Abstract: A female die and a punch for forming relatively complex parts from axi-symmetrical workpieces, and the method of using the female die and punch to form the parts from the workpieces are disclosed. The female die and punch are used in a forging apparatus to near net warm forge parts that include curved surfaces with at least one protrusion offset from the longitudinal central axis of the part, or other complex part configuration. The female die includes curved inner surfaces that form the curved surfaces on the part and a recess to form the protrusion. The punch includes a forming surface at the bottom that is shaped to move material of the workpiece into regions of the cavity that form the protrusion. The volume of the part is substantially equal to the volume of the workpiece.

Abstract: A press brake comprising a bed for supporting a lower mold on the upper surface thereof, a ram for supporting an upper mold in opposition to said lower mold a driver for causing either the ram or the bed to move for bending a workpiece between the upper and lower molds, and a distance adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the upper and lower molds via operation of a wedging unit and a pair of reciprocating units. The wedging unit is disposed either between the ram and the upper mold or between the bed and lower mold, and comprises a pair of movable wedges vertically disposed and a stationary wedge disposed between the movable wedges in contact with the movable wedges. Each of the contacting surfaces of the wedges is formed by a plurality of inclined planes having different angles of inclination. The reciprocating units are connected to the movable wedges to move the movable wedges along the length of the molds.

Abstract: A blind rivet setting tool (10) includes a front end (2) having an outer support barrel (4), an inner pulling mandrel (6) and a rivet flange contacting face (8).

Abstract: A three-dimensional simple flexible mould for bending pipes comprised of a plurality of arciform or half-circled spring elements, pins and chucking rings for being a protecting mould in a three-dimensional pipe bending process. The two ends of every spring element have two lapping portions each with a hole for insertion of two common pins therethrough. One of the lapping portions on each of the spring elements is lapped over one of the lapping portions of the neighbored one of the spring elements at one side of the spring element and the other over another of the lapping portions of another neighbored one of the spring elements at the other side thereof. Such that said spring elements are strung to be in the form of a spiral spring typed flexible mould. The pins are provided on the two open ends thereof with annular grooves for engagement by the chucking rings to prevent the spring elements from dropping.

Abstract: A wafer centering device which includes a wafer centering chuck and a wafer calibration disk and a method for using such device are disclosed. The wafer centering chuck can be advantageously used to replace a vacuum chuck in a processing station that utilizes a rotating wafer platform. A center locating pin provided at the center of the wafer centering chuck can then be used to calibrate a centering position for a liquid dispensing nozzle head which dispenses any type of liquid on a rotating wafer. The wafer calibration disk may be used advantageously to calibrate the motion of a robot arm wafer loader when the disk is used in place of a regular wafer. A center aperture and a calibration grid provided on the wafer calibration disk may be used advantageously to identify the deviation of the center when the calibration disk is placed on a wafer centering chuck by the robotic arm.

Abstract: An trace analyzer apparatus and method useful in semiconductor processing for measuring trace impurities in gases and liquids comprising a gas chromatograph serving to replace a bulk gas in a composition of bulk gas including contaminants in a bulk gas stream with a carrier gas having a higher ionization potential than that of said contaminants, where such gas chromatograph is connected to a hollow electrode (14) for initiating ionization of said contaminants by electrical discharge, where such electrode is electrically isolated from a source housing (44) and adjacent to a skimmer plate (16) that ionizes trace contaminants that are measured using a mass spectrometer, is disclosed.

Abstract: A engine exhaust gas measuring sensor having a sealing device and having a sleeve suitable for connection to a housing including a sealing element which is arranged at an end of sleeve facing away from the housing so that a reference air chamber is formed within the sleeve. The sealing element also has at least one opening extending longitudinally and at least one oblong contact which penetrates the opening and serves the purpose of establishing an electrical bond with a sensor element of the lambda probe. A glass seal is placed within the opening for the purpose of sealing and insulation. The glass seal encloses a longitudinal section of the contact located within the opening in the form of a jacket. The sealing element and the sleeve are made of metal. A method for making such an engine exhaust gas sensor includes the steps of introducing solder glass in a sealing element opening, heating the solder glass so that it becomes fluid and cooling the glass so that is solidifies or sets.

