Abstract: An anti-theft system for motor vehicles, having preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment is designed to prevent theft by preventing a vehicle's wheels from turning when the system is activated. In the preferred embodiment, there are inhibitors in the disc rotors of each wheel. Next to each wheel, there is a solenoid, within which is a locking pin or piston rod. When the user enters an activation coded key in an ignition, the solenoids are energized, causing the piston rods to move outward into the curved slots, thus preventing the rotor discs from turning. A deactivation code must be entered in the ignition to de-energize the solenoids, causing the piston rods to move back into the solenoids and releasing the rotor discs. Optionally, the parking brake may also be locked when the system is activated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device with a detent element (11) axially displaceable by means of an electromechanical drive (4) from an unlocking position into a locking position, and vice versa, in which drive part (8) rotatable by means of the electromechanical drive (4) and an axially guided driver (10) connected to the detent element (11), which driver is connected to the drive part (8) via a threaded drive (9), and in which the locking device (1; 1′) comprises a securing element (24) which is prestressed by a spring (23) and which, to secure the detent element (11) in the unlocking position, engages by means of the spring (23) into a lateral recess or under a projection (25) of the driver (10) or of the detent element (11).

Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.

Abstract: A recirculating composting apparatus cycles air and waste gases through a composting vessel, into a curing bin which contains previously composted material. Within the curing bin, ammonia and other noxious gases are adsorbed and converted into valuable fertilizer. The gases released from the curing bin may pass into another curing bin and then be recirculated back into the composting vessel, or may alternatively be released into the environment or passed through a biofilter. In preferred embodiments, like containers may be used for each curing phase and also the composting phase. The use of similar or compatible containers allows an entire vessel to be converted from a composting vessel into a curing bin simply by disconnection at one location and reconnection at a different location, without having to disturb the contents within the vessel or incur the undesired associated labor.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for increasing the activity of agrichemicals and controlling their drift by specially formulating an deposition agent with fertilizer. This unique combination has been seen to allow lower use rates of fertilizers as pesticide efficacy enhancers and improved deposition of sprays.

Abstract: A biodegradable plant growth composition consisting essentially of coal particulate, sodium molybdate, linear alcohol alkoxylate, magnesium sulphate, sand or other filler and water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixed-rolling radii or recesses on main (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) or connecting rod bearings (1′, 2′, 3′, 4′) of crankshafts (6) by means of fixed rollers and supporting rollers on the respective main (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) or connecting rod bearings (1′, 2′, 3′, 4′) to support the rolling force exerted on the crankshaft (6) by the fixed rollers. A device is provided for applying an additional external load (12) in the direction of the load on the crankshaft (6) that arises during operation while fixed-rolling the radii or recesses.

Abstract: An axial thread rolling head comprising a bearing unit including rolling dies supported via eccentric shafts, a shank which is axially movable with respect to the bearing unit and has a clutch portion which interacts with a claw clutch portion of a spring housing rotatably supported on the shank in a first axial relative postion and which couples the two components in a torsion-resistant manner, and a first gearing between the shank and the eccentric shafts for varying the mutual spacing of the rolling dies, a spiral-coiled spring between the shank and the bearing unit and mechanical switching means to move the shank and the bearing unit into the second relative position when in contact with a workpiece, wherein at least the bearing unit and the spring housing are formed from titanium or a titanium alloy.

Abstract: A wire feeder (300) includes a cross table (302) placed to be movable in the back-and-forth direction along a wire feed direction (D), and upper and lower tables (304, 305) which can move in the up-and-down direction along a direction perpendicular to the wire feed direction with respect to the cross table (302). Feed rollers (320, 321) for feeding a wire are rotatably mounted on the upper and lower tables (304, 305). A wire guide (330) integrally formed from upstream to downstream along the wire feed direction (D) with respect to the feed rollers (320, 321) is placed, together with the feed rollers (320, 321), on a wire axis extending from the cross table 302 to the upper and lower tables (304, 305) to be movable in the back-and-forth direction and up-and-down direction.

Abstract: Tool units (400) are slid by crank mechanisms (409) which are arranged on the respective sides of a table (200), convert rotational motions into translational motions, and use servo motors as drive sources, and are supported to swing on the rear end portions of the tool units.

