Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing a thin/thick effect yarn provides a thin/thick effect by segmentwise stretching of a filamentary precursor yarn which is combined with a fully-stretched filamentary precursor yarn so that the latter supports the former. The combination can be effected by twisting, nub entanglement or winding of one yarn around the other.

Abstract: In a process for open-end spinning at least one sliver is opened to single fibers, which form a fiber veil. The single fibers are fed to a rotating collecting surface which is driven transversely to their travel direction, and are withdrawn from the collecting surface in the form of a yarn with twist along a yarn formation line before the completion of one single revolution of the collecting surface. The single fibers are never slowed down at any point in the sliver-to-yarn process. Immediately after their separation from the sliver, the single fibers are subjected to an exactly predetermined, mechanically controlled speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a chain-type casing for guiding hoses, cables, etc., between a fixed and a mobile connection point, the links in the chain being of a lightweight, thin-walled design and each consisting of two sideplates (1, 2) joined by at least one crossbar (3). The sideplates (1 or 2) of neighbouring links are hinged to each other by studs (5) formed on each of the sideplates of one link, the studs engaging in matching apertures (6) in the sideplates of the other link and the casing having a construction which allows it to flex torsionally and/or laterally. In order to avoid the hinge connectors between the links opening, the invention calls for the studs (5) to have a snap-in arrester feature round the edge so that the stud (5) locks into the aperture (6) but can be pulled out again by force.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprising a cylindrical body (1) which points along a main axis (X). The cylindrical body (1) has a free end (11) and an attached end (12) with a piston rod (2) extending axially from the attached end (12). An impact deflector (3) removably mounted on the cylindrical body (1) covers the free end (11). The impact deflector (3) has at least one deflecting surface (D) which is inclined obliquely to the main axis (X).

Abstract: A method and a device for reducing NO.sub.x emissions from a diesel engine is disclosed. The engine has an inlet system for introducing air into the engine, an exhaust system for exhausting gases from the engine and a branch conduit connecting the exhaust system with the inlet system to permit recirculation of a portion of exhaust gases. A flow control valve is provided which is associated with the branch conduit for regulating the portion of exhaust gases flowing through the branch conduit. The engine further includes control means responsive to particular engine parameters. The control means is employed to effect regulation of the flow control valve based on values of the engine parameters. The control means determine when the engine is running below a predetermined maximum speed, and opens the flow control valve only when the engine is running below the predetermined maximum speed.

Abstract: A compression ignition type engine, which switches between a first combustion where the amount of the inert gas in the combustion chamber is larger than the amount of inert gas where the amount of production of soot peaks and almost no soot is produced and a second combustion where the amount of inert gas in the combustion chamber is smaller than the amount of inert gas where the amount of production of soot peaks. The second combustion is provided instead of the first combustion when a catalyst is not activated.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an exhaust system exhibiting an increased flow uniformity under diversion conditions comprising: (1) a honeycomb structure having an inlet and outlet end disposed in a housing located in an exhaust gas stream and downstream from an engine, and having a first substantially unobstructed flow region, and a second more obstructed flow region adjacent the first region, both providing a flow path for the exhaust gases in the exhaust gas stream; and, (2) a fluidics apparatus disposed in the exhaust stream comprising a diverter body located proximate to the first region, a diversion fluid source, a conduit for directing the diversion fluid toward the diverter body and an exhaust flow divergent device.

Abstract: An improved pressure-compensated hydraulic system for feeding hydraulic fluid from a variable displacement pump to multiple hydraulic actuators. A separate valve section controls the fluid flow between the pump and a different actuator. Each valve section has a pressure compensating valve with a valve member and poppet within a bore and biased apart by a spring. The poppet acts as a check valve which prevents fluid flow from the actuator through the valve section to the pump when the back pressure from the load exceeds the pump supply pressure. A pressure differential between the load-dependent pressure and the actuator pressure determines a position of the valve member which controls the pressure applied to the pump pressure control input.

