Abstract: A method of forming a body of a formable working material in an impact machine, which comprises an upper impact unit (29 with an upper ram (14), an upper punch (17), a lower impact unit (3) with a lower ram (24), a lower punch (27), and mould cavity for the working material between the punches when the punches are brought towards one another, is characterized in that downwards movable masses, which comprise at least the mass of the upper ram and the mass of the upper punch, and upwards movable masses, which include at least the mass of the lower ram and the mass of the lower punch, are caused to move towards one another and towards the working material in the mould cavity, that the masses which move downwards, including the upper punch (17) obtain a downwards directed velocity (v1) and those masses which move upwards, including the lower punch (27), obtain an upwards directed velocity (v2), wherein the movable parts have such masses and the velocities are so high that the momentums of the downwards movable ma

Abstract: A passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes a material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor has a first member that includes a first working end that is configured to create a first residual stress field that extends to a predetermined depth in the material. The passive-adaptive indentor also has a second member that includes a second working end that is configured to create a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed second depth of the material regardless of the depth to which the first residual stress field extends. A method of using a passive-adaptive indentor for cold working a material is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for in-situ testing of transducers, and more particularly to the testing of piezoelectric transducers including piezoelectric accelerometers. Circuits, measurement techniques, and interpretative algorithms to enable in-situ testing of piezoelectric accelerometers are described. Accelerometers that employ a piezoelectric material to convert mechanical strains into electronic signals are reciprocal electromechanical transducers. In such transducers the electrical output impedance of the sensor is dependent upon the electrical and mechanical parameters of the sensor. The procedure described in this disclosure includes methods of measuring the transducer electrical output impedance as a function of frequency and the extraction of the electrical and mechanical transducer parameters from the measured data. The measured values of the transducer parameters may be interpreted to provide an indication of the operational status of the transducer.

Abstract: A system for testing systems which are in turn used to test the leaktightness of a hollow body is suggested. Instead of the hollow body, a test body (2) is placed in the system which generates a defined pressure increase in a measuring chamber (4) within a pre-determined time span. This defined pressure increase corresponds exactly to the pressure increase generated by a hollow body with a small amount of leakage, wherein the hollow body can still just be regarded as leaktight. The test body can be configured as a glass capillary which extends in a sealing manner between two chambers with different air pressure. Alternatively, the test body can comprise a material which can accept a defined amount of moisture from the ambient atmosphere during storage. A vacuum formed around the test body causes moisture to be withdrawn from the test body and at least partially evaporated in the vacuum, which again leads to an increase in pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: Bias error is reduced in a vibrating structure sensor having primary and secondary pick-offs separated by a fixed angular amount (45°) with respect to the vibrating structure by summing a proportion of the primary pick-off output signal into the secondary pick-off output signal or subtracting a proportion of the primary pick-off output signal from the secondary pick-off output signal effectively to reduce or increase the angular separation of the secondary pick-off from the primary driver by an amount sufficient to set the rate output signal from the vibrating structure to zero and thereby minimize bias error.

Abstract: An impact sensor for indicating exposure of an electronic equipment to a predetermined impact force is described. The impact sensor has a hollow case, a mass within the case, and a number of wire filaments supporting the mass within the case. Exposure of the sensor to the predetermined impact force results in a force acting on the mass sufficient to cause at least one of the filaments to break. The breaking of at least one of the filaments indicates to a repairer that the electronic equipment has been exposed to the predetermined impact force.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the airtightness of a gas sensor includes an atmosphere-side jig located at a base end side of a sub assembly of the gas sensor, and a measurement gas-side jig located at a distal end side of the sub assembly. The measurement gas-side jig includes an air chamber, a socket receiving the sub assembly, and a high-pressure air source supplying a high-pressure air to the air chamber. The atmosphere-side jig includes a sealed chamber, a socket receiving the sub assembly, an airtight sealing portion, a low-pressure air source supplying the sealed chamber with a pressure lower than a pressure of the high-pressure air supplied to the air chamber, and a sensor portion leading to the sealed chamber.