Abstract: A forming machine for receiving an elongated sheet of formable material to form a desired profile has a rigid framework supporting a sheet drive that includes a plurality of pairs of co-acting rollers to advance the sheet through the framework from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit. A drive assembly interconnects at least one roller in each of the pairs to rotatably drive the roller and advance the sheet in the downstream direction. Each of a plurality of carriage rails extends transversely along the framework and has first and second carriage mounts slideably disposed thereon. First and second tool rails are secured, respectively, to each of the first and second carriage mounts permitting the tooling rails to move laterally within the framework. Each tooling rail supports a plurality of forming elements defining at least two forming stations to bend the sheet as desired while it advances through the framework.

Abstract: Concave portions and convex portions are formed on a peripheral surface of a thin metal sheet by applying a pressing force thereto while the metal sheet is being embossed; pores are each formed on an apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions and burrs each projecting outward from a peripheral edge of each of the pores are generated by the pressing force; the metal sheets having the concave portions and convex portions formed thereon are layered on each other; the burr at the apex of each convex portion of a lower-layer metal sheet is interlocked with the burr at the apex of each concave portion of an upper-layer metal sheet adjacent to the lower-layer metal sheet to integrate the metal sheets with each other; and an active substance is charged into spaces between the upper-layer metal sheet and the lower-layer metal sheet through an aperture at the apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions.

Abstract: In a tandem rolling mill facility and a rolling method using the tandem rolling mill facility, stable rolling is performed with suppressing deflection of working rolls and without fluctuation of working roll bearing boxes. Axes of working rolls 1 are offset toward a side opposite to a side of larger tension between tensions acting on a rolled material 10 at an inlet side and an outlet side with respect to axes of intermediate rolls 2, and a hydraulic cylinder 11 for pushing a working roll bearing box 4 toward the same side as the offset direction is contained in a block 8.

Abstract: A rolling roll train of the staggered-roll tandem type has a pair of upright stand walls with windows or openings for receiving a multiplicity of pairs of rolls which can be changed as a unit. The fact that unitary walls with traverses between the walls for stabilizing them and where those traverses are located between the roll pairs, enables the spacing between the roll pairs to be substantially reduced by comparison with free-standing individual mill stands for the roll pairs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy and cost effective process for extruding a tube having different intermediate sections in its longitudinal direction, and a die for forming a tube through this extrusion molding process. Tubes so formed may be used for a vehicle for example, particularly for the body frame of a motorcycle. The die for this extrusion molding process includes a fixed die and a movable variable die. The tube is formed by material extruded from an outflow passage which is formed by the superposition in the direction of extrusion of a fixed die hole and a variable die hole. The outflow passage has an opening for a tube wall for forming the wall of the tube, and openings for two intermediate walls for forming connecting walls in the inside space of the tube. The tube formed by this process is composed of a part having the connecting wall and a part having no connecting wall.

Abstract: A process for cold forming the ends of metal tubes to reinforce same includes a die cavity into which the tube is placed. The die cavity includes a section with a recess having a greater diameter than the tube. The tube is placed such that a portion is left outside of the cavity and a mandrel is inserted into the tube. The mandrel includes a section that is adapted to bear against the portion of the tube outside of the cavity and to deform same. The deformation process results in the tube being folded upon itself within the recess in the cavity thereby forming a reinforcing flange at the end of the tube. The process is conducted without heating the tube.

Abstract: A work piece can be bent in opposite directions by irradiating a laser beam onto one side of the work piece. A tension anneal is applied to a metal plate. The metal plate is bent by irradiating a defocused laser beam onto a front surface of the tension-annealed metal plate so that the metal plate is bent in a state in which the front surface of the metal plate is convex at a position where the laser beam is scanned.

Abstract: In an exhaust housing part of a motor vehicle, particularly for an exhaust muffler or an exhaust gas catalyst of an automobile, with a sheet blank as a semi-finished part which, after a stamping process in a tool, forms an upper half shell or a lower half shell of a half-shell muffler or catalyst; or after a wrapping process in a tool, forms a wrapped exhaust gas funnel or cylinder, or an exhaust gas pipe connection; it is proposed to prefabricate the sheet blank as an integral, profiled sheet metal part of differing thickness, with at least one strip section of smaller thickness, and at least one strip section of greater thickness which locally reinforces the finished exhaust housing part (half shell, funnel, cylinder or pipe connection) at least in one wall region.