Abstract: In a brake-pressure producing device of the present invention, a power piston 10 of a hydraulic booster 2 comprises a stepped piston including a large-diameter portion 10a on which fluid pressure of a power chamber 30 is exerted and a small-diameter portion 10b having the same diameter as the master cylinder piston 53. Both the pistons 10, 53 are interlocked with each other through an aligning rod 62. The pressurized fluid of the power chamber 30 is introduced into an annular chamber 51 formed on the circumference of the small-diameter portion 10b and the fluid pressure of the pressurized fluid is exerted on a stepped portion 10c between the large-diameter portion 10a and the small-diameter portion 10b in the direction opposite to the direction of the fluid pressure of the power chamber 30.

Abstract: An improved compensation piston arrangement for use with a dual circuit master cylinder having a single service piston for simultaneously pressurizing a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, wherein the compensation piston arrangement provides for pressure balancing between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber to compensate for minor normal differences between the first and second fluid chamber. The compensation piston arrangement includes a movable compensation piston slidably disposed within a bore of a compensation housing, wherein the housing defines a pair of end stops positioned on opposing sides of the compensation piston. The bore is in fluid communication with the fluid chambers such that the pressure within the first fluid chamber acts on a first side of the compensation piston, and the pressure within the second fluid chamber acts on a second end of the compensation piston which is opposite the first end.

Abstract: A self-contained, hydraulically operated clutch-type coupling, allowing a minimum of two vehicular type internal combustion engines to be mounted in tandem replacing the standard single block, multi cylinder engine. Flexibility is provided to the driver by a computerized control system to select operation of one or more engines to produce minimum to maximum horsepower at the flywheel, necessary to meet specific road and traffic conditions while maintaining a constant engine (RPM) speed. In one embodiment, a single engine is started to minimize undesirable emissions due to the combination of cold start conditions and wall quenching and fuel conservation purposes. Upon attaining engine operating temperature uniformity, the succeeding engine(s) can be started and operated to provide maximum available horsepower/torque to meet road load conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) applications. In particular, this invention relates to a method for supplying oxygen concentrated air to an indoor air environment, which is termed as High Level Oxygen Air Conditioning (HLOAC): The High Level Oxygen Air Conditioning (HLOAC) primarily comprises three steps: (1). Introducing air stream to an oxygen and nitrogen separation device; (2). Separating nitrogen and oxygen in air to obtain a concentrated oxygen stream; (3). Introducing said concentrated oxygen stream into the indoor environment.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a semiconductor clean room includes a chemical filter between an air conditioner including a humidifier and a ULPA filter of the clean room, for ionizing chemical impurities using moisture supplied from the humidifier and then adsorbing the ionized chemical impurities by using the chemical filter. The chemical filter is installed downstream of the humidifier, which applies phosphoric acid for the prevention of scale-formation. This downstream location allows the chemical filter to prevent the phosphoric acid from being included in the fresh air as a new chemical impurity, which makes regulation of temperature and humidity of the air possible without having to use a special and expensive pure steam system.

Abstract: A new method for defrosting a dehumidifier. The new method minimizes the formation of liquid "slugs" which can occur during normal defrosting and which can damage the compressor, and also makes the operation of the dehumidifier more efficient. In the new method, defrosting takes place with the fan running to draw warm, room air over the condenser to warm the refrigerant passing through it in reverse, to thus minimize the formation of liquid "slugs". The warm air however is prevented by baffles from passing over the evaporator where it would undesirearably pick up moisture from the melting ice on the evaporator. An apparatus for carrying out the above method is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an evaporative gas conditioning system utilizes a controller for controlling the rate at which liquid is introduced into a conditioning chamber, thereby closely controlling the rate at which temperature within the conditioning chamber is adjusted to a desired temperature. Nozzle characteristics of a plurality of different nozzle types are stored in a memory associated with the controller, so that when existing nozzles are replaced with a different nozzle type, an operator can select the new nozzle type, and data stored in memory will be retrieved to permit efficient control of the system without the necessity for manual reconfiguration. Additionally, spray nozzles for spraying water into the conditioning chamber of the system are organized into banks of nozzles, and the banks of nozzles are controlled to maintain optimum water flow through each nozzle, and to evenly distribute the water into the conditioning chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerating system of vapor compression type operating at a super critical area, while obtaining an increased efficiency. The refrigerating system includes a pressure control means for controlling the temperature and the pressure at the outlet of a heat emitter. The pressure control valve responds to a pressure difference between the inlet pressure of the refrigerant to the pressure control valve and the pressure in an outwardly sealed chamber in which the refrigerant is filled such that, with respect to the volume of the chamber under closed condition of the pressure control valve, a density of the refrigerant is in a range between a density of a saturated liquid at a temperature of 0.degree. C. and a density at the critical point of the refrigerant. As a result, the pressure and the temperature at the outlet of the heat emitter is controlled substantially along the optimum control line .eta.max, resulting in an effective execution of a refrigerating cycle at the critical area.

