Abstract: The object of the invention is to measure, surely and in a stable condition, the orientation of a pig body in the pipe of a pipeline thereby to correct errors caused by measuring the linear shape of the pipeline by means of a gyroscope sensor. A three-axis gyroscope sensor unit 4 is placed in a pig body 2 such that one of measuring axes of the gyroscope sensor unit 4 is parallel to the center axis of the pig body 2 and is fixed so as to prevent the gyroscope sensor unit 4 from being shifted in position with respect to the pig body 2. Two sets of six distance measuring means 5-10 and 11-16 are arranged on the outer periphery of the pig body 2 at two positions in the back and forth direction (in a direction of travel), respectively, and the six distance measuring means of each set are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the pig body 2.

Abstract: An inspection method is provided which can achieve sufficient reliability of a continuously variable transmission belt without spending much working time. The inspection method of the continuously variable transmission belt assembled through supporting an element laminated body constituted of a number of metal elements on a belt laminated body constituted of a plurality of steel belts comprises: a trial step of trial use with a load applied on the continuously variable transmission belt in the assembled state; a separation step of separating the belt laminated body and the element laminated body from each other after completion of the trial step; and an inspection step of inspecting whether there is any damage on a surface of the steel belt positioned in a first layer of the belt laminated body separated in the separation step.

Abstract: An electric actuator comprises a gear mechanism which transmits the rotary driving force of a rotary driving source, and a ball spline mechanism which includes a ball spline shaft provided movably back and forth from a connecting block to the outside and which converts a rotary motion transmitted by the gear mechanism into a rectilinear motion. The electric actuator has a ball spline nut which is externally fitted to the ball spline shaft to be meshed with the gear mechanism and which is integrally formed with a gear section having a plurality of teeth circumferentially.

Abstract: A transmission selector assembly for a vehicle having an automatic transmission settable to gear ranges of low-speed ranges, a high-speed range and a higher-speed range. The transmission selector assembly includes: a selector lever which is shiftable between forward-gear positions of, at least, a high-speed position where the transmission is allowed to be set to the high-speed range or the higher-speed range, and a low-speed position where the transmission is allowed to be set to the low-speed range; and a gearshift switch for switching the gear ranges between the high-speed range and the higher-speed range while the selector lever remains in the high-speed position, and between gear ranges other than the high-speed range and the higher-speed range while the selector lever remains in the forward-gear positions other than the high-speed position.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball screw which is little subject to deterioration of operating characteristics and occurrence of wear, torque change, noise, vibration, etc. during operation due to stagnation or competition of balls. A ball screw comprising a screw shaft having a helical thread groove formed on the outer surface thereof and a nut having a thread groove formed on the inner surface thereof corresponding to the thread groove on the screw shaft which engages with the screw shaft with the interposition of a number of balls rollably provided in a helical ball rolling path formed between the two thread grooves, wherein the variation of the total of the gap between said balls during the rolling of the balls is smaller than {fraction (1/20)} of the diameter of the ball.

Abstract: When the driving of a driving unit is stopped, a first gear and a second gear restrict the rotation of a final output gear in both directions. With this arrangement, it becomes possible to securely prevent the occurrence of rattling during rotation of a final output shaft due to backlash of the gears. Further, a unit that applies a torque of constant strength to the final output shaft becomes unnecessary. Consequently, it becomes possible to make compact a power transmission mechanism, and it also becomes possible to reduce cost.

Abstract: A gear structure of the present invention comprises a first gear and a second gear. A teeth portion constituting a gear portion of the second gear are provided, in a partial area in its tooth width direction, with regulating portions formed into a shape which is cut so as to have a diameter smaller than an external diameter of a tooth top. Furthermore, the first gear is provided with fitting portions into which the regulating portions of the second gear are fitted. The regulating portions of the second gear are fitted into the fitting portions of the first gear so that they may be integrally stacked and arranged.