Abstract: An improved system for the non-destructive testing of the fluid tight integrity of an installed fluid transfer line such as a drain pipe or vent and wastewater system of a building. A removable test baffle is installed in a seat extending radially into the sidewall of a pipe or other fluid transfer line to isolate an installed portion of the fluid line for testing. The test baffle comprises a pair of gaskets to improve the effectiveness of the baffle in sealing or isolating the line and a domed central web to facilitate testing at increased pressures. The test baffle optionally further includes a lightweight, low cost ribbed construction and a means for removing the baffle from either the convex or concave side of the dome without leaving behind any portion of the baffle to impair fluid flow within the line. On removal, the baffle is flexed into a saddle shape and removed from the line without need for dismantlement of the line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of gasoline volatility characteristics, and is directed in particular to the provision of an ultrasonic-type gasoline characteristic determination method and apparatus capable of determining the volatility characteristics with good accuracy by measuring the velocity of an ultrasonic wave in a gasoline containing alcohol or other additives and by compensating for deviations from a reference temperature, and a method for determining gasoline volatility characteristics by using an ultrasonic wave is provided, comprising the steps of transmitting an ultrasonic wave into a gasoline being measured, measuring the velocity of the ultrasonic wave in the gasoline, and determining the volatility characteristics of the gasoline from the velocity.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the rigidity of flat items with the aid of a conveying path in which the items are transported separately by means of conveying belts, wherein the conveying path has a straight section and a curved section and wherein the conveying belts are made of an eleastic material in the region of the curved section and at least one rigidity sensor is provided for measuring the deflection of the conveying belts caused by the item passing through a predetermined position of the curved section, and further including at least one thickness sensor in the region of the straight section, and an evaluation device is provided for determining the rigidity of an item passing through from the values obtained by the thickness and rigidity sensors.

Abstract: A scanned-stylus atomic force microscope (AFM) employing the optical lever technique, and method of operating the same. The AFM of the invention includes a light source and a scanned optical assembly which guides light emitted from the light source onto point on a cantilever during scanning thereof. A moving light beam is thus created which will automatically track the movement of the cantilever during scanning. The invention also allows the light beam to be used to measure, calibrate or correct the motion of the scanning mechanism, and further allows viewing of the sample and cantilever using an optical microscope.

Abstract: A throttle opening degree detection apparatus installed to an engine of a vehicle comprises a idle-up section which directly changes a throttle value opening degree to improve an engine starting characteristic under an engine cold condition and a sensor device which detects the operation of the idle-up section. The apparatus further includes a first learning section which updates a full close reference value under inoperative condition of the idle-up section and a second learning section which updates the full close reference value under idle-up section operating condition. The apparatus calculates a throttle opening degree on the basis of a difference between a throttle detection signal of a throttle sensor and the full close reference value.

Abstract: Action force of a wheel is measured in order to measure the road surface frictional force, vertical drag, road surface friction coefficient, etc. Means for making these measurements can be constituents of an antilock brake system, traction control system, etc. These constituents may also serve as devices for measuring stresses generated in other structures. In a specific example, axle of a vehicle is formed with a hole, a stress detection sensor is installed in the hole and secured in position with the aid of a spacer element, and a detection signal from the stress detection sensor is processed in a signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a housing (10), a rotor (16) having brushes (36, 36) thereon rotatably mounted in the housing, a base plate (20) mounted to the housing, conductive members (48, 50, 52) on the base plate in electrical connection with the brushes, the base plate (20) forming a cover member for the housing so that an outer surface (47) thereof is exposed to the outside. Such an arrangement results in a position sensor with a reduced number of components having improved heat dissipation characteristics and better reliable electrical connections.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inspection apparatus includes a flat plate, a flexible bladder containing a quantity of fluid, and transducers on the plate. The plate is made of a transparent yieldable resilient bendable material capable of transmitting an inflated vehicle tire footprint and of undergoing a deflection in response to the supported weight on the tire applied thereon. The bladder is supported on the top side of the plate and has an upper opaque portion of a first color, a lower transparent portion and an enclosed interior cavity. The fluid contained within the cavity is of a second color different from the first color of the upper bladder portion.

