Abstract: An apparatus for testing of electrical, mechanical, physical and/or chemical properties of material in sheet form includes a cassette for holding of sheets and sensors rigidly mounted relative to the cassette. The sensors may be mounted adjacent a test location exterior to the cassette. The cassette and the sensors may be so configured and positioned that a suitable end effector may move sheets of material between storage locations in the cassette and test locations adjacent the sensors. A method for testing sheet material includes the steps of placing the sheet material in a cassette, and conducting tests employing one or more sensors rigidly mounted with respect to the cassette. The method may include employing an end effector to remove the sheet from the cassette, to position the sheet stepwise in several positions relative to the sensors, and to replace the sheet in the cassette upon completion of testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing of electrical, mechanical, physical and/or chemical properties of material in sheet form includes a cassette for holding of sheets and sensors rigidly mounted relative to the cassette. The sensors may be mounted adjacent a test location exterior to the cassette. The cassette and the sensors may be so configured and positioned that a suitable end effector may move sheets of material between storage locations in the cassette and test locations adjacent the sensors. A method for testing sheet material includes the steps of placing the sheet material in a cassette, and conducting tests employing one or more sensors rigidly mounted with respect to the cassette. The method may include employing an end effector to remove the sheet from the cassette, to position the sheet stepwise in several positions relative to the sensors, and to replace the sheet in the cassette upon completion of testing.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor array is adapted to be disposed in a reservoir containing fluid or material along an axis of measurement of the fluid or material to determine the level of fluid or material contained within the reservoir. The sensor array includes a plurality of reference electrodes, wherein the capacitance of each of the electrodes varies in accordance both with the extent of the array's immersion in the fluid or material and the dielectric constant of the fluid or material. The plurality of reference electrodes preferably includes a lower electrode adapted to be immersed within the fluid or material in the reservoir and whose capacitance provides an estimate of the dielectric constant of the fluid or material contained within the reservoir.

Abstract: A fuel gauge assembly for mounting to the fuel tank of a small engine which is used with a lawnmower, lawn tractor, other outdoor lawn and garden implement, or off road or sport vehicle. The fuel gauge assembly generally includes an indicator housing and a float assembly. The indicator housing is mounted exteriorly of the fuel tank and includes a movable indicator element including a magnet or a magnetically attractive material. The float assembly includes a support member mounted interiorly of the fuel tank, and further includes an arm pivotally connected to the support member, the arm including a magnet or magnetically attractive material disposed adjacent the wall and a float for sensing a level of fuel within the fuel tank. When the level of fuel in the fuel tank varies, the float changes position such that the indicator element is moved to indicate the amount of fuel in the fuel tank.

Abstract: For a decoupled to gyro to have high sensitivity to angular rate, it is necessary to have the design flexibility to achieve all the critical frequencies in the design. The geometry of the gyro is first estimated and is followed by a performance analysis to maximize the gyro sensitivity. If the performance requirements cannot be met, the next iteration is started by a new estimate of the geometry. For a given design iteration, the desired modal response is implemented with a predetermined or given gyro flexure system. The flexure system disclosed here has enough independent design parameters to allow the desired modal response required for high gyro performance to be selected by independent design choice of the available geometric and configurational design parameters of the gyroscope.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor device (10) such as a micro-machined vibrating structure gyroscope, comprises a resonator (16), drive means (18), sensing means (20) and associated electronic control means. The resonator (16), drive means (18), sensing means (20) and control means are fabricated from a layer of crystalline silicon (12) having a [100] principal crystal plane. In order to make the resonator (16) operate in this type of material without degrading its performance, the resonator (16) is arranged to be operated by the drive and sensing means (18, 20) under the control of the electronic control means with a vibration mode pair having modal parameters, such as Young's Modulus, matched to provide a consistent resonator response. In particular, the resonator (16) is arranged to be operated with a Sin 3&thgr;/Cos 3&thgr; (vibration mode pair providing degenerate carrier and response parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear distance sensor for motor vehicles which comprises a displaceable element (4, 5, 7) and a stator (1, 2, 3). The displaceable element includes a magnetic encoder. Sensor modules that operate according to the AMR principle, GMR principle, or Hall principle are linked stationarily to the stator. The displaceable element is guided by way of a bearing (11) that is connected to the stator and embraces and axially guides the displaceable element. The sensor module(s) is/are linked stationarily to the stator. The field-generating means is/are positively connected to the displaceable element along the longitudinal axis of the displaceable element.