Abstract: A system for conditioning the air within an enclosure which houses heat producing equipment. The system includes a passive heat removal system, for precooling the air, and a thermoelectric temperature control system used in conjunction with the passive heat removal system to achieve additional cooling, temperature control and heating. The passive heat removal system includes a heat pipe system. A power control system includes a programmable control means which receives signals, from a temperature sensor, which are indicative of the temperature of the air in the enclosure. Based upon these signals, the power control system controls the activation of thermoelectric devices in the thermoelectric temperature control system and controls the activation of fans to remove a desired amount of heat from the air in the enclosure and discharge the unwanted heat to the outside air.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a process stream of air in an air conditioning system wherein a process stream of air is dehumidified and cooled to provide a conditioned stream of air for introducing to a conditioned space, the method comprises the steps of providing an enthalpy wheel comprised of an adsorbent contained in a paper web, the enthalpy wheel having a multiplicity of passages through which the process air can flow, the enthalpy wheel capable of regeneration by passing an air stream therethrough having a temperature and humidity lower than the process air. In the method, process air is passed through the enthalpy wheel to remove heat and moisture therefrom, and the enthalpy wheel is regenerated by passing air therethrough to remove heat and moisture therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is of a new design for a room air conditioner. An air conditioner according to the present design will emit a substantially lower operating noise level than units of comparable cooling capacity and energy consumption. Additionally, the present design prescribes a coil design which requires approximately one-third less aluminum and copper than similarly performing room air conditioner units. The benefits of the present design arise from its reliance on a single row, wrap-around coil design which is used in conjunction with a tangential blower assembly. The single row evaporator coil of the present invention inherently produces less "wind noise" than multiple row coils.

Abstract: An oil separator for an evaporator in a cooling system is installed between a capillary tube and the evaporator for separating oil from the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator. The oil separator comprises an inflow member connected to the capillary tube, for receiving the oil-containing refrigerant therefrom. A refrigerant outflow member is connected between the inflow member and an inlet of the evaporator, for conducting the refrigerant upward to the inlet of the evaporator. An oil outflow member is disposed between the inflow member and an outlet of the evaporator, for conducting the oil downward to an outlet of the evaporator. The oil separator prevents oil from flowing into the evaporator, thereby preventing accumulation of the oil inside the evaporator which could reduce the amount of oil disposed inside a compressor of the cooling system.

Abstract: An evaporator (10), e.g. in a domestic refrigerator, for refrigerating air in a space for goods, which space is confined against ambient atmosphere (14) by a wall (16), is constituted by a tubular element (18), through which a refrigerant flows from a capillary pipe (20), which is connected to the element at a joint (28) at one end of the element. The element (18) comprises an inner tube (24), through which the refrigerant flows, outside which inner tube an outer tube (26) is arranged, the outer tube (26) extending through the wall (16) and the joint (28) being arranged between the capillary pipe (20) and the inner tube (24) inside the wall (16) in a chamber (38) formed in the outer tube (26). A sealing means (36) arranged between the capillary tube (26) prevents humidity of the ambient atmosphere (14) from forcing its way into the chamber (38).

Abstract: Helium recycling for optical fiber manufacturing in which consolidation process helium is recycled either directly for use in consolidation at high purity or recycled at lower purity adequate for usage in draw or other processes having a lower helium parity. Integrated processes for recycling helium from two or more helium using processes in the optical manufacturing process are also described. Substantial helium and cost savings are recognized.