Abstract: There is provided a gas analyzing apparatus capable of minimizing gas remaining by integrating gas switching apparatuses into one and capable of analyzing impurities of ppb level to sub-ppb level contained in various kinds of high-purity gases efficiently and accurately.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous measurement of the interchangeability of LPG/Air Mixtures with Natural Gas, having a sensor that measures the relative density (specific gravity) of an LPG/air mixture, and associated controls for gas sampling, signal processing and computation of mixture properties and interchangeability factors. The entire apparatus, gas sampling components, and signal conditioning devices are carried in one or more housings, having one sample gas inlet port and one or more waste gas outlet ports, one gas density sensor, one or more microprocessor-based signal processing units, and one or more connected operator interfaces. The measurement data from the gas density sensor is combined in the microprocessor-based signal processing unit with user-provided information about the properties of the LPG feedstock.

Abstract: A moisture sensor is disclosed that includes a capsule, having a bottom portion and a top portion and an inlet for receiving fluid located at the top portion of the capsule, wherein the capsule is capable of containing at least one chemical that changes appearance in the fluid's presence. There is also a process for utilizing a moisture sensor that is disclosed. The process includes inserting at least one chemical that changes appearance when a fluid is present in a capsule, wherein the capsule has a bottom portion and a top portion and an inlet for receiving fluid located at the top portion of the capsule, and inserting the capsule into a ceiling where the bottom portion of the capsule is located below the ceiling.

Abstract: An improved method of assessing the frequency response of an in-vehicle exhaust gas air/fuel ratio sensor by measuring and analyzing the sensor response to a predetermined perturbation of the fuel delivered to the engine. In a first test mode that provides both quantitative and qualitative assessments, the perturbation is achieved by applying fixed biases to the fuel pulse widths of individual engine cylinders to create a rich/lean perturbation in the exhaust gas, and by adjusting the engine throttle to gradually vary the engine speed over a test interval so that the rich/lean perturbation correspondingly varies in frequency. Since the biases are fixed, intake port wall-wetting effects are minimized. In a second test mode that provides a qualitative assessment, the perturbation is achieved by applying an alternating fuel bias multiplier to every engine cylinder, with the engine operating at a fixed speed and load setting that is of interest for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A novel and improved motion sensor for high pressure fluid delivery devices is provided which effectively senses movement of a component in a high pressure environment while minimizing the likelihood of fluid leakage through a receiving cavity containing at least a portion of the sensor. The motion sensor includes a sealing surface shaped and positioned relative to a force resisting surface formed on an annular cavity surface of the receiving cavity so as to apply a fluid, e.g. fuel, pressure induced sealing force against the force resisting surface due to the high pressure fluid forces acting on the sensor body. The sealing surface may be conically shaped for contacting a complementary conically shaped force resisting surface and/or the sealing surface may extend perpendicular to the direction of the fluid forces acting on the sensor body for abutment against a complementary positioned annular land containing the force resisting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for emergency inflation of vehicle tires which includes an air transfer tube having a pressure gauge mounted along a length thereof and which tube is connected at its opposite ends to a pair of air valve chucks each of a size to cooperatively engage and selectively open an air valve of a conventional tire to thereby permit a regulated transfer of air between two or more vehicle tires.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the tread or profile depth of a tire in the operating state while the tire is rolling and in contact with a surface below it. Vibrations of the tire or tire parts, which vibrations are generated by the spacing and/or geometry of profiled elements of the tire tread, are detected while the tire is rolling and in contact with the surface below it. The detected vibrations are compared in an evaluation unit with a characteristic theoretical value/threshold value that corresponds to a vibration generated by a tread of adequate depth. The evaluation unit issues a signal if the detected vibration deviates from the theoretical value/threshold value.

Abstract: A partial stroke testing system for online testing of emergency shut-off valve, said system is designed for implementation on an emergency shut-off valve with a main solenoid with manual reset, main solenoid valve, quick exhaust valve and a pneumatic actuator connected to a source of pressurized air supply for opening and closing the said emergency shut-off valve and the said shut-off valve normally movable between a fully open and fully closed position. The system also include control means programmed into the plant emergency shutdown system controller for initiating electrical signal for initiating a test and for enhancing the bleed rate from the said pneumatic actuator in the event of a emergency trip signal. Test means for testing the said emergency shut-off valve without fully closing the emergency shut-off valve in response to signal from the said control means is included in the system.

