Patents Issued in February 26, 2004
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Publication number: 20040035648Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for driving at least one wheel drive shaft, in particular of a wheelset axle, in particular a cross-drive for use in rail vehicles with a driving engine and a transmission assembly coupled thereto; the output of the transmission assembly is formed by a hollow shaft which is coupled to the wheel drive shaft, in particular the wheelset axle, via an articulated coupling; with a braking system. The invention is defined by the following features: the braking system comprises two braking subsystems; a first braking subsystem and a second braking subsystem; the braking subsystems are embodied as disk brake systems, each comprising at least one brake disk; an attachment flange of the brake disk of a braking subsystem is embodied in integral fashion with the hollow shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Jurgen Reusch, Frieder Denteler, Harald Kamper
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Publication number: 20040035649Abstract: In a disc brake (10) having a disc (16) and a brake shoe (82) movable towards and away from a friction surface (86) provided on one face of the disc (16), there is provided a parking brake (22a/22b) having a pushing member (44a/44b) for moving the brake shoe (82) towards and away from the friction surface (86) of the disc (16). The parking brake (22a/22b) further includes a cam (36a/36b) displaceable between a first position in which the cam (36a/36b) forces the pushing member (44a/44b) against a biasing force acting thereon to maintain the brake shoe (82) in friction engagement with the disc (16) and a second position in which the pushing member (44a/44b) is free to move in a direction away from the disc (16) to release the brake shoe (82) from the friction surface (86) of the disc (16). A piston and cylinder arrangement (28) is provided to displace the cam (36a/36b) between its first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Andre Juneau, Gerard Bouffard
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Publication number: 20040035650Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk, particularly for commercial vehicles, comprising a brake caliper (1) covering a brake disk (3), a tensing device (13) arranged in a brake caliper for clamping the brake pads (5, 7) on both sides of the brake disk (3) in the direction thereof, and at least one regulating system arranged in the brake caliper in order to equalise the brake pad and/or disk deterioration by adjusting the distance between the brake pad (7) and the brake disk (3), whereby the regulating system comprises a regulating rotational device. The invention is characterised in that at least one regulating rotational device is provided on each side of the brake disk (3) to adjust the axial distances between the brake pads (5, 7) and the brake disk (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Dieter Bieker, Wolfgang Pahle
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Publication number: 20040035651Abstract: Disc brake, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising two pads (11) each intended to cooperate with a lateral face of the disc to be braked under the action of means of control comprising a piston (14) mounted so that it is axially mobile, parallel to the disc axis, in a caliper adapted to straddle the disc, said piston (14) being adapted to cooperate according to a support zone with the pad (11) facing it, said pad (11) being constituted by a metal support (18) carrying a friction lining, said metal support (18) being symmetrical with respect to a transverse plane (S) called plane of symmetry, which is perpendicular to it and which is parallel to the disc axis, the piston axis (14) being displaced with respect to said plane of symmetry (S) by being at a transverse distance from the latter, an anti-noise shim (21) being arranged between the piston (14) and the metal support (18) and provided with an opening (22) arranged at right angles with the piston support zone (14): the anti-noise shim (21) carries aType: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Laurent Renauld
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Publication number: 20040035652Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing (1) that has a holding chamber (4), a rotor (2) integral with a gear (2a) disposed rotatably in the holding chamber (4) of the housing (1), and a braking member (3) for controlling the rotation of the rotor (2). The braking member (3) is interposed between the outer periphery of the rotor (2) and the inner periphery the holding chamber (4). A supporting shaft (5) is erected on the bottom part of the holding chamber (4) of the housing (1). A boring a shaft-hole (7) is bored in the rotor for permitting insertion therein of the supporting shaft (5) in the axial direction of the rotor (2). The rotor (2) is supported through the supporting shaft (5) and the shaft-hole (7). With this configuration, a stabilized braking force is constantly provided because the rotor (2) does not incline while it is being rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
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Publication number: 20040035653Abstract: A thrust reverser system that includes a pass-through torque activated brake assembly that limits the torque applied in portions of the thrust reverser system drive train. The brake assembly includes two plates that are coupled together with a torsion spring. When a predetermined torque is applied to the torsion spring, the torsion spring displaces the plates from one another. Balls that are positioned in cammed grooves in each of the plates causes the plates to translate away from one another and contact brake surfaces to thereby limit the torque in the drive train.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Donald J. Christensen
