Abstract: A coupling particularly suited for brushes for tube cleaning operations includes interfitted shaft and brush coupling members retained by a locking mechanism in axial alignment for rotation in tube cleaning operations. The shaft and brush coupling interfit and the locking mechanism are suited for rapid mounting and replacement of the brush coupling. In a preferred form the locking mechanism comprises a sleeve and spring in nested reglation to each other mounted axially of the coupling. A brush coupling adapter may form part of the coupling for receiving a standard brush element.

Abstract: A system and method which provide a general-purpose snap connector suitable for coupling microcomponents are disclosed. A snap connector is disclosed that is suitable for performing general assembly, including out-of-plane, 3-D assembly of microcomponents, wherein such microcomponents may be securely coupled together. That is, a snap connector is disclosed which enables microcomponents to be coupled in a manner that constrains undesirable movement of the coupled components relative to each other. Preferably, such a snap connector may be pressure fit with a receptacle (or aperture) of a mating component in a manner that constrains translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the mating component relative to the snap connector. A preferred embodiment provides a “preloaded” snap connector that may be utilized to perform general assembly of microcomponents. An alternative embodiments provides a non-preloaded snap connector suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for detachable keyboard modules with the keyboard module consists of at least one fastening seat. The fastening seat engages with a fastening means. The keyboard module is fastened to a computer casing through the fastening means. The fastening means includes a body, two slide channels and an elastic element. The body has a second fastener located at a front end and a housing chamber located at a rear end. The two slide-channels are located at two sides of the body to form a slidable coupling with two slides which located at two sides of the fastening seat. The elastic element is restricted between the housing chamber and a stopping flange which located at a rear end of the fastening seat. The elastic force of the elastic element may push the fastening means forwards to enable a second fastener located at the front end of the body to engage with a first fastener located at the computer casing thereby to enable the keyboard module fastening to the computer casing.

Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable tool of a machine. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit of the machine to control the ends of the hydraulically movable tool having elevation receivers as an desired mode of operation or when reception by one of the elevational receivers of a elevational reference, which provides an absolute position of the ends of the tool, is interrupted. The conventional control circuit of the machine uses the generated signal of the transducer arrangement of the present invention to maintain a relative elevation position of one side of the tool to the absolute position of the other side of the tool as desired or until both receiver can reacquire the elevational reference.

Abstract: A system is provided for the storage and long-term conservation of commercially produced sulfur. An underground cavity is identified and selected from an earth formation such that its permeability and porosity allow sulfur to be retained within the cavity. A lined impervious borehole that penetrates the cavity from the surface of the earth through the formation and means for injecting the sulfur through the borehole are provided. Solution-mined, salt-enclosed cavities, located at less than about 3,000 feet of depth are preferred. The stored sulfur is withdrawn, when desired, through a pipe arrangement provided with means for injecting pressurized hot water, at 280°-320° F., through a first annular space, created within the same borehole, and pressurized air through a second annular space so as to cause the sulfur within the cavity to melt and rise to the surface of the earth through a centric space within the borehole.

Abstract: Durable flat panels are connectable at their edges and are of appropriate shape and dimension to be quickly and simply assembled and secured into a closed hollow prismatic module configuration. A dense fill material is loaded onto the bottom panel prior to closure providing mass for strength and stability against impacts. The flat panels may be hingeably interconnected and foldable to optionally form a compact stackable configuration for storage and transport. A multiplicity of such modules may be positioned and connected to form a continuous massive wall for such uses as reducing damaging wave action, preventing beach erosion, directing water in flood areas, and providing highway barriers for guidance and safety.

Abstract: A portable flood control revetment comprising an elongated collapsible and inflatable tube of flexible material impervious to air and water, the tube having a bottom wall and other walls defining an internal compartment, and a multiplicity of cables in the compartment, each extending from one of the walls to another of the walls to hold the tube in a selected shape when the tube is filled with air or water. The bottom wall defines at least one pocket for receiving a corresponding at least one hold-down member, and other of the walls are provided with closeable orifices for permitting flow of air and water into and out of the compartment to respectively inflate, fill, and collapse the tube.