Abstract: A process for separating the components of a feed gas containing methane and heavier hydrocarbons is shown in which a recycle stream is used to satisfy the heat requirements of the process while at the same time providing a reflux to a demethanizer column to improve product recovery. The inlet gas stream is fed to a separator without first splitting the stream. A first vapor portion and a first liquid portion are produced by the separator with the first vapor portion being supplied, after expansion, to the demethanizer column at an intermediate feed position. The first liquid portion from the separator is expanded and supplied to the demethanizer column at a relatively lower feed position. Overhead vapor is removed from the column and compressed to a higher pressure. The resulting compressed recycle stream is cooled sufficiently to substantially condense it and is supplied as reflux to the demethanizer column at a top feed position.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is divided into first and second streams, and the second stream is cooled and expanded to a lower pressure and supplied to a contacting device. The first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it, expanded to the lower pressure, and then used to cool a warmer distillation stream from a distillation column to at least partially condense the distillation stream. At least a portion of the partially condensed distillation stream is directed to the contacting device to intimately contact the expanded second stream, the resulting vapors and liquids are separated from the contacting device, and these liquids are supplied to the distillation column.

Abstract: There is described a fishing line release apparatus (1) for use when casting a fishing line (13) with a fishing rod (4), and in particular for automatically releasing the fishing line (4) when casting. The fishing line release apparatus (1) comprises a body member (2) having a mounting means for mounting the apparatus (1) relative to a fishing rod (4); inclination sensing means (10) mounted relative to the body member (2) for sensing an inclination of the fishing rod (4), and release means (12) for releasably retaining, relative to the fishing rod (4), the fishing line (13) to be cast by the fishing rod (4), the arrangement and construction being such that the release means (12) is operated to release the fishing line (13) retained thereby when the inclination sensing means (10) senses a predetermined inclination of the fishing rod (4).

Abstract: An elastic knitted band having stretch woven appearance and feel including filling yarn laid in between the warp yarn needles. The filling yarns are secured to the elastic band by the conventional warp yarn chain stitches so as to become an integral component of the elastic knit band without creating warp or filling ridges. The filling yarns can be positioned: (1) in front of the back weft yarns; (2) behind the front weft yarns; or (3) in between front and back elastomer bars separating the elastomer threads. The filling yarn preferably is textured yarn.

Abstract: A three-dimensional continuously knitted fabric cover knitted from yarn in a generally double jersey construction for covering a three-dimensional core, the fabric cover having an exposed front layer with a rear layer adjacent the core, the cover having a tubular portion which has loose knit attachment zones for receiving hog rings when the cover is secured to a seat frame or support.

Abstract: A multishaft combination lock includes a lock body, an alignment sleeve, and a detachable pin. The alignment sleeve has a hole and is rotatably coupled to the lock body to provide access into the lock body. The alignment sleeve has an angled cutout at a first end, with the alignment of the cutout being adjusted by rotating the alignment sleeve. The detachable pin has a floating bushing that can be misaligned with the principle axis of the detachable pin. To lock the multishaft combination lock, the lock body is fitted to the detachable pin through the hole of the alignment sleeve with the floating bushing misaligned with the angled cutout. When the detachable pin is fully inserted into the lock body, the floating bushing is positioned beyond the end of the alignment sleeve within the lock body and becomes misaligned or offset with the alignment sleeve. To unlock the lock, the alignment sleeve is rotated so that the angled cutout is aligned with the floating bushing of the detachable pin.

Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement in an anti-theft device for the gearshift lever of an automotive vehicle equiped with an automatic transmission. This device comprises a sleeve surrounding and firmly engaging a lower portion of the gearshift lever extending vertically upwardly through a slot opening of the flooorboard of the vehicle and is provided with a L-shaped latching member having a vertical arm being pivotally mounted in the sleeve and a horizontal arm which can be lowered into, concealed within and occupying the slot and a locking means having a semi-circular shaft partially intersecting the pivotal joint or hinge of the latching member thereof. The vertical arm is provided with a pair of arcuate notches at the hinge which can be brought to engage the shaft at either the lowered and a raised and upright position respectively. In either of these positions, the latching member can be locked therein by the turn of the shaft to provide the locking and unlocking functions of the anti-theft device.