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Publication number: 20040035654Abstract: In an electrically actuatable disc brake of the present invention, rotation of a rotor of an electric motor is reduced by means of a differential reduction mechanism, and a ball ramp mechanism is operated, thus pressing brake pads against a disc rotor to thereby generate a braking force.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Jun Watanabe, Yukio Ohtani
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Publication number: 20040035655Abstract: An electrically operated disc brake includes a ball/ramp mechanism operable to convert rotary motion of an electric motor to linear motion and transmit the linear motion to a piston so that the piston is advanced to urge a pair of friction pads against opposite sides of a disc rotor to produce a barking force. The disc brake also includes a pad wear adjusting mechanism operable to threadably move the piston relative to an axially movable member of the ball/ramp mechanism in response to the amount of pad wear. The axially movable member has a female thread along its full length. The piston includes a piston head and a piston rod joined to the piston head. The piston rod has a male thread or threaded section. The threaded section has a length such that the piston can safely be moved together and relative to the axially movable member. The piston also has a smooth section extending-from the threaded section toward the disc rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Takuya Usui
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Publication number: 20040035656Abstract: A vehicle braking system and method of control is disclosed which includes electromagnetic and friction braking functionality. The electromagnetic braking system includes a generator which supplies power to eddy current devices. Accordingly, the eddy current devices apply a retarding torque on the wheels of the vehicle. In the event the generator produces an amount of power greater than that needed by the electromagnetic braking system, the generator will supply power to a supplemental power source such as a battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Sohel Anwar, Carl David Klaes, Kevin J. Pavlov
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Publication number: 20040035657Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ceramic brake discs, comprising the following steps: a) producing a BMC compound (2) with a matrix consisting of phenol resin and with carbon reinforcement fibres, the length of the carbon fibres being between 6 mm and 50 mm; b) poducing a green compact of the ceramic brake discs from the BMC compound (2) in a transfer moulding or injection compression moulding process, c) pyrolysing the green compact in order to produce a porous moulded body, and d) melt-infiltrating the porous moulded body with a melt preferably a silicon melt, in order to produce a moulded body with reaction-bonded fibres.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Gerd Ehnert
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Publication number: 20040035658Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ceramic brake disks from a green body consisting of a sheet moulding compound (SMC) having reinforcing fibres, and the ensuing pyrolysis and melt infiltration. The aim of the invention is to create a single-element green body comprising very complex inner cavities after pyrolysis. In order to achieve this, the method comprises the following steps: the green body (1) is produced from a sandwich consisting of SMC (2), a thermoplastic insert (4), and SMC (2) in one working step in a tool (5a, 5b), subjected to pressure and temperature; and the insert (4) fills the green body (1) over its entire surface and comprises openings (6) which are arranged in such a way that the upper and lower SMC layers (2) are interconnected, at least in parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Gerd Ehnert
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Publication number: 20040035659Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a braking band for a brake disk with venting passages and to a braking band which can be produced by the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Giovanni Paolo Pacchiana, Ralf Siegfried Goller
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Publication number: 20040035660Abstract: The present invention involves a fluid seal assembly of a pressured system for reducing static friction on a displacement rod of the pressured system. The assembly comprises a sealing member disposed on a surface of the pressured system. The sealing member is in circumferential engagement about the displacement rod to define a radial preload on the displacement rod forming a static friction thereon. The assembly further comprises an actuator attached to the sealing member and being configured to bend when the electric input is applied thereacross to displace the sealing member from the displacement rod for reducing the static friction on the displacement rod when the displacement rod move from a stagnant position within the pressured system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Joshua D. Coombs
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Publication number: 20040035661Abstract: An item of expandable luggage is provided with a multipositional locking expansion mechanism that includes a lock release actuator for unlocking the expansion plates that is located near or on a handle on the sliding plate situated towards the upper portion of the expandable body for easy accessibility, thereby permitting the user to adjust the inner volume of the luggage storage space when the compartment is fully packed. The extendable gusset is provided with one or more resilient members that retract the gusset into the interior of the luggage when it is not extended.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Richard J. Krulik, Georgene Rada, Jason V. Drew
