Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly comprised of a crank arm and a pedal connected to the crank arm. The crank arm has a pedal-connecting portion through which a transverse hole is located. Contained within the transverse hole is an insert, which is made from a harder material than that of the crank arm. The insert has an inner threaded bore and a support surface located at the front end of the threaded bore. A pedal is attached to the insert such that a threaded portion of the pedal is screwed into the threaded bore of the insert and a flange portion of the pedal abuts against the insert support surface.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission having a fluid pump (15), and a fluid motor (17) disposed in a housing (11) which is in fluid communication with a source (C) of low pressure fluid. The housing (11) defines a recessed area (71,85) and disposed therein is a piece of filter material (83,87), the recessed area intersecting the flow path through the transmission at a location between the low pressure source (C) and an inlet (65) to the pump (15). The flow area of the recessed area is substantially greater than that of the flow path through the transmission. The piece of filter material (83,87) is attached directly within the recessed area (71,85) in a manner sufficient to maintain the filter material therein during flow through the flow path. The invention provides substantial filter capacity without adding to the overall size or cost of any of the transmission components.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided which comprises a converter cover for connection to a power source, a pump impeller attached to the converter cover, a turbine for connection to a transmission input shaft, a stator interposed between the pump impeller and the turbine, and a ring gear mounted on the converter cover and adapted to increase moment of inertia of the converter cover.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a sliding contact material that has an alloy composition containing no harmful substance like Cd, especially excellent contact resistance properties, electrical functions that are good and is not subject to secular change, and abrasion resistance practically bearing comparison with conventional sliding contact materials, and is aimed at lengthening the life of a motor by the use of a sliding contact material having excellent durability as a commutator for a small direct-current motor. The present invention is a sliding contact material of an Ag—Ni-based alloy that is used in sliding part electrically switching on and off by mechanical sliding action, and the material is a sliding contact material of Ni metal particle-dispersed-type Ag—Ni-based alloy that is produced in such a method that 0.7 to 3.0 wt. % Ni powder, an additive of Li2CO3 powder corresponding to 0.01 to 0.50 wt.

Abstract: A sintered sprocket is provided in which surface pressure resistance can be improved without using a forging processing. An Fe-based sintered alloy which contains C at 0.2 to 0.5% by weight, Mo at 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and Ni at 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and which exhibits a metallic structure in which an internal base layer comprises ferrite and bainite and in which the ferrite adjoins voids, is subjected to a rolling and is then subjected to carburizing and hardening.

Abstract: A powder metal blend for making a powder metal part especially a valve guide 14 for an internal combustion engine particularly suited for operation where there is little or no engine oil lubricant at the valve stem 30 and valve guide 14 interface. The powder metal blend having a chemical composition on a weight percent basis of about 2 to about 10 percent copper; about 0.5 to about 5.0 percent solid lubricant; about 1.0 to about 3.0 percent graphite; about 1.0 to about 8.0 percent bronze; about 0.2 to about 1.5 percent copper and/or iron phosphorus; about 0.3 to about 1.0 percent fugitive lubricant; and the balance being a low alloy steel powder containing about 0.3 to about 1.0 percent manganese.

Abstract: A hard metal granulate is produced by wet milling and spray drying in a spray tower using pure water as the liquid phase. The spray tower is configured and operated in such a way that a ratio of the quantity of water added via the slurry (in liters per hour) to tower volume (in m3) is between 0.5 and 1.8 and in that a maximum of 0.17 kg of slurry is atomized per m3 of incoming drying gas. The slurry has a solid particle concentration within a range of 65-85% by weight. Under these conditions, the addition of a water-soluble, long-chain polyglycol to the slurry prior to spraying previously required in order to prevent oxidation of the hard metal granulate is no longer necessary.

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: A method of producing a high nitrogen, ultra low carbon steel suitable to rolling material for use in cold rolled steel sheets having excellent age hardening property by an age hardening treatment after forming by working, with no defects in slabs or steel sheets, reliably, at a reduced cost and with a high productivity is proposed.