Abstract: A key cylinder rotatable about an axis and a motor-vehicle door latch having a housing are used with a position-sensing system having a selector nut made of a nonferromagnetic material and coaxial with and coupled to the key cylinder for joint rotation about the axis therewith, an actuating permanent magnet imbedded in the selector nut and movable in an orbit about the axis on rotation of the selector nut about the axis, and a hall-effect sensor mounted on the latch housing at a small spacing from the orbit.

Abstract: A safety door lock comprises follower member turned with an inside door knob or an outside door knob to move a latch bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, and a clutch controlled by a push block between a first position where the outside door knob is coupled to the follower member and a second position where the outside door knob is disconnected from the follower member.

Abstract: A process and a roll bending machine for bending plates. The plate to be bent is made to pass between upper and lower gripping rolls parallely arranged between each other; at least one of these rolls is connected to a drive motor for rotation. One of the rolls is upwardly movable to exert a required working pressure on the plate, and it is adjustably urged against the other roll in at least one intermediate position of its length till causing a deflection of both the rolls in the same direction, making one roll to assume an arch shaped configuration substantially conforming to the configuration of the other roll, in such a way to generate an homogenous bending pressure for the entire width of the plate which is thus bent with a substantially constant bending degree.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming complex shaped frame members from a tubular blank where the blank is transferred from station to station and various tooling are performed on the blank at each station. For example, at a first station the blank is expanded into a tube having a varying cross-section throughout the length of the tube by applying pressure to the interior of the tube and compressive force to the opposed ends of the tube preferably simultaneously. At another station, the expanded tube is preformed by introducing a bend therein. The bend in the preformed tube is then increased at another station. While the expanded tube is being preformed and bent, the flow of material into the die cavity at those stations is controlled to reduce the amount of folding that may occur. The shape of the frame member is finished at another station by introducing a lateral bend and varying the cross-sectional configuration of the bent tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming structural members from a substrate heats a middle portion of the substrate in combination with edge guide rolls for laterally displacing mass of the substrate. Top and bottom rolls shape the structural member into the desired shape. The entire substrate is annealed. Thereafter, additional roll passes can be used for improving the shape of the substrate to the desired shape.

Abstract: A modified cross-section material having a thin part and a thick part in its widthwise direction is manufactured through a plurality of roll stages. Each rolling stage comprises of a set of a convex roll and a flat roll, wherein the convex roll has a convex part. The thin part is formed in accordance with the lengthwise expansion by the convex part of the convex roll, and the thick part is formed in accordance with the lengthwise expansion by a part other than the convex part of the convex roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting, inspecting, and adjusting probe card needles used during testing of fabricated circuits. A build wafer, comprised of build and scrub target patterns, is used to mount and re-work probe needle assemblies onto a probe card. Each build target is composed of a hard material that is resistant to probe needle scratching, and is offset a preset distance from the position of the bonding pads on the actual wafer to be tested. Each scrub target is composed of a soft material that is easily disturbed by the probe needle's scrubbing action. By counting the number of lines broken or cut by a probe needle's scrub mark, the approximate length and width of the scrub mark may be ascertained. An adjustment tool is designed to fit snugly around the untapered, thickest portion of the probe needle. The tool is rotated along the axis of the probe needle shaft, allowing the technician to "tweak" the probe needle either up or down.

Abstract: A linear drive mechanism comprises an electromechanical conversion element for producing repeatable linear displacements in a predetermined direction, a working member fixedly connected to said electromechanical conversion element for simultaneous displacement therewith and having a guide surface formed in the direction of displacement of said electromechanical conversion element, a moving member frictionally contacting with the guide surface of said working member, and a pushing member furnished on said working member for pushing said moving member against said guide surface of the working member.

Abstract: A twin-clutch transmission has first and second transmission input shafts and a transmission output shaft, each input shaft having an associated friction clutch. In the initial state, the first clutch transmits engine torque in a state of static friction and the second clutch is open. In a shifting operation the second transmission input shaft is brought to a synchronous speed, thus permitting the engagement of a selected gear. In order to prevent a condition in which both clutches are in static friction engagement, which would result in locking up of the transmission, the speed of at least one clutch is maintained in the range of sliding friction to a value in the vicinity of the synchronization speed until the torque to be transmitted has been transferred steadily from the first clutch to the second clutch. A synchronizer is used when shifting up in the overrun condition.