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Publication number: 20040035662Abstract: A suitcase handle device has a hollow seat disposed on the suitcase, a telescopic tube inserted through the hollow seat, a hollow mount disposed on the telescopic tube. A turret is disposed on the hollow mount. The turret has a center aperture, a plurality of periphery grooves, and an annular groove. A grip has an inner wall, a bottom round hole, a threaded hole, an end groove, and an end opening communicating with the end groove. An oblong block has an end pillar. The shaft is inserted through the center aperture. A bolt is inserted through the threaded hole and the annular groove. The turret is inserted through the bottom round hole. A spring and the oblong block are inserted in the end groove of the grip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Wen-Chen Chang
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Publication number: 20040035663Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device, especially a hydrodynamic torque converter, includes a housing which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a turbine wheel mounted for rotation with respect to said housing, and a bridging clutch for transmitting torque between the housing and the turbine. The bridging clutch includes a first friction element which is essentially fixed against rotation with respect to the housing, and at least one second friction element which is essentially fixed against rotation with respect to the turbine, the friction elements having respective friction surfaces which can be brought into contact with each other. A first channel, provided in one of the friction surfaces, has first channel sections with radially closed inner ends and second channel sections with radially closed outer ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: ZF Sachs AGInventors: Roland Baumann, Christoph Sasse, Thomas Bauer, Steffen Engel, Christoph Juretzka
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Publication number: 20040035664Abstract: A coupling for connecting a driving machine part and a driven machine part, such as shafts, wheel hubs or the like, includes an intermediate shaft and articulated lever couplings situated at the ends of the intermediate shaft. Each articulated lever coupling has at least three identical articulated levers, which engage via elastic joints situated at their ends with the intermediate shaft and with the adjacent machine parts to be connected. The axes of the elastic joints of each articulated lever are oriented perpendicularly to an axial plane, the axial plane being parallel to the articulated lever and intersecting the axis of the intermediate shaft and the axes of the machine parts to be connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicants: Carl Freudenberg KG, A. Friedrich Flender GmbHInventors: Detlef Cordts, Robert Peters, Christian Meyer
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Publication number: 20040035665Abstract: A rotor ring and an armature for use in a toothed electromagnetic clutch or a toothed electromagnetic clutch brake. A method of manufacturing rotor rings and armatures used in toothed electromagnetic clutch or a toothed electromagnetic clutch brakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JapanInventor: Manabu Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20040035666Abstract: The invention is directed to a dual clutch device or multiple disk clutch device for arrangement in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device (12a) has a plurality of radially staggered disk clutch arrangements (64a, 72a) which are associated, respectively, with a transmission input shaft (22a and 24a) of the transmission and are constructed, respectively, with a disk set (74a and 76a) having outer disks associated with an outer disk carrier (62a and 70a) and inner disks which can be brought into mutual driving engagement with the outer disks and which are associated with an inner disk carrier (82a and 86a), wherein every disk set has disks with linings and without linings which are constructed either as outer disks or as inner disks.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Wolfgang Kundermann, Volker Stampf, Angelika Ebert, Wolfgang Reisser
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Publication number: 20040035667Abstract: A clutch housing assembly for use in vehicle drivelines includes at least one strengthening member at an open end of the housing. The strengthening member preferably is formed by cutting away portions of the housing near the open end and then deforming the remaining portions. The deformed portions preferably are folded over and against a surface of the housing near the open end. The strengthening members provide additional strength to the housing at the open end to resist deformations that may otherwise occur because of forces incident on the assembly during operation of the vehicle driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
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Publication number: 20040035668Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprises a housing with an inner surface and an outer surface for a vehicle driveline component, a retention element disposed in the housing, and at least one deformation formed on the inner surface operatively in contact with the retention element to retain the vehicle driveline component in the housing. This design and method of manufacture eliminates the need for differently sized spacers because the location of the deformations and the retention element can be tailored relative to the actual location of the components to ensure proper distance between components and the retention element. Moreover, because the spacer may be used as the retention element, the need for a snap ring is eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
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Publication number: 20040035669Abstract: A pressure plate assembly includes a housing designed to be attached to a flywheel; a pressure plate mounted in the housing with freedom to move in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation; a stored-energy device; and a wear take-up device acting in the path of force transmission between the stored-energy device and the pressure plate, where the wear take-up device has at least one take-up element which can be moved in a take-up direction to compensate for wear. A play sensor arrangement includes a detection element provided on the pressure plate, which element, upon the occurrence of wear, makes contact or can be brought into contact with a blocking element, which is fixed in position with respect to the housing arrangement. The blocking element has a fastening area, by which it is fixed in position with respect to the housing arrangement, and a contact area, by which it makes contact with the detection element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: ZF Sachs AGInventors: Joachim Lindner, Reinhold Weidinger, Erwin Ziegler
