Abstract: A method of producing gas through liquid level detection in oil or gas wells uses various types of artificial lift systems that include sub surface gas lift, beam pumps, progressive cavity pump and submersible pumps. The artificial lift systems are controlled in response to a known liquid level within the well bore to prevent the well from pumping off and damaging the artificial lift system or from reducing the liquid level in the well bore to an unnecessarily low level to thereby increase the energy required by the artificial lift system to remove the liquid from the well bore.

Abstract: A method for assessing the fracture pressure closure is proposed. This method includes first injecting a fluid into the formation at a first generally constant rate Q to create a fracture, and then, dropping the pumping rate to significantly smaller feed rate q so that the volume of the fracture becomes constant, in other words. As the fracture volume becomes constant at equilibrium, the well is shut-in. The wellbore pressure is monitored and the closure pressure is determined from the analysis of the wellbore pressure using a time-function of the dimensionless “shut-in” time, defined as the ratio of time since shutting to pumping time. This method provides a way of estimating the friction component of the monitored wellbore pressure due to the fracture tortuosity and friction. It is applicable to the art of fracturing subterranean formations and more particularly to the process of designing and analyzing stimulation treatments.

Abstract: A method and device for forming a preferred gas liquid flow structure via separation of liquid and gas phases. The method and device relate to the production of gas and oil in wells. The operation and spacing of the devices ensure that the quantity of liquid moved upward exceeds the quantity of liquid running downward. The devices are sequentially installed along a tubing column. A displacement chamber in the form of an upturned cup moves axially in the tubing column. The travel of the cup is defined and controlled by a formula. The cup can have side openings in its lower section and a flange in its upper section. The flange normally blocks gas exhaust openings in a sleeve secured between the ends of the tubing members. The flange can move axially along the tubing.

Abstract: Improved methods of forming fractures containing resilient proppant particle packs which prevent the production of sand and fines with produced fluids and prevent proppant flow-back in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore are provided. As the fractures are formed, a liquid hardenable resin component is mixed with a liquid hardening agent component and a liquid rubber component to form a hardenable resin composition. The hardenable resin composition is coated onto dry proppant particles which are suspended in the fracturing fluid and placed in the fractures. The hardenable resin composition on the resin composition coated proppant particles is allowed to harden and consolidate the proppant particles into high strength resilient permeable packs.

Abstract: A susbsea well has communication passages to enable annulus pressure surrounding inner and intermediate strings of casings to be monitored at the surface. The passages both have outlets that allow communication to the tree assembly for monitoring. In one embodiment, the passage outlets are located in the bore of the high pressure well head housing and communicates to the tree assembly along an isolation sleeve. In another embodiment, the passage outlets are located on the exterior of the high pressure wellhead housing and communicate through a flying lead coming down from the tree. In another embodiment, the passage outlets are located on the exterior of the high pressure wellhead housing and communicate to an upward facing connection which is stabbed with a downward facing connection coming down from the tree.

Abstract: A downhole pump assembly is suspended by tubing in a well. The pump assembly has a separator attached below a progressing cavity pump with a flexible shaft to accommodate the concentric path of the shaft of the separator and the eccentric path of the rotor of the pump. Vanes on the shaft of the separator use centrifugal force to separate the heavier liquids from the lighter gases in the well fluids. The separator discharges the gas into the casing and the liquid to the pump. A motor drives both the separator and the pump. A gear reduction unit is located between the motor and the pump in order to reduce the rotational speed from the motor to the desired rotational speed of the rotor for the pump.