Abstract: If a difference between a value evaluated by prorating a sum of an average value of a signal outputted from a signal processing portion within a second predetermined time before a start of a pseudo drive and an average value of the signal outputted from the signal processing portion within a third predetermined time after an end of the pseudo drive, and an average value of the signal outputted from the signal processing portion within a first predetermined time from the start to the end of the pseudo drive does not fall within a predetermine value, the sensor error is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the torque transmitted by a member comprises a SAW device (66) secured to the member such that mechanical stress in the member due to torque transmitted thereby induces bending of the SAW device. Means are provided for measuring the change in resonant frequency of the SAW device induced by bending. In one embodiment, a hole (52) is formed in the member (50) and the SAW device is mounted in a pair of diametrically opposite slots provided in the hole (52). The SAW device comprises a substrate on which electrode pairs are laid down, the electrode pairs being in a position such that bending of the SAW device results in compression of the zone containing one electrode pair and tension in a zone comprising another electrode pair. In an alternative arrangement the member is formed with a recessed portion in the surface thereof and the SAW device is mounted in a pair of slots formed by opposite walls of the recess.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device with the wetted surfaces and a sensing element operated by a reference control pressure made for control and regulation of highly corrosive fluids. It includes a body member having an inlet and an outlet passageway separated from one another by the engagement of a tongue and groove seal joint of a sensing element and a controlling element assembled on to the body. Applying a reference control pressure to the top side of the sensing element disengages the seal joint which allows fluid at high pressure to flow into the outlet passageway and under the sensing element opposite to the reference control pressure side. Once force produced by pressure under sensing element equals to the force produced by reference control pressure on top of the sensing element, the seal joint closes to prevent further flow.

Abstract: A system is described for controlling the flow of a sample fluid through a substrate having first and second surfaces and at least one area with a plurality of through-going capillary channels. The system comprises a housing having a chamber for receiving the substrate and a pressure differential generator capable of generating and maintaining a pressure difference over the substrate.

Abstract: In a pressure sensor, a first electrode is formed on a base plate. A insulating laminate material coats the first electrode. A conductive rubber is attached on a click rubber. The conductive rubber is brought into a pressure contact with the first electrode coated with the insulating laminate material.

Abstract: In a method for determining the elasto-plastic behavior of components consisting of anisotropic material, in particular of gas turbine installations, at high temperatures, in which method, first of all, the linear-elastic behavior is determined and, on the basis of the linear-elastic results, the inelastic behavior is also taken into account by applying Neuber's rule, the anisotropic properties of the components, as occur in particular on account of the use of single crystal materials, are taken into account in a simple manner by using a modified anisotropic Neuber's rule of the form 1 σ * 2 = σ e ⁢   ⁢ p 2 + σ e ⁢   ⁢ p 2 ⁢ D _ · E _ _ E R · D _ ⁢ σ v * 2 σ * 2 ⁢ α ⁡ ( σ e ⁢   ⁢ p 2 σ 0 2 ⁢ σ v * 2 σ * 2 ) n - 1

