Abstract: To provide a failure diagnosis apparatus for an exhaust gas recirculation system which is capable of eliminating the influence of various disturbance factors that vary the suction air pressure, diagnosing a failure of the exhaust gas recirculation system on the basis of the suction air pressure, and preventing wrong diagnosis. A failure diagnosis apparatus for an exhaust gas recirculation system consists of a fresh air pressure estimating means 2911 for calculating an estimated fresh air pressure inside a suction pipe from the operating condition of an internal combustion engine, an actual EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) gas pressure estimating means 2914 for estimating an EGR gas pressure on the basis of a measured suction pipe pressure detected by a suction pipe pressure detecting means 2911 and an estimated fresh air pressure calculated above, and a failure judging means 2910 for judging the failure on the basis of the estimated EGR gas pressure and the detected operating condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the mass air flow into an internal combustion engine without the use of a mass air flow sensor. Speed density and throttle position methods of estimating mass air flow are combined using a first Kalman filter. In one aspect of the invention, the input throttle position into the throttle position mass air flow estimate is the measured throttle position obtained from the throttle position sensor. In another aspect of the invention, the input throttle position into the throttle position mass air flow estimate is the output of a second Kalman filter, which uses as its inputs the measured throttle position obtained from the throttle position sensor and the desired throttle position obtained from the pedal position sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for measuring tire forces wherein the force contributions of the test machine may be separated from the force contributions of the tire. The invention achieves the separation of the forces by equipping the test station with a plurality of accelerometers that allow the forces and the moments of the components of the measurement station to be calculated and accounted for in the overall force measurement. In one embodiment, the test station uses a slip ring disposed between the rotating rotor to which the tire is mounted and the stationary bearing housing to allow data to be easily gathered from the accelerometers mounted on the rotor. The slip ring also allows tires to be easily mounted and dismounted.

Abstract: A tire-condition sensor installed on a wheel rim, which defines a wheel rim platform and a valve hole, of a tire includes a valve rod, a main body, and two positioning bolts. The valve rod extends from one side wall of the main body and passes through the valve hole for fixing the sensor on the wheel rim. The main body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The two positioning bolts adjustably extend from the bottom surface of the main body and rest on the wheel rim platform for supporting the main body on the wheel rim platform such that the tire-condition sensor is fixedly positioned on the wheel rim.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric material thickness test fixture. The test fixture comprises a cylinder having an interior space for receiving at least one sheet of a material to be tested, and a piston movable relative to the cylinder for applying a holding force to the at least one sheet. The piston has a through hole to allow a test medium to be used to study chemical attack to come into contact with the at least one sheet. A process for allowing assessment of chemical attack on thick elastomeric materials using the test fixture is also described.

Abstract: A system for determining the suitable positioning of a first gear wheel in relation to a second gear wheel. The system comprises an evaluation unit and a roll-of device, which contains a first spindle for the rotatable seating of the first gear wheel, a second spindle for the rotatable seating of the second gear wheel and a drive mechanism for rotating the first gear wheel and a drive mechanism for acting with a positive or a negative torque on the second gear wheel. The roll-off device furthermore has a displacement device for changing the positioning of the first gear wheel in relation to the second gear wheel. A measurement pick-up device and two angle encoders are provided in the roll-off device and are connected with the evaluation unit.

Abstract: A meteorological balloon having improved wind measurement during an ascent stage, includes an inflatable envelope having, during ascent, an upper hemisphere and a lower hemisphere, and presenting an outer surface, a GPS type sonde secured to the inflatable envelope, and a device for improving wind measurement which is a single spoiler secured to the upper hemisphere portion envelope. The spoiler is constructed and arranged to transmit any aerodynamic force acting thereon to the balloon and to modify air streams following the outside surface of the balloon so as to prevent the air streams from adhering to the outer surface of the bottom hemisphere of the balloon during ascent.