Abstract: A production system and method for producing fluids from a well are presented. The production system may include a submersible pump and a jet pump. The submersible pump may be arranged within the well. The jet pump may be arranged within the well downstream of the submersible pump. The jet pump may include a power fluid intake configured to receive a power fluid and a produced fluid intake configured to receive a produced fluid. The power fluid intake may be in fluid communication with the submersible pump. The produced fluid intake may be in fluid communication with gas within the well. In an embodiment, the produced fluid intake may be in fluid communication with separated gas within an annulus of the well. Beneficially, the system may allow, among other things, a submersible pump and a jet pump to be used in combination in high gas-liquid-ratio wells without installing a gas vent line.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a motor for rotating a tool for drivingly engaging a tubular, and a suspension unit for connecting the motor to the top drive, the apparatus being such that, in use, the motor can rotate one tubular with respect to another to connect the tubular.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a wellbore, comprises a tubular member, such as a drill collar housing, in a drill string. The tubular member has at least one cavity formed on an external surface. At least one housing is adapted to be insertable and extractable in the cavity without further tool disassembly. The housing has at least one electrical device such as a battery stack disposed within. In another aspect, sensors are disposed in the housing for measuring downhole parameters of interest including, but not limited to, annulus pressure and annulus temperature. A method of replacing an electrical device in a downhole tool, comprises removing a first housing containing the electrical device from a cavity on an external surface of the downhole tool, and installing a second housing containing a second electrical device in the cavity without disassembling the tool further.

Abstract: A rock drill includes a mounting frame to which a hammering apparatus and a rotating apparatus is arranged. The mounting frame is made maneuverable with respect to a feeding beam by means of slide blocks fastened to it, whereby a separate carriage is not needed between the drill and the feeding beam. Owing to the mounting frame, the hammering apparatus and/or the rotating apparatus can be replaceable modules. The invention further relates to a mounting frame which is arranged to transmit the feed and recoil forces directed to the drill to feeding means. The mounting frame comprises a section parallel to the feeding beam, to which slide blocks are fastened, and a transverse axial support thereto, to which the hammering apparatus and the rotating apparatus are mounted.

Abstract: A power tool has a linear motor which includes a movable element having a tool mounted on its one end and having magnotic poles installed at a fixed pitch along the direction of movement, magnetic pole teeth installed in opposition to each other and at a fixed pitch along the direction of movement in a longitudinal direction of the movable element, and a coil for exciting the magnetic pole teeth so that the adjacent magnetic pole teeth and opposed magnetic pole teeth act and different poles, respectively. The power tool further has a control circuit for reciprocating the movable element by exciting the coil, thereby to work on a workpiece by using the tool in the process of this reciprocating movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reciprocating pneumatic tool including first, second and third piston retaining mechanisms for preventing the piston from freely exiting the barrel of the tool when the retaining sleeve and workpiece are removed. The retaining mechanisms are located within the lower portion of the tool barrel, and do not interfere with normal operation of the tool.

Abstract: An electrical hand-held power tool including a pinion (4) for driving a gear set that transmits a rotational movement to a power tool spindle, a pinion shaft (10) for supporting the pinion (4), an electric motor (2) for generating a torque, a rotor shaft (11) connected with the electric motor (2) for transmitting the torque to the pinion shaft (10), and a safety clutch (5) provided between the pinion shaft (10) and the rotor shaft (11), with the pinion shaft being formed as a hollow shaft provided in its interior with inner bearing which rotatably supports the pinion shaft (10), and with the rotor shaft (10) having its end received in the interior of the pinion shaft (10) and supported against the inner bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a downhole rotary coring device placeable in a drill string and comprising a head section, a motor, and a core barrel having an outer motor comprising a rotor connected to the outer barrel and a stator to the head section, whereby the rotor and the stator are movable with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of the drill string.

Abstract: The field of invention relates to ice auger that connects a standard battery operated drill to an adapter that connects a standard battery operated drill to an ice auger. Description of the prior art—Ice augers are known in the prior art and have been extensively utilized by fisherman during winter. To the best of my knowledge, there are no other patents comparable to the Easy Auger Adapter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling directional wellbores using a casing string as a drill stem is taught. A retrievable bit is mounted at an end of the casing string and either a mud motor with a bent housing and/or bent sub or a rotary steerable tool is used to direct the bit to drill directionally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring tubular stands between a substantially horizontal position on the catwalk and a substantially vertical position at the rig floor entry. In one embodiment of the invention, this is accomplished by moving bundles of individual tubulars to the process area, where a stand make-up/break-out machine, also called a bucking machine, makes up the tubular stands. The bucking machine aligns and stabs the connections and makes up the connection to the correct torque. The tubular stand is then transferred from the bucking machine to a stand storage area or to a trolley pick-up area. When additional stands are needed by the drilling operation, a trolley is moved into position over the trolley pick-up area to retrieve the stands previously placed in the trolley pick-up area. The stands are clamped to the trolley and the trolley is moved from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position at the rig floor entry.