Abstract: A compact, one-part respiratory flow sensor with a small dead space volume for the simultaneous measurement of both the gas volume flow and the concentration of gas components of the respiratory flow. The respiratory flow sensor has a tubular housing (1) with two opposite windows (2, 3) which are arranged at right angles to the direction of flow and limit the respiratory flow and are formed f a material transparent to infrared radiation. An infrared sensor with an infrared radiation source (4) and with at least one infrared radiation detector (5) is connected to the housing (1). The infrared radiation source (4) irradiates one of the two windows (2, 3) of the housing (1). The infrared radiation detector (5), of which there is at least one, receives the infrared radiation of the infrared radiation source (4) after its passage through the respiratory flow and the two windows (2, 3) limiting the respiratory flow.

Abstract: A fluid level measuring device, also referred to as a dipstick, for measuring the fluid level in a fluid reservoir or tank, such as an oil pan or transmission reservoir in an internal combustion engine. The fluid level measuring device includes a stationary tube assembly in which a dipstick assembly is disposed. The dipstick assembly includes a fluid level indicator measuring blade attached to an elongated shaft which is directly molded into a plastic handle assembly. The plastic handle assembly includes a bayonet type locking mechanism for locking the handle to the stationary tube assembly. A compressible seal forms a pressurized seal between the stationary tube assembly and the handle.

Abstract: A system for displaying status of a consumable resource. In the illustrative application, the invention provides a system for determining a resource characteristic, e.g. a level of toner, in a cartridge without requiring use of a host machine. In a first embodiment, an alpha-numeric visual display or an audio device is provided on the cartridge. In alternative embodiments, data relating the characteristic is transmitted from the cartridge by a wireless transmitter. In one implementation, the transmitter is an infrared transmitter. In a second implementation, the transmitter is a Bluetooth enable transmitter. The wireless transmission is received by a compatible receiving device, preferably a hand held device, remotely located relative to the cartridge. An alpha-numeric and/or audio device is provided at the receiver for outputting information relating to the resource. An indicator is also provided on the cartridge to signal which cartridge is transmitting data at any given time.

Abstract: An improved boiler water-level controller. According to one aspect of the present invention, a positive blowdown signal is presented to indicate to the operator that the alarm probe is in steam; performing blowdown until this indicator turns on helps ensure that the alarm probe is working properly. According to another aspect of the present invention, the controller uses a novel methodology of sensing water level using conductivity probes. An embodiment of this methodology uses the charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistive value to sense the presence of water.

Abstract: An improved armless fluid level measuring device has a sealed housing tube and an externally exposed float. The float is slidably attached to the outer surface of the housing tube in which an elongated PC board is sealedly confined so as to protect the PC board from being sabotaged or eroded by fluid chemicals. The float provided with a plurality of high density magnet is slidable on the external surface of the housing tube. The PC board has a circuitry made up of serially connected resistors that are serially bridged together by way of magnet-controlled switches which are activated as the float is variably positioned in place by the fluid confined in a container whereby the serially connected resistors can form a closed circuitry to indicate the level of the fluid in a container via readings on a display of a gauge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micromechanical structures that include movable elements. In particular the invention relates to an arrangement for coupling such movable elements to other structures of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The invention is characterized in that the arrangement comprises at least one coupling means (930-936) for coupling the movable element to the fixed structure, and at least one flexible means (980, 990-996) for allowing different thermal expansion between the movable element and the other structure in the direction which is substantially perpendicular to the characteristic movement of the movable element, wherein said coupling means and/or flexible means is reinforced in the direction of the characteristic movement of the movable element.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the condition of a surface such as that of a rail, includes: causing a vehicle to travel along the rail, the vehicle having a first wheel and a second wheel which are in contact with the rail; detecting through the first wheel sound signals propagating along the rail from the second wheel as a consequence of the second wheel traveling along the rail; and analyzing the characteristic features of these sound signals to determine the condition of the rail. This method avoids the use of an ultrasonic sound generator, and can be fitted to standard freight and/or passenger trains to provide a constantly updated picture of the condition of the rails in a railway system.