Abstract: An integrated module is provided for measuring a flow rate of a fluid, whether gaseous or liquid, with a flow restrictor comprising a plurality of orifices adapted to a flow channel of the integrated module and a sensor mounted to measure a property of the fluid at said flow restrictor corresponding to the flow rate. The integrated module provided may be used in numerous flow systems, such as reactors, ventilators and respirators, and has the benefit of better laminarization of the flow as well as better calibration between the flow sensor and the flow restrictor for more accurate flow measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly and efficiently balancing an article, such as a tube for use in a vehicular drive shaft assembly, for rotation about an axis is provided. Initially, a balance ring is press fit or otherwise mounted onto the article to be balanced. The balance ring includes a ring of a material that can be selectively removed to balance the article for rotation, such as powdered metal. The article is mounted on an apparatus for rotating the article at a predetermined speed and for sensing vibrations that are caused by imbalances in the structure of the article. An electronic controller is responsive to such sensed vibrations for determining the size and location of one or more balance weights that, if secured to the article, will minimize or eliminate these imbalances.

Abstract: A pointer of a meter such as a speedometer for use in an automobile is so structured that it is observed as if its illuminated length extends upon turning on a key switch and as if its illuminated length is shortened upon turning off the key switch, thereby giving an ornamental effect to the meter. A pointer cover gradually covering or exposing the illuminated pointer may be provided at a vicinity of a zero-scale position. The pointer may be progressively illuminated by plural light sources disposed behind a scale plate by tuning on the light sources one by one. The light sources such as light-emitting diodes may be embedded in the transparent pointer needle. Plural light sources covered by a bimetal cover may be disposed at a foot portion of the pointer needle, and the bimetal cover may be heated to gradually uncover the light sources thereby to progressively illuminate the pointer needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite vibrator that can maintain high sensitivity even when miniaturized. The composite vibrator includes tuning bar vibrators having the same length and support members for supporting the tuning bar vibrators. The tuning bar vibrators are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction to be coupled with each other near nodes of bending vibrations occurring at both free ends of the tuning bar vibrators. In this arrangement, since the tuning bar vibrators are coupled with each other, the mass of the composite vibrator increases. Thus, even when the length of the longitudinal direction of the tuning bar vibrator is reduced, due to the increased mass, higher sensitivity for the detection of an angular velocity can be obtained.

Abstract: The seismic mass (4) of an accelerometer that comprises at least one electromechanical transducer is stabilized in the direction perpendicular to the sensible axis by at least one laterally stabilizing element (8) arranged between the electromechanical transducer (9) and a structural element (7). This stabilization eliminates or at least drastically reduces any distortions of the measurement results provoked by transversal accelerations.

Abstract: A sound field measuring apparatus has: an exponential pulse generator 11 which outputs a pulse signal to speakers 4a, 4b, . . . ; a microphone 6 which is disposed in an acoustic space 5 where the speakers 4a, 4b, . . . are disposed, and which detects a pulse signal output from each of the speakers 4a, 4b, . . . ; and a calculation section 15 which detects a time when the signal detected by the microphone 6 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The calculation section 15 calculates a time period from a time when the pulse signal is generated by the exponential pulse generator 11 to the time when the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method is described for examining a solidifying and/or hardening material such as cement, concrete or the like, using ultrasound waves emitted by an ultrasound transmitter, which penetrate the solidifying and/or hardening material, are continuously measured and analyzed. During solidification and/or hardening of the material, the signal shapes of the ultrasound waves penetrating the material, are recorded. The change with time of the compression wave velocity and/or the relative energy of the ultrasound waves and/or the frequency spectra of the ultrasound waves is extracted from the ultrasound wave shapes during the entire course of solidification and/or hardening of the material. This change with time of the compression wave velocity and/or the relative energy of the ultrasound waves and/or the frequency spectra of the ultrasound waves is approximated through a compensating function, preferably the Boltzmann function.

Abstract: An externally-powerable sensor is described for detecting ultrasonic energy and for providing an accurate indication of the level of such energy to an external monitoring device over a wide dynamic range. A first electrical signal proportional to the detected ultrasonic energy is chopped by the output of a free-running multivibrator to generate a signal having a frequency differing from the frequency of the first signal by an amount within the audio frequency range. Such difference signal is selectively amplified to concentrate the spectral energy of the difference component in a lower portion of the audio range. A low pass filter extracts, from the so-concentrated difference signal, a modified audio signal whose frequency content is at the lower end, illustratively 0-6 KHz, of the spectrum of the concentrated difference signal. The output of the low pass filter is processed to generate a DC output current that is proportional to the detected ultrasonic energy level.