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Publication number: 20040035670Abstract: The over-running clutch pulley of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member (20), a hub member (22) located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a clutch member (24), a clutch lubricant (26) located near the clutch member, a bearing member (28) located between the sheave member and the hub member, and a bearing lubricant (30) located near the bearing member, which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device (12) and an output device (14). The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section (32) adapted to engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section (34) defining a sheave clutch surface (36). Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section (38) adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section (40) defining a hub clutch surface (42). The clutch lubricant (26) and the bearing lubricant (30) preferably include a base material selected from the group comprising ether, esther, and mineral oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Mary-Jo Liston, John Miller, Randall King
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Publication number: 20040035671Abstract: A one-way clutch includes: an inner race; an outer race; a plurality of engaging members disposed between the inner and the outer races; a pair of retainers for retaining the engaging members; springs for urging the engaging members in one direction; and a pair of end bearings which are respectively disposed on both sides between the inner race and the outer race, each of the end bearings being formed into a U-shaped cross section by a first hollow cylindrical portion fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the inner race, a second hollow cylindrical portion fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the outer race, and an annular portion connecting the first and the second hollow cylindrical portions. The one-way clutch is characterized in that recessed portions (11) are formed at least in the inner peripheral surface (8a) of the first hollow cylindrical portion (8) of each of the end bearings (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Koyo Seiko Co., LtdInventor: Takaaki Ikeda
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Publication number: 20040035672Abstract: A coin mechanism has one or more coin tubes for storing, respectively, coins of one or more denominations, a dispenser for controlling the dispensing of coins from the coin tubes, and a coin mechanism controller suitable for connection to a controller in an automatic transaction system so as to receive change dispense signals from the automatic transaction system controller indicating the form of dispensing change to a customer. The coin mechanism controller, when connected to the automatic transaction system controller, serves as an interface between the automatic transaction system controller and the dispenser, and is programmed to re-determine the form of paying out the change, for example, by taking into account the distribution and denominations of the coins in the coin tubes. The arrangement of coin tubes in a coin tube cassette for use with the coin mechanism can be identified by entering a code on a keypad associated with the coin mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Mars Incorporated, a Delaware corporationInventors: Paul R. Fletcher, Gregory J. Billington, Craig A. Lewis
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Publication number: 20040035673Abstract: A coin handling machine includes a coin sorting passage formed with a reference guide rail, a sensor for detecting optical properties and magnetic properties of the coins, a coin sorting opening along the inner wall of the reference guide rail and a coin sorting member provided in the vicinity of a side portion of the coin sorting opening on the side of the reference guide rail, the coin sorting member including a coin supporting section having a coin supporting surface for supporting one edge portion of the coin being transported in the coin sorting passage and a coin press section for pressing the coin, and it further includes a rotary solenoid for moving the coin supporting section between a coin support position where the coin supporting surface can support one edge portion of the coin being transported in the coin sorting passage and a retracted position where the coin supporting surface cannot support the coin and moving the coin press section so as to press the coin downward in synchronism with the movType: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Laurel Precision Machines Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiko Hibari
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Publication number: 20040035674Abstract: A moving walkway is shown having a walkway surface with first and second ends and formed of a series of hinged rigid pallets in an endless loop. A direction-reversing sprocket is at each of the first and second ends. Each pallet is hinged to adjacent pallets along an axis substantially transverse to the walkway at opposite ends of the pallets along a length of the endless loop. Each pallet being transversely subdivided into a plurality of parts, each of the pallet parts being unidirectionally hinged to an adjacent one of the plurality of parts such that each pallet will support vertical loads on the walkway surface as a rigid unit and will hinge separately as the endless loop reverses direction around the sprockets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Takao Inoue