Abstract: A submarine apparatus is laid undersea by a submarine-cable laying device. The submarine apparatus comprises a cylindrical body performing a signal processing, a conical boot arranged at each of both ends of the body so as to fix an end of a submarine cable, and a gimbal joint provided on each of both ends of the body so as to support an end of an arm portion extending from the boot. The diameter of an end of the boot is smaller than a diameter of each of both ends of the body. A spacer mechanism is provided between the body and the boot so as to occupy a part of a space therebetween.

Abstract: A vertical pull apparatus for converting a vertical pulling motion to a horizontal pulling motion, which vertical pull apparatus typically includes a support for positioning in a generally vertical position. A cable-engaging mechanism is provided on the support, which cable-engaging mechanism engages a cable and defines a generally vertical cable segment and a generally horizontal cable segment in the cable. A first cable-gripping element and a second cable-gripping element on the support alternately and repeatedly grip and release the vertical cable segment of the cable. At least one of the cable-gripping elements is adapted for gripping and pulling the vertical cable segment of the cable along a vertical axis, such that the horizontal cable segment is pulled along a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A method of constrcuting a precast, modular marine structure for offshore use, including but not limited to drilling, oil and gas production, and oil storage in a variety of water depths. The marine structure includes an equalized pressure system and concrete modular components cast with at least one cell and a central longitudinal passageway. The equalized pressure system fluidly connects the cell(s) to the adjacent body of water by at least one substantially vertical segmented water column to equalize the hydrostatic pressure differential experienced at a wall of the marine structure. A truss section may be attached to the concrete portion of the marine structure to form a truss spar. A mooring and tether system may be included to maintain the marine structure's station and attitude.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and guiding a floating riser relative to a floating support. The apparatus includes a guidance mechanism secured to the floating support for enabling the riser to rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the riser; and for enabling the riser to slide longitudinally along the longitudinal axis and lateral displacement of the riser to be guided in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser. The guidance mechanism includes friction pads mounted on a pad support for enabling the pads to pivot. The pads preferably cooperate with wheels such that the wheels bear against the riser and enable it to slide, and the riser comes to bear against the pads only when the wheels are moved away under the effect of lateral displacements of the riser.

Abstract: A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising a crane assembly, a plurality of vibratory devices, a clamp assembly, a suspension assembly, and a timing system. Each vibratory device generates a vibratory force. The clamp assembly rigidly secures each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson. The suspension assembly connects the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited. The timing system operatively connects the plurality of vibratory devices to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.

Abstract: A drilling and anchoring device comprises a drilling pipe (8), a drilling tool (12) mounted at the end of the pipe, and one or several cables (4) and/or other anchoring reinforcements. The cables and/or other anchoring reinforcements are so attached to the drilling tool that the drilling tool remains in a grout body (7) formed by cement injection in the ground surrounding a drilling hole (6).

Abstract: A system (10) for carrying out transactions between a customer at a customer station (14) and a service provider at a service provider station (12), includes transferring a body (96, 140, 170) through a pneumatic transfer tube (26). The customer at the customer station provides inputs corresponding to a financial account through input devices on the body such as a card reader (72, 146, 172) and a keypad (74, 148, 172). Data input by the customer is stored in the memory (82, 158) on the body. After transfer to the service provider station, data in the memory is output to a charge device (56) which is operative to assess a charge to the customer's account responsive to data output from the memory.

Abstract: A system (10) for carrying out transactions between a customer at a customer station (14) and a service provider at a service provider station (12), includes transferring a body (96, 140, 170) through a pneumatic transfer tube (26). The customer at the customer station provides inputs corresponding to a financial account through input devices on the body such as a card reader (72, 146, 172) and a keypad (74, 148, 172). Data input by the customer is stored in the memory (82, 158) on the body. After transfer to the service provider station, data in the memory is output to a charge device (56) which is operative to assess a charge to the customer's account responsive to data output from the memory.