Abstract: A non-intrusive apparatus and method for measuring vibration of an object along three axes. A vibration measurement device is provided which has three orthogonal right triangular panels forming a pyramidal shape having three 90° angled corners which meet at an apex, wherein each triangular panel has an outer mirrored surface. The device is attached to an object which is subjected to vibration, such that the apex of the device points in a direction away from the object. A beam of light is directed onto the apex of the device such that a portion of the light is reflected off of each mirrored surface, sending reflected light in three directions to three different light sensors. The magnitude of vibration of the object can then be determined in each of three orthogonal directions, along three axes, by measuring the difference in movements of position between the reflected light and a reference beam.

Abstract: There is provided an improved load transducer type metal diaphragm pressure sensor capable of accurately sensing pressures, which is low in cost, easy to fabricate, and suitable for mass-production. The metal diaphragm pressure sensor (1) comprises a disc-shaped metal diaphragm (2) having a pressure element to which a fluid pressure is applied; a strip-shaped beam member (4) of silicone spanning the diaphragm in a direction of the diameter of the diaphragm, said beam member (4) having electrically insulating insulation bases (3) at each of its ends and in its midsection, and being bonded to the metal diaphragm at each of its ends via the insulation bases (3a, 3b); a pin-shaped pivot (5) connected between the midsection of the beam member and the midsection of the metal diaphragm via the insulation base (3c); and a bridge circuit containing diffused resistor elements (6a, 6a′).

Abstract: A transmitter is provided whose operation is not impaired by ambient influences, having a measurement sensor (3), an electronic unit (11) arranged in a housing (1) on a printed circuit board (9), an operating element (15), which can be operated from outside the housing (1), and a transmitting arrangement (19), which transmits a force exerted on the operating element (15) to a switch connected to the electronic unit (11), the switch being a key of a membrane keyboard (23) arranged on the printed circuit board

Abstract: A composite material has a laminated structure of fiber-reinforced resin layers and films of a shape-memory alloy. A predetermined strain has been applied to each film. A damage sensor has a film of an alloy of nickel and titanium. An electric circuit is bonded to the film, and strain gages are connected to the electric circuit. The damage sensor can be laminated to the resin layers in place of the film of the shape-memory alloy. Damage to the composite material is suppressed as follows: A current is applied to the films of the shape-memory alloy, to monitor change in electric resistance of the films. The damage is located in response to the change in electric resistance. Another current is applied to a film of the shape-memory alloy for which the change is larger than the other films to generate heat for deforming the film to generate shrinking stress or shear stress to the damage.

Abstract: To detect a low load of an outrigger with high accuracy and improve alarming accuracy of a roll-over alarming device, the roll-over alarming device for a crane includes a load cell 1 having a coil spring 5 provided with a strain gauge 4, and an upper load cell case 6 and a lower load cell case 7 which support the coil spring 5 from its top and bottom to transfer a load of an outrigger to the coil spring 5, supports 8, 9 for supporting a load when the load having more than a predetermined value acts to restrain yielding of the coil spring 5 being provided between the upper load cell case 6 and the lower load cell case 7, and an alarming section which issues a roll-over alarm on the basis of a load detecting value of the outrigger from the load cell 1.

Abstract: The device comprises a corer (1, 4) fitted with a flexible diaphragm (2) on its inside face, means (10) for driving the corer into the soil (11), means for breaking up the soil leaving the top orifice of the corer, means for applying axial forces on the diaphragm (2) and on the top face of the soil sample (12) contained in the corer, and means for measuring stresses and deformations to which the sample (12) is subject. While a measurement is being performed, the corer is held stationary in the soil (11).