Abstract: An instrumented pin member is provided that is capable of measuring bending moments, and optionally of measuring bending and axial strain in real or near real time. The instrumented pin member includes a pin member body disposed about a pin member axis, wherein the pin member body includes a bending portion. A sensing device is positioned at the pin member body within the bending portion for sensing a bending strain in the bending portion exclusive of a net axial strain, and for outputting a sensor measurement signal representative of the bending strain. A sensor measurement signal output device is provided for outputting the sensor measurement signal from the sensor device. A related system includes a plurality of pin members, among other things. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: A device for detecting force acting on a vehicle wheel, is mounted in a vehicle and includes a disc wheel, and a vehicle body having a hub as a retaining body that rotatably retains the vehicle wheel integrally with the disc wheel and in which the disc wheel is mounted on the same axis as the vehicle wheel. The device includes a detector mounted between the disc wheel and the retaining body to receive force that is transmitted between the disc wheel and the retaining body, and which detects force acting on the vehicle wheel. With this device, it is possible to detect force acting on the vehicle wheel without being restricted by either the disc wheel or the hub. Accordingly, this device facilitates highly accurate detection of force acting on the vehicle wheel by optimizing the arrangement, structure, and shape and the like of parts.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transducer constituting the sensitive member of a sensor whose frequency varies as a function of the intensity of force applied to it. The force transducer comprises a beam having length and rectangular cross-section with thickness and width and flexionally vibrating. The beam has a thickness reduced over a central portion of its length, its width remaining constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, sampling and analyzing thermally-labile chemical species, comprises a quartz tube having a filter member positioned in the bore of the tube. The filter member comprises a plug of quartz beads having a layer of quartz frits on either side. A fluid (gas or liquid) carrying one or more chemical substances associated with particulate matter is passed through the tube, the particulate material being collected by the quartz beads. After sample collection, the material remaining/retained from the original sample is removed, as for example by thermal desorption, and the material is then analyzed.

Abstract: An air displacement pipette having axially spaced annular sealing and substantially cylindrical lateral support zones and regions on the pipette's mounting shaft and tip, respectively, in combination with means for insuring uniform depth of mounting shaft penetration into the pipette tip to maintain uniform tip interference with the mounting shaft as successive tips are mounted on and ejected from the mounting shaft whereby the pipette tip is easily and firmly mountable on and easily ejectable from the pipette tip mounting shaft by the application of axial mounting and ejection forces of about two pounds and one pound, respectively.

Abstract: An automatic inspection device for optical disc is disclosed. The inspection device comprises an inspection platform; a vertical elevating mechanism located on the inspection platform; a rotating shaft located at one lateral side of the vertical elevating mechanism, a servo-rotating device located at the lower section of the rotating shaft to drive the driving shaft to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise; a rotating disc mounted onto the rotating shaft driven; a suction arm mounted to the circumferential edge of the rotating disc; a to-be-tested seat and feed-discharging seat located on the track of the circular swing of the circumference of the suction arm; and an optical disc inspection device having a retractable tray for the positioning of the to-be-tested optical disc for inspection and recording the results of the inspection.

Abstract: A working tool, in particular a soil rammer or a hammer, has two masses that may be linearly moved back and forth with respect to one another, namely a top mass which comprises a driving motor and a ramming or striking working mass which can be moved by the motor relative to the top mass by means of a crank drive and a set of springs. In order to reduce as much as possible the displacement of the top mass, an additional counterweight can be moved by the motor over at least a large part of the path of displacement of the working mass in the opposite direction thereto. The displacement of the end of the set of springs linked to the crank drive and the displacement of the counterweight are preferably offset relative to one another, with respect to the crank angle, by 180° minus a phase shift derived from the construction parameters of the set of springs.

Abstract: The rotary motion of a ball screw shaft is converted into the rectilinear motion by a ball spline nut provided integrally with displacement members by the aid of an attachment section. Involute splines are engraved on outer circumferential surfaces of spline pistons connected to the displacement members. The spline pistons are slidably meshed with a splined bore of the involute splines formed on an inner wall surface of a frame. The attachment section is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the frame by the aid of the splined bore and the spline pistons.