Abstract: An electric actuator reciprocates an output shaft driven by an electric motor in a linear manner. The actuator has a main body case. A rotating body supported by the case includes a pin rotating body, a gear wheel, and a coil spring. The gear wheel is meshed with a pinion that is fixed to the drive shaft of the electric motor. The rotation of the gear wheel is transmitted to the pin rotating body by the coil spring. The pin rotating body includes a rotary shaft. The rotary shaft has a pair of guide pins provided on its outer surface. A cylindrical cam is fixed to the output shaft, which is supported by the case. The cylindrical cam includes a spiral guided portion defined on its inner surface. The guided portion slides against both guide pins of the rotary shaft. The drive force of the electric motor rotates the rotary shaft by means of the gear wheel and the coil spring. As the rotary shaft is rotated, the output shaft is reciprocated along the rotary shaft with the guided portion guided by both guide pins.

Abstract: A steering gear rack (14) for a steering system (12) of a vehicle (10) is positioned in a housing (52) with its end portions (24, 26) protruding from the housing (52) to be connected by ball joints (32) and tie rods (16) to the front wheels of the vehicle (10). The hollow steering gear rack shaft (20) defines an air passageway (22) that extends between the end portions (24, 26). Each of the end portions (24, 26) has an end face (30) and internal threads (28) on the end portion (24) extending inward from the end face (30), and a longitudinal groove (34) extending inward from the end face (30) through and past the internal threads (28) and radially outward past the internal threads (28) extending the air passageway (22) to the end face (30). The end portions of the housing (52) are fitted with rubber boots (54, 56) to protect the ball joints (32) from the environment that are connected by the air passageway (22) and longitudinal grooves (34).

Abstract: A cylindrical tubular substrate for an electrophotographic photoconductor is made of a conductive resin. The substrate is smoothly rotatable about its axis of rotation, securely grounded, and easily and inexpensively manufactured. It has a cylindrical tube portion and a flange portion with a gear and a shaft through-hole. These portions can be integrated as a unit of a material containing an electrically conductive resin as the main component. Alternatively, the shaft is integrated unitarily with the substrate by single-step molding. Or further, a flange, made of a resin with high sliding wear resistance and with a gear and a shaft through-hole, or a previously molded flange made of a resin with high sliding wear resistance and with a gear and a shaft insert-molded to the flange, with an electric conductor, is disposed in an assembling molding step at an end of a cylindrical tube made essentially of a conductive resin.

Abstract: An arm mechanism includes a drive control mechanism that uses an end effector coordinate system and has an end effector drive control mechanism. The drive control mechanism includes an end effector rotational drive control mechanism and an end effector coordinate system translational drive control mechanism. The rotational drive control mechanism has three rotational actuators for driving end effector rotation about each axis separately. The end effector coordinate system translational drive control mechanism has an end effector coordinate system translational actuator to drive translational motion of the object. The drive control mechanism further includes an orientation maintenance mechanism that maintains the orientation of the target object on the absolute coordinate system and two absolute coordinate system translational actuators supported on the orientation maintenance mechanism for providing translational motion of the object along two orthogonal axes on the absolute coordinate system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering column which is capable of moving four ways. The steering column has a base support affixed to a horizontal cab floor. The base support has a steering motor. The steering column has an input shaft with a upper telescoping shaft. Attached to the upper telescoping shaft is the steering wheel. Also attached to the upper telescoping shaft is the upper input shaft. The first universal joint connects the upper input shaft to the inner input shaft. Torque is transferred by a key on the exterior circumference of the inner input shaft to a key slot on the interior circumference of the outer input shaft. The outer input shaft is connected to the lower input shaft by the second universal joint. The lower input shaft is connected to the steering motor. Attached to the base support is the lower pivot assembly. The lower pivot assembly rotates about the base support by actuating a lower gas cylinder. The lower pivot assembly can translate by operating the lower locking knob.