Abstract: A method of making metallic iron in which a compact, containing iron oxide such as iron ore or the like and a carbonaceous reductant such as coal or the like, is used as material, and the iron oxide is reduced through the application of heat, thereby making metallic iron. In the course of this reduction, a shell composed of metallic iron is generated and grown on the surface of the compact, and slag aggregates inside the shell. This reduction continues until substantially no iron oxide is present within the metallic iron shell. Subsequently, heating is further performed to melt the metallic iron and slag. Molten metallic iron and molten slag are separated one from the other, thereby obtaining metallic iron with a relatively high metallization ratio.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of copper from an aqueous phase containing nitrate ions, in which the aqueous phase is contacted with a solution of an oxime extractant in a water-immiscible organic solvent, which comprises using at least one of the following process variants:

Abstract: A cap opening system which can handle various containers having caps and container bodies of different sizes is disclosed. In this system, when a cap of a container is to be opened, a container body of the container is gripped by a container body holding apparatus to raise the container body upward. A top surface of the cap is detected as a reference surface when the cap interrupts an optical beam. Based on the height of the reference surface, the cap is positioned with respect to the cap handling apparatus. Alternatively, a cap receiving member is provided underneath the cap handling apparatus to perform positioning of the cap with respect to the cap handling apparatus.

Abstract: Bottle cap removal device with an opening therein to receive a bottle cap, including a top and a base which combine to provide an envelope for the bottle cap removal device and including an annular member and a surface opposed to the annular member operative to apply increased gripping forces on the bottle cap upon relative rotation between the annular member and bottle cap, thereby efficiently removing the bottle cap.

Abstract: A tool has a pair of elongate housings adapted to be joined together in a housing assembly for enclosing and supporting a flexible drive mechanism entrained about a pair of rotatable elements. Each of the rotatable elements is disposed on the housing assembly at opposite ends thereof. A flexible drive mechanism provides a transfer of power between the rotatable elements so that rotation of one rotatable element at one input end of the housing assembly will effect driven rotation of the other rotatable element at an output end of the housing assembly. The elongate housings include male and female configurations for aligning and joining the housings without independent fasteners.

Abstract: A socket wrench organizer includes top and bottom socket holders with receptacles for holding sockets for a socket wrench. The receptacles may be individually sized to each socket. A magnet is provided near the bottom of each receptacle for securely holding the sockets. Magnetic or mechanical fasteners hold the socket wrench organizer together in a closed position with the sockets inside for even more securely holding the sockets. The sockets are nested within each other when the socket wrench organizer is in the closed position for compactness and space efficiency. A wrench handle is provided with a flat portion and a hole to facilitate attachment in a convenient package of the socket wrench and socket wrench organizer in the closed position. A non-scratching, non-marring coating is provided on the surface of the socket wrench organizer to facilitate magnetically attaching or merely placing the socket wrench organizer on a scratchable surface.

Abstract: A combination tire repair wrench includes a main wrench, two auxiliary tool members respectively pivoted to two polygonal connecting rods at the ends of a crossbar being welded to a middle part of the main wrench, the auxiliary tool members each having a hexagonal head and a coupling portion extended from the head and pivoted to one connecting rod, and two locking barrels adapted to lock the auxiliary tool members in the operative position, each locking barrel having two hexagonal coupling portions at the ends of the inner diameter for engagement with the polygonal peripheral wall of one connecting rod and the polygonal head of the corresponding auxiliary tool member.

Abstract: A hand tool having a pair of jaw assemblies pivotally mounted to each other and movable from a closed to an open position. Each jaw assembly comprising a head portion and a tail extending from the head portion. A hang space formed between said jaw assemblies.

Abstract: This invention is a hand tool tethering system for use with hand tools that includes a retractor adapted to be included in a housing of the hand tool, a tether attached to the hand tool's retractor mechanism at one end, and to and a coupling device at the opposite end for attachment to an operator or to a selected support structure. The retractor mechanism allows the tether to be movable between a stored position and a functional position.