Abstract: A gear change device comprising a shift lever support mechanism arranged in a casing to support a shift lever in a manner so as to slide in the axial direction and to rotate, a select actuator for operating said shift lever in the axial direction which is the direction of selection, and a shift actuator for rotating said shift lever support mechanism in the direction of shift, wherein said shift actuator has an operation lever of which the base portion is mounted on said shift lever support mechanism; a pair of electromagnetic solenoids arranged facing each other with the acting portion of said operation lever interposed therebetween and inclined with respect to the horizontal direction; and a resilient urging means that produces the urging force in the direction same as the direction of operation of the one electromagnetic solenoid which operates upward along the inclination, out of the pair of electromagnetic solenoids.

Abstract: A gear shift device for vehicles with a mechanical, manually operable gearbox (9) for the vehicle (2). A gear level (1) is linked to the hydraulic master (55, 55′, 56, 56′) to respective slave cylinders (8, 18) for engagement or disengagement of gears during a manual mode of operation for the gear shift device. The gear level (1) is arranged to be brought from a position, wherein a gear is engaged, via a neutral or free position. By means of the gear level (1), the gear shift device can be brought into an automatic mode of operation (A). An electronic control device (44) is arranged to receive signals concerning a chosen mode of operation and driving parameter values. When an automatic mode of operation is chosen, the connection between the master cylinders (5, 15) and the slave cylinders (8, 18) is broken, and a connection is established between the control device (44) and the slave cylinders (8, 18) for automatic control of the slave cylinders.

Abstract: A gearbox assembly including a housing supporting an input shaft to drive a first shaft that includes drive gears that correspond to driven gears on a second shaft. The driven gears are movable axially along the second shaft by shift levers such that a desired gear ratio can be selected. The second shaft also includes a worm shaft portion that drives a corresponding worm gear disposed on an output shaft. Another embodiment includes an input shaft driving gears that engage drive gears of the first or second shafts. A gear on the third shaft drives a gear of an output shaft. The clutch assemblies move one the driven gears into engagement with one of the first and second drive gears to selectively vary the speed of the output shaft.

Abstract: A control drive according to the related art does not have a potentiometer that allows a position of the motor or the driven wheel to be registered.

Abstract: A monolever operating device that inclines in a two-dimensional manner including at least a front and rear direction and a right and left direction. A drive signal generating unit contained within a drive signal generating body for outputting two drive signals to components in the front and rear direction and in the right and left direction in accordance with an orientation and an amount of inclination of the monolever. The device further includes a universal joint mounted to support the monolever in an inclinable manner, a mount plate for mounting the drive signal generating body mounted thereto to a vehicle body, and a monolever bearing member provided on an upper surface of the mount plate and provided with lever bearing portions and boot holding portions alternately arranged adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A shift actuator for a transmission for turning, in a direction of shift, a shift lever support mechanism mounting the shift lever of the transmission, wherein it comprises an operation lever coupled, at its intermediate portion, to said shift lever support mechanism, the first electromagnetic solenoid and the second electromagnetic solenoid which are each coupled to both ends of said operation lever so as to operate in the upward and downward directions; and an operation rod of said first electromagnetic solenoid is coupled to one end of said operation lever and an operation rod of said second electromagnetic solenoid is coupled to the other end of said operation lever.

Abstract: A gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission utilizes an actuator to prevent a miss shift manipulation from a forward gear stage to a reverse gear stage. The gear shift apparatus permits the driver to forcedly release a miss shift preventing state with a smaller force. In the gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission, a select cam is responsive to a selecting manipulation to pivotally move to forward positions corresponding to forward select positions and a reverse position corresponding to a reverse select position. A restraint cam is driven to a prohibiting position by a plunger when a solenoid is energized to prohibit the select cam from pivotally moving to the reverse position. In this prohibiting state, as the select cam is pivotally moved toward a forward position in response to a manipulation for selecting a forward select position, a release protrusion of the select cam presses the restraint cam to pivotally move the same from the prohibiting state to a permitting position.