Abstract: The x- and y-direction vibration components of radial vibration of a rotational shaft 106 obtained by measurement from x and y directions are transformed into frequency sample values {XkYk, k=0, 1, . . . N−1} by discrete Fourier transform. RMS amplitude values {2½|Fki(2j&pgr;/M)|, j=0, 1, . . . M/2−1} are calculated at azimuths {&thgr;j=2j&pgr;/M, j=0, 1, . . . M/2−1} corresponding to 0 to &pgr; on the basis of frequency sample values at frequency points {ki, i=1, . . . P} corresponding to specific frequencies {fi, i=1, . . . P} of NRRO vibration components selected from the x- and y-direction frequency sample values obtained by the discrete Fourier-transform. RMS evaluation values Aki are selected from these RMS amplitude values.

Abstract: Detecting a defect in the sample is accomplished by photoacousticly exciting acoustic longitudinal, surface Rayleigh, and shear waves at a first point on a near surface of a sample; photoacoustically detecting acoustic waves at a second point spaced from the excitation first point for intercepting shear waves reflected from the far surface of the sample at approximately the angle of maximum shear wave propagation; and detecting the energy level of the intercepted reflected shear waves representative of the flaw in the sample.

Abstract: A stylus structure (40) integrally incorporating a stylus (2), a vibrator (4), a detector (6), a first secondary magnetic circuit (12) and a second primary magnetic circuit (21), and a stylus support (30) integrally incorporating a first primary magnetic circuit (11) and a second secondary magnetic circuit (22) are mutually fittable, thereby achieving signal transmission by the respective magnetic circuits using no electrical contact.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor, for determining the differential pressure between two measuring points, comprises a pressure vessel 4 which is filled with a transfer fluid; a measuring cell which is arranged in the pressure vessel 4 and is surrounded by the transfer fluid, with two half-cells 1; a diaphragm-like deforming body 2 which separates the two half-cells 1 from each other in a pressuretight manner; two pressure supply lines 7, which respectively feed the pressure from one of the two measuring points outside the pressure vessel 4 to one of the two half-cells; and at least one pressure accumulator 6, the pressure of which acts on the transfer fluid in the vessel. Elastic or compressible bodies with a linear or degressive characteristic are suitable as the pressure accumulator 6. The pressure accumulator 6 compensates for changes in volume of the transfer fluid on account of temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A scalable process transmitter architecture includes a unitized sensor module and an optional scalable transmitter. The sensor module has a sensor output that is configurable which can connect locally to a scalable transmitter module to form a transmitter, or can be wired directly to a remote receiver. The scalable transmitter can mount on the unitized sensor module and generates a scalable output for a remote receiver. The transmitter module can provide more advanced features for specific applications.

Abstract: Conduit integrity monitors enable the detection of defects or faults in conduits. One type of the conduit integrity monitor measures the bending stiffness of the conduit. A load cell device is used to detect a force applied by a bent conduit. Defective or damaged portions may cause an increase or decrease in bending stiffness that can be detected by the conduit integrity monitor. Another type of the conduit integrity monitor includes proximity sensors each measuring its distance to a predetermined layer of the conduit, such as a metallic reinforcement layer. Defects or damage in the conduit may cause the conduit to change shape, which can be detected by the proximity sensors.

Abstract: A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter has a pair of ultrasonic transmitting-receiving devices. Each device is composed of a ultrasonic propagating element in the form of wedge having a bottom surface and a slanting surface extending from one edge of the bottom surface at an acute angle, and a ultrasonic transducer attached on the slanting surface. The ultrasonic propagating element is composed of a first ultrasonic propagating member having on its bottom surface a number of planes aligned in parallel with the slanting surface on which the ultrasonic transducer is attached and a second ultrasonic propagating member of elastic or plastic material, so as to propagate ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic transducer onto the bottom surface of the ultrasonic propagating element at an angle perpendicular to the slanting surface.