Abstract: Instruments for measuring the gas flow permeability of a fiber sample, particularly a cotton fiber sample; and apparatus and methods employing multiple volumetric compressions to acquire data products for determining “micronaire,” “maturity” and “fineness” of the fiber sample. A gas flow permeability testing instrument includes sensors in a gas flow stream enabling the determination of fiber mass delivered to a testing chamber, and a computer outputting a control signal to terminate delivery of fibers to the testing chamber when a predetermined mass set point is reached. A multiple compression fiber gas flow permeability testing device includes a testing chamber into which a fiber sample of known mass is delivered. A movable chamber wall is driven in a substantially continuous manner so as to compress the fiber sample, while a gas flow system determines permeability.

Abstract: A rotational rheometer is provided with a heat control cup located around a measuring cup having a wall thickness decreasing gradually from the bottom of the cup to its outer rim. Temperature of the heat control cup is maintained by a heat pump. The heat controlled cup has a wall thickness which is narrow at or adjacent the open end than the thickness adjacent the base of the cup.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the size, concentration and size distribution of particles in a fluid by determining the characteristics of an acoustic speckle signal of the particles and relating these characteristics to the size and concentration characteristics of the particles. The method and the apparatus are especially useful for the measurement of the size distribution of small particles in optically opaque liquids.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the size, concentration and size distribution of particles in a fluid by determining the characteristics of an acoustic speckle signal of the particles and relating these characteristics to the size and concentration characteristics of the particles. The method and the apparatus are especially useful for the measurement of the size distribution of small particles in optically opaque liquids.

Abstract: In an operating liquid feed fuel cell system, fuel concentration in the fuel stream can be calculated as a function of the observed current, the temperature of the fuel stream entering the fuel cell stack, and the temperature of the fuel cell stack itself, thereby eliminating the need for a separate sensor. Typically, methanol will be used as the fuel and the liquid feed fuel cell system will thus be a direct methanol fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the testing of railroad locomotive wheels and railroad car wheels using an ultrasonic probe and a probe holder that pivotally connects to the probe at a specially shaped yoke member. The probe has a pair of extension arms available in different lengths, such as four inches, seven inches, and fourteen inches long. These various handles in kit form enable a user to apply very even pressure to every portion of the inside and outside surfaces of the periphery of the wheel in the thickened peripheral portion of the wheel that is typically tested for defects. With the present invention, the user can pivotally position the handle or extension arm relative to the wear surface of the transducer notwithstanding the fact that the transducer must be positioned 360 degrees about the wheel and on both the inside and outside surfaces of the wheel as part of the testing procedure.

Abstract: A failure test apparatus for a fuel-vapor purging system for adsorbing fuel vapor in a fuel tank into a canister and for purging fuel to an intake system of an internal combustion engine as needed. The purging system has at least one valve. A first test unit provides a differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the fuel-vapor purging system, measures the internal pressure with the fuel-vapor purging system in an airtight condition, and determines whether a leak exists in the fuel-vapor purging system from the behavior of the internal pressure. The test by the first test unit involves a differential-pressure forming process of creating a differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the fuel-vapor purging system, a sealing process of making the fuel-vapor purging system airtight when the differential pressure exists, and a differential-pressure releasing process for releasing the differential pressure.

Abstract: A vane designed to get oriented in the axis of an ambient airflow. The vane allows for the intake of differential pressure presenting the aerodynamic incidence &agr; of the vane. According to the invention, the differential pressure intake is balanced when the vane is oriented naturally in the axis of the airflow.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a heated type air flow rate sensor for measuring an air flow rate using heat generating resistive element or resistor formed within a diaphragm of which periphery is fixed, in which diaphragm destruction due to the collusion of dust is adapted to be prevented. Tapers of two or more stages are formed at a diaphragm fixing flange, and the angle of the most inside taper is made smaller than the angle of the taper which is outside with respect to the most inside taper. When dust collides with the diaphragm and the kinetic energy is transformed into distortion energy, the diaphragm destruction is avoided by making small the slope of the load-displacement curve at the neighborhood of the diaphragm flange to make the generated load small.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes a substrate in which a cavity is formed. A thin film structure is located above the cavity. The thin film structure includes a patterned multilayer film. A dummy film layer is formed or a number of dummy film layers are formed in close proximity to the patterned multilayer film to protect the multilayer film from the effect of reduction gas.

