Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling, using an adsorption agent, and with at least one rector/adsorber which comprises a vessel for receiving the adsorption agent, in particular zeolite, with at least one vessel serving as an evaporator and for receiving an evaporation agent, in particular water, and with at least one line which connects the two vessels and which is capable of being shut off at least with the aid of a shut-off member, the reactor/adsorber and the evaporator each having at least one orifice and being connectable to a vacuum generator and to at least one condenser.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, and a pressure chamber which is connected to the enclosure and which receives the sorbate from the enclosure during the desorption reaction and releases the sorbate into the enclosure during the adsorption reaction.

Abstract: Jewelry pieces formed entirely or partially of a shape memory alloy provided with a pre-determined memory shape, where the shape memory characteristic and/or the superelastic characteristic of the alloy is used either in the construction of the piece or to facilitate repair of damaged pieces, since plastically deformed alloy shapes can be corrected by raising the alloy above the phase transition temperature, whereupon the piece resumes it memory shape.

Abstract: An ornamental member for an accessory is in the form of a frame surrounding an opening, or is in the form of a base plate formed of a rigid material having rigidity and being integral with the frame. A slit is formed through one side wall of the ornamental member, the slit being longer than the width of an upper end of the opening between two side walls adjacent to the one side wall. An ornamental sheet is removably insertable through the slit, and all edges of the ornamental sheet are concealed by the frame with the ornamental sheet inserted. One accessory exhibits various different ornamental appearances by remobably inserting various kinds of ornamental sheets into the ornamental member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rippled edge beveler comprising a wheelhead feeding mechanism having an upper planker and a grinding wheel, wherein the upper planker 2 is connected to the middle planker which is connected to the lower planker fixed on the grinding wheel beam. A drive motor is joined to the lower part of the grinding wheel beam, the drive motor connected to a driving gear which engages the middle gear. The spin axis is connected to the middle gear. Several driven gears are joined to the middle of the spin axis. The driven gears are connected to the input end of the worm screw decelerator, whose output end is connected to the vertical shaft, whose end is connected to the middle planker. The present structure is reliable to use, convenient and easy to install and pleasing to the eye.

Abstract: The same mask pattern is used as an etching mask in defining the horizontal location of micro-machined (etched) features at the substrate surface of an optical device relative to the waveguide cores also at the substrate surface of the optical device. Exemplary micro-machined features include grooves, recesses and inclined surfaces formed in the substrate surface for any of a variety of purposes. The accurate horizontal positioning of these features relative to the integrated waveguide cores fosters accurate optical coupling between the integrated waveguide cores and external and/or internal components.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and precursors for producing substantially water-free silica soot, preforms and glass. The methods and apparatus make substantially water-free fused silica preforms or glass by removing water as a reaction product, removing water from the atmosphere, removing water from the transport process, or combinations thereof. In a first embodiment, substantially water-free soot, preforms or glass are achieved by using a hydrogen-free fuel, such as carbon monoxide, in the deposition process. In another embodiment, a soot producing burner has parameters that enable operation on a substantially hydrogen-free fuel. End burners, which minimize water production, are also described. Such water-free methods are useful in depositing fluorine-doped soot because of the low water present and the efficiency in which fluorine is incorporated. In another embodiment, glassy barrier layer methods and apparatus are described for minimizing dopant migration, especially fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic draw furnace having a fiber optic heating and draw control system that controls the heating of a fiber optic preform which is partially melted by a furnace and the drawing of an optical fiber from the fiber optic preform by a fiber drawing device. The fiber optic heating and draw control system features a fiber optic heating and drawing device controller that responds to a furnace power consumption control signal from a fiber optic preform heating device in the furnace, for providing a furnace heating control signal to the fiber optic preform heating device in the furnace and a fiber tension draw control signal to the fiber drawing device to maintain a desired fiber draw tension on the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the fiber optic heating and drawing device controller is a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fertilizer composition which enables the efficient absorption of a fertilizer such as calcium. Namely, the present invention provides a fertilizer composition comprising a specific anionic surfactant or a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant and a fertilizer as the essential components.

