constituting a ball socket and a cylindrical jacket encircling the sleeve, there being a thread-engaging ball disposed in the socket and engaging the walls of the thread groove. The bore of the jacket has a hard surface which engages and provides a back-up for the ball as the latter traverses the length of the screw shaft. The sleeve is held captive within the jacket by a pair of locking rings received in annular grooves in the bore of the latter. Surrounding the nut is a tubular housing. Anti-friction sleeve bearings on the exterior of the jacket slidably engage the inner surface of the housing to enable the nut to move freely therein as the screw shaft is rotatably driven.

Abstract: A gear train enables rotational drive in either sense of a driven member le preventing transmission of rotation in either sense from the driven to the driving member. Each member of the train comprises a pair of discs attached on their faces with each disc having asymmetric teeth on its periphery and each disc of the pair being a reflection about a diametral line of the other. The asymmetrics in each member of the train are different.

Abstract: A mechanism for multiplying the travel of a valve as compared with the travel of an input push rod member. The mechanism has a housing with a bore therethrough for retaining an accurate segmented lever. The segmented lever, which is pivotally attached to the housing, axially locates an output push rod member in the bore. A plunger attached to the input push rod has an arcuate projection which engages the segmented lever. The plunger moves in response to an operator input force causing the lever to pivot in said housing and move the output push rod at a different rate of travel than the rate of travel of the input push rod.

Abstract: A tooth formed on a brake pawl has, at a portion facing the outer peripheral surface of a brake gear coaxially mounted on the output shaft of the transmission, first and second inclined surfaces which are bounded by an intersectional line parallel to the axis of the output shaft. The inclination angle of each surface with respect to a tangent line passing through a point where the intersectional line is in contact with a circular path swept out by the outer peripheral surface of teeth formed on the brake gear is greater than zero degrees. With this, the brake pawl is pushed way from its engaged condition due to collisions between shoulder portions of the teeth and one of the first and second inclined surfaces above a predetermined vehicle speed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary viscous damper using a magnetic fluid as the damping medium. The damper comprises a permanent magnet rotor enclosed in a magnetically permeable housing. The magnetic fluid fills the space between the rotor and the housing and is held in place using magnetic forces generated by the magnet rotor. The torque of damper may be varied by changing the viscosity of the magnetic fluid or the level of the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.