Abstract: The holder body of a tool holder includes one or more first fluid passages and one or more second fluid passages, wherein the first and second fluid passages are communicated to each other inside the holder body and open to the outer surface of the holder body. A cooling fluid is supplied from a fluid passage formed in a fluid guide of the cooling apparatus to either the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage, flows through a communicating portion of the first and second fluid passages into the other of the first and second fluid passages, and runs out into the other fluid passage of the fluid guide.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting two structural components, particularly plates, includes a clamping device mounted in the first structural component and an expanding sleeve which can be secured to the second structural component. A bolt is arranged in the expanding sleeve so as to be longitudinally movable by the clamping device for expanding the expanding sleeve using a conical portion of the bolt. The conical portion of the bolt is an approximately cone-shaped projection whose longitudinal axis is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the bolt.

Abstract: A threaded insert for providing stronger threads to a parent material. The threaded insert includes a bushing portion having male threads on the external surface and female threads within an internal bore. The threaded insert also includes keys which lock the threaded insert into a threaded hole within the parent material. The keys are positioned within slots along the external surface of the bushing portion of the threaded insert. The slots include two substantially parallel walls which are substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface of the slots. A method for assembling the threaded insert reduces the tendency of the keys to be installed offset from the bottom surface of the slots.

Abstract: A wood screw includes a head part, a tapered insert part, and a shank part disposed between the head part and the tapered insert part. The shank part has first and second shank segments adjacent to the head part and the tapered insert part, respectively. The first shank segment has a first radius. The second shank segment has a surface that is formed with a screw thread. The screw thread includes interconnected thread sections that have a second radius larger than the first radius. The surface of the second shank segment is further formed with at least one projecting element between two neighboring interconnected ones of the thread sections that are proximate to the tapered insert part. The projecting element has a greatest radial dimension with respect to the shank axis that is greater than the first radius and less than the second radius.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a tapping screw for a soft material having a sufficiently large stripping torque compared to a driving torque and an increased tolerance of a fastening torque, and characterized in that it has threads each having a leading flank and a following flank, the leading flank being designed to be steeper than the following flank, that an R is imparted to a crest of each thread on the following flank side, that an R is also imparted to each flank at a portion contiguous to a root thereof and that the former R and the latter R being designed to connect smoothly to each other at the root.

Abstract: The structural unit (12) is comprised of a securing element (11) and a wiper device (10) and the wiper device 10 is detachably fastened to the securing element (11). In this instance, the detachable connection is embodied as a detent connection. A detent element (14) is embodied on the securing element (11) and elastically engages in detent fashion in a detent seat (13) embodied on a wiper bearing (15) of the wiper device (10).

Abstract: Apparatus for scoring a cover to be applied to a bound stack of sheets to form a book. A base unit is provided having a surface for receiving the cover, an lower die holder disposed below the surface and an upper die holder disposed above the surface. A lower die is supported on an upper surface of the lower die holder and an upper die is supported on the lower surface of the upper die holder. An actuating structure such as a handle, is used to move the upper and lower die between an open position and a closed where the upper and lower die score the cover. The upper die holder is fabrication using a transparent material so that a user can view the upper die and underlying cover to facilitate proper alignment.

Abstract: There is provided a bookbinding device for binding a plurality of sheets together by pressure-deforming a twin-ring inserted through each of holes in the sheets, comprising: an anvil; a press section for pressurizing the twin-ring between it and the anvil; a power transmission section for sliding the,press section; and an operating section for sliding the power transmission section, wherein the power transmission section is moved along the length of the twin-ring; and the press section is moved in a direction perpendicular to the length of the twin-ring. The rotational motion of the operating section is converted to a sliding motion of the power transmission section by the engagement of the rack and pinion and the sliding directions of the power transmission section and the press section are converted at respective inclined planes.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a beverage preparation and dispensing container each include a quantity of potable water (spring water, distilled water, etc.) sealed therein, with a separate concentrated drink mix packet removably secured to the container's outer surface. Each container is relatively short and squat, to provide a good ratio between internal volume and outer surface to more efficiently retain the heat of a heated beverage therein. The container walls are also relatively thick, for the same reason. Each container has a relatively wide mouth, allowing the consumer to slowly sip a beverage from the container and present a large surface area to cooling air, rather than ingesting a large amount at one time and possibly burning the mouth, as would occur with a narrow necked bottle. The drink mix (tea, coffee, powdered or syrup flavoring, etc.) is secured to the container side or top in one of several ways, for convenient access.

Abstract: A magnetically driven pump comprises a sealing partition 48 whereof the central portion forms the rotational axis of the rotating portion of the pump, that central portion being itself supported and centered by a rotating connection piece 42 linked to or integral with drive shaft 41 of the motor 29.

Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus is composed of a cassette block and a vacuum processing block. The cassette block has a cassette table for mounting a plurality of cassettes containing a sample and an atmospheric transfer means. The vacuum processing block has a plurality of processing chambers for performing vacuum processing to the sample and a vacuum transfer means for transferring the sample. Both of the plan views of the cassette block and the vacuum processing block are nearly rectangular, and the width of the cassette block is designed larger than the width of the vacuum processing block, and the plan view of the vacuum processing apparatus is formed in an L-shape or a T-shape.

Abstract: A transport system for manipulating a semiconductor wafer in a processing tool is set forth. The system includes a transport unit guide disposed within the processing tool for supporting a wafer transfer unit as the unit moves between a first position and a second position. The transport unit guide comprises a frame, a lateral guide rail mounted on the frame, and a series of magnetic segments arranged upon the transport unit guide proximate the lateral guide rail. The wafer transfer unit includes a tram translatably attached to the lateral guide rail and a wafer transfer arm assembly for manipulating the semiconductor wafer. An electromagnet is mounted on the tram in cooperative relation with the magnetic segments for moving the transfer unit along the guide rail. Actuators are used for controlling the position of the transfer unit and transfer arm assembly, and sensors are used for determining the position of the transfer unit and the transfer arm assembly.

Abstract: A loader apparatus for an all-terrain vehicle for reducing the amount of effort to load an object onto the cargo rack of an ATV includes a base member being adapted to securely fasten to a cargo rack of the all-terrain vehicle; and also includes an elongate support member having ends and being pivotally mounted to the base member; and further includes a loading and support assembly for loading and supporting the object upon the elongate support member.

Abstract: An ejecting device for a dump truck has a truck bed with a bed surface, a pair of side walls, and a pivotally moveable tailgate. The ejecting device has a pair of guide rails, one each mounted to a top edge of the side walls of the bed. A generally vertically oriented ejector plate is disposed between the side walls extending transversely there across and has a roller member assembly attached to each side edge. The roller assemblies are carried one in each of the guide rails. The ejector plate is moveable between a fully retracted position at a first end of the truck bed to a fully extended position at a second end of the truck bed adjacent the tailgate. An extendable cylinder is carried on the truck frame and attached to the ejector plate for moving the plate between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position to eject material from the bed.

Abstract: A fork positioner for a forklift truck has power-actuated yokes, each having a base from which a pair of transversely spaced legs depend, for engaging respective load lifting forks and adjusting their spacing transversely along a fork-supporting member. Each of the yokes is selectively movable between a fork-engaging position and a fork-disengaging position, the latter position permitting the fork to be lifted upwardly off of the fork-supporting member for easy replacement of the fork.

Abstract: A method of increasing the power generated by a steam turbine includes the step of receiving, at a steam turbine final stage, a steam byproduct with an electrically charged component. An electric field is created immediately proximate to the steam turbine final stage to substantially eliminate the electrically charged component from the steam byproduct and thereby reduce turbulence associated with the steam byproduct.

Abstract: Apparatus for compressing fluid flow and for controlling said flow, comprising in combination, a casing having an interior, an impeller rotating within said interior between a fluid supply zone and pressurized fluid discharge zone, fluid flow control members at least one of which is shiftable in the casing interior relative to the other to control fluid back-flow from said discharge zone to said supply zone via through ports in each of said members, and an actuator operatively connected to said one member to shift said one member relative to the other to control the degree of registration of said flow ports in said members, in response to changes in the supply of fluid to said supply zone.

Abstract: To provide a small vacuum pump making it possible to efficiently perform evacuation from the atmosphere to a high vacuum (degree of vacuum: 10−5 Pa) by using a single pump unit. A turbo-molecular pump mechanism portion is arranged on the high-vacuum side, a volute pump mechanism portion is arranged on the atmosphere side, and a thread groove pump mechanism portion is arranged between the turbo-molecular pump mechanism portion and the volute pump mechanism portion. Further, rotor blades of the turbo-molecular pump mechanism portion, a rotor of the thread groove pump mechanism portion, and an impeller of the volute pump mechanism portion are integrally mounted to a single rotor shaft, which is rotated by a single motor.

Abstract: A turbomolecular vacuum pump (5) comprises a first pumping section (1) having pumping stages with bladed rotor discs, a second pumping section (2) having pumping stages with smooth rotor discs, a third pumping section (3) having a pumping stage with a toothed rotor disc (26), and a fourth pumping section (4) of the ejector or venturi pump type. (FIG.

Abstract: A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine, including an airfoil and integral dovetail for mounting the airfoil along a radial axis to a rotor disk inboard of a turbine shroud. The airfoil further includes: first and second sidewalls joined together at a leading edge and a trailing edge, where the first and second sidewalls extend from a root disposed adjacent the dovetail to a tip plate for channeling combustion gases thereover; and, at least one tip rib extending outwardly from the tip plate between the leading and trailing edges. The tip rib is oriented so that an axis extending longitudinally therethrough is at an angle with respect to the radial axis for at least a designated portion of an axial length of the turbine blade. Such angle may be substantially the same across the designated portion or may vary thereacross.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump includes a C-shaped sealing assembly including an annular spring disposed between opposing legs of a base member. The spring biases the legs away from one another into sealing positions. In other embodiments, a vertical pump may be provided so as to include an oil recirculation system which enables an oil-based lubricant to be utilized instead of grease. In still other embodiments, the axial location of a pump shaft may be adjusted by rotating a bearing housing relative to the bearing frame where the two are threadedly connected to one another.

Abstract: A device for setting the gap dimension for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, with heat accumulation segments which are arranged on the guide-vane carrier of the rotor arrangement. At least one drive device projects radially through the turbine casing and the guide-vane carrier and is operatively connected kinematically to at least one heat accumulation segment and which, when actuated, causes a radial spacing of the heat accumulation segment. The heat accumulation segment has, in the flow direction of the turbomachine, a conical contour facing the rotor arrangement and is arranged so as to be displaceable parallel to the flow direction, and in that the drive device is connected to the heat accumulation segment directly or via an eccentric unit, in such a way that, when the drive device is actuated, the heat accumulation segment is displaced, with the result that a radial spacing between the heat accumulation segment and the moving-blade tips can be set.

Abstract: A turbine includes a row of blades each having an integral airfoil, platform, and dovetail. Each platform has opposite first and second side edges corresponding with the opposite pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The platform first side edge is radially higher than the platform second side edge continuously between opposite forward and aft edges of the platform. In this way, adjacent platforms define a down step therebetween for preventing obstruction of combustion gases flowable downstream thereover.

Abstract: An annular hanger for supporting an annular wall element from a gas turbine engine annular outer casing is circumscribed about a centerline extending in opposite first and second axial directions and has an annular first hook extending in the first axial direction from said body section and an annular second hook extending in the second axial direction. One of the hooks has circumferentially spaced apart tabs extending equal axial lengths from the body section and corresponding notches circumferentially disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of the tabs. The annular hanger is used to support at least in part a wall element from the outer casing as part of a bayonet mount. The bayonet mount further includes a bayonet slot on one of the casing and the wall element and the hanger tabs are received within the bayonet slot.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a marine vehicle. The propeller assembly includes a central adaptor mounted on the propeller shaft for rotational movement therewith. A tubular propeller housing is slidable over the central adaptor. A bushing assembly translates rotation of the central adaptor to the propeller housing. A breakaway element is provided for interconnecting in a central adaptor and the bushing assembly. The breakaway allows the central adaptor to rotate independent of the propeller housing in response to the predetermined force thereon.

Abstract: A self-contained variable pitch and/or constant speed propeller including provisions for feathering and reverse pitch operation, wherein no direct contact is required between the fixed engine or airframe and the rotating propeller for effectuation of blade pitch change, therefore eliminating the burdens and complexities general associated with propeller installation, maintenance and blade pitch change operations.