Abstract: A method for making a cutting insert for use in an ID rotary cutter includes obtaining the profile of a convex surface portion of a finished part to be milled with the cutter, translating the profile a minimum distance away from a reference axis for the convex surface portion, and generating a reference contour by rotating the translated profile about the reference axis. A reference profile for a cutting edge of the cutting insert is obtained as the intersection of the reference contour with a reference plane that is disposed at a predetermined helix angle relative to the reference axis.

Abstract: A tool head for use in machine tools comprising a base body coupled to a machine spindle, comprising at least one tool-receiving means for a cutting tool, and comprising a rotatable slide mechanism, which eccentrically carries the tool-receiving means, and is rotated about an eccentric axis parallel to the base-body axis with respect to the base body in order to facilitate an adjusting of the cutting radius of the cutting tool. A second rotatable slide mechanism is provided which carries a second eccentric tool-receiving means, and is rotated about a second eccentric axis parallel to the base-body axis with respect to the base body in order to facilitate an adjusting of the cutting radius of the respective cutting tool. Furthermore, transmission means is arranged in the base body to facilitate a simultaneous driving of the two rotatable slide mechanisms.

Abstract: A saw blade is disclosed for the high-speed cutting of ferrous alloys. A blade with negatively-raked carbide-tipped teeth, a large gullet between each tooth, and vibration-reducing arc-shaped slots allow for the essentially burr-free cold-cutting of steel without lubricant.

Abstract: The invention, relating to an internal, active, compensatory and method and device for the rotational main-shaft of a cutting tool with axial bias-and-swing, mainly applies an active technique to a gas-floating main-shaft to thereby control its bias-and-swing. A sensor at the exterior of the main-shaft directly measures the axial bias-and-swing of the cutting tool. Taking the measured data as feedback signals, the cutting point of the cutting tool is maintained at an axial positioning accuracy that is predetermined. Further, the invention is arranged with an electromagnetic controlling module to the mandrel's tail end at the interior of the main-shaft for taking non-contacting magnetic force to finely tune the axial position of the mandrel, such that an active compensatory function of the axial position of the cutting point of a cutting tool in action is achieved.

Abstract: A film cutter comprising an entry plate and a guard plate capable of receiving a film therebetween, wherein the guard plate is in communication with a housing plate having a lower surface and an upper surface, and wherein the housing plate lower surface has a retaining groove capable of retaining a cutting belt. The housing plate upper surface has pushing member grooves capable of receiving pushing members, the pushing member grooves having ramps. The film cutter further includes a cutting belt having cutting members, wherein the cutting belt is retained in the retaining groove, and wherein the cutting members do not extend past the guard plate when the film cutter is in a non-activated state.

Abstract: An improved working die and method of producing it are disclosed wherein a die blank presents a relatively smooth surface and has ceramic material molded on its smooth surface in a configuration corresponding to the design of the product to be cut or formed by the die.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus usable in conjunction with a thermoforming machine that produces a thermoformed plastic sheet is designed to cut the thermoformed plastic sheet to separate a portion of the plastic sheet from the remainder of the plastic sheet. The cutting apparatus includes a cutting mechanism that moves across the width of the sheet. The cutting mechanism is in the form of a cylinder actuated sheet cutting knife whose operation is controlled in conjunction with the operation of the thermoforming machine to effect cutting of the plastic sheet at desired intervals. The apparatus also includes a hold down mechanism that is operated in synchronism with the operation of the thermoforming machine and the cylinder actuated cutting knife. The hold down mechanism is designed to hold down the thermoformed plastic sheet to thereby facilitate the cutting of the plastic sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an elongate tube includes a cutting head that supports an annular cutting member having a cutting edge. An actuator is provided that includes first and second eccentric mechanisms that project from first and second shafts, respectively, and are connected to the cutting head. A frame plate is connected to the shafts. A passageway extends through the frame plate and is coaxial with the cutting edge of the annular member in an initial non-cutting position thereof. First and second guide plates are positioned on opposite sides of the cutting head. The first guide plate is commonly connected to the first and second shafts and the second guide plate is connected to the first guide plate. A first bore extends through the first guide plate and a second bore extends through the second guide plate. The first and second guide bores are coaxial with the cutting edge of the annular member in an initial non-cutting position thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single shaft rotary grinder with an improved cutter and combination “comb” rotor and counter knife configuration for reducing film, fibrous material and other material which has a tendency to wrap around the rotor, rubber, solid plastics and wood. Reducing this type of material, such as plastic film, into small pieces has been problematic. This invention provides one or more comb shaped counter knives and a rotor having a plurality of geometrically shaped cutters mounted in a plurality of partial or full rows longitudinally along the rotor. The comb shaped counter knives and the rows of cutters work in cooperation to reduce film and other material into small pieces.

