Abstract: Compositions comprising a base fluid and a monoester copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride are disclosed. The compositions can further comprise an alkyl orthophosphate ester. The base fluid can be an aqueous or organic base fluid. The monoester copolymer is at least partially soluble or dispersible in the base fluid. Preferably, the composition may further include a cross-linking agent capable of increasing the viscosity of the composition, such as aluminum isopropoxide or other metal source compounds. The composition can form a gel which is stable at a temperature of about 250° F. (121° C.) or higher. Some gels of the present invention exhibit stability up to about 300° F. (149° C.) to 350° F. (177° C.) or higher. The compositions have many applications, such as pipeline treatment, conformance, hydraulic fracturing, well completion, gravel packing, drilling fluids, process facility treatment fluids, and other well treatment applications.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a downhole formation according to which a plurality of jet nozzles are located in a spaced relation to the wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. An acid-containing, stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus and against the wall of the formation. A gas is pumped into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to impact the wall of the formation.

Abstract: A method is described for using an electro-rheological fluid as a drilling and completion fluid or as a well service or fracturing fluid. By adjusting the viscosity of the fluid through application of an electrical potential to the fluid, the fluid has enhanced flexibility and multiplicity of purpose over prior art fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple debris removal apparatus for use in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention a modular, interchangeable venturi is provided which can be retrofit into an existing debris bailer having a filter and a debris collection container. In another aspect of the invention, a venturi is utilized to create a negative pressure in a wellbore sufficient to actuate a retrieval tool for a downhole device. In yet another aspect of the invention, a combination tool is provided which can evacuate debris in a wellbore, thereby uncovering a downhole device which can then be removed in a single trip. In yet another aspect of the invention, a debris removal apparatus is provided with a method for the apparatus in a wellbore on coiled tubing.

Abstract: A downhole subsurface safety valve device, where an actuator is mounted on the outside of the well on the Christmas tree and the valve is operated by a mechanical transmission which may be linear (an hydraulic actuator) or rotary (an electric motor).

Abstract: The present invention discloses multiple sealing systems for composite risers and methods of preventing interior fluid leakage to the outside of composite risers. Single or multiple elastomeric seals are formed between an elastomer applied in single or multiple grooves provided circumferentially along the outer surface of a metal to composite interface (MCI) of a liner assembly of the composite riser and an elastomeric shear ply provided on the outside of the liner assembly. The elastomeric seals and a seal between the MCI and the liner of the liner assembly provide a multiple sealing system for the composite riser to prevent leakage of interior fluids. In the event that the integrity of the seal between the MCI and liner fails or the integrity of the liner is compromised, the elastomeric seals would prevent leakage of the fluid to the outside of the composite riser.

Abstract: A plug retrieval and installation tool is used with a subsea well having a production tree, a tubing hanger, a passage that extends vertically through the tubing hanger and the tree, and a plug located within a plug profile in the passage within the tubing hanger. The plug retrieval device has a housing and connector that is lowered on a lift line onto the upper end of the tree. An axially extensible stem in the housing is driven by drive mechanism into the production passage of the tubing hanger. A retrieval member mounted to the stem engages the plug and pulls it upwardly in the passage while the stem is being moved upward. The connector, drive mechanism and retrieval member are powered by an ROV.

Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a multipart piston that is dropped into the well in separate pieces. When the pieces reach the bottom of the well, they fall into an accumulation of the formation liquid in the bottom of the well and unite. Gas from the formation pushes the unit upwardly, pushing liquid above the piston toward the surface. The multipart piston includes a upper sleeve and a lower component. A decoupler at the surface comprises a separator rod which the sleeve passes onto thereby dislodging the lower component and allowing it to fall into the well. The sleeve is held on the separator rod by the action of well contents flowing around and/or through the sleeve. When well flow around the sleeve is interrupted, the sleeve falls into the well. The length of time the sleeve is held at the surface is varied in response to the amount of liquid produced on each cycle.

Abstract: Well surface equipment is provided to seal around the outer surface of portions of tool sections as the tool sections are assembled or disconnected in a portion of the well surface equipment. The portion of the well surface equipment is isolated from wellhead pressure to enhance well operator control during assembly or disassembly of a tool string. Also, if a fluid path is opened up due to activation of the tool string (such as initiation of a detonating cord that is placed in the fluid path), a barrier mechanism is actuated to block fluid communication through this fluid path so that a portion of the well surface equipment can remain isolated from wellhead pressure to enable convenient retrieval and disconnection of tool sections.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general-purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: A gripping tool 10 may be positioned in a well on a running string RS to at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall. The gripping tool includes a drag member 72, a plurality of slips 40, 48, and a cone member 30, 46. A slip setting mechanism 88 is provided for securing the slips in the radially inward position when the slip setting mechanism is run-in the well. At least one ramp moves the slip setting mechanism to a released position upon rotation of the running string in a first direction. A ratchet member rotationally releases the running string from the slip setting mechanism when the running string is rotated in an opposing direction. The tool may be set, released by pickup and returned to the run-in position, then reset without returning the tool to the surface.

Abstract: A well completion has an expanded tubing portion and an unexpanded tubing portion. A seal is provided on the unexpanded portion. In another embodiment, an expandable tubing is provided and a gravel pack operation is performed.

Abstract: A fire fighting apparatus comprising a container with two tanks therein, one holding a quantity of water and another holding a quantity of foaming agent, a pump operated by a gasoline engine, several hoses for directing a water/foam mixture at a fire and for refilling the water tank with water from a source, and a valve system for directing the water/foaming agent mixture through two different hoses at the fire while water from a source is used either directly on the fire or for replacing water taken from the tank. The apparatus is held within a container mounted on casters so that it can be conveniently wheeled about. The unit is adapted for use in areas remote from fire departments.

Abstract: A construction vehicle has a working appliance such as a blade, which is mounted on a vehicle frame such that it can pivot in the vertical direction about a first axis and it can pivot about a second axis substantially perpendicular thereto, for which purpose at least one hydraulic device is provided. The position of the axis about which the working appliance can pivot can be varied in relation to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A rigid preformed insert is molded into a plastic housing for a power tool. The power tool further comprises a motor having a shaft, the motor being at least partly supported by the insert, and an impact clutch attached to the insert and operatively coupled to the motor shaft. The motor and clutch have a common axis, with the preformed insert located between the motor and the clutch. The insert fixedly secures the axis of the output shaft of the motor. The insert also forms a seal between the motor and clutch. The insert will not warp, distort or otherwise lose tolerance as a result of the molding process for the plastic housing. Further, because the insert is preformed of metal, is precisely orientated within the housing mold, and is permanently molded into the housing, it accurately defines the motor-clutch axis minimizing misalignment of the motor shaft.

Abstract: Geological probing device comprising a hollow probing rod to be extended into the geological matter to be probed, and a measuring probe fitted to the probing rod, said measuring probe comprising sensors for obtaining information about the matter. The measuring probe further comprises a microwave transmitter, arranged to transmit microwaves carrying data from said sensors, said hollow probing rod being adapted to act as a waveguide, guiding the microwaves to an upper orifice of said hollow probing rod. Compared to previously known techniques, the device according to the invention offers a reliable transmission of data under normal working conditions, and without substantive modifications of the probing rod or other equipment.

Abstract: An excavation system includes a cutting tool coupled to a drill pipe, an adjustable steering mechanism provided on or in the cutting tool, and a driving apparatus coupled to the drill pipe for moving the cutting tool along an underground path. The system further includes a navigation sensor system and a controller. The controller produces a control signal to adjust one or both of the steering mechanism and the driving apparatus for directing the cutting tool along the underground path in accordance with one or both of position information and orientation information produced by the navigation sensor system.

Abstract: A sponge core barrel for use in performing sponge coring and methods of assembling the sponge core barrel, as well as methods of performing sponge coring. The sponge core barrel includes an outer barrel assembly, a core bit secured to a lower end thereof, and an inner barrel assembly disposed therein. The inner barrel assembly may comprise multiple, sponge-lined inner tube sections and may also include a near-bit swivel assembly. The sponge core barrel may include a piston assembly configured to be released by contact with a core sample without imparting high compressive forces to the core. The sponge core barrel may also include a pressure compensation mechanism and, optionally, a thermal compensation mechanism cooperatively configured to maintain the pressure of presaturation fluid. The sponge core barrel may also include a valve assembly enabling the make-up and presaturation of multiple sections of inner tube to form a single, continuous chamber.

Abstract: A drilling method in which a rotary drill bit is mounted on a tubular drillstring extending through a bore comprises: drilling through a formation containing fluid at a predetermined pressure; circulating drilling fluid down through the drill string to exit the string at or adjacent the bit, and then upwards through an annulus between the string and bore wall; and adding energy to the drilling fluid in the annulus location above the formation. The addition of energy to the fluid in the annulus has the effect that the pressure of the drilling fluid above the formation may be higher than the pressure of the drilling fluid in communication with the formation and that predetermined differential may be created between the pressure of the formation fluid and the pressure of the drilling fluid in communication with the formation.

Abstract: A suction drill unit for the installation of a drill dowel (2) into rock, concrete, masonry and similar materials has an insertion end (3) for insertion into an at least partially rotary and percussive acting hand tool drilling device, with a reduced diameter shank (7) having an open suction passageway (9) extending axially through the shank (7) towards a bit head (8) and a rearward radial communication passage (10) connected thereto for suction-tight communication with a non-rotary suction head (11), wherein the drill bit head (8) is formed with an eccentrically arranged bit head tip (12) for boring of a hole (14) having a diameter (D) greater than that of the drill bit head diameter (B).

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string, a bearing journal depending from the bit body and a single roller cone rotatably attached to the journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed thereon. In one aspect, the inserts have an extension length of at least 0.6 inches. A roller cone drill bit is disclosed, including a bit body, a bearing journal depending from the bit body, and a single roller cone rotatably attached to the journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed thereon. In another aspect, the inserts are arranged such that at most about 20 percent of the inserts are crossed substantially at centerlines thereof by any single plane which contains the axis of the cone axis 10 and which crosses at least two of the inserts.

Abstract: An insert chip of an oil-drilling tricone bit includes an insert-chip substrate made of a cemented carbide of a first composition, and further includes a cemented carbide coating layer constituted of at least two stacked coating layers made of a cemented carbide of a composition different from the first composition. The cemented carbide coating layer covers the whole of a cutting edge of the insert-chip substrate. The coating layers each have a thickness, at a tip portion of the cutting edge, in a range from 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm, and the total thickness of the cemented carbide coating layer is in a range from 1 mm to 5 mm. The coating layers include an outermost cemented carbide layer and at least one intermediate coating layer in addition to the outermost cemented carbide layer, and the outermost cemented carbide layer has a hardness higher than that of the at least one intermediate coating layer and of the insert-chip substrate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing a frame structure of a crawler type construction machine vehicle facilitating a degree of freedom of reforming in accordance with a variation of vehicle kind. The frame structure is capable of setting a vehicle body gravitational center position to an optimum portion by use of an upper vehicle frame at an arbitrary position that is capable of strengthening total rigidity by an integrated structure. The frame structure has left and right track frames, and front and rear cross beams for coupling the left and right track frames in a shape of a lattice. A vehicle body frame is disposed between inner sides of the left and right track frames and coupled thereto in the shape of a lattice above the front and rear cross beams and the left and right track frames. The front and rear cross beams and the vehicle body frames are integrally constituted.

Abstract: A vehicle characterized by a deceleration that is readily adjustable in the course of braking control with a torque of a motor mounted on a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle has a power system including an engine, a motor, a torque converter, a transmission, and an axle that are linked with one another in series. The transmission is a mechanism that changes over a gear ratio under control of a control unit to vary the transmitted torque. The driver manipulates a gearshift lever in the vehicle to specify a desired deceleration by power source braking. The control unit refers to a predetermined map and specifies a combination of motor torque and gear ratio to attain the specified deceleration. In the course of braking control, the deceleration is corrected according to a step-on amount of an accelerator pedal in a range of play of the accelerator pedal. This arrangement facilitates minute adjustment of the deceleration by the power source braking.

Abstract: A hood-latching system for a vehicle that has an engine-compartment hood that can be moved between a closed position and one or more open positions. The hood-latching system comprises one or more novel hood latches that are operable, when secured in a latched state to apply hood retention forces to the engine-compartment hood and thus, to secure the engine-compartment hood in its closed position. The novel hood latches of the hood latching system comprise prop legs that support the novel hood latches out of a path of travel of the engine-compartment hood when the novel hood latches are not secured in a latched state. The prop legs of the novel hood latches, thus, enable one person to close the engine-compartment hood of the vehicle without pinching the novel hood latches between the engine-compartment hood and latch-anchor components to which the novel hood latches are mounted.

Abstract: A box type silencer unit includes a ventilation portion, a silencer portion adjacent to the ventilation portion, and a dividing partition located between the ventilation portion and the silencer portion. The ventilation portion is formed of a ventilating passage opened through a front end and a back end of the box body. The silencer portion is formed by closing the front end and the back end