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Publication number: 20040035675Abstract: A comb plate (2) for a people mover with a step belt, having a base plate and a number of teeth (4) applied to one side of it, arranged essentially parallel to one another, which mesh in use with grooves in a people mover, whereby the comb plate (2) has an upper side that is exposed and a lower side that is concealed in use, characterized by the fact that an electric tooth-break monitoring device (6) is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Karl-Friedrich Schops, Andreas Mortiz
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Publication number: 20040035676Abstract: In an escalator with a high speed inclined section, a plurality of steps are coupled in an endless manner and are moved to circulate. Driving roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each other are coupled with each other by a link mechanism. An interval between the driving roller shafts is changed as the link mechanism is transformed. An outer peripheral length change absorbing mechanism is provided in a reversing section of a circulation path of the steps. The outer peripheral length change absorbing mechanism absorbs a change in an outer peripheral length of a polygon formed by connecting axes of the driving rollers with straight lines, while guiding the movement of the driving rollers in the reversing section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Manabu Ogura, Takashi Yumura, Joichi Nakamura
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Publication number: 20040035677Abstract: A device for receiving and processing an elongated workpiece that proceeds along a path is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of clevis-shaped members, each clevis-shaped member being pivotable about a vertical axis and having a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending posts. The clevis-shaped members are spaced apart relative to the path, and the posts of each clevis-shaped member defining therebetween a centered workstation disposed along the path. At least one actuator is provided, with the actuator operatively engaging each of the clevis-shaped members such that the each clevis-shaped member will pivot about its vertical axis. Accordingly, in response to operation of the actuators the posts of each of the clevis-shaped members shift in unison to center and clamp the workpiece at the workstation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: SSD CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: David J. Konieczny
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Publication number: 20040035678Abstract: A storage unit, wherein a store receives a succession of substantially parallelepiped-shaped products from an input conveying unit at an input and in a given feed direction, and releases a succession of rows of products to an output conveying unit at an output separate from the input; the store having a conveying device, which extends through the input and the output, has a number of elongated pockets for receiving respective rows of products, and moves in a direction crosswise to the pockets to move the pockets from the input to the output along a path portion of variable length extending about at least one pulley having an axis of rotation parallel to the pockets and to the feed direction and movable transversely to vary the length of the path portion between the input and the output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONIInventors: Andrea Biondi, Fiorenzo Draghetti
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Publication number: 20040035679Abstract: A system for improving wood strand orientation in a wood strand orienter having a plurality of orienter disks. The system includes a plurality of axially-spaced, parallel pre-orienting shafts positioned in a second plane above and substantially parallel to the orienter disks, each one of the pre-orienting shafts having a plurality of wheels mounted thereon. Each of the wheels has a hub and a plurality of outwardly-extending finger members. When the pre-orienting shafts are positioned over the disks, each one of the finger members passes, in turn, through a portion of the volume defined between the two adjacent orienter disks the wheel sits between. This permits bridged wood strands to be turned and straightened, reducing the “% overs”, the percentage of strands bridging the orienter disks and carried across the top of the orienter without falling through the orienter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Robert M. Knudson
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Publication number: 20040035680Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprising a conveyor (5), characterized in that the conveyor comprises two parallel guides (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides, these belts forming an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts, the belts in the pair having the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Marc Mergy, Jean-Luc Lecomte, Laurent Letellier, Jean-Francois Larue
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Publication number: 20040035681Abstract: The device comprises a guide (23) defining a closed for a plurality of separator fingers (15). In the vicinity of the end of the advance stretch of the guide is set a separating member (101) provided with a movement of insertion and extraction (f103) with respect to the pile of products (P, P1, P2), synchronized with the movement of advance of the products along the path of advance, so as to insert itself between two contiguous packs of laminar products (M1, M2), between which is inserted a respective separator finger (15), and to withhold temporarily the pile of laminar products whilst said separator finger (15) is moved away from the path of advance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Giulio Betti, Angelo Benvenuti, Alessandro Morelli