Abstract: A method of determining a rate of flow of a first gas in a pipe includes placing a flow-restricting device in the pipe such that the device and/or the pipe define a first channel section and a second channel section. The second channel section is disposed downstream from the first channel section. The first channel section has a first cross-sectional area. The second channel section having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area. A source of a second gas is provided in fluid communication with the second channel section. A low pressure in the second channel section is caused by an increased flow velocity and creates a flow of the second gas into the second channel section. A rate of a flow of the second gas into said second channel section is measured. A mathematical relationship between the rate of the flow of the second gas into the second channel section and the rate of flow of the first gas in the pipe is ascertained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a controller to monitor a flow volume in a fluid transportation system is disclosed. The controller being operably connected to a module. The module being operably connected to a flow meter. The module senses a series of pulses that represent a known fluid volume in a proving loop. The module also measures the fluid density of the fluid in the proving loop. The controller utilizes a dynamic density of the fluid and the sensed pulses to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the flow volume through the measuring flow meter. The controller ensures the accuracy of the flow meter by utilizing the partial pulses sensed during a meter proving period by using an interpolation method.

Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.

Abstract: A torque sensor includes a torsion bar, a first shaft connected to one end of the torsion bar, a second shaft connected to the other end of the torsion bar, first through third magnetic bodies, and two coils. The first magnetic body is fixed to the first shaft and has an annular shape so as to surround the torsion bar. The first magnetic body is composed of two magnetically separated magnetic portions and has a first projection on an outer circumference thereof. The second magnetic body is fixed to the second shaft and has an annular shape so as to surround the first magnetic body. The second magnetic body has on an inner circumference thereof a second projection which radially faces the first projection. The coils are disposed at respective axial positions corresponding to the magnetic portions of the first magnetic body and surround the second magnetic body.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for adjusting the dispensing volume in a pipette having a spring for returning a plunger to its initial position. The invention is characterized in that when the pipetting volume is adjusted, the spring moves in accordance with the adjustment together with the adjustment members, preserving its length and/or pretension, whereby the tension of the spring does not change when the pipetting volume is adjusted. The object of the invention is also a pipette for implementing the method.

Abstract: A ball screw shaft, having a longitudinal cylindrical internal cavity, closed at its ends by means of inserted terminals or plugs, housing vibration controlling means in the form of a pair of plied cables fastened tensioned to the inserted terminals or plugs. One or more dissipater elements, having respective through holes for said pair of cables are provided positioned transversely free relative to an inner surface of said longitudinal cavity.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission is shiftable in a track pattern with a selector track and shift tracks. A shifter element moves along the tracks when the transmission is shifted from one gear ratio to another. The shifts are directed by a control device sending command signals to an actuator device which, in turn, applies an actuating force to the transmission. A main position-detecting device detects the position of the shifter element relative to the selector track and shift tracks, and a redundant position-detecting device performs an additional, redundant determination of the shifter-element position.

Abstract: A multiple-speed gearbox for a planer. The planer includes a cutterhead mounted on an input shaft, which is driven by an electric motor, and infeed and outfeed rollers, which are driven by an output shaft. The gearbox includes a first input gear rotatable by the input shaft and a first and second output gears mounted on and independently rotatable about the output shaft. The gearbox further includes a three-gear set having a middle gear, a first outer gear and a second outer gear rotatable with a common speed. The middle gear engages the first input gear, the first outer gear engages the first output gear, and the second outer gear engages the second output gear. An actuator is operably attached to the multiple-speed gearbox to selectively engage the output shaft with one of the first and second output gears when the actuator is moved in a first or second axial direction respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of returning an electro-mechanical axial setting device, especially for friction couplings, wherein the axial setting device includes two setting rings centered on a common axis, one of which is axially held, with the other one being axially displaceably mounted, and one of which is rotationally fixedly held in a housing so as to be prevented from rotating, with the other one being rotatingly drivable. On their respective end faces facing one another, the two setting rings each include an identical multitude of circumferentially extending grooves. Each of the grooves, in a plan view of the end faces, define a depth which rises in the circumferential direction. Pairs of grooves in the setting rings each accommodate a ball. The rotatingly drivable setting ring is connected to an electric motor in respect of drive. The axially displaceable setting ring is loaded by pressure springs towards the axially held setting ring.

Abstract: In a link mechanism, a first link is disposed to be movable by a driving force from a driving source, and a second link is operatively linked with the first link to move a driven unit. One of the first and second links includes a cam groove having a bent portion which is bent by a radius of curvature smaller than a predetermined value, and the other one of the first and second links includes a pin slidable within the cam groove. In the link mechanism, a sliding speed of the pin sliding in the cam groove is reduced when the pin enters into the bent portion in the cam groove, as compared with the sliding speed before the pin enters into the bent portion.