Abstract: The method and the measuring system in accordance with the invention utilizes a measurement of electrical fields to determine the electrical characteristics of phases in a multi-phase mixture constituting a fluid flow through a conduit. This is used as part of the determination of the phase fractions. Further, one uses time-varying signals from at least one pair of detectors for the electrical characteristics of the fluid, combined with the use of a cross-correlation for determining one or several velocities in the flowing fluid. Additionally, one or several pressure drops are measured across, or adjacent to, a narrow passage. By combining measurements of the electrical characteristics, with measurements of pressure drop, the fractions of all phases in the flow are determined. Combined with measurements of the velocities, the volume flow rates are calculated for the phases and by further combining this with the mass densities of the phases, the mass flow rates of the phases are determined.

Abstract: A device and method for determining values and/or generating signals, which can be used for closed-loop or open-loop controlling of the driving behavior of a vehicle equipped with a sensor system that detects wheel contact forces, includes determining the vehicle mass via the wheel contact forces that are detected, and further includes at least one of determining shifts in the wheel contact forces, and determining the required drive torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular measuring system (10) comprising at least one measuring location having sensors, at least one connection module (18a, 18b, 18c), which is provided at the measuring location and which is preferably located in a housing (20) and is used to connect sensors, at least one communications port to connect sensors and at least one input/output unit (12), at least one element that is provided at the measuring location and that has an identification code for the input/output unit one electronic module that is provided in the input/output unit, that is controlled on the basis of the identification code, and that is used for the functions of the I/O elements (14, 16) of the input/output unit. Defining the functions of the input/output unit by means of the identification code provided at the measuring location largely prevents improper operation of the input/output unit.

Abstract: A downward offset barbell type walking beam compositively balance oil pump, in which at the rear end of the walking beam is mounted a downward offset barbell type balancing device consisting of a shoe plate, a cross shaft and balancing pieces, retains most of the structure of the conventional walking beam oil pump, and has a compact structure, a wide range of moment change, an advantage of saving electricity to a degree of more than 40 percent, and is safe and reliable for operation. The present invention can be applied to the renovation of variety of conventional walking beam oil pumps, used in oil fields, outphase crankshaft oil pumps and walking beam compositively balance oil pumps for the purpose of energy-saving or of promotion of the capacity for oil extraction of the above-mentioned oil pumps.

Abstract: A load of a workpiece, which is applied to a slider (68), is supported by guide blocks (78) and guide rails (30a, 30b) provided for a frame (12). On the other hand, pin members (72), which constitute a floating mechanism (64) provided under the slider (68), are slidably engaged with fitting members (66) installed to recesses (62) of a projection (54). Therefore, a ball screw (16) is prevented from any application of the load of the workpiece via a displacement member (46).

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle having a plurality of gear trains provided between an input shaft and an output shaft, comprises a hollow shaft coaxially including the input shaft, a forward drive gear rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft, a forward driven gear integrally mounted on the output shaft and constantly meshing with the forward drive gear, a reverse drive gear rotatably mounted on the input shaft, a changeover hub integrally mounted on the hollow shaft between the forward drive gear and the reverse drive gear, an first idler gear constantly meshing with the reverse drive gear, a second idler gear integrally formed with the first idler gear and constantly meshing with the forward driven gear and a changeover member provided between the forward gear and the reverse drive gear for engaging the changeover hub either with the forward drive gear or the reverse drive gear.

Abstract: A synchromesh-type transmission includes a shift and select shaft axially movable for carrying out a select operation and rotatable for carrying out a shift operation, a plurality of shift fork shafts each provided with a pair of shift heads, and an inner lever fixed to the shift and select shaft. The inner lever is disposed between the pair of shift heads according to the axial moving operation of the shift and select shaft and comes in contact with one of the shift heads according to the rotational moving operation of the shift and select shaft, wherein a shift stage is performed. The inner lever is located at a neutral position according to the rotational operation of the shift and select shaft for the shift operation, wherein no shift stage is performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual directional power feed for use with handheld drills or stationary frame mounted power sources. The device comprises a housing, two pairs of wheel bearings rotatably mounted to the housing, a cap rotatably mounted to the housing, and a biasing bearing rotatably mounted to the cap. The cap is rotatable to a first position such that rotation of the threaded cable in a first direction causes the threaded cable to translate along its longitudinal axis in a first direction. The cap is further rotatable to a second position such that rotation of the threaded cable in the first direction causes the threaded cable to translate along its longitudinal axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Further, the present invention discloses a bearing and support assembly for coupling a power feed device to a power unit comprising a support plate and a bearing.