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Publication number: 20040035682Abstract: A non-horizontal conveyor for feeding objects has a conveyor belt, a first pulley at a first end forming a loading area of the conveyor, and a second pulley at a second end forming a feeding area of the conveyor. The conveyor also has a conveyor cover having an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part extends from the second pulley towards the first pulley, thereby covering a substantial part of the conveyor and preventing the objects from falling out of the conveyor during transport. The lower part is resiliently attached to the upper part adjacently to the first pulley, thereby preventing a plurality of objects from aggregating in the loading area at the first pulley. Furthermore, the conveyor cover has two symmetrical members rotationally attached to its lower part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Karlsson Jerry
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Publication number: 20040035683Abstract: A roller drive unit for transporting items of freight in an aircraft cargo hold is provided in which a drive motor is coupled to a drive roller. The drive roller comprises a core and a covering fastened thereto that has an outer surface that can be brought into frictional contact with a bottom of an item of freight in order to transport said item. So that high durability can be achieved even when the material used for the covering is relatively soft, it is proposed that the covering should comprise at least one delimiting layer, so constructed and so disposed between at least one inner covering layer and an outer covering layer that on one hand the covering layers are firmly connected to one another and on the other hand a spreading of a fissure from the one covering layer into the other covering layer is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Thomas Huber
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Publication number: 20040035684Abstract: A roller conveyor has three-phase synchronous motors and feed rollers. The three-phase synchronous motors are operationally coupled to the respective feed rollers. The three-phase synchronous motors are driven by a three-phase AC voltage supplied from a three-phase AC power supply and the three-phase synchronous motors output a torque. Each feed roller is caused to roll to convey a work by the torque output from the corresponding three-phase synchronous motor. This structure provides an inexpensive roller conveyor which is easy to maintain.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Mitsuhiro Fukuoka
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Publication number: 20040035685Abstract: The invention provides a curved belt support apparatus (300) that prevents a curved belt (200) from moving inward by supporting a thick part (220) of the curved belt that thickens in both vertical directions at the outer edge of the belt. An upper roller (370) is brought in contact with the upper inside surface (221) of the thick part (220), a lower guide roller (380) is brought in contact with the lower guide roller (380) is brought in contact with the lower inside surface (222) of the thick part (200), and the upper and lower guide rollers are elastically supported such that they can move up and down. When operated, the upper guide roller (370) and the lower guide roller (380) are moved diagonally upward and downward, respectively, in the direction of the radial inner edge of the curved belt so that the thick part (220) of the belt is released from the upper and lower guide rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Hiroaki Fujiwara, Walter Niklaus Polt
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Publication number: 20040035686Abstract: A method is provided for splicing a conveyor belt having vulcanized rubber with steel strands embedded in the vulcanized rubber, comprising the steps of exposing a plurality of strands at two belt ends, and applying a vulcanizable rubber composition to the exposed strands to form a spliced joint between the two belt ends, the vulcanizable rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of rubber, and the rubber comprising from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight of a polyoctenamer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Terry Frank Allen, Kevin Xie
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Publication number: 20040035687Abstract: A mechanical release mechanism is provided. The mechanical release mechanism includes two structural members in slideable relation one to another. A latch holds one structural member in a latched position relative to the other structural member. A shape memory alloy member disposed within one of the structural members is used to move the latch holding the other structural member thereby allowing relative motion between the structural members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Peter Emery von Behrens, Dylan Miller Fairbanks, Kathryn Ann Broughton
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Publication number: 20040035688Abstract: A rotary encoder having a slider provided with a plurality of movable contact points disposed along a circle of a certain radius at an angular interval six times as large as an output pitch of rectangular wave signal. The contact-point board is provided on the surface with a signal pattern and a common pattern. Signal pattern consists of three fixed contact points, each having two conductive layers of radial shape of the same width, disposed at an angular pitch which is three times as large as the output pitch of rectangular wave signal. These fixed contact points are disposed along sliding circle of the movable contact points, at an angular pitch which is smaller, or larger, than angular interval of movable contact points, or a multiple of it, by the output pitch of rectangular wave signal, or twice that. Common pattern is disposed insulated from the signal pattern. Overall size of the rotary encoder is small in the outer diameter, and the encoder generates three-phase rectangular wave signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Jun Sugahara, Jun Sato, Kenji Kataoka