Abstract: A gauge includes a translucent tube assembly having metallic tubular end segments. The end segments are endwise embedded within the ends of the translucent tube and permit dispensing with packing when joined to shut off valves at the ends of the tube assembly. The shut off valves are in communication with vertically spaced apart ports in a liquid storage tank. Liquid level in the tube assembly corresponds to the level liquid in the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring the amount of liquid that a packaging unit, or cleaning pad, designed to absorb and/or adsorb liquid that is being transported or was spilled or was released. The packaging unit or pad has at least one sealing multi-layer comprising a first water soluble film and an absorbent/adsorbent material. When the liquid contacts the water soluble film, the liquid passes through the water-soluble film. When the liquid contacts the absorbent/adsorbent material, the absorbent/adsorbent material immobilizes the liquid material. This immobilization prevents the liquid from escaping from the absorbent/adsorbent material. The pad/packaging unit is then measured by the instant device to determine the amount of liquid obtained.

Abstract: A method of balancing a disk pack for use in a disk drive according to an aspect of the present invention. The disk pack includes a spindle motor and a rotatable disk. The spindle motor is configured to rotate the disk about an axis of rotation of the spindle motor. The spindle motor has a spindle motor imbalance location indicia upon the spindle motor indicative of a location of a spindle motor location imbalance. The method includes detecting the spindle motor imbalance location indicia. The method further includes placing the disk upon the spindle motor. The method further includes attaching the disk to the spindle motor with the disk being off-set from the axis of rotation based upon the detected spindle motor imbalance location indicia for balancing the disk pack by producing a disk off-set imbalance in relation to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of manufacturing mechanical resonator microgyroscopes using focused ion beam machining and the mechanical resonator gyroscopes produced therefrom. An exemplary method of tuning a mechanical resonator gyroscope, includes the steps of mounting a mechanical resonator gyroscope in a vacuum chamber with a controllable focused ion beam where the gyroscope includes exciting and sensing elements for measuring a resonant frequency of the gyroscope. The exciting and sensing elements are activated to measure the resonant frequency of the mechanical resonator gyroscope and the resonant frequency of the gyroscope is adjusted to a desired resonant frequency value by controlling the focused ion beam to remove material of the gyroscope.

Abstract: A method and system for nondestructively detecting and characterizing defects in articles, including assemblies that may include components formed of composite materials. The method entails vibrating an entire article/assembly to induce an oscillating strain in the article/assembly so that any flaws in the article/assembly are heated by localized friction, as would occur between opposing surface portions of a defect or an interface between components of the assembly. The article/assembly is then infrared imaged to detect any localized temperature rises associated with the localized friction at the defect or interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distance measurement, comprising a transmission element (9) for emitting pulsed acoustic or electromagnetic waves. Said transmission element is provided at a first end of a distance (L) or at a known distance from said first end. The device contains a receiving element (13) for the emitted waves. Said receiving element (13) receives said waves at a second end of the distance (L) or, after reflection at the second end, at the first end. An evaluation and control unit (11) calculates the distance (L) from the running time and the signal speed. According to the invention, a telescope tube (3) with two engaging tube elements (5, 7) is used between the first and second end. The transmission element (9) and the receiving element (13) are arranged on the tube elements (5, 7) respectively or are coupled thereto via waveguides. One of the tube elements can also be coupled to a displaceable element which can change location.

Abstract: In a device having a sound tube and a receiver, a test signal is generated to apply to the receiver. An outgoing acoustic wave is created at the receiver from the test signal. A reflected acoustic wave is received at the receiver, wherein the reflected acoustic wave is delayed in time from the outgoing acoustic wave. A difference in time is measured between the outgoing acoustic wave and the reflected acoustic wave. The difference in time is used to estimate a length of the sound tube.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus obtains information on the interface of a sample as digital waveform data for any “unit measurement range” and is provided with at least two data memories and controlled by a scan state monitoring signal showing the scan state of a unit measurement range belonging to a first group or a unit measurement range belonging to a second group. A comparator-register/memory-control-circuit outputs the scan state monitoring signal to the two data memories. The operating states of the two data memories being controlled by the scan state monitoring signal to alternate between writing of digital waveform data and readout of digital waveform data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the zero point temperature drift of a vibrator and the deviation or change of the drift among vibrators actually fabricated. A vibrator has a driving vibration piece 2A, a detection vibration piece and a base portion connecting the driving and detection vibration pieces. The driving vibration piece 2A is composed of a bending vibration piece having a pair of surfaces 2c and 2d parallel with each other and a pair of side faces 2a and 2b. The driving vibration piece 2A has a ratio (WD/TD) of a width WD to a thickness TD of not smaller than 1.5 and not larger than 2.4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive tester and transmission tester, preferably for carrying out acoustic, oscillation and functional tests, comprising a clamping device for clamping a specimen to be tested, preferably a transmission (90), a drive component or a driven component, e.g. an electric drive, a drive/transmission-integral solution or a transmission component, a driving device (44), at least one driven device (26), and a framework. The transmission tester according to the invention is wherein the framework is provided as frame modules independent of each other, wherein clamping device, driving device (44) and driven device (26) are each allocated to a frame module (20) for configuring a function module (central body module (18), driving module (12), driven module (14)).

Abstract: A pressure cell contains a base body (1), a membrane (2) that is arranged on the base body (1) and can be deformed by a pressure to be measured, as well as a first and a second temperature sensor. The second temperature sensor is spaced apart from the first temperature sensor in the direction of a temperature gradient. Temperature shocks of the measuring cell can be determined and compensated by monitoring the difference between the temperatures measured by the sensors or changes in the temperatures measured by a sensor.

Abstract: Surface micromachined structures having a relatively thick silicon nitride layer and a relatively thin conductive polysilicon layer bonded together. Preferably, the silicon nitride layer and conductive polysilicon layer are made in the same low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) step. The polysilicon layer is thin enough compared to the silicon nitride layer so that the mechanical properties of the microstructure are primarily determined by the silicon nitride layer. This provides superior mechanical properties for many applications. The thin conductive polysilicon layer provides conductivity for the microstructure (silicon nitride is an electrical insulator). The polysilicon layer has a thickness less than ⅕ the thickness of the silicon nitride layer. Preferably, the polysilicon layer is much thinner than this. The polysilicon layer can be located on a top surface or bottom surface of the silicon nitride layer. Also, the polysilicon layer can be located within the silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a cylindrical test body with one or more spherical cavities for testing the function and defect recognition quality of systems for the automatic recognition of defects in castings and method for the manufacture thereof. All the prior art testing possibilities are not in accordance with practice and suffer from different advantages. The invention surprisingly obviates this problem by the use of a cylindrical test body with one or more spherical cavities for testing the function and defect recognition quality of systems for the automatic recognition of defects in castings and which is fixed on or in the casting to be tested. Thus, the invention has created test bodies or objects, which better approximate the shape of natural defects and which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture in reproducible manner. These test bodies contain one or more spherical cavities optionally having different sizes and positions.

Abstract: A venturi-assisted flow meter arrangement is disclosed. The venturi is positioned in a pipe or conduit containing the fluid mixture to be measured upstream of the flow meter. The flow meter is preferably a flow rate meter and/or a phase fraction meter. When the fluid mixture is passed through the venturi, it is homogenized or mixed, which can increase the accuracy of the measurements made by the downstream flow meter. Additionally, the venturi can be used to compute the flow momentum of the fluid mixture, which may be used to calibrate or double check the operation of the flow meter, or allow it to compute the phase fraction for a three phase mixture.

Abstract: A torque wrench for additional tightening inspection can measure a precise torque value by simply tightening the tightening bolt additionally. When the inspection bolt is tightened, the rotation of the wrench is detected before the rotation of the bolt due to the torsion of the wrench itself. The intersection P between a torque gradient line M obtained at that time and a torque gradient line N of a rotating state after the rotation of the bolt makes a measuring point. The torque value at this intersection P is determined to obtain a torque measurement. Here, the torque gradient line N is obtained by connecting several points each corresponding to a torque value of 90% of the torque value TA at the intersection PA with a referential torsional torque gradient line L.

Abstract: A flux-gate magnetometer torque sensor is provided having a rotatable shaft to which a torque force is to be applied, a sleeve of conductive foil affixed to the surface of the shaft over the magnetically active regions, a plurality of saturable magnetic wires or strips mounted to the rotatable shaft and parallel to an axis of rotation, sensor circuitry containing an oscillator for generating a signal, a divider coupled to the oscillator for dividing the frequency of the signal by two, a first and second coil each surrounding a different section of the rotatable shaft and having an input coupled to the divider output, a multiplier having inputs coupled to outputs of the first coil, the second coil, and the oscillator, and an integrator having an input coupled to the multiplier output and an output coupled to both outputs of the first and second coils, wherein the output voltage of the integrator corresponds to the torque being applied to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An actuator unit comprises a worm wheel rotated by a motor and having an output gear, a rotational lever having a toothed portion engaged with the output gear. The output gear has one first motor side gear tooth, two second motor side gear teeth, and two third motor side gear teeth which are shifted in three stages in an axial direction of a wheel shaft. The toothed portion has two first lever side gear teeth engageable only with the first motor side gear tooth, one second lever side gear tooth engageable only with the second motor side gear teeth, and one third lever side gear tooth engageable only with the third motor side gear teeth. The toothed portion does not rotate the output gear when the rotational lever is rotated while the worm wheel is located in a neutral position.

Abstract: A screw drive with rolling elements, optionally a ball screw drive, includes a screw spindle with a spindle axis and a double nut running on the screw spindle, with two separately formed single nuts which are substantially rigidly joined in the direction of the axis of the spindle. In order to set a desired play or bias relative to the screw spindle, the two single nuts can be turned continuously about the axis of the spindle relative to each other and fixed in any relative rotary position corresponding to the desired play or bias. According to the invention, a first of the two single nuts or an intermediate element joined thereto and arranged between the two single nuts has at least one peripheral section pressed into an associated aperture in one of the single nuts. In one embodiment, the intermediate element is an annular disk that is arranged orthogonally to the spindle axis.

Abstract: A method of keeping track of the current operating position of an actuator in an automated gear-shift transmission has the following steps: monitoring the level of energy supplied by an energy source to the actuator; comparing the energy level to a minimum energy level required by the actuator; and if the energy level is lower than the required minimum, saving the current actuator position in memory for retrieval at a later time.

Abstract: An automated gear drive, comprising two main gearshafts (18, 20) bearing drive pinions (22, 24) and linked each by a clutch (E1, E2) to a clutch shaft (10), a gearbox output shaft (12) bearing driven pinions (26) each of which is associated with one-way locking device (28) controlled to be selectively interlocked with the gearbox output shaft (12), the one-way locking device (28) being controlled by mechanical device (30, 32, 34) common to all the loose pinions (26) of the different gear ratios. The automated gear drive enables in particular gear ratio shift with uninterrupted torque transmission to the gearbox output shaft (12).

Abstract: A method for control of a gear step change in a vehicle having a dual clutch transmission (2) actuatable by a prime mover (4), several gear steps in which a first dividing gear (6) and a second dividing gear (10) can be operatively coupled with the prime mover (4), respectively, by a first clutch (8) and a second clutch (12) and both dividing gears (6, 10) have a common output (14) wherein each dividing gear (6, 10) preferably has several ratio steps and at least two consecutive gear steps of the dual clutch transmission (2) are not associated with the same dividing gear (6, 10). It is proposed that upon a demand for a double downshift, a gear step change occurs within the same dividing gear (6) without the other dividing gear (10) transmitting during the gear step change a torque from the prime mover (4) to the output, and that the torque delivered by the prime mover (4) during the gear step change is essentially used for the acceleration of rotary masses on the side of the prime mover.

Abstract: A linear module having a housing with a holder being secured against rotation and having an element for axial adjustment relative to the housing. The holder is surrounded by a sleeve proximate the housing, with the sleeve being provided with an external thread and an internal thread with the same direction of rotation, but with a differing lead. A guiding tube, being a first tube, is shaped as a rectangular tube and is located within the housing. A second tube is located within the guiding tube and is also constructed as a rectangular tube, which is capable of coaxial movement within the guiding tube. A linear motor connected to the second tube with the linear motor exerting a force on the second tube which is coaxial to a common axis of the guiding tube and the second tube. The linear motor is rigidly connected at one end to the holder. Guiding rail include a bearing for guiding coaxial movement of the second tube within the first tube with the guiding rails allowing for adjusting the bearing spatially.

Abstract: This multishaft index table comprises: a drive shaft having a plurality of worms arranged in series in its axial direction; a plurality of worm wheels respectively meshed with the worms; at least one motor; and at least one rotation transmitting member for transmitting to the drive shaft the rotation of a motor upon receipt thereof. The rotation transmitting members are disposed in at least one portion selected from a group including at least one of the drive shaft portions between adjoining worms, at least one end of the drive shaft and at least one of drive shaft portions between adjoining worms, and both end portions of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An electronic shifter for shifting a bicycle gear mechanism between a plurality of gears and using a relative shifting method. The shifter includes a stationary member mountable on a handlebar of the bicycle and a rotatable member rotatable with respect to the stationary member to define predetermined positions of the members with respect to each other. An electrical switch is operatively connected to the rotating member for generating a shift signal in response to the rotating member rotating from one predetermined position to another predetermined position.

Abstract: A shift device for a motor vehicle transmission includes a steering-column shift lever which is movable in two directions arranged orthogonally to one another, the steering-column shift lever being capable of being transferred along the first direction into at least one forward driving position (D) and at least one neutral position (N1 or N2) and along the second direction into positions for successive (sequential) gear selection. To provide a cost-effective shift device, the transmission shift state may be reproduced by an indicator, and the first direction is in the circumferential direction of a steering wheel and includes a reversing position (R), two neutral positions (N1 and N2) and a forward driving position (D) whereas the second direction is essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). A controller (56) is programmed to detect a stall of either of the motors (52). The assembly (10) is characterized by the controller (56) having a coordinator (66) to automatically reposition at least one of the motors (52) to a corrected position in response to a stall by at least one of the motors (52).

Abstract: A sleeve for a vehicle handbrake lever has a stationary tube (21) adapted to mount on the handbrake with a button and a movable tube (22) rotatably and slidably mounted on the stationary tube (21). The movable tube (22) has a limit block (222) protruding to the stationary tube (21). The stationary tube (21) has an L-shaped cutout (214) composed of a transversal slot (216) and a longitudinal slot (215) to movably receive the limit block (222). By locating the limit block (222) in the longitudinal slot (215) or the transversal slot (216), the movable tube (22) selectively releases or presses the button to keep the handbrake locked or unlocked.

Abstract: In order to provide a steering wheel in which the strength of a wooden member is enhanced and the appearance of the wooden member is improved, a steering wheel comprising: a substantially annular metal core; and a wooden member comprising a plurality of wooden pieces, the wooden pieces being formed from a pure wooden material and bonded together to surround a part or the whole of the metal core when mounted on the metal core; wherein the wooden pieces are formed from a single pure wooden material, and the wooden pieces that are bonded together are formed from adjacent sites of the single pure wooden material, is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has first and second shafts rotatable in a housing, a spring applied, pressure released brake mechanism for preventing vehicle movement, and a torque disconnect mechanism for controlling transmission of torque from the first shaft to the second shaft. An interlock mechanism includes an opening formed in the housing through which an operator may access the torque disconnect mechanism, a fluid pressure supply passage for communicating pressurized fluid to the brake mechanism, a dump port formed in the housing in a wall of the opening, a pressure dump passage communicating the supply passage with the dump port, and a plug member mountable in the opening. The plug member closes the dump port and closes communication between the dump passage and the environment when the plug member is mounted in the opening The dump port and the dump passage are communicated with the environment, and the brake is spring applied when the plug member is removed from the opening.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly comprises two drive motors, each individually driving one propulsion element. The assembly accommodates transaxle-type mounting on a vehicle.

Abstract: An air brake slack adjusting tool for pushing in the locking collar on a slack adjuster bolt. The air brake slack adjusting tool includes a first elongate member having a handle portion and a slack adjuster portion; and also includes a second elongate member being pivotally attached to the first elongate member and having a handle portion and a support portion; and further includes a ratcheting mechanism being disposed in the slack adjuster portion for engaging a locking collar on an air brake.

Abstract: A high torque wrenching system is provided having a wrench with asymmetrical torque transmission capability. The wrench includes a plurality of protuberances and a plurality of recesses around a central axis. The fastener also includes a plurality of protuberances and recesses around the central axis for mating with the wrench. The protuberances and recesses form a saw tooth shape. Each tooth or protuberance is formed by a first wrenching surface for loosening the fastener and a second wrenching surface for tightening the fastener. The wrenching surface carrying the loosening load will be at a much smaller angle, with respect to a radial vector extending from the wrench's central axis, than the wrenching surface carrying the tightening load. The result is that the loosening torque vector will have a much greater moment arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an asymmetrical fastening system comprising (1) a fastener having asymmetrical loosening surfaces and tightening surfaces formed in a single fastening periphery, and (2) a wrench comprising asymmetrical loosening surfaces and tightening surfaces formed in a single fastening periphery, that engage, respectively, the loosening surfaces and tightening surfaces of the fastener. When the wrench engages the fastener and force is applied to the wrench the torque to failure of the system in the loosening direction is greater than the torque to failure in the tightening direction.