Abstract: It is designed that an oil pressure signal can be output by operating an operation lever in a twisting direction; a structure can be made simple and its assembly and adjustment are easy; an operation force can be reduced; and a layout is not restricted. It is also designed that when the operation lever is left free after it is twisted, it returns smoothly to the original neutral position. When the operation lever is twisted about the lever axis, the shaft supported by bearings is twisted. The twist of the shaft is converted into the movement in a direction to move the pistons by first and second levers, and the pistons are moved. When the pistons are moved, the oil pressure signal is output from the discharge ports. A disk plate is separated into a first disk plate to which the root of the operation lever is attached and a second disk plate which is tiltably supported by a tilting fulcrum.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly 12 for a vehicle includes a pedal 14 and a foot pad 16 operatively engageable by the operator of a vehicle. The pedal assembly 12 also includes a collapsible push rod 22 or 22′ connected between the lever 14 and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20. The push rod 22 and 22′ includes a first rod member 40 telescopically engaged with a second rod member 42 and collapsible relative one to the other upon experiencing a force greater than a predetermined amount of force. The pedal assembly 12 further includes a connector assembly comprising an inertial mass 50 for preventing collapse of the push rod 22 or 22′ during normal vehicle operation, and movable to a second position to allow for collapse of the push rod 22 or 22′ upon experiencing a predetermined deceleration. Accordingly, the pedal assembly 12 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the operator of the vehicle during a collision.

Abstract: A pedal adjuster for electronic throttle control includes a pedal arm and support arm pivotally mounted to a bracket. An electronic throttle control unit is mounted to the bracket at the pivot point of the pedal arm assembly. A screw rod drive mechanism extends in a space formed between the support arm and pedal arm to adjustably position the pedal arm with respect to the support arm. The pedal arm carries an elongated curved pedal. Depression of the pedal pivots the pedal arm assembly to turn a blade connected to the ETC unit to generate a signal indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller comprises a first hydraulic control valve 60, which is mounted on an end face S1 of a first housing unit H1, an oil pump 50, which is mounted on the first hydraulic control valve 60, and an input shaft 1 of a transmission, which shaft is provided rotatably in a transmission housing. The oil pump 50 comprises an outer rotor 52 and an inner rotor 53 in a pump casing 51 and 54, which is mounted on the valve body of the first hydraulic control valve 60. The input shaft 1, which is inserted into the pump casing and fit into the inner rotor 53, rotates and drives the inner rotor. The oil pump 50 sucks oil from the bottom of the transmission housing and supplies it through the mounted part into the first hydraulic control valve 60.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a utility vehicle, which is speed-controlled by a hydrostatic transmission, includes a controller having an input for receiving a selectable set speed signal, and an output for sending a speed control signal to at least one proportional valve of a hydrostatic transmission servo control system. The vehicle ground speed is continuously monitored by a speed sensor operatively associated with a rotating gear in the vehicle drive train that rotates in proportion to vehicle ground speed, to create a ground speed signal. The selectable set speed signal can be input to controller memory by driving the vehicle at a desired ground speed and then activating a speed set switch. The speed control algorithm of the controller thereafter compares the set speed to the ground speed signal from the speed sensor and corrects the control signal to the proportional valve to correct hydrostatic transmission speed output.

Abstract: The cutting element including a cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations is formed with an internal chamber or passage for the flow of drilling fluid therethrough. A substrate having at least one internal passage, and prior to attaching a superabrasive table thereto, the at least one internal passage is filled with a removable substantially incompressible filler material. Attachment or bonding of the superabrasive table to the substrate under high temperature and high pressure is accomplished without significant distortion of the shape and size of the internal passage. The filler material may be a crystalline salt such as sodium chloride or halite, which is removable by dissolution in water, or may be boron nitride or a volcanic material such as Pyrofolyte material which is mechanically removable.