Abstract: In a directional drilling apparatus in which a sensor/transmitter or sonde is located in one section of a drill string and an element of an adjacent section is configured to “steer” the bore drilled in a predetermined lateral direction, a device is provided for automatically ensuring correct registry or alignment of the sensor/transmitter and the steerable element, this device comprising an azimuth member on the section carrying the sensor/transmitter engageable with a reference member of the adjoining section to present, after such engagement, relative rotation of the azimuth member, which is rotatable in the section carrying it, with the sensor/transmitter, but non-rotatably connected with the sonde. The reference member or the azimuth member is resiliently displaceable axially to allow the two sections to be screwed up together.

Abstract: A hybrid drive for a motor vehicle which possesses, in a gear train (1), a first electrical machine (4) located between an internal combustion motor (2) and a multi-gear vehicle transmission (3). The hybrid drive further possesses a second electrical machine (6) permanently connected with an input shaft (5) of the transmission. First and second clutches (7, 8), respectively, are placed between the first and second electrical machines (4, 6) and the internal combustion motor (2) and the first and second electrical machines (4, 6) can be respectively driven as either a motor or a generator.

Abstract: A straddle type four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle includes: an engine mounted on a body frame and disposed between front wheels and rear wheels, having a crankcase; a variable-speed V-belt drive disposed on a side of the crankcase and covered with a V-belt drive cover, the V-belt drive cover having an upper wall provided with a cooling air discharge port opening upward; and a cooling air exhaust duct disposed within a right-and-left width of the body frame. The cooling air exhaust duct communicates with the cooling air discharge port and has an air outlet located in front of a seat so that a cooling air is discharged through the air outlet into a space under the seat. Cooling air is discharged through the air outlet of the cooling air exhaust duct into a space under the seat.

Abstract: Arrangement for a compact battery and cooling system. The arrangement includes a plurality of elongate battery cells, each battery cell having a longitudinal axis and a hexagonal cross-sectional shape in a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cells are parallelly oriented, each to the others, within a battery housing. Preferably, the cells are arranged in a honeycomb configuration with opposed faces of adjacent battery cells proximately located one to the other in face-to-face relationship. At least one substantially hexagonally shaped cooling channel is provided at an interior location within the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A drive-by wire steering system is provided. The system comprises a steering shaft and a center feel mechanism. The steering shaft is configured for a first angular displacement about a first axis. The steering shaft has a first geared portion and a first end connectable to a vehicle's steering wheel. The center feel mechanism comprises a cam face, an urging member and a second geared portion. The first geared portion and the second geared portion are operatively engaged such that the first angular displacement of the steering shaft imparts a second angular displacement about a second axis to the center feel mechanism. The cam face and the urging member are configured to generate a retuning torque to the center feel mechanism. The retuning torque has a direction opposite the second angular displacement.

Abstract: A steering angle ratio control system is provided which includes a steering angle ratio varying mechanism capable of varying a steering angle ratio by an electric drive unit, and a controller for controlling the steering angle ratio varying mechanism based on a steering angle ratio determined by a steering angle ratio determining section. The controller includes an electric drive unit overheat protecting section that determines, when the temperature of the electric drive unit rises beyond a predetermined temperature, a smaller steering angle ratio as compared with a steering angle ratio determined thereby when the temperature of the electric drive unit is lower than the predetermined temperature. A steering angle ratio control method is also provided.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: In an electric power steering device equipped with an anti-theft function, a steering shaft is surrounded by a coil inside a sensor housing of a torque sensor. A receiving portion is provided on the outer circumference of an upper shaft which is provided as a separate entity to input and output shafts that are capable of mutual elastic relative rotation. This coil is disposed between the receiving portion and an auxiliary steering power transmitting driven gear which is provided on the outer circumference of the steering shaft. The outer diameters of the receiving portion and the driven gear are larger than the inner diameter of the coil. A lock member is received by the receiving portion, whereby the rotation of the steering shaft is restricted.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolated from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: To provide a steering system that may simultaneously allow manual steering and automatic steering, and in addition ensure the same steering feeling as normal even if the manual and automatic steering are simultaneously performed, there is provided a steering system including: a target reactive force generating unit for generating a target value of a reactive torque; a reactive torque detecting unit for detecting a reactive torque; a reactive torque controlling unit for controlling a drive torque; a steerable vehicle wheel controlling mechanism for controlling a steering direction of steerable vehicle wheels; an actual steering detecting unit for detecting the actual steering angle of the steerable vehicle wheels; a target steering angle generating unit for generating a target value of the steering angle of the steerable vehicle wheels; and an actual steering angle controlling unit for driving and controlling the steerable vehicle wheel controlling mechanism.