Abstract: A collapsible telescopic steering apparatus comprises a steering column having an inner tube and an outer tube which are engaged with each other. The engagement state of the tubes is switchable between a press-fit state and a loose-fit state. Upon vehicle collision, the tubes in the press-fit state are slid relative to each other for shock absorption. For telescopic adjustment, the tubes in the loose-fit state are slid relative to each other to adjust the fore-and-aft position of a steering wheel.

Abstract: A housing for an actuation device for a bicycle gearing system includes at least one housing element and an installation opening. A closure member covers the installation opening. The closure member is integral with the housing element. The combined housing and closure member is particularly advantageous in terms of installation, maintenance, and reliability. It moreover opens up possibilities for cost savings in tool design and production.

Abstract: A twistshifter mounted about a handlebar. The twist-shifter includes a housing element which may be fixed to the handlebar and an actuating element which may be rotated about the axis of the handlebar tube a predetermined angle. The actuating element may be fixed axially to the housing element by a locking device having interlocking first and second latching elements. The first latching element is arranged on the housing element. The second latching element that is complementary in shape to the first latching element is arranged on the actuating element.

Abstract: A cable operated bicycle shift control device has an outer casing with a cable receiving bore and an access opening for accessing a cable operated winding mechanism to perform maintenance such as replacement of the cable. The cable operated winding mechanism is disposed in the outer casing such that its cable attachment point is disposed relative to the access opening to be accessible from the access opening. A maintenance cover movably is coupled to the outer casing between a closed position overlying the access opening and an open position exposing the access opening.

Abstract: There is provided a rearward displacement prevention mechanism for a control pedal, which is constructed such that a front end of a pedal bracket supporting a control pedal such that the control pedal is capable of pivoting is connected to a vehicle compartment side of a dash panel that separates an engine room and a vehicle compartment from each other, a rear end of the pedal bracket is mounted on a cowl top panel disposed at the upper side of the dash panel via a releasing mechanism, and a regulating device is provided in the vehicle compartment to be opposed to the cowl top panel. With this arrangement, the pedal bracket can be surely released by operation of the releasing mechanism even in the case where the cowl top panel and the dash panel are moved rearward at the same time.

Abstract: A device is provided for mounting a pedal lever (1) of a motor vehicle, which is accommodated in a housing (3) pivotably around at least one said bearing element (2). At least one section of a separating wedge (5) is supported via a said support surface (4) against a motor vehicle component (7) and brings about the shearing off of the bearing element (2) due to the action of an external force caused by an accident due to a relative movement between the separating wedge (5) and the bearing element (2) by applying a shearing force. The separating wedge (5) is accommodated between a surface of the housing (3) and the bearing element (2).

Abstract: A flywheel for use as an energy storage device is made of hoops of different fiber composite layers, the radial thickness of each hoop and the physical properties of the fiber composite in each loop being chosen by a computer modeling optimization procedure to maximize total energy of storage while minimizing radial stress.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of lubricant in a gear assembly, for filtering lubricant in gear assembly, and for lubricating designated portion of the gear assembly. The apparatus deflects lubricant is a desired direction of travel and administers lubricant to selected operational surfaces in the gear assembly.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for advantageously introducing a flame, a high velocity oxidizing gas, and a high velocity particulate flow into a furnace for metal melting, refining and processing, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace. The steel making process of an electric arc furnace is made more efficient by shortening the time of the scrap melting phase, introducing a more effective high velocity oxidizing gas stream into the process sooner to decarburize the melted metal and introducing a more effective particulate injection to reduce FeO, form or foam slag and/or recarburize. Improved efficiency is obtained by mounting a fixed burner/lance and carbon injector lower and closer to the hot face of the furnace refractory at an effective injection angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to sintered particles for use in wear applications and to a process for producing the sintered particles. The particles are of substantially spheroidal shape, have a grain size of 20 to 180 &mgr;m and have a predominantly closed porosity or are free of pores. The process for producing such particles starts from a powder material with a partially porous internal structure, which is introduced into a furnace and sintered at a temperature at which the material of the metallic binder adopts a pasty state while applying pressure to reduce the pore content of the starting material.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of powder mixtures or composite powders from at least one first type of powder from the group consisting of high-melting metals, hard materials and ceramic powders and at least one second type of powder from the group consisting of binder metals, binder-metal mixed crystals and binder-metal alloys, where the second type of powder is formed from precursor compounds in the form of water-soluble salts in an aqueous suspension of the first type of powder by precipitation as oxalate, removal of the mother liquor and reduction to the metal.