Abstract: A tool for installing and extracting a fuse is provided. The tool has a first bar that has a jaw at one end of the first bar. The tool has second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar and that has a jaw at one end of the second bar. The respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the respective jaws.

Abstract: A hammer device with interchangeable head members for providing one hammer which can be used to perform multiple functions. The hammer device with interchangeable head members includes a hammer assembly including an elongate handle member and a head member being attached to a top of the handle member; and also includes a plurality of striking members being removably attached to the head member of the hammer assembly; and further includes a plurality of washers being stored in the handle member and being removably mounted to the head member of the hammer assembly.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a cover positioning device includes a handle having a receiving recess, a ratchet wheel mounted in the receiving recess of the handle, and a cover mounted in the receiving recess of the handle so as to cover the receiving recess of the handle and the ratchet wheel. The cover has a surface formed with a depression which has an opened side, so that the depression has a stepwise cross-section. A C-shaped snap ring is mounted in the depression of the cover, and has one side selectively locked on a wall of the receiving recess of the handle and an outer periphery of the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a head with an engaging ring rotatably received therein and a pawl is movably received in the head. The engaging ring has first teeth defined in an outer periphery thereof and the pawl has second teeth defined in a side thereof, the first teeth are engaged with the second teeth. An adjust angle “a” defined between a center of the engaging ring and two points of two adjacent first teeth of the engaging ring is 2 to 4 degrees. An angle “b” between two adjacent face of two adjacent second teeth 51 is larger than an angle “c” between two faces of any first tooth. A height “D” of any of the first teeth is not less than a height “d” of any of the second teeth. By the arrangement, the number of the engagement of the first and second teeth is enough to output a largest torque without slipping over or being damaged.

Abstract: A double-ended wrench is described having an elongated handle formed substantially nontwisted extending in a longitudinal direction, a first wrench head positioned at one end of the wrench and a second wrench head positioned at the other end thereof. Each wrench head has an orifice with an imaginary axis of wrench rotation. The first wrench head is positioned relative to the second wrench head whereas the axis of wrench rotation of the first wrench head is substantially perpendicular to the axis of wrench rotation of the second wrench head. The elongated handle comprises a first handle portion connecting to the first wrench head, and a second handle portion connecting to the second wrench head. Each handle portion has an elongated cross-sectional shape when viewed in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An insulating hand tool has an elongated shank injection molded of a high-strength, electrically insulating material, such as glass-reinforced nylon, and a handle formed of an electrically insulating material. The handle and the shank may be molded together in a unitary, one-piece construction, or the handle end of the shank may be press-fitted in an axial bore in one end of the handle or the shank may be insert molded into the handle. The working end of the shank is adapted to carry a working tip or a socket, either of which may be insert molded in the working end of the shank or may be press-fitted in an axial bore therein. The socket may form a nut driver or define a receptacle to removably receive a working tip. The working tip may be a commercially-available, double-ended bit, with a Phillips tip at one end embedded in the shank.

Abstract: An anti-skip fastener tightening and/or extraction device 10 includes a tool bit end 12 having a plurality of flutes or crossing members 13-16, each crossing member having at least one recess 18 and 26 positioned in a side wall 20,21,28 and 29. The recesses 18 and 26 form edges 36 and 42 that engage corresponding portions of a fastener 17 to maintain engagement between the tool bit end 12 and the fastener 17 when forcibly rotating the fastener 17 to drive the fastener 17 into a workpiece or forcibly rotating the fastener 17 to extract the fastener 17 from a workpiece.

Abstract: A torque wrench (40) with a variable-arm clicker mechanism, comprises a substantially tubular body (41), equipped with a handgrip (18) from which protrudes a ratchet gear element (4), suited for engaging with the blocking device which must be tightened. Inside the tubular body (41) is the clicker mechanism, which comprises a main lever (2) ending with the ratchet gear element (4), with fulcrum on the same tubular body (41) by means of a pin (3). The clicker mechanism has a pair of parallel intermediate levers (6), hinged on a fulcrum (10), integral with a mobile carriage (9), where the parallel intermediate levers (6) extend within the carriage (9) through slots (31, 32) which act as guides for the levers and are connected by means of a pin (12) to small levers (22) which command a push rod (20) that operates a spring (16).

Abstract: A 12-in-1 precision hand tool has five double-ended specifically sized precision tool bits stored in separate handle compartments adjacent the handle proximate end and one double-ended tool bit operably disposed at the distal end of a selectively retractably extendible shank for impeded access precision drive use. A handle cap is removably attached to the handle and has a rare earth permanent metal magnet disposed therein and operably disposed with respect to an axial opening in the cap to slidably receive and magnetically hold one selected double-headed tool bit. The removed handle cap provides a mini 12-in-1 precision drive tool. The handle has alternate flat and arcuate surfaces of about equal surface area and distally disposed contiguous tapered flat surfaces for ergonomic precision tool use.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for centering a disk about a center member such as a shaft or hub includes a plurality of pairs of actuator units. The actuator units of each of the pairs faces each other through the disk. Each of the actuator units has a member which moves linearly and can come into contact with the disk.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the functioning of a machining center for machining, at least one piece, by removal of material by means of at least one cutting tool. The machining center includes a certain number of different components including at least a structure, such as a frame, and at least one motor elements for producing actions of driving and displacement of at least the cutting tool and the piece. Further, the method includes an installation for lubricating and cooling the tool and the piece by means of a fluid, (i.e., lubricant) by determining at least one temperature value for the lubricant, at least empirically, referred to as the reference value, at which the machining center functions in a stable way, (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved machine tool, comprising a machine frame, a support arranged on the machine frame and having a first receiving means for the workpiece or the tool. A cross slide system is arranged on the machine frame and has a second receiving means for the tool or the workpiece which can be moved by the cross slide system in a movement zone of a cross slide movement surface. The cross slide system may comprise two slide elements, one of which is supported on the machine frame and the other bears the second receiving means, such that the slide elements are guided so as to be movable on one another by a single two-dimensional guide means which is movable in the direction of both cross slide movement axes. The guide means determines the precision of the guidance of the second receiving means parallel to the cross slide movement surface.

Abstract: In order to use moved masses which are as small as possible in a machine tool, in particular for the rotary machining of workpieces, comprising a machine frame, a tool carrier, a workpiece carrier, it is proposed to provide a parallel kinematic arrangement, which has three parallelogram guides connected in an articulated manner at one end to a receiving means for one of the carriers and at the other end to a slide and an N/C-controlled linear drive for each slide and by which the carrier arranged on the receiving means is movable relative to the machine frame in a three-dimensional movement space.

Abstract: A cutter, preferably a cheese cutter, for cutting food into consumer-size chunks. The cutter comprises a feed conveyor, slab drive apparatus for driving a slab along the feed conveyor, and a cutting harp adjacent the discharge end of the feed conveyor. The cutting harp has cutting devices which make cuts extending across an opening. A slab discharged from the conveyor passes through the central opening, and the cutting devices cut the food product in the direction of advance of the slab. Transverse harp drive apparatus drives the harp transverse to the direction of advance of the slab, severing chunks of product from the slab. A take-away conveyor takes the severed chunks away from the cutting harp, to a weighing device which weighs the chunks. A controller receives weights from the weighing device, and sends adjustment instructions to the slab drive apparatus to adjust subsequent weights of product cut from such slabs.

Abstract: In order to avoid the recoil of the striker in a hammer device (tool machine) with a striker (18) that can be accelerated to strike velocity, and a tool carrier (14) receiving the impact of said striker, the invention proposes to arrange the striker (18) between the tool carrier (14) and a corresponding mass carrier (16) which moves together with the striker (18) until the striker (18) strikes the tool carrier (14), imparting its own momentum via the striker to the tool carrier, with a supplementary mass (56) on the mass carrier (16) providing the necessary striking energy.