Abstract: A universal power operator for shifting a movable barrier, such as a gate, and a circuit control system for operation thereof, is shown that allows the operator to be assembled for both a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier. The universal power operator includes generally an actuator arm, a housing assembly, a gear assembly, and a modular drive motor. The housing assembly contains generally symmetrical portions allowing the user to interchangeably assemble the motor in one of two positions for use with a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal device according to the present invention includes: a pedal lever that is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to a vehicle body; a pedal member that is actuated by being stepped upon by a driver; a rotation support device that rotatably supports the pedal member upon the pedal lever so that an angle subtended between the pedal lever and the pedal member is variable; and a reaction force application device that applies a reaction force to the pedal member via the pedal lever.

Abstract: A selector lever for automatic transmission for an automobile has an automatic selector handle in which the horizontal movement of the push button (4) into the housing (11) is transmitted to the rod (6) by means of a deflecting lever (2) which is swivelable around a cylindrical pin (7). A support lever (1) is connected with the rod (6) by means of a cylindrical pin (3). The support lever (1) is supported at the housing (11) and its movement is limited by a distance element (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retrofit safety handlebar. A handlebar is modified to include a threaded portion on an exterior end thereof. The handlebar can be a conventional handlebar. The retrofit safety handlebar includes a threaded portion on an interior thereof. The retrofit safety handlebar can be threaded to the conventional handlebar. A bias member is associated with a shaft of the retrofit safety handlebar for biasing the shaft away from a frame. A dampener is associated with the shaft so as to dampen movement of the shaft toward the frame after impact of the retrofit safety handlebar with a rider. For example, the frame can be a bicycle frame or a frame for other forms of personal transportation and toys that are pushed or ridden.

Abstract: A steering wheel (10) for a motor vehicle includes a core member with a circular rim (12). At least one dampening element (14) is attached to the rim (12), preferably in a channel (11), the dampening element (14) having a density greater than the density of the core material, and preferably positioned substantially radially symmetrically around the rim (12). A method of manufacturing the steering wheel (10) is also provided, the method including steps of providing a steering wheel core member (12) having a circular rim section (12) with a channel (11), positioning at least one dampening element (14) in the channel (11), and delivering a flowable curable material around the rim section 12 to secure the dampening element therein.

Abstract: In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, a control method comprises monitoring a position of a motion control axis and controlling an output device responsive to the position of the motion control axis. The controlling step further includes latching a cam element that controls the output device, and unlatching the cam element that controls the output device. The, manner in which the latching step is performed and the manner in which the unlatching step is performed are configurable in a programming interface. The programming interface is capable of receiving a latch position for the cam element and an unlatch position for the cam element. The programming interface is further capable of receiving additional configuration information to configure the manner in which the latching step is performed and different additional configuration information to separately configure the manner in which the unlatching step is performed.

Abstract: The dual mass flywheel includes a first mass member connected to an engine output shaft. A second mass member is connected to a transmission input shaft. The second mass member is able to undergo rotation with respect to the first mass member within a predetermined range of motion. A drive plate is fixedly connected to the second mass member. A dampening assembly is interposed between the first mass member and the drive plate. The dampening assembly uses air dampening to perform a dampening operation during a process of transmitting torque.

Abstract: A gearbox for an electrical scooter, an electrical wheelchair or the like has a housing, an input axle, an output axle and a lubricant bushing. The input axle is rotatably mounted in the housing and is adapted to be connected to a motor shaft. The output axle is rotatably mounted in the housing and is connected to the input axle with a transmitting device. The lubricant bushing is mounted in the housing and is mounted around the second end of the input axle so that the input axle can freely rotate relative to the housing. With the lubricant bushing, the space in the housing for mounting the input axle is reduced.

Abstract: A flexible external gear of a silk hat shaped wave gear device has an annular body, external teeth formed on an outer circumferential portion of a first opening of the body, a circular diaphragm connected to a second opening portion of the body, and a circular boss connected to an outer circumferential end of the diaphragm. The shape of a connected portion of the diaphragm and the body is defined by a curved portion whose diameter decreases gradually from the diaphragm toward the body when viewed along a device axis. Since the body is wider on the diaphragm side, the wave generator 7 can be easily fitted into the flexible external gear from the diaphragm side.