Abstract: A coolable rotor blade having an airfoil having two serpentine passages is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing cooling to the leading edge region and the trailing edge region of the airfoil. In one detailed embodiment, the airfoil trip strips in the passages having constant height and constant pitch over each leg in most legs of the passages except for the legs closest to the edge regions of the airfoil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine with oscillation damping means provided at the nacelle and being designed for damping edgewise oscillations of the rotor blades in the rotational plane of the rotor. In particular, the invention relates to a wind turbine in which the oscillation damping means are provided at the end of the nacelle being opposite to the end from which the rotor extends and are designed for damping oscillations of the first eigenfrequency of the rotor blades in the rotational plane, especially oscillations being perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotor. The damping means are advantageously designed to dampen oscillations of a frequency being substantially equal to the first eigenfrequency in the rotational plane of the at least one blade minus the frequency of rotation of the rotor. The oscillation damping means of the present invention are preferably capable of damping oscillations being substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.

Abstract: An article made of a metallic material and comprising a body and a body end portion integral with the body, includes a band of the metallic material at the end portion substantially through the entire end portion, the band being under a compressive stress greater than the body. An example of the article is a turbine engine blading member in which the body is the airfoil of the member and the band is disposed at the radially outer tip portion of the airfoil. One method for providing the band includes performing roller deformation on the end portion until a desired amount of compressive stress is developed in the band substantially through the entire end portion.

Abstract: An electric fan having an electric motor and a fan wheel connected to the electric motor. The fan wheel has a hub and fan blades extending from the hub. The fan blades include a proximal section at the hub, a distal section and a middle section. The proximal section has a flat surface at a trailing edge of the blade. The trailing edge at the distal section is curved with an angle of curvature of about 10°. The trailing edge at the middle section is curved with an angle of curvature of about 36°. When the fan wheel is rotated by the electric motor at a constant speed, air pushed by each of the fan blades is propelled at a substantially same velocity and direction from the blade measured across a radial length of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial flow fan for condenser in a refrigerator for enhancing efficiency and lowering noise, in which the number of blades is three, the diameter of a hub is 23.3±5% of the outside diameter of the axial flow fan and the width of each of the blades is 36.6±3% of the outside diameter of the axial flow fan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pumping device for delivering and metering fluids, in particular medical fluids such as dialysis fluids, with a piston unit having a driving device and a piston and with a membrane unit which has a membrane and a first chamber bordered by the membrane. The pumping device also has a hydraulic unit which has a space to accommodate a hydraulic fluid which is connected to the piston of the piston unit and to the first chamber of the membrane unit. The reliability of metering by such a pumping device is increased by providing a control unit for guaranteeing a predefinable metering rate and/or quantity and also providing a measuring device by means of which the axial position of the piston unit can be determined directly and which can be connected to the control unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump for use in a pump assembly of a railway track lubricating system includes a housing defining an intake chamber having an intake port, an outlet channel leading to an outlet port, a gear chamber containing interengaged gears, a discharge port having a discharge port, a window opening between the gear chamber and the discharge chamber, and a double head piston having a first head in the intake chamber, a second head in the discharge chamber, and a spring for biasing the piston to a first position where the first head is spaced a maximum from a wall between the intake chamber and the discharge chamber. The outlet port has a smaller cross section than the outlet channel so that checked charged deliveries of hydraulic fluid into the intake chamber will cause the piston to move from its first position to a second position and force grease out of the discharge chamber through the discharge port.

Abstract: A dual pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which a pair of hydraulic pumps are mounted, having by at least one charge pump mounted on an end cap, and the trunnion arms for controlling the hydraulic pumps extending out of opposite sides of the housing. A cooling fan may be mounted on the primary or secondary input shaft on the opposite side of the pulley used to engage the prime mover. An auxiliary pump may also be mounted on the primary input shaft and may be located either at the input end thereof adjacent to the pulley, or on the opposite side of the housing.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor has a control valve for controlling the displacement of the compressor. When the pressure in a discharge chamber of the compressor (discharge pressure) is equal to or higher than a first threshold value, a controller executes a limiting control for limiting the discharge pressure. During the limiting control, the controller gradually decreases a duty ratio, which is sent to the control valve, such that the displacement of the compressor is gradually decreased. When the duty ratio is decreased to a reference duty ratio, the controller sets the duty ratio to zero %. As a result, the compressor displacement is minimized and the discharge pressure is lowered. Therefore, the pipes of an external refrigerant circuit does not receive excessive load based on high discharge pressure.