Abstract: A regenerative combustion device having a combustion zone, and chemicals contained within the combustion zone, such as water, having a first equilibrium state, and a second combustible state. Means for transforming the chemicals from the first equilibrium state to the second combustible state, such as electrodes, are disposed within the chemicals. An igniter, such as a spark plug or similar device, is disposed within the combustion zone for igniting combustion of the chemicals in the second combustible state. The combustion products are contained within the combustion zone, and the chemicals are selected such that the combustion products naturally chemically revert into the chemicals in the first equilibrium state following combustion. The combustion device may thus be repeatedly reused, requiring only a brief wait after each ignition to allow the regeneration of combustible gasses within the head space.

Abstract: Acoustic diffuser comprising a containing element able to contain at least a loudspeaker, wherein the containing element is formed by a monocoque made with granules of solid mineral held together by a cohesion material.

Abstract: An exhaust system support structure is provided with a vehicle body bracket, a vibration insulating member and an exhaust bracket. The vehicle body bracket has a base part that is coupled to a vehicle body member, and a pair of support parts extending from the base part. The vibration insulating member is coupled between the support parts. The exhaust bracket has a first end coupled to the vibration insulating member and a second end coupled to an exhaust system member. The vibration insulating member includes a housing part that houses the first end of the exhaust bracket. The support parts can be linked together with a linking part. Vibrational displacement of the vibration insulating member is suppressed by a regulating body protruding from the vehicle body bracket side of the vibration insulating member and a regulating body protruding from the linking part side of the vibration insulating member.

Abstract: A Helmholtz resonator (24, 24′, 24″, 24a), which is screened in an acoustically transparent manner from the flow (S) by means of an absorption noise suppressor (36) is located on the flow duct (16) in order to suppress the low frequencies in an exhaust gas system (10) for industrial gas turbines with an exhaust gas conduit (12) and a chimney (14) which is connected to it, which together form a continuous flow duct (16).

Abstract: A muffler comprises a case having opposed ends closed; a partition structure installed in the case to constitute a sound silencing path; inlet and outlet pipes incorporated with the sound silencing path; and a sound shielding wall structure installed in the case to constitute a part of the sound silencing path.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dust preventing structure of a guide unit comprising a track shaft and a sliding member engaging the track shaft via a plurality of rolling bodies such that it is capable of reciprocating in a length direction thereof. Elastic members in firm contact with the track shaft are overlaid in the length direction of the track shaft. A lubricant pocket forming member having a concave groove portion for forming a lubricant pocket constituted of the elastic members and filled with lubricant by a help of the surface of the track shaft as well is provided so as to achieve a smooth reciprocating motion of the sliding member with respect to the track shaft with less sliding friction. Particularly, under even a severe use condition in which use of coolant is required or dust, dirt, wooden pieces, cutting powder or the like falls on the guide unit, a smooth reciprocating motion of the sliding member with respect to the track shaft can be maintained in a long period.

Abstract: A rotational-part supporter has a structure in which one of either an inner part or an outer part is fixed, and the other one is rotated, and a main rotational shaft lies between the inner and outer parts. A revolving speed below a revolving speed based on a lubrication lifetime predicted for each rotational bearing (3) is stored in a memory (61) disposed in the lubricant supply controller (6). When a revolving speed obtained by actual rotation coincides with the stored revolving speed in the rotational bearing (3) after supplying the lubricant, the controller (6) issues a signal indicating that the lubricant should be newly supplied, and thereby a safety operation can be realized.

Abstract: A lubricant injector having a measuring chamber, venting of the injector involving transmission of lubricant from its inlet to the measuring chamber, a method of operation of the injector involving such transmission, systems embodying one or more of such injectors, improving the performance of existing systems by use of one or more such injectors, an injector/connector assembly, and an injector sealing assembly.

Abstract: A modular conveyor that may used, for example, as a take-away conveyor or an accumulation conveyor in a checkstand. The modular conveyor includes front and rear brackets that are configured for attachment of rollers for the conveyor belt. The front and rear brackets are designed so that they may be attached to a deck, such as a wooden board. The belt is attached on the rollers, and wraps over the deck. The length of the deck, or wooden board, may be varied, permitting same-shaped brackets to be used to form variable lengths of conveyors. Two brackets may be used for each end of the conveyor, one each for supporting opposite sides of the roller at that end of the conveyor. In this manner, the deck may be widened or narrowed, so that the same brackets may be used to create conveyors of various widths.

Abstract: A disc brake system (10) comprises a disc (12,14), and a hub (16) which is arranged to rotate about an axis (18) thereof. The system (10) also comprises a mounting arrangement (20,22) by which the disc (12,14) is mounted on the hub (16) so that the hub and the disc rotate as a unit about the axis (18) and the disc can perform axial sliding movement on said hub. The mounting arrangement comprises a plurality of axially-extending grooves (20) formed in the hub (16) and teeth (22) projecting from the disc (12,14) into the grooves. The system (10) also comprises springs (32,42) located in at least some of the grooves (20) and engaging the teeth (22) acting to apply radial force between the disc (12,14) and the hub (16).

Abstract: A disc brake for a heavy road vehicle has a caliper arranged at a brake disc mounted on a wheel axle of the vehicle. A thrust rod of the disc brake transforms a rotational ingoing movement from a drive means into a linear outgoing movement for transmission to a disc brake pad, intended for braking engagement with the brake disc. The thrust rod has a non-rotatable spindle, a rotatable nut member in thread engagement with the spindle, and a thrust rod gear for receiving the ingoing rotational movement. A biased roller and ramp arrangement is operationally interposed between the nut member and the thrust rod gear and is intended for rotating the nut member on the spindle at a low counterforce in the spindle and for axially transferring the nut member with the spindle at a high counterforce in the spindle.

Abstract: A vehicle has a park brake system, which has set a set operational state for holding the vehicle in a parked position, and a released operational state in which the vehicle may be driven. The park brake system includes a park brake actuator and connecting linkages which are driven by an operator of the vehicle in an engaging direction in order to effect the set operational state of the park brake system. The park brake system further includes a return spring engaged to the connecting linkages in such a manner to drive them and the park brake actuator in a disengaging direction and to ensure maintenance of the released operational state of the park brake system after it is effected by an operator. The park brake system also includes an impact-reduction energy absorber such as a spring, damper, or some combination thereof for absorbing some of the energy transferred to the connecting linkages when the return spring drives the connecting linkages and the park brake actuator in their disengaging directions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a disc brake mainly for road vehicles. The disc brake comprises a fixed caliper straddling one or more brake discs, one or more thrust plates and a number of brake pads. The brake discs are received in a non-rotating but axially moveable relationship on a rotating hub. The brake pads are guided axially moveable in the caliper taking up the load of the brake pads.

Abstract: A damper, such as a vehicle shock absorber, and a method for attaching a ring to a base cup of a damper. The method includes the step of autogenously welding the ring to the damper base cup. The damper includes a ring autogenously welded to the damper base cup. In one variation, the ring is continuous and the base cup has a substantially convex surface with an outward projection. In another variation, the ring is split and has an end portion having a tab which projects radially outward. In one implementation, the welding consists essentially of drawn arc welding.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly (1) for a drum brake, the brake shoe assembly being a single-piece construction and including a brake shoe (2) of generally circular form having two separate and opposed ends (17, 18), and defining a pair of friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) disposed on opposite sides of the brake shoe (2). The friction lining mounting sections (11, 12) have a T-shaped cross-sectional form defining an arcuate, radially outer platform (15) for mounting a friction lining (16) and a radially inwardly extending web (14). The brake shoe (2) including hinge means (27, 28) between the lining mounting sections (11, 12), facilitating pivoting movement of the lining mounting sections (11, 12), to alter the separation between the brake ends (17, 18) between a brake operative condition in which in use, the friction lining (16) engages a braking surface of a drum to which the brake shoe assembly (1) is fitted, and a brake inoperative condition in which there is no such engagement.

Abstract: Fluid current induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible active or passive damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. In underwater currents, the damper bands force or channel the fluid flow over a circular cross-sectional shape, which inhibits lift, and therefore damps the cable stay oscillations. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables. Each damper band may include a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.

Abstract: A series resonant inductive pickup has a bi-directional solid state switch in series with an inductor and a capacitor is controlled by switch control elements capable of causing the switching elements to repetitively be in either an open or a closed state, so that by varying the closed: open ratio of the switch the time-averaged amount of power picked up by the power pickup can be controlled. Switch is controlled by output of a voltage comparing circuit. A reference voltage source provides a basis for comparison of some fraction of a supply voltage in order to cause the switch to operate. The magnitude of capacitance in relation to the current drawn by the load determines the repetition rate of ON or OFF commands to the switch. If the current drawn by the load tends to zero, the proportion of time during which the switch is open will tend to 100%.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly for use on a riding lawnmower or other powered equipment includes a pair of input disks, a pair of output disks, and a housing. An output pulley is coupled for rotation with the output disks and is coupled to at least one working shaft, such as a blade shaft supporting a cutting blade of the lawnmower. The input and output disks are disengaged from each other when the clutch/brake assembly is in a braking condition. Also, when in the braking condition, at least one of the output disks is biased against a braking surface of the housing to resist rotation of the output pulley and the working shafts. An actuator assembly is also included in the clutch/brake assembly, and is actuable to substantially simultaneously disengage the output disks from the braking surface of the housing and sandwich the input and output disks together. When sandwiched together, the input and output disks are coupled for rotation together by the frictional forces therebetween.

Abstract: Clutch for a pedal vehicle having pedals and a frame and a method of transmitting power from the pedals, wherein the clutch is shiftable in two rotational directions. The clutch includes a drive shaft which can rotate in each of two directions upon corresponding rotation of the pedals in each of the two directions. A catch element is fixedly secured to the drive shaft. A driven shaft is provided. An engagement mechanism is arranged between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. A fixed member is provided. A holding element frictionally engages the fixed member. A spring element is biased to release the engagement mechanism from engagement with the driven shaft. The clutch allows the pedal vehicle to be moved in each of the two directions with or without corresponding movement of the pedals.

Abstract: A one-way clutch unit has a one-way clutch having rollers serving as engaging members and a retainer for retaining the rollers and a ball bearing axially adjacent to the one-way clutch and having balls and a retainer for retaining the balls. And in order to reduce the number of component parts and the axial length of the unit, the one-way clutch unit has a one-piece outer ring having a first outer ring part for the one-way clutch and a second outer ring part for the ball bearing, which parts are integral with each other. The one-way clutch unit also has a one-piece inner ring having a first inner ring part for the one-way clutch and a second inner ring part for the ball bearing, which parts are integral with each other.

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: An automatic clutch for automotive and other applications employs a control rod to manually control engagement and disengagement of the clutch independently of its speed of rotation, and in one form of invention can be employed in manual start motorcycles to engage the clutch for bumpstarting purposes before the engine is up to speed, and in an alternate form a control rod can be employed in electrically started bikes to lock the clutch against engagement whether or not the engine is up to the speed required for automatic engagement of the clutch. The control rod may either extend through the transmission shaft from one end of the clutch housing or may extend through the opposite end of the clutch housing, and in certain applications the hereinbefore described control rods can be combined to selectively control bumpstarting to manually effect clutch engagement or as a locking mechanism to prevent clutch engagement.