Abstract: A sintered alloy having an improved wear resistance and a workability for a valve seat. The alloy contains iron as a main component, carbon, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, maganese, lead, vanadium, advantageously boron nitride, and tungsten. The strength, wear resistance, and material properties are improved by a sub-zero treatment. Sintered alloy with wear resistance used for a valve seat comprises Fe as a main component, C of 1.2 to 1.7 wt %, Cr of 3.5 to 5.0 wt %, Mo of 2.0 to 4.0 wt %, V of 3.0 to 5.0 wt %, W of 7.0 to 10.0 wt %, Co of 2.0 to 3.5 wt %, boron nitride of 0.1 to 1.0 wt %, S of 0.2 to 0.4 wt %, Mn of 0.2 to 0.5 wt %, advantageously 0.2 to 0.6% Si, and Pb of 10.0 to 15.0 wt %. Sintered alloy for an valve seat is manufactured by a sub-zero treatment so that the amount of metallic particles separated from a base matrix decreases and a size of the separated metallic particle becomes small.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new pre alloyed steel powder comprising in addition to iron and inevitable impurities, by wt %, 1.3-1.7% by weight of Cr, 0.15-0.3% by weight of Mo, 0.09-0.3% by weight of Mn, not larger than 0.01 by weight of C, not larger than 0.25% of O.

Abstract: A method of producing stainless steel includes the steps of melting a raw material in an electric furnace to form molten steel, and then refining the molten steel by a refining furnace to produce stainless steel in a stainless steel producing process. In the method, a carbonaceous reducing agent is added to a zinc-containing waste material produced in the stainless steel producing process, the resultant mixture is agglomerated by a briquette press to form agglomerates incorporated with a carbonaceous material, the agglomerates incorporated with the carbonaceous material are heated in a rotary hearth furnace to reduce and evaporate zinc to form dezincified agglomerates, and then the dezincified agglomerates are charged as a coolant in an oxidation period of the refining furnace.

Abstract: A hook screw driver includes a first body and a second body. An end of the first body is connected to an end of the second body. The other end of the first body and the other end of the second body are movable between an open position and a closed position for together clamping a hook screw. The hook screw driver includes a tool-coupling portion for coupling with an end of a tool for tightening/loosening fasteners.

Abstract: Clamping pliers includes a first handle with a first jaw, a second handle, a separate second jaw all of which are pivotally connected to a pivot to affect pivoting about the same pivot point. A connecting link connects the second jaw with camways defined in the first and second handles. A pin extending from the link engages the camways and upon closure of the handles provides a clamping action.

Abstract: Pliers for advantageously removing small screws are provided. The pliers have a pair of upper and lower arms which are pivotally supported by a shaft. Front end tips of the upper and lower arms are respectively provided with upper and lower recessed engagement parts between right and left edges, and the engagement parts vertically face each other. The upper and lower engagement parts are inclined in a manner such that they gradually become separated vertically from each other toward the rear when the jaws are closed. An inner bottom included in each of engagement parts is provided with plural projected and depressed streams extending in a back and forth direction.

Abstract: A combination tool with a driving implement and a pick-up implement comprises a tool handle from which extend a driving implement in one direction and a telescopic pick-up implement in the opposite direction. The two implements are constructed and function totally independently from each other. Also described are several devices facilitating the deployment of the pick-up implement out of the tool handle.

Abstract: A representative screwdriver may comprise a motor, a body, a first spindle, a first clutch member, a tool bit, a second spindle, a second clutch member, a clutch engagement preventing member. The representative screwdriver may be selectively operated in one of a first power transmission mode and a second power transmission mode. In the first power transmission mode, the first clutch member and the second clutch member are disengaged when the reaction torque applied from the work-piece onto the tool bit exceeds a predetermined torque. In the second power transmission mode, the first clutch member and the second clutch member are disengaged when the tool bit moves a predetermined distance away from the body toward the work-piece during the screw-tightening operation. According to the representative screwdriver, the engagement and disengagement of the clutch members during the screw-tightening operation can be assuredly performed in both the operation modes.