Abstract: A golf wind sock assembly comprising a structure for visually indicating wind direction. A facility is for supporting the visually indicating wind direction structure in an elevated three hundred and sixty degree rotatable position, so that a person can see what direction wind is blowing from.

Abstract: The detection of components that cause p-static interference with communications and navigation equipment is essential to the maintenance of an aircraft. A p-static source locator uses two leads to supply a voltage between components of the aircraft. If the components are not properly electrically bonded, a radio receiver detects the p-static interference created when sparking occurs between the inadequately bonded components. The p-static source locator may be implemented in a single hand-held unit that is simple to transport and use. Moreover, the locator uses low voltage potential differences for operator safety.

Abstract: A thermosensitive flowmeter includes a first thermosensitive resistor "Rh" for detecting a flow rate of a fluid in a fluid passage 19, a second thermosensitive resistor "Rk" for detecting an atmospheric temperature in the fluid passage, a power supply 1 for supplying a current to respective thermosensitive resistors, a first control circuit 11 for controlling a first consuming current "ih" so that the heating temperature of the first thermosensitive resistor is made to a predetermined temperature, and a second control circuit 16 for controlling a second current "ik" flowing to the second thermosensitive resistor so that it is smaller than the first consuming current by a predetermined ratio. The second control circuit responds to a voltage across the first thermosensitive resistor, whereby a self-heating of the second thermosensitive resistor is reduced by reducing the consumed current, and the number of connecting terminals to the printed wiring board on the fluid passage is reduced by a simple arrangement.

Abstract: A heating resistor type air flow-meter has a ratio-meter circuit comprising a proportional circuit for outputting a signal V.sub.out proportional to an input voltage V.sub.in a multiplying circuit for outputting a multiplied signal V.sub.m proportional to a product of a voltage difference VD between an internal reference voltage VINT and an external reference voltage VREF and the voltage signal V.sub.in and an adding circuit for adding the output signal V.sub.p of the proportional circuit and the output signal V.sub.m of the multiplying circuit.

Abstract: A solid state microanemometer is micromachined from a bonded silicon wafer comprising two silicon layers. The microanemometer comprises a first semiconductor wafer doped with an impurity having an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface with a peripheral edge; and a second semiconductor wafer bonded to the first semiconductor wafer having an upper planar surface; a lower surface; and a cavity having a peripheral edge and a peripheral margin defined on the upper planar surface and bounded by the peripheral edge of the cavity wherein the lower planar surface of the first semiconductor is bonded to the peripheral margin of the cavity so as to at least partially close the cavity wherein 0.025 to 99% of the peripheral edge of the lower planar surface of the first semiconductor overlaps with the peripheral edge of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow meter and in particular to a flow meter suitable for connection into a fluid conduit. The flow meter has an inlet and an outlet for connection into a fluid line and includes interconnected cylinders, each cylinder having a plurality of ports controlled by a piston axially-movable therein such that at any time the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication by a fluid pathway which includes two cylinders characterized in that there are three interconnected cylinders.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent erroneous operation of a liquid level sensor due to deposition of ammonium fluoride dissolved in buffered hydrofluoric acid used as a process solution.The present invention provides a liquid level sensor comprising a chemical solution bath for receiving a chemical solution including buffered hydrofluoric acid, a gas feed tube for introducing a gas for detecting the variation in the liquid level of said chemical solution into said chemical solution, and a gas pressure detector for detecting a change in the pressure of said gas and converting it into an electric signal to indicate a change in liquid level, characterized in that the diameter of a gas outlet provided at an end of said gas feed tube is smaller than the inner diameter of said gas feed tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring key components of body movement and flexure during kinetic activities, and providing intuitive, audible, real time biofeedback to the user. The system uses one or more transducers of types that are directionally sensitive to motion, distance, velocity, and the like, or sensitive to flexure of body joints, at frequencies and magnitudes consistent with human physical activities. Universal appliances aid in the ready emplacement of transducers at user selected points on the body, with user selected orientation. Transducers are connected by wires or wireless means to a small, battery powered signal processor and biofeedback module worn by the user. Individual or integrated transducer outputs are processed to obtain the selected parameter, such as speed of rotation or degree of flexure, and measured against a multistep scale of preferably 3 to 5 steps calibrated to the range of interest and separated by perceptible difference in value.

Abstract: A solid state silicon micromachined acceleration and Coriolis (MAC) sensor that measures linear and angular motion. The MAC sensor is a single device that performs the functions of a conventional accelerometer and a gyroscope simultaneously. The MAC sensor is unique in that it is a differential dual stage device using only one micromachined proof mass to measure both linear and angular motions. The single proof mass is connected to opposing electromechanical resonators in a monolithic microstructure made from single crystal silicon. This unique design offers improvements in measurement performance and reductions in fabrication complexity that are beyond the state the art of earlier micromachined inertial sensors.

Abstract: A sensor or actuator structure having a first part and at least one second part. The second part is mobile and electrically insulated in relation to the first part. The first and second parts are formed in a noninsulating substrate wafer and have mutually adjacent edges separated by at least one cut which goes right through the substrate. The second part has at least one extension in the form of a beam which has one end fixed onto the first part by way of an electrically insulating joint. This device may be used in an accelerometer.

Abstract: An absolute amplitude sensor device for measuring absolute vibrations comprising a non-contact displacement sensor, in particular, an eddy-current sensor and a vibrator. Said vibrator is comprised of a number of inertial mass pieces, springs, a damper and a housing. The inertial mass piece is levitated in said housing by means of said springs and damper. The output signal of said device is directly proportional to the amplitude of the object to be measured. The number of said inertial mass pieces is N. It is a single-vibrator when N equals 1 and a multi-vibrator when N equals 2 to 20.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of locating defects within microcomponents using ultrasonic technology. A pulse-echo mode transducer and a through-transmission mode transducer are arranged around a component in order to introduce ultrasonic sound waves to perform inspections of both sides of the component to be tested which reduces the overall testing time by simultaneously providing a composite image of both sides of the component. By eliminating a scan process, an increase of the rate at which components are inspected is achieved.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for making contactless distance and pressure measurements within an air spring. With a single arrangement, the exact elevation of the spring as well as the spring pressure can be determined. This permits optimal utilization of the axle loads of a multi-axle vehicle and permits adjustment of the distance between the chassis and the axle. In the arrangement, an ultrasonic configuration makes contactless distance measurements in accordance with the pulse/echo method. The arrangement includes a transmitter/receiver component (4) mounted on the chassis and a first reflector (24) defining a first reference distance (16) therebetween. The component (4) and a reflector (6) define a measuring distance (30). The reflector (6) is fixedly mounted to the axle. The transmitter/receiver component (4) is elastically supported by a suspension (10) in a pipe stub (8) fixedly mounted to the chassis.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided which can detect the presence, absence or magnitude of pressure. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a sensor device. The sensor membrane is flexible and may be constructed of a conductive material or may include a flexible film attached to a conductive film. The sensor device includes an electrode substrate having an electrode surface and a set of electrodes disposed on the electrode surface. As pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane distends or deforms towards the electrode set positioned on the electrode surface. As sufficient pressure is applied, the sensor membrane will make both electrical and mechanical contact with at least two of the electrodes. Since the sensor membrane is conductive, the contacted electrodes will be in electrical connection with each other. As pressure is increased, additional electrodes will be contacted and placed in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: The invention in a safety bleed assembly includes a body wherein intersecting passages are formed that mount in ends thereof, respectively, a pressure gauge, and ports with check valves and ports alone. The ports with check valves function as high pressure ports and are for connection through lines or hoses to high pressure check/bleed connectors that have been mounted in lines or hoses of a section or sections of a hydraulic system that may remain under pressure after the hydraulic system has been shut down, and the ports without check valves function as low pressure ports that are for connection through lines or hoses to low pressure check/bleed connectors that have been mounted in lines or hoses of a section or sections of the hydraulic system that are at zero or low pressure when the hydraulic system has been shut down, with fluid passed through the safety bleed assembly of the invention to travel from high to low pressure ports.

Abstract: A mounting device for pressure transducers comprises a housing with two cbers separated by an acoustic filter/heat sink. A blast shield having at least one opening allows communication between the measured environment and the first chamber and provides protection to the acoustic filter/heat sink film blast particles and flame. The acoustic filter/heat sink comprises a plurality of tortuous paths through a material having a high thermal conductivity and high specific gravity. The pressure transducer is located in the second chamber and is mounted on a thermally insulating mounting plate. The tortuous paths provide attenuation of high frequency, high amplitude pressure transients, cools the medium entering the filter due to the pressure transient and protects the transducer from corrosive particles and aerosols.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (100) for separating at least a first component (e.g., liquid, etc.) from a second component (e.g, gas or vapor, etc.) from a multiphase fluid during non-ideal flows such as plug flow operation. The apparatus (100) generally has a first line section (111) tangentially connected to the inlet flow line (105) and a second line section (117) coupled in series to the first line section (111). The second line section (117) includes an upper portion and a lower portion, which are respectively coupled to an upper portion and a lower portion of the first line section. The first component is removed using a gas discharge line (119) connected to the second line section (117). A substantially horizontal line section (121) also connected to second line section (117) removes substantially liquids from the second line section (117).

Abstract: An in-line flow meter for use in drip irrigation systems which provides a field adjustable, infinitely variable visual flow indication of both high and low flow rates above and below a field adjustable normal flow rate is provided by means of a drag paddle rotatably disposed in the flow in the fluid conduit. The paddle carries a magnet and an indicator lever exterior to the conduit carries a second magnet which interacts with the magnet on the paddle. The paddle which hangs downwardly into the flow, and rotates upwardly and downwardly depending on whether the flow increases or decreases. The exterior indicator lever similarly rotates to mimic or telegraph the angular orientation of the paddle through the interaction of the two magnets. An adjustable counterweight is provided on or as the exterior indicator lever and can be positioned so that the indicator lever is approximately level or aligned with a fixed shield when the predetermined flow is achieved.

Abstract: A suspended body flow meter for flowing media with a measuring tube, with a suspended body movable in the direction of flow and located in the measuring tube, with at least one permanent magnet connected with the suspended body, with a meter housing, with at least one rotatable follower magnet following the motions of the permanent magnet connected with the suspended body and located outside the measuring tube in the meter housing and with a display device converting the motions of the follower magnet and located in the meter housing. The meter housing is designed so that at least one slide-in guide is provided for a slide-in element bearing mechanical and/or electrical functional units.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive element or array is provided which includes at least one first conductor on a first substrate and at least one second conductor on a second substrate, with a first conductor and a second conductor intersecting adjacent to each other at a sensor point and a pressure sensitive material being between the first and second conductors at each such sensor point. A mechanism is also provided which applies a predetermined prepressure to the substrates at least at selected ones of the sensor points. The prepressure for a preferred embodiment is provided by joining the substrates with an air-tight seal around a periphery of at least the pressure point to which prepressure is to be applied and by creating a reduced pressure area between the substrates within the sealed periphery. For preferred embodiments, the reduced pressure is a substantial vacuum, causing substantially atmospheric pressure to be applied to the sensor points.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for introduction and/or withdrawal of a medium into/form an apertured container, and it comprises at least one transfer (1) for transferring medium to or from the container, and at leant one seal. The seal is incorporated as a sealingly mounted part of the transfer member (1) and the transfer member (1) is by means of a fastening device (3), via the seal, sealingly secured to the container of a fastening device (3), via the seal, sealingly secured to the container aperture during use and them forms a closed system together with the container. The transfer member (1) is removable for replacement thereof after use and the seal has a sealable channel to interconnect the transfer member (1) and the container interior during use.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a particle monitor prior to applying DC power to a cathode in the processing chamber by first, initiating a flow of gas to the processing chamber. Next, the operation of the particle monitor is initiated to obtain a particle count within the flow of gas in the processing chamber. If the particle monitor detects a particle count in excess of a minimum value, the operation of the particle monitor is adjusted to reduce the particle count to the minimum value. During production, the particle monitor count is initiated by a particle monitor control only after the particle monitor control detects an occurrence of both a first signal generated in response to initiating a flow of gas to the processing chamber and, a second signal generated in response to the application of power to a cathode within the processing chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle flow thrust vector measurement system employs a thrust vector table, and a gas supply. The thrust vector table employs a thrust measurement table; a reference table; and at least three load cell assemblies coupled to the thrust measurement table and the reference table. The gas supply system employs a gas supply conduit substantially fixed relative to the reference table; a gas supply manifold substantially fixed relative to the thrust vector table; and a zero force connecting system coupled between the gas supply conduit and the gas supply manifold, wherein the zero force connecting system applies substantially zero net force to the gas supply manifold allowing substantially all force applied to the thrust vector table to act on said load cell assemblies.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting a.c. electrical power across a small, even gap, without any physical contact, from a primary pole system to a secondary pole system, one of which moves relative to the other. Relative movement between the pole system may be rotational as when the primary and secondary pole systems are coaxial, or may involve translational linear motion as when there is an elongate primary pole system and an elongate parallel secondary pole system. The purpose, whether the relative motion is rotational or translational, is to transfer electrical power at a controlled frequency, voltage, and current level across the gap for utilization at the relatively moving poles/elements of the system. The magnetic field across the gap between the primary and secondary pole systems is always changing in accordance with the power supplied to the primary coils and this changing field remains continuous throughout the distance traveled by the secondary poles.

Abstract: A swaying mechanism is provided, which can be used on various kinds of electrical appliances that need to be swayed during use, such as electric fans, dryers, and heaters. The swaying mechanism can protect the motor from being burned out when the swaying motion is abruptly stopped by foreign objects, and also can allow the electric cable to be always fixed in position all the time during the swaying motion such that the cable would not wear out. The swaying mechanism includes a synchronization motor; a first elbow member coupled to the motor shaft; a linkage bar for providing a reciprocating force when the motor rotates; a second elbow member which can be swayed by the reciprocating force from the linkage bar; and a toothed section on which the second elbow member is swayably mounted.

Abstract: A system for providing self-alignment of an appendage or other movable part comprising an input device, a self-aligning clutch, a processor, a feedback sensor, and a timer. The input device drives a set of gears including a partial output gear. The self-aligning clutch is coupled to the output gear and moves the appendage in response to the rotational motion of the output gear. The self-aligning clutch includes a flexible link for transferring energy from the output gear to the appendage and for maintaining the relative alignment between the appendage and the output gear. When an obstruction prevents the appendage from moving to the desired position, the flexible link stores energy. After the obstruction is removed, the flexible link releases the stored energy to move the appendage so that the relative alignment between the output gear and the appendage is maintained. The self-aligning clutch prevents damage to the servo when an external force is applied to the appendage.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a base, a guide assembly mounted on the base, a first displacing unit mounted on the base for displacement into engagement with the guide assembly to place the first displacing unit in a fixed state and for displacement in a moving direction along the guide assembly when the first displacing unit is not in a fixed state, and a second displacing unit integrally connected to the first displacing unit and mounted on the base for displacement in the moving direction along the guide assembly. A holder is mounted in contact with the guide assembly for movement with the second displacing unit and for supporting the second displacing unit on the guide assembly with a frictional force weaker than a force with which the first displacing unit is maintained in the fixed state to thereby allow the second displacing unit and the holder to move in the moving direction while the holder contacts the guide assembly and while the first displacing unit is in the fixed state.

Abstract: A right angle drive gearbox (10) having a housing (12) defined by a pair of housing members (14, 16). The housing has a first opposed pair of cylindrical openings that are formed by opposed semi-cylindrical recesses (42, 46) in opposed side walls of one of the housing members and a second opposed pair of cylindrical openings that are formed by opposed semi-cylindrical recesses (44, 48) in opposed side walls of the other of the housing members. A first shaft (24) is rotatingly supported in the first opposed pair of cylindrical openings, and a second shaft (20) is rotatingly supported in the second opposed pair of cylindrical openings, the longitudinal central axes of the first and second shafts being spaced apart from one another and otherwise extending perpendicularly with respect to one another.

Abstract: An improved balance weight construction and a method of securing such a balance weight to a drive shaft or other tubular body are disclosed. A generally cylindrical balance weight is formed with a curved end surface which conforms to the outer surface of the drive shaft. The balance weight and drive shaft are typically formed of dissimilar materials, such as steel and aluminum, respectively. The balance weight has a coaxial aperture formed therethrough and a plurality of radially-extending grooves formed in the curved surface thereof which connect the aperture with the edge of the surface. While the balance weight is maintained against the drive shaft at a predetermined location satisfactory for balancing the drive shaft, an adhesive material, such as molten aluminum wire, is supplied within the aperture so as to form a spot or rivet-type weld.

Abstract: Undesirable vibrations are controlled in a mechanical structure by confining the vibrations to one or more specified areas of the structure. Vibration confinement is achieved using a confinement device which effectively applies both translational and torsional forces to the structure. The strength of the translational and torsional forces, and the position of the confinement device are chosen by the designer to select a vibrational energy confinement region. Judicious selection of the confinement a region permits the structure to avoid the transfer of vibrational energy to particularly sensitive portions of the structure.

Abstract: A manually operated corkscrew is disclosed with a substantially U-shaped body having first and second ends. A rack with teeth is moveable within the body. The rack has first and second ends and is biased to move toward the second end of the body. Two symmetrical wings are provided on the second end of the rack with an extension spike mounted therebetween. A handle, pivotally attached at a pivot to the body adjacent to the first end of the body also has an axis joint disposed adjacent to the pivot. A ratchet claw, with a claw end, is pivotally disposed on the axis joint and biased so that the claw end engages the teeth on the rack. The handle acts as a first-class lever when activated about the pivot to gradually push the rack toward the first end of the body through progressive engagement between the ratchet claw and the teeth on the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly and efficiently removing valve packing from a valve of the type having a threaded or non-threaded valve stem. In general, the apparatus includes a sleeve adapted to be positioned about the portion of the valve stem which extends exteriorly of the packing. The sleeve is rotatably connected to a translation mechanism operable in conjunction with the exposed portion of the valve stem. Depending on the type of valve and whether the exposed portion of the valve stem is threaded or smooth and whether or not the valve stem is capable of rotation, the translation mechanism can either be threadingly mated or clamped onto the valve stem to cooperate therewith for translating the sleeve toward or away form the packing. When the translation mechanism is operated, the rotatably connected sleeve is caused to translate along the valve stem. A plurality of curved teeth depend from the sleeve in such a manner that they all curve in the same rotational direction with respect to the sleeve.

Abstract: An indexible tool (for example, a wrench) in which the handle of the tool stays in a constant horizontal plane with respect to the horizontal plane of the head of the tool and the tool has locked and unlocked positions through a movable splined pin connecting the head and the handle of the tool.

Abstract: A hex wrench is provided for driving a screw having a screw head with a counterbore defined therein. The hex wrench is L-shaped and includes a longer section and a shorter section. The longer section includes a neck defined therein, thereby forming a distal driving end with an end face. The neck includes an end edge that faces the driving end. A distance between the end edge of the neck and the end face of the driving end is smaller than a radius of the screw to be driven. The end edge of the neck bears against the screw head when the driving end is received in the counterbore of the screw head in a slanted manner for driving the screw. A portion of the longer section above the neck is engaged with the counterbore of the screw head when the driving end is received in the counterbore in an upright manner.

Abstract: A hand-held driving tool kit includes a plurality of hand-held driving tools each having an elongate handle which defines a tool axis and is suitably shaped and dimensioned to be graspable within the hand of the user. The driving tool may be in the form of a fixed, precision or other drivers in which the driver members, such as flat blade and Phillips screwdriver tips are mounted at one axial of the handle. The handle defines a driver axis generally coaxially aligned with the tool axis.