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Publication number: 20040035689Abstract: The invention is applicable to automatically triggered switches that are turned on by means of angular displacement, in either direction, of a contact bridge and its support (1). It is characterized in that the outside of the support (1) includes pins (3) which, when the switch is off, are perpendicular to the direction of displacement of an actuator (4) joined to a remote handle (13). Since the pins (3) turn as a consequence of the switch being turned on, when the handle is operated, the actuator (4) is displaced and its arms (6) force the pins (3) to move in the opposite direction into their initial position, effecting the reset. It is preferably used to reset switches provided in elevator speed limiters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Jose-Miguel Aguado, Jose Sevilleja-Perez
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Publication number: 20040035690Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: The Regents Of The University Of MichiganInventor: Erdogan Gulari
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Publication number: 20040035691Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing halogen gas using a plasma chemical reaction, with the features of having simplicity, practicality, and maintaining safety in handling source materials and of being able to manufacture halogen gas in the same facility where halogen gas is used, and also provides a halogen gas circulatory and recovery system capable of circulating and using halogen gas efficiently. After the gas expressed in the chemical formula AiXj (A represents metallic element or semiconductor element, X represents halogen element, and i and j represent integers) is introduced into a reaction container in vacuum, plasmas are generated in the reaction container to produce a plasma chemical reaction. Fine particles produced by the plasma chemical reaction and containing an element other than halogen element as the major constituent are removed from the reaction container so as to generate halogen gas in the reaction container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Yoichiro Numasawa, Tsutomu Tsukada
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Publication number: 20040035692Abstract: An array of auxiliary magnets is disclosed that is positioned along sidewalls of a magnetron sputter reactor on a side towards the wafer from the target. The magnetron preferably is a small, strong one having a stronger outer pole of a first magnetic polarity surrounding a weaker outer pole of a second magnetic polarity and rotates about the central axis of the chamber. The auxiliary magnets preferably have the first magnetic polarity to draw the unbalanced magnetic field component toward the wafer. The auxiliary magnets may be either permanent magnets or electromagnets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Peijun Ding, Rong Tao, Zheng Xu
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Publication number: 20040035693Abstract: A method for removing voids in a ceramic substrate includes steps of preparing a ceramic substrate and defining holes of different dimensions in the ceramic substrate, sputtering a titanium/copper film onto opposite sides of the ceramic substrate, chemical copper plating, forming a dry film onto the ceramic substrate, forming an image, plating copper leads, plating nickel and gold, removing the dry film, and etching titanium/copper.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Shao-Pin Ru
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Publication number: 20040035694Abstract: Contact assemblies, electroplating machines with contact assemblies, and methods for making contact assemblies that are used in the fabrication of microelectronic workpieces. The contact assemblies can be wet-contact assemblies or dry-contact assemblies. A contact assembly for use in an electroplating system can comprise a support member and a contact system coupled to the support member. The support member, for example, can be a ring or another structure that has an inner wall defining an opening configured to allow the workpiece to move through the support member along an access path. In one embodiment, the support member is a conductive ring having a plurality of posts depending from the ring that are spaced apart from one another by gaps. The contact system can be coupled to the posts of the support member. The contact system can have a plurality of contact members projecting inwardly into the opening relative to the support member and transversely with respect to the access path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Robert W. Batz, John M. Pedersen, John L. Klocke, Linlin Chen
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Publication number: 20040035695Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electrolyte cell, an anode, and a porous rigid diffuser. The electrolyte cell is configured to receive a substrate to have a metal film deposited thereon. An anode is contained within the electrolyte cell. A porous rigid diffuser is connected to the electrolyte cell and extends across the electrolyte cell. The diffuser is positioned between a location that the substrate is to be positioned when the metal film is deposited thereon and the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Yezdi N. Dordi, Joseph J. Stevens, H. Peter W. Hey, Donald J. K. Olgado
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Publication number: 20040035696Abstract: According to one embodiment, an membrane electrolysis (ME) unit is configured with a first cell frame, a second cell frame each having a compartment. The collective compartments of these cell frames houses an anode, a cathode, a first membrane positioned between the anode and the cathode, and a plurality of screen spacers. A first screen spacer is positioned between the anode and the first membrane while a second screen spacer is positioned between the cathode and the first membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Fred P. Reinhard
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Publication number: 20040035697Abstract: Metal sputtering apparatus is provided with a cathodic backing plate element having at least one sputtering metal cavity that contains a sputtering metal and that has a peripheral undercut that enhances the retention of the contained sputtering metal in the sputtering metal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: David I. May, Ron G. Snelly, Gretchen M. Wilk