Abstract: A method of classifying slices or a portion cut from a food product according to an optical image of the slice. After a slice is removed from a food product loaf the slice is passed into an image field of a digital image receiving device. A control generates a pixel-by-pixel image data of the slice using input from the digital image receiving device. The control calculates a surface area of the slice from the data, and a fat content of the slice on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The fat content data is compared to at least one predetermined limit and the slice is classified accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus for bisecting a CRT is disclosed. The device separates the funnel portion of the CRT, which is composed of a leaded glass, and panel portion of the CRT, which is composed of an unleaded glass, for recycling purposes. The apparatus consists of a lateral track along which the CRT moves. Opposing sides of the CRT are cut by circular saws disposed on opposite sides of the track. The CRT is then rotated 90 degrees and a second set of saws cuts the remaining opposing sides of the CRT.

Abstract: A portable paper dispenser apparatus is provided for dispensing a layer of paper from a roll of paper and includes a base member. First and second side supports are attached to respective first and second ends of the base member and project upward therefrom. Respective support rod reception means are provided on the respective side supports. A roll support rod is received in the respective support rod reception means. A handle is connected between the respective side supports, above the roll support rod. A paper guide assembly extends from end to end of the base member and is positioned in front of the side supports. A blade guide channel member is attached to the base member and extends from end to end of the base member. The blade guide channel member is positioned below the top surface of the base member and in front of the paper guide assembly.

Abstract: An optical system mounted on a cutter that has a base and a housing supporting a blade. In one embodiment, the optical system may projects first and second indicator lines on the base. The optical system may also include a mechanism selectively operable to adjust the first and second lines to indicate the width of the blade.

Abstract: The multi-functional woodworking guide is a modular portable universal guide, adapted for guiding multiple hand held power tools, that is extendable with the use of multiple guide plates, side bars and edge bars in order to increase the size of the guide device to any length, thus being capable of cutting, grooving or sanding an unlimited length of material with the use of side extension clamps. The multi-functional woodworking guide is compact, portable and easy to transport, as it fits into the back seat or trunk of a car. The multi-functional woodworking guide is easy to secure to a work piece by various integrated clamps, which do not have to be move when cutting, grooving or sanding the material.

Abstract: A woodworking drill includes a slab-shaped blade and a blade handle connected behind a body of the blade. The top of the blade is shaped as a point of blade with shoulders on both sides of the point of blade. On the edge of the point of blade, the shoulder cutting faces and the blade that contact with the working object set the cutting guiding angles. A bending mechanism in the same direction of the drill's rotation is designed on both shoulder cutting faces. This design reduces contacting resistance or cutting resistance between bended shoulder cutting faces and working objects and enhances efficiency of clearing out saw dust. With the bended shoulder cutting faces, the drill can clear out saw dust more effectively, enhance cutting speed and working performance as well as prevent the abrasion to the drill.

Abstract: A belt saw machine includes a machine base, a support frame unit, a worktable, a cutter unit, a workpiece positioning unit, and a cutter shield device. The support frame unit includes a fixed cover and a rotatable cover connected pivotally to the fixed cover. The cutter unit includes a drive roller unit and a belt cutter. The workpiece positioning unit is mounted on the fixed cover. The cutter shield device includes a shield shaft fixed on the workpiece positioning unit, and a shield assembly mounted on the shield shaft and pivotable thereabout. The shield assembly includes an angled shield plate that is rotatable to a shielding position for covering the belt cutter when the rotatable cover is disposed at a covering position, and to a non-shielding position when the rotatable cover is disposed at an open position, thereby permitting replacement of the belt cutter.