Abstract: A rolling machine for processing a metal container which has a longitudinal seam and is made from a flat metal plate to form a cylindrical body having adjacent or overlapping butt edges securely joined to one another by folding or welding, whereupon a disk-shaped lower bottom and, optionally, a respective upper bottom, is welded or folded to the cylindrical body to form a closed container, or an open-topped container, respectively, is configured as a continuous rolling machine and includes an upper carrier frame; an upper rolling drum rotatably supported in the upper carrier frame; a lower drum stand; and a driven lower rolling drum rotatably mounted in the lower drum stand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a plastic processing method for easily shaping a tip end of a metal rod material such that a sectional area of the tip end gradually decreases, A metal rod material 3 is contained in a molding groove 2 which is disposed in a mold 1 and whose end 2a has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3, a rolling roller 4 is rolled in contact with a mold surface 1a, and the rod material 3 is plastically deformed and molded along a shape of the molding groove 2. Subsequently, a burr 3b is removed. The molding groove 2 has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3 on a tip end 2a side, has a width and depth larger in size than a diameter of the rod material 3 on a rear end 2b side, and has a gradually decreasing sectional area on the tip end 2a side. A rolling roller 14 rotates together with large-diameter rollers 15a, 15b, and is pressed in contact with the mold surface 1a by the rollers 15a, 15b.

Abstract: A process system and produces metal sheets, including electric sheets, and uses at least one sheet machining unit, particularly a notching device. One or more linear transfer devices or more one sheet stacking devices, one or more sheet feeding unit and one or more sheet removal devices are being configured for stacking at least one sheet metal blank, centering and/or orienting at least one sheet metal blank, (c) at least one of notching at least one sheet metal blanks, separate and/or remove one or more interior sheet metal parts, and deposit the one or more notched sheet metal blanks and/or depositing the one or more interior sheet metal parts.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a heat exchanging fin is able to restrict forming wrinkles and ring marks in the heat exchanging fin. The method comprises the steps of: forming dome sections, whose diameter is greater than that of collared-through-holes and which are projected from one side face of a thin plate, and a plurality of circular recesses, whose diameter is greater than that of the dome sections and each of which encloses each of the dome sections and are depressed toward the other face of the thin plate; forming the dome sections and the recesses into truncated cone-shaped sections in a plurality of steps; forming a through-hole in each of the truncated cone-shaped sections; forming edges of the through-holes into collars; and forming a flange at a front end of each of the collars.

Abstract: A process of producing from an elongate tube a tubular structural component having a first longitudinal section integrally connected to a second longitudinal section, the second section being located at the end of the tube and being of a desired cross-sectional, shape and size, the cross-sectional size of the second section being greater than that of the first section, the process including selecting a mandrel having a cross-sectional shape and size corresponding to the second section, relatively axially feeding said end of the tube over the mandrel in order to form said second, section, the choice of the size of mandrel and the rate of feed and the axial pressure applied to said tube being controlled such that the wall thickness of the second section is on average at least 70 percent of the average wall thickness of the first wall section.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices that enable the spacing of metal units. One method generally identifies a dimple location on a metal unit, and applies a force at the dimple location to create a spacing feature. In another embodiment, the invention is a spacable metal sheet having thereon a spacing feature. The spacable metal sheet is preferably embodied as a copper cathode.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the interference-free evaluation of signals is disclosed, with which output signals of sensors can be evaluated; two inputs are needed for each sensor. If a ground-referred signal evaluation is to be done, then only one input is needed for each sensor. The evaluation is done using differential circuitry; in the operating mode with ground reference, the differential signal processing is done by employing an internally generated reference voltage. The choice of operating mode of the circuit arrangement can be made from outside freely via its own control pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of detecting leaks and blockages in a fuel system. The leaks are detected using a RAMPOFF mode and a TANK mode. The RAMPOFF mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to increase the ramp down rates of the evaporative purge duty cycle to aggressively shut off the purge solenoid valve for tests used to detect leaks as small as 0.02 inches in diameter. The TANK mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to support aggressive purging requirements for tests used to detect larger leaks of greater than 0.04 inches in diameter. The MASS FLOW mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to hold a constant purge mass flow rate necessary to detect blockages across a vent solenoid valve. The RAMPOFF mode, TANK mode, and MASS FLOW modes support evaporative diagnostics that are run continuously within a fuel system when acceptable engine operating conditions are present.