Abstract: A stamping device includes a base body; an elongated punch having a longitudinal axis; a supporting arrangement for holding the punch in the base body and for guiding the punch for axial displacements between an advanced position and a retracted position; a driving unit releasably held in the base body and including a driving device for axially displacing the punch; a coupling device having a first state in which the coupling device operatively connects the driving device with the punch and a second state in which the driving device is disconnected from the punch; and a receiving arrangement for holding the punch in a desired axial position when the coupling device is in its second state.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the worktable of the band sawing comprising a base providing at the band sawing machine Two turning pieces, each of which has a first guiding slot, a second guiding slot and a rack. The turning pieces fix at the bottom side of the worktable with the base locating between the turning pieces. A guiding shaft pivots at said base via the first guiding slots of the turning pieces. An adjusting shaft pivots at the base. Each end of said adjusting shaft respectively has a gear engaging with the racks of the turning pieces respectively. A pressing shaft pivots at the base via the second guiding slots of the turning pieces, and a locking member engages with the pressing shaft.

Abstract: A percussion instrument having a body comprising a first, second and third section each defining respectively a first, second and third chamber. The first section is connected to the second section, which is connected to the third section, with the second chamber communicating with the first and third chambers. The first chamber has an opening formed in one end thereof. A membrane is secured over the opening. The third chamber has an opening formed therein that preferably is exposed. The third chamber preferably has a cross-sectional area greater than the area of the opening formed therein, and more preferably has a spherical shape. A method of playing the instrument comprises striking the membrane. In preferred embodiments, the method further comprises placing a barrier member adjacent the opening of the third chamber, preferably in conjunction with the striking of the membrane, and/or variously moving the barrier member toward and away from the opening of said third chamber.

Abstract: A support base for instrument components, including instrument components having a pedal associated therewith, that includes a base member and one or more component retainers. Various types of component retainers can be used either individually or in combination with one another. Such component retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners extending between the base member and an associated instrument component. The base member can include one or more passages, such as holes or slots, through which a component retainer, such as a fastener, can extend to engage an associated instrument component. Also, a component retainer, such as a post, may extend from either the base member or the instrument component to engage the other of same. The post may be integral or detachably supported on either the base member or instrument component.

Abstract: A nibble stream containing MIDI music data words and synchronous nibbles and an external audio signal are selectively converted to an audio-frequency signal, which in turn is converted to a set of PCM codes for storing it in a compact disc; and the audio frequency signal, which is demodulated from the PCM data codes, is analyzed to see which is the origin of the audio frequency signal on the basis of the signal level and what sort of modulation technique was employed on the basis of features of the audio frequency signal such as peak-to-peak intervals and similarity to reference waveforms so that the nibble stream or the external audio signal is exactly reproduced from the audio frequency signal.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is equipped with plural series combinations of switches and resistors and a piezoelectric transducer associated with a movable member for producing electric signals representative of player's intentions to music sound to be generated, and a signal processing system processes the signals for generating the music sound; the signal processing system has a voltage discriminator so that the plural series combinations are connected in parallel to the voltage discriminator through a single conductive line; a vibration absorber is inserted between the movable member and the piezoelectric transducer so that the piezoelectric transducer exactly converts the motion of the movable member to the electric signal at each player's manipulation.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system or clutch pack comprises a motor shaft having a first tapered cutout, and a ballscrew shaft having a second tapered cutout. The first and second tapered cutouts being adapted to mate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to clean air for separating materials in the form of particles and/or droplets from a gas flow. The gas flow is directed through a collection in which the outer walls are grounded, and in which high voltage is supplied to the ion yield tips arranged in the collection chamber. Thus an ion beam from the ion yield tips towards collection surfaces is established to separate desired material from the gas flow. The electrically conductive collection surfaces are electrically insulated from the outer castings and high voltage is supplied to the collecting surfaces, in which the direct-current voltage has an opposite sign as the high voltage directed to the ion yield tips. The collection surface is totally conveniently and rapidly detached for clean material replacement.

Abstract: A separator that uses both centrifugal force and gravity can effect the near-complete separation of liquid particles entrained in a gaseous stream having a high flow rate and velocity. The separator includes a conduit disposed in a vertical orientation, a baffle axially disposed in the conduit, a wire mesh disposed circumferentially around the baffle, and an absorbant filter disposed circumferentially around the wire mesh. The entrained liquid-containing gaseous stream enters the separator through a separator first end, and exits the separator from a separator second end as an essentially liquid-free gaseous stream. By virtue of using the baffle, mesh, and filter to effect the separation of the entrained liquid particles, the separator can effect near-complete liquid removal, yet without imposing any significant back pressure.

Abstract: A separator that uses both centrifugal force and gravity can effect the near-complete separation of liquid particles entrained in a gaseous stream having a high flow rate and velocity. The separator includes a conduit disposed in a vertical orientation, a baffle axially disposed in the conduit, a wire mesh disposed circumferentially around the baffle, and an absorbant filter disposed circumferentially around the wire mesh. The entrained liquid-containing gaseous stream enters the separator through a separator first end, and exits the separator from a separator second end as an essentially liquid-free gaseous stream. By virtue of using the baffle, mesh, and filter to effect the separation of the entrained liquid particles, the separator can effect near-complete liquid removal, yet without imposing any significant back pressure.

Abstract: A hydrogen-permeable membrane includes a metal base layer containing a Group VA element, two metal middle layers which are formed on both of the two sides of the metal base layer and contains an element selected from Ni and CO, and two metal coating layers formed on the side of the two metal middle layers, on which the metal base layer is not formed, and containing Pd.

Abstract: A storage device for the preservation of oxidizable materials is provided. The storage device includes a storage chamber enclosing a storage space where oxidizable materials may be placed and a differentially permeable membrane. The differentially permeable membrane allows at least one selected gas to pass therethrough while inhibiting at least oxygen from passing therethrough. The differentially permeable membrane is in fluid communication with the storage chamber such that the at least one selected gas is allowed to pass through the differentially permeable membrane flows into the storage chamber. An air mover, preferably a compressor, feeds gases to the differentially permeable membrane. A cooling element is provided for cooling the temperature within the storage chamber below that of the ambient temperature. The level of oxygen within the storage chamber is thus reduced relative to the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A debubbling apparatus for removing gaseous bubbles entrained in a liquid is taught which has improved dearation capacity. The debubbling apparatus includes a vessel including a liquid inlet, at least one well extending from the vessel, the at least one well having a liquid outlet, and an ultrasonic transducer horn residing in the at least one well, the at least one well and the ultrasonic transducer horn residing therein being positioned at an angle in the range of from about 20° to about 45° with respect to vertical. With the ultrasonic horn and well so angled, bubbles in the liquid in the at least one well are subjected to a buoyancy force, a drag force, and an acoustic wave force which yields a resultant force that drives the bubbles toward an upper wall section of the at least one well.