Abstract: Methods for producing medium-density articles from recovered high-density tungsten alloy (WHA) material, and especially from recovered WHA scrap. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes forming a medium-density alloy from WHA material and one or more medium- to low-density metals or metal alloys. In another embodiment, medium-density grinding media, such as formed from the above method, is used to mill WHA scrap and one or more matrix metals into particulate that may be pressed and, in some embodiments, sintered to form medium-density articles therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes and apparatuses for the integration of a blast furnace and an air separation plant to increase blast furnace production. The present invention recovers energy from the air separation through the expansion of a product stream.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an equipment for feeding and distributing charge and fuel in furnaces of rectangular cross section, comprising movable feeding tubes to distribute along the longitudinal section and the cross section of the furnace, both a charge comprised of self-reducing agglomerates, ore, scrap or any other metallic material, and solid fuels of any kind.

Abstract: A ceramic member is constituted with a zirconia-containing ceramic material containing 20% by volume or more of a zirconia series ceramic phase mainly composed of a zirconium oxide.

Abstract: Simple skinning pliers including: a clamping mechanism having a first clamping member formed with a first clamping section and a second clamping member formed with a second clamping section and pivotally connected with the first clamping member, whereby the first and second clamping members can be operated to move the first and second clamping sections toward each other; and a cutting member having a predetermined length and axially reciprocally movably disposed on the first clamping section. A first adjustment section is disposed at outer end of the cutting member and positioned on outer side of the first clamping member. A blade is disposed at inner end of the cutting member and extends between the first and second clamping sections. A wire or a cable is clamped between the first and second clamping sections. By means of the first adjustment section, the depth of the blade thrusting into the insulating layer of the wire or cable can be varied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remotely operable opening mechanism for potentially booby-trapped latched panels, comprising a clamp member for clampable engagement with a structure on said panel, and a displaceable actuator mounted on said clamp member, said displaceable actuator having a protruding element engageable with a latch on said latched panel and a coupling element for connection to a line to permit remote activation of said actuator to release said latch and thereby permit said latched panel to be opened by remotely pulling on said clamp member.

Abstract: A depth adjusting system for a screw gun comprises a base supported on the screw gun, an on/off collar removably attached to the base, and an adjusting collar and a depth locator mounted to the on/off collar. The adjusting collar rotates but cannot move axially relative to the on/off collar. Rotation of the adjusting collar causes the depth locator to move axially relative to the on/off collar for adjusting the depth setting. An indexing system is provided between the adjusting collar and the on/off collar for retaining the angular position of the adjusting collar and the depth setting. The on/off collar can be easily attached and detached from the base with a simple axial force applied to the on/off collar.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ratchet tools and in particular to a device to reduce spreading of the head of the ratchet tool. According to the present invention, a novel thrust washer is provided which prevents spreading apart of the head. The thrust washer is characterized by a decreased overall-diameter to edge-height ratio. The present invention also presents an alternative embodiment in which the height of the thrust washer is decreased while the height of the shank spindle is increased to prevent spreading of the head.

Abstract: A driver for eyebolts and hooks includes a body with a driver head bifurcated by a longitudinal slot to form a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. A hole through one of the side walls intersects the slot. A set screw installed in the hole releasably engages and secures the eyebolt in the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for an expandable screw including an outer screw, a inner screw, and an end nut. An assembly and method for driving and expanding an expandable screw apparatus into a surface or structure. The assembly and method dynamically expand the expandable screw by driving and expanding the expandable screw simultaneously.