Abstract: A stylus 20 is mounted directly on detector 32 and the detector 32 is mounted directly on a holder 10. Thus, an vibration-type contact detection sensor 1 is formed in a state in which the holder 10 and the stylus 20 are placed out of contact with each other and the stylus 20 and the detector 32 are placed in contact with each other. Therefore, attenuation of vibration and status change of the stylus 20 by the holder 10 can be circumvented and vibration and status change of the stylus 20 can be propagated directly to the detector 32, so that the detector 32 can detect vibration and status change of the stylus 20 with high sensitivity, and contact with a workpiece can be detected with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of synchronization or a cylinder coordination to a crankshaft position in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with a crankshaft which rotates twice per working cycle, comprising the steps of supplying an output signal with a crankshaft transmitter, which per revolution of the crankshaft supplies a reference signal associated with an upper dead point of a cylinder, evaluating the output signal of the crankshaft transmitter by a control device for determining a rotary speed of the crankshaft and for forming injection signals, performing a preliminary synchronization after a detection of the reference signal and releasing a probe injection for an associated cylinder, verifying the preliminary synchronization in the case of a rotary speed increase or a rotary speed acceleration, in the event of a failing rotary speed increase, performing a new preliminary synchronization which is offset by a predetermined angle to release an injection for a cylinder presumably in an upper dead point, and verifyin

Abstract: The present invention is to detect a temperature of an exhaust gas purification catalyst in order to determined an air-fuel ratio feedback control start time of an internal combustion engine, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is detected by estimation and computation based on an element impedance of an air-fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: A tire air pressure detecting apparatus has an tire air pressure detecting mechanism for detecting the air pressure of a tire of a motorcycle, and a second control mechanism for comparing an actual air pressure detected by the tire air pressure detecting mechanism with a stored air pressure threshold, and controlling an engine output when the actual air pressure becomes lower than said air pressure threshold. Since the air pressure detecting apparatus comprises a small number of constituent elements including the tire air pressure detecting mechanism and the second control mechanism for reducing an engine output under certain conditions, the tire air pressure detecting apparatus can easily be reduced in size and cost.

Abstract: A dial-type tire pressure gauge uses a glow-in-the-dark material to illuminate the pressure indication scale so that it is highly visible even in inadequate lighting conditions. The gauge includes a face plate that is either coated or formed of glow-in-the-dark material. A contrasting pressure scale is superimposed over the glow-in-the-dark face plate. After exposing the glow-in-the-dark material to heat or light, the face plate will luminesce for an extended period of time, allowing a user to read the pressure scale in inadequate light conditions without an auxiliary light source.

Abstract: A transfer roll 1 for conveying a strip of substantially flat material from one device to another. The strip passes over the transfer roll as the transfer roll rotates. The transfer roll includes a flat and smooth cylindrical outer skin which comprises at least two cylindrical elements. Between the cylindrical elements is arranged a means 7 for reducing the mechanical stiffness of the cylindrical skin relative to the stiffness-of the remainder of the cylindrical skin 2. Suitable means such as a welded joint 9 of reduced cross sectional thickness compared to the remainder of the cylinder are described. Such means separate the cylinder mechanically into a plurality of measurement areas with a predetermined degree of crosstalk. The transfer roll may be used to measure force or tension in strip material more accurately than with previous devices.