Abstract: A spray level arrangement for spraying a liquid absorbent into flue gas flowing through a flue gas desulfurization absorber tower having a shell, includes a pair of elongated headers each having an inlet end for receiving liquid absorbent outside the shell, and an opposite end supported by a shell support at the inner surface of the shell. Each header extends through a penetration port of the shell and into the interior of the shell for supplying the liquid absorbent to the tower. A plurality of elongated branch lines are secured to each header and extend within the tower, each branch line having a supply end connected to the header and an opposite end supported on their own shell supports at the inner surface of the shell. A plurality of nozzles are secured to each branch. The nozzles are configured to spray the liquid absorbent into the flue gas within the tower. A beam in the shell has straps for further supporting the headers in the shell, if required.

Abstract: The Whistler's Best Friend consists of a holed, tapered rubber stopper through which passes a length of metal tubing. The device is constructed with two pieces. The first is the holed tapered rubber stopper. The second is a metal tube of approximately 7 inches in length, with an inside bend of approximately 60 degrees positioned approximately 2 inches from one end. The short end of the tube outside of the bend is then pushed into the hole on the wider end of the tapered stopper. With the device positioned in the exit spout of a steam producing device, the long piece of metal tubing is angled down in order to allow a downward discharge of steam. Another pot, cup or receptacle is then placed under the discharge end of the tubing with a substance to be heated.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for roasting nuts, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other small food stuffs comprising a base, a motor and afterburner assembly attached to the top of the base on one side thereof, a roasting assembly attached to the top of the base on the other side thereof, and a top cover assembly removably attached to the tops of the motor and afterburner assembly, and the roasting assembly.

Abstract: A closure for a container includes a first surface having a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side. A first sidewall extends a predetermined distance from said first side of said first surface. A second sidewall extends a predetermined distance from said second side of said first surface. At least one notch is formed in said first sidewall for engaging a shelf for selectively mounting the closure on the shelf during non-use of a container and for closing an opening in a top of a container when the container is positioned on the shelf.

Abstract: This appliance, which is for example a juicer, comprises a base, a rotating shredding tool (26), a chute (16) for introducing food items towards the tool (26), and a pusher (18), which can be received in the internal volume of the chute (16).

Abstract: A mechanism for rotating an object having a flat bottom surface on a conveyor system is described. Four circular disk segments whose rotational axes lie on a plane and are offset 90 degrees from each other are pressed against the bottom surface by a linear drive and subsequently rotated. The top surface of each disk segment lies against the bottom surface in the direction of a tangent of a circle around the rotational axis of the object. The recessed segments do not touch the bottom surface of the object. As the circular disk segments rotate, their outer circumferences rest against the bottom surface and rotate the object. This rotating mechanism is used in strapping machines and provides a method of rotation.

Abstract: Extended-nip roll press for dewatering a material web comprises a rotating mating roll and an extended-nip press roll. The extended-nip press roll has a stationary support and a flexible roll cover which rotates about the support. A press shoe is arranged on the support, and the roll cover has end sections which are clamped firmly on rotatable end walls on the support. End wall clamping rings respond to a first actuating device and clamp a resilient spreader ring radially against an outer ring that can be connected firmly to the end walls. A sealing ring is arranged on each end wall adjacent the clamping ring and can be deformed radially against the outer ring by means of a second actuating device.

Abstract: A media printer such as, for example, a thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows value-adding elements such as RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.

Abstract: A stencil comprising two or more layers is disclosed for applying surface mount materials onto printed circuit boards, flexible circuits, wafers or other substrates. The stencil can accommodate preexisting surface mount components and materials. The stencil utilizes material reservoirs, relief areas and delivery apertures and can be used for depositing surface mount materials such as adhesives, conductive glues, solder paste and solder balls.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for perforating a heat sensitive stencil sheet having a heat shrinkable film, the film is selectively heated with a heating device to form independent dot perforations corresponding to an image, and the heating device is controlled to ensure that the perforations satisfy the following formula (1):