Abstract: The multi-functional woodworking adapter for use with a multi-functional woodworking guide is a modular portable universal guide, adapted for guiding multiple hand held power tools, that is extendable with the use of multiple guide plates, side bars and edge bars in order to increase the size of the guide device to any length, thus being capable of cutting, grooving or sanding an unlimited length of material with the use of side extension clamps. The multi-functional woodworking guide is compact, portable and easy to transport, as it fits into the back seat or trunk of a car. The multi-functional woodworking guide is easy to secure to a work piece by various integrated clamps, which do not have to be move when cutting, grooving or sanding the material.

Abstract: The multi-functional woodworking system is a modular portable universal guide for multiple hand held power tools that is extendable with the use of multiple guide plates, side bars and edge bars in order to increase the size of the guide device to any length, thus being capable of cutting, grooving or sanding an unlimited length of material with the use of side extension clamps. The multi-functional woodworking system is compact, portable and easy to transport, as it fits into the back seat or trunk of a car. The multi-functional woodworking system is easy to secure to a work piece by various integrated clamps, which do not have to be move when cutting, grooving or sanding the material.

Abstract: A saw blade having an annular body constructed of a first material having a perimeter with a plurality of teeth formed therein. A plurality of carbide inserts are affixed to a respective tooth. The carbide inserts include a cutting edge including a first edge surface which is generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the blade and a second angled edge surface which is angled relative to the axis of rotation of the blade and shorter than the first edge surface.

Abstract: A vibration damping device for a drum includes a drumhead contact adapted to be releasably fixed to a drumhead of the drum and a strap releasably connected between the contact and a drumhead hold-down hoop for forming a drum vibration bridge between the drumhead and the hold-down hoop. The strap has a hoop attachment end and a contact attachment end opposite the hoop attachment end. The hoop attachment end is adapted to be fixed to the drumhead hold-down hoop of the drum, while the contact attachment end is adapted to be releasably connected to the contact.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for indexing and summarizing music videos. A music video summary controller in a video playback device receives a multimedia data stream that contains a plurality of music videos. The music video summary controller (1) segments and identifies the music videos, and (2) creates a music video summary file for each music video. The music video summary file contains information such as title of the song and the name of the artist. The music video summary file also contains an identifying audio segment and video segment of the song. A user can access a list of the music video summary files and select which music video to play on the video playback device by selecting its corresponding music video summary file.

Abstract: A song-matching system, which provides real-time, dynamic recognition of a song being sung and providing an audio accompaniment signal in synchronism therewith, includes a song database having a repertoire of songs, each song of the database being stored as a relative pitch template, an audio processing module operative in response to the song being sung to convert the song being sung into a digital signal, an analyzing module operative in response to the digital signal to determine a definition pattern representing a sequence of pitch intervals of the song being sung that have been captured by the audio processing module, a matching module operative to compare the definition pattern of the song being sung with the relative pitch template of each song stored in the song database to recognize one song in the song database as the song being sung, the matching module being further operative to cause the song database to download the unmatched portion of the relative pitch template of the recognized song as a dig

Abstract: The Synchronized Photo-pulse Detonation (SPD) method employs several fundamental techniques that are able to dramatically improve the kill-ratio of Laser Supported Detonation (LSD) of hostile targets, such as: missiles, aircraft, ships, and other land based targets, all the while reducing the chemical energy consumption and time needed per kill by thousands of times, thus making its deployment cost effective.

Abstract: For cleaning of crankcase gas produced by an internal combustion engine (31), that is arranged for propelling a vehicle (30), use is made of a centrifugal separator (34) having a centrifugal rotor that is mounted on the vehicle. The cleaning efficiency of the centrifugal separator is changed by changing the rotational speed of an electrical motor (9), that is connected to a source of current on the vehicle and arranged for driving said centrifugal rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of polyesters, poly(ester amide)s and poly(ester imide)s. The materials obtained by the methods of present invention are useful as fluid separation membranes and as high performance materials.

Abstract: A process for treating mixtures of organic components, including azeotropic mixtures. The process includes a gas- or liquid-phase membrane separation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process.

Abstract: An electro-kinetic electrostatic air conditioner with a bead member having a bore, through which a wire-like electrode passes. The bead is moved along the wire to frictionally clean the wire-like electrode when an electrode array is removed. A bead lifting arm is mounted to the electrode array. The bead lifting arm can move the bead to clean the electrode as electrode array is removed from the air conditioner for cleaning.