Abstract: A hygrometer includes a capacitive sensor with a capacitance that changes in response to water or ice forming on its surface. A controller controls a thermoelectric module to cool the sensor until dew forms on the surface of the sensor. The controller then controls the thermoelectric module to heat or cool in response to a sharp change in the capacitance of the sensor, which occurs at the dew (or frost) point temperature of the ambient air, until the sensor reaches equilibrium at the dew (or frost) point temperature.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing mechanical vibration for the purpose of evaluating the durability or vibration response of a test article. More particularly, the devices and methods produce mechanical vibration of a test fixture without mechanical contact, thereby enabling the evaluation of the durability and vibration response of a test article connected to the test fixture. The device and method are particularly suitable for testing disk drives for portable computers and similar articles.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ice detector that can be mounted directly to the skin of an aircraft includes a transducer that is coupled to the interior surface of the skin, and transmits acoustic vibrational energy through the skin. A reflector bar having a reflector surface is mounted on the interior surface of the skin at a location spaced from the transducer and is effective to reflect acoustic energy back to the transducer. The reflector bar is raised from the interior surface and preferably has a width equal to the width of the acoustic wave that is generated by the transducer at the reflector location. The transducer and reflector are non-intrusive and do not alter the aircraft skin structural integrity. The arrangement provides an accurate, responsive sensor for determining presence of ice or other contaminants on the exterior surface of the skin.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method forms an image of an object using signals reflected from the object after transmitting an ultrasound pulse to the object. In the method, at a first step, a predetermined first spread spectrum signal is converted to the ultrasound signal at one or more transducers and the ultrasound signal is transmitted to the object. At a second step, pulse compression is performed on a reflected signal of the ultrasound signal reflected from the object to form a pulse compressed signal. And the pulse compressed signal is processed to produce a receive-focused signal and the image of the object from the receive-focused signal is generated.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a sensor chip with a diaphragm formed therein and bumps formed thereon, and a stem with leads extending from a surface thereof to the sensor chip. The bumps and the leads are electrically connected by face down bonding so that a surface of the sensor chip faces the surface of the stem. In this manner, bonding wires are unnecessary. Therefore, an area for disposing the bonding wires in the stem can be cut down, so that the pressure sensor can be miniaturized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing the strength of autologous tissue for use in tissue leaflets for constructing artificial heart valves. A strip of tissue is cut adjacent to the edge of the tissue leaflet which is subject to the greatest stress when the tissue leaflet is mounted in the artificial heart valve. The strip of tissue is subjected to a known load produced by a spring to give a go/no go test of tissue strength. The spring is mounted in a generally X-shaped device made up of a generally linear piece having a handle at one end and two generally V-shaped pieces. The centers of all three pieces are joined to one another by a pivot. A spring is attached to the ends of the two generally V-shaped pieces which are closest to each other. The strip of tissue is mounted on the end of the generally linear shaped piece which does not have a handle and the end of the generally V-shaped pieces which is closest to the end of the generally linear piece which is attached to the strip of tissue.

Abstract: A dynamometer, which provides an apparatus and method for testing a torque converter without requiring that an automotive transmission be attached, includes a unique adapter assembly and hydraulic circuit connected to the torque converter.

Abstract: Hand-held pipettes are provided which have automatic volume setting and either manual or power assisted piston operation. Power assisted piston operation may be achieved with a fly-by-wire operation wherein movement of a plunger button is detected and used to control a drive for the plunger. A data transfer capability in at least one direction may also be provided for the pipette.

Abstract: An improved nozzle system for a flow cytometer and accompanying methods have been invented for a high efficiency orientation and sorting process of a flat sample and dedicates items such as equine or bovine sperm cells. This improved nozzle system comprises a nozzle with a novel interior surface geometry that can both gently accelerate the cells and can include an elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element within the nozzle, i.e., a single torsional orientation nozzle. The elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element may have a laminar flow surface and may produce the simplest flow path for applying minimal forces which act in either an accelerative nature or orienting hydrodynamic forces, namely, the single torsional orientation forces, to orient a flat sample such as animal sperm cells into a proper direction for an analyzing and efficiently sorting process in clinical use, for research and for the animal insemination industry.

Abstract: An automatic transmission controller and method therefor, comprising: a plurality of torque transmission means provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of a gear-drive transmission, so that at least one gear ratio of the torque transmission means is formed by a friction clutch while the other gear ratios of the torque transmission means are formed by dog clutches, and the friction clutch is controlled when gearshifting is carried out from one gear ratio to another gear ratio; wherein gearshifting time is controlled to be shorter when a depress stroke of an accelerator pedal increases after a gearshifting start request, than that when the depress stroke of the accelerator pedal is fixed.

Abstract: A method for forming a helical pinion gear (12) for a rack and pinion steering apparatus (10) comprises the steps of: providing a cylindrical first blank (60) made of a deformable material and having an outer surface (68); providing a cylindrical second blank (100) made of a deformable material and having an outer surface (108); forming a bore (116) extending at least partially through the second blank (100); forming helical teeth (52) on the outer surface (108) of the second blank; and interconnecting the second blank (100) with the first blank (60) to form the helical pinion (12). The helical teeth (52) on the pinion (12) mesh with rack teeth (44) on a rack (16) in a rack and pinion steering apparatus (10).

Abstract: In a selector device for a change-speed gearbox, a selector shaft arranged in such a way as to be rotatable and axially displaceable relative to a housing is connected by respective auxiliary mechanisms for converting a reciprocating motion into a rotary motion by at least two choosing sleeves that are arranged concentrically, rotatably and in an axially displaceable manner relative to it and are fixed rotatably and in an axially nondisplaceable manner relative to the housing when firmly braked by respective brakes. In significant angular positions, the selector shaft can be actuated out of a neutral position in one of the two axial directions of its axis of rotation into an end position associated with a respective gear. The auxiliary mechanisms are harmonized in such a way with one another that the respective new gear can be chosen initially and selected by external actuation of the selector shaft in just one direction of its axis of rotation and selective engagement of one, two or none of the brakes.

Abstract: A pedal (14) having a pivotably mounted pedal arm (3), which is prestressed into an initial position by means of a restoring-spring element (12) designed as a leg spring (11), has a friction body (15) which is prestressed against a friction surface (18, 19) by means of the restoring-spring element (12). According to the invention, the friction body (15) is designed as an eccentric cam plate and thus, in addition to a hysteresis, also permits a non-linear profile of the pedal-actuating force (Fp).

Abstract: An indicator assembly for a bicycle is provided with at least two indicators movably coupled to an indicator holder. A first of the indicators has a first housing, a first cable with a first cable end coupled to the first housing and a first indicator member coupled to the first cable for movement relative to the first housing. A second of the indicators has a second housing, a second cable with an end coupled to the second housing and a second indicator member coupled to the second cable for movement relative to the second housing. The indicator holder has an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle and a support portion that movably supports the indicators. In one embodiment, the support portion has at least two coupling members that form a pair of retaining slots to slidably support the indicators. In another embodiment, the indicators are slidably coupled together and slidably coupled in a single retaining slot.

Abstract: In order to provide a steering wheel in which the strength of a wooden member is enhanced and the appearance of the wooden member is improved, a steering wheel comprising: a substantially annular metal core; and a wooden member comprising a plurality of wooden pieces, the wooden pieces being formed from a pure wooden material and bonded together to surround a part or the whole of the metal core when mounted on the metal core; wherein the wooden pieces are formed from a single pure wooden material, and the wooden pieces that are bonded together are formed from adjacent sites of the single pure wooden material, is provided.

Abstract: To be able to produce metal melts using any metal carriers incurring in metallurgical practice as the charging materials, namely in the most diverse quantitative compositions, a plant for producing metal melts is provided with the following characteristic features:

Abstract: A strengthened, biaxially textured alloy article having a magnetism less than pure Ni includes a rolled and annealed, compacted and sintered powder-metallurgy preform article, the preform article having been formed from a powder mixture selected from the group of mixtures consisting of: Ni, Ag, Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd, Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo, Ni—Al, Ni—Cr—Al, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V—Al, Ni—Mo—Al, Ni—Cu—Al; and at least one fine metal oxide powder; the article having a grain size which is fine and homogeneous; and having a dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation texture; and further having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni.

Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A Mo—Cu composite powder is provided which is comprised of individual finite particles each having a copper phase and a molybdenum phase wherein the molybdenum phase substantially encapsulates the copper phase. The composite powder may be consolidated by conventional P/M techniques and sintered without copper bleedout according to the method described herein to produce Mo—Cu pseudoalloy articles having very good shape retention, a high sintered density, and a fine microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns additives for non-ferrous, liquid metals. The additives consist of compacted bodies of essentially pure iron particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing Nd—Fe—B based nanophase powder, or more particularly, to a method of producing Nd2Fe14B phase powder of 1 &mgr;m or less, having Nd2Fe14B crystal grains of 50 nm or less, which comprises the following steps of: producing a precursor powder having a mixture of elements of Nd, Fe and B by means of spray-drying a mixed aqueous solution comprising Nd metal salt, Fe metal salt, and boric acid; producing an oxide composite powder by means of desaltation of said powder; reducing the composite oxide powder, and ball-milling of said composite powder comprising Nd oxides and &agr;-Fe; producing a mixed powder of Nd2Fe14B/CaO phase by mixing Ca to said composite powder after milling; and removing CaO by washing said composite powder with water, followed by drying.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing reduced iron at high Fe purity efficiently with less intrusion of a slag components using less carbonaceous reducing agent and fuel, comprising charging a compact of the iron oxide containing a carbonaceous reducing agent in a packed bed, reducing the iron oxide to 90% or more while keeping in a solid state by a heat source formed from the lower portion of the furnace and then melting the same, as well as an apparatus for manufacturing the metallic iron, comprising a fire grate disposed in the inside of a packed bed, a compact charged layer on the fire grate, a charging product charging mechanism for supplying the compact and a mechanism for discharging an exhaust gas in the furnace, and a fuel charging mechanism, a fuel combustion space and a molten product stores bath disposed below the fire grate.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-metal element or a metal or an alloy thereof from a halide or mixtures thereof. The halide or mixtures thereof are contacted with a stream of liquid alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof in sufficient quantity to convert the halide to the non-metal or the metal or alloy and to maintain the temperature of the reactants at a temperature lower than the lesser of the boiling point of the alkali or alkaline earth metal at atmospheric pressure or the sintering temperature of the produced non-metal or metal or alloy. A continuous method is disclosed, particularly applicable to titanium.

Abstract: Insulation removal equipment for exposing conductors of a flat cable, having a vacuum table, a table drive, a milling tool drive and an advancing drive which is arranged on a carriage and which moves the milling tool drive together with the milling tool on the carriage. The carriage is guided by guide rails arranged at a housing table. The housing table is carried by a housing, at which the table drive is also arranged. The advancing drive moves via a pinion along a rack arranged at the housing and executes the movement of the carriage. The height-adjustable vacuum table is controlled in dependence on the advancing drive and in dependence on the direction of a conductor to be exposed.

Abstract: A wrench assembly including a drive head and an attached socket for engaging a bolt or nut. When the drive head turns, the socket and any engaged threaded member will also rotate. A hydraulic motor and cylinder are also included. The hydraulic motor and cylinder rotate the drive head and socket independently of each other. Typically, the hydraulic motor will rotate the drive head faster than the cylinder but at lower torques. Thus, the hydraulic motor will spin the threaded member down until it is snug, and then the hydraulic cylinder will tighten the threaded member to the desired torque. Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinder may break the threaded member out when it is tight. The hydraulic motor will then spin the loosened threaded member out. Finally, the wrench assembly includes a hydraulic fluid distribution system, including one or more valves that regulate hydraulic fluid flow through the wrench assembly.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a wrench body and a switch member that is operatively coupled to a gear engaging member so as to be accessible from an exterior of the wrench body. A spring applies a biasing force to the gear engaging member such that the gear engaging member having one or more engaging teeth engages with gear teeth of a torque receiving gear in intermeshed relation. A mounting element mounts the gear engaging member to the switch element. The gear engaging member is pivotally mounted to the mounting element. The pivotal mounting of the gear engaging member enables the gear engaging member to pivot relative to the mounting element as the gear engaging member moves between a first ratcheting position and a second ratcheting position thereof. Also provided is switch securing structure for securing the switch during operation of the ratchet wrench and a method of making the ratchet wrench.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for applying torque to turnable fasteners for fastening or removing a wheel on a motor vehicle. The tool has a first arm portion and a second arm portion movable to the first arm portion between longitudinally extended and longitudinally retracted positions.