Abstract: A drive plate (E) for an automotive vehicle for transmitting a torque from a crankshaft (6) to a torque converter (7), while absorbing a thrust load applied from the torque converter to the crankshaft is formed with: a central mount portion (11) for mounting a crankshaft; an outer gear (20) formed in an outermost circumference of the drive plate; a plurality of weight reducing holes (30) formed between the central mount portion and the outer gear at regular angular intervals; and a plurality of the outer mount portions (12) for mounting a torque converter (7) formed near an outer circumference of the drive plate at regular angular intervals. In particular, the outer mount portions (12) are formed in such a way as to project radially inward from the outer gear (20) into the weight reducing holes (30), respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle. The pedal assembly includes an upper hub structure and a pedal arm extending downwardly from the hub structure and mounting the pedal pad. The hub structure is slidably mounted on a single hollow guide rod extending rearwardly from a transmission housing which in turn is rigidly secured to a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally mounted to a bracket secured to the firewall of the vehicle. A nut is positioned slidably within the hollow guide rod and a screw shaft extends rearwardly from the transmission housing for threaded engagement with the nut. The upper end of the pedal arm extends upwardly through a slot in the bottom of the hub structure and through a slot in the bottom of the guide rod and the nut is positioned on the upper end of the pedal arm within the hub so that linear movement of the nut within the hollow rod as generated by rotation of the screw shaft results in forward and rearward movement of the pedal assembly along the guide rod.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for developing a propulsion force in a predetermined direction. The apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame slidably mounted within the outer frame. The inner frame supports a flywheel which rotates about a shaft defining a first axis. Masses are mounted to the flywheel for rotational movement with the flywheel and for lateral movement relative to the flywheel in a direction to increase and decrease a distance of a center of gravity of the masses from the first axis. The outer frame supports a mass movement control member rotating with the flywheel about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The control member moves the masses cyclically such that the distance from the first axis is at a maximum in the direction of propulsion and at a minimum in a direction opposite to the direction of propulsion.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a saw blade holder (24), a grinding slide (30) which carries a profiled grinding wheel (38) and is movable to and fro in a strokewise manner with respect to the saw blade holder (24), and a feed slide (40). At the feed slide (40) a feed finger (48) can be moved from an inoperative position into a driving position in which it engages after a return motion of the feed slide (40) behind a tooth (12) of a saw blade (10) driving same during the next feed motion. The feed finger (48) can be rendered stationary in its inoperative position during dressing intervals. A dressing tool (50) is arranged at the feed slide (40) in such a manner that it can be moved in the dressing intervals from an inoperative position into a dressing position.

Abstract: A method of forming tool dies, comprising the steps of (a) forming a plurality of unitary tool blank plates by mechanically securing a low carbon steel plate portion to a tool steel plate portion with a thin layer of brazing material therebetween, and heating the secured low carbon steel plate portion, tool steel plate portion, and brazing material layer to simultaneously (1) melt the brazing material to braze the low carbon steel plate portion to the tool steel plate portion and form the unitary blank plate, and (2) harden the tool steel plate portion, (b) maintaining an inventory of the tool blank plates, (c) retrieving one of the unitary blank plates from inventory in response to a tool die order from a customer, (d) operating on the retrieved blank plate to selectively shape the blank plate into a tool die as ordered by the customer, including (1) operating on the low carbon steel plate portion wherein at least a part of the operations on the low carbon steel plate portion do not include use of carbide to

Abstract: The present invention relates to power tongs used in the oil and gas industry to make up and break apart the joints on drill pipe and other tubular members. The invention provides a selectively releasable braking apparatus for a power tong. The selectively releasable braking apparatus comprises a braking ring operatively connected to a cage plate of the power tong and a braking surface mechanically connected to the cage plate. The apparatus further has a gripping device capable of selectively gripping and holding the braking surface and has a gear train transferring torque from said brake ring to said braking surface. Power tongs also typically have a throat, a ring gear with an opening, and a cage plate with an opening. The present invention further provides an apparatus for aligning the openings in the ring gear and the cage plate with the throat of the power tong and remotely reversing the direction of rotation of the ring gear and cage plate.

Abstract: A ratcheting adjustable wrench that provides continuous clamping on a nut when rotated in a clockwise direction, while providing ratcheting when rotated in an opposite counterclockwise without having to repeatedly remove it from the nut. The wrench includes a head with a fixed jaw, a movable jaw slidably mounted in the head, a handle pivotally mounted to the head, and a cam component pivotally mounted to the head and operatively connected to the movable jaw and the handle.