Abstract: A gas generation method and apparatus, capable of use in an aircraft, generates oxygen with at least one On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) and generates an inert gas with at least one On Board Inert Gas Generating System (OBIGGS) and selectively supplies an auxiliary supply of inert gas utilizing a waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS. The inert gas can include nitrogen. An auxiliary source of oxygen can also be provided. Control valves can be used to selectively supply the waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS to the atmosphere or to either of two locations. The oxygen can be used in a passenger compartment of the aircraft and the inert gas use in either a fuel tank or cargo bay of the aircraft.

Abstract: The disclosed system comprises an apparatus and a method continuously removing air from a mixture of ground polyurethane particles and a polyol liquid. The apparatus for continuously removing air from a mixture of ground polyurethane particles and a polyol liquid comprises a deaerator having an inlet to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles and an outlet to disperse the mixture.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner system dustcup assembly and method for using said system with a vacuum cleaner apparatus to separate dirt from a mixture of dirt and air inducted into said vacuum cleaner apparatus. Said bagless vacuum cleaner system generally comprises a dustcup assembly, a handle assembly and a motor intake adaptor.

Abstract: For cleaning of crankcase gas produced by an internal combustion engine use is made of a centrifugal rotor (2), that is journalled in a frame (1) through two axially separated bearings (12, 13). The centrifugal rotor (2) is caused to rotate by use of part of it also as a rotor (19) of an electrical motor. The electrical motor has a stator (18), which is kept non-rotating and is charged with electric current for rotation of the centrifugal rotor (2), the centrifugal rotor (2) being kept journalled during its rotation only in said two bearings (12, 13).

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen separation membrane capable of providing high hydrogen permeability and accommodating an increase in pressure difference, a hydrogen separation unit, and a manufacturing method for a hydrogen separation membrane. The hydrogen separation unit 1 has a hydrogen separation membrane 10 and a metallic porous support sheet 20 attached to the hydrogen separation membrane 10. By forming a plurality of pits in the surface of the hydrogen separation membrane 10, a thick-wall portion 15 having a large thickness and a thin-wall portion 16 having a small thickness are provided on the hydrogen separation membrane 10. Also, as a method for forming pits i.e. thin-wall portions 16, etching process is used.

Abstract: A method to control the performance of desiccant dryers is disclosed that senses multiple variables and optimizes the regeneration cycle to deliver the gas at the desired dew point. The length of the stripping step is reduced or eliminated depending on the desired set point and the operating conditions of the compression system. The control system has the capability to switch to high efficiency mode of operation should the dew point set point be changed. The savings comes from not purging as much or any gas during stripping should the system requirements be only to meet the ISA standards for instrument air, despite the system capability of delivering far dryer air.

Abstract: A cyclone type bubble removing device 30 is arranged in a hydraulic tank 1. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to secure a space for installing a bubble removing device 30 outside the tank 1 and hence the space dedicated to the hydraulic system can be reduced. Since the bubble removing device 30 is fitted to the inside of the hydraulic tank 1 in advance, it does not need to be installed separately somewhere in the hydraulic circuit so that the installing operation can be performed quickly. Additionally, the outflow ports 322 for causing hydraulic fluid from which bubbles have been removed to flow out and the exhaust port 333 for expelling bubbles are arranged separately so that it is possible to expose the exhaust port 333 to the drain space 127. Thus, if the hydraulic tank 1 is rocked to a large extent, the hydraulic fluid coming out of the outflow ports is not mixed with bubbles and hence bubbles can be eliminated reliably.

Abstract: An exhaust filtration control system for creating environmentally protected zones. The system includes, a diverter valve, a valve actuator coupled to the diverter valve, a control switch electronically coupled to the valve actuator for switching the valve actuator between an engaged state and a disengaged state, a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver coupled to the control switch for receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter and for sending a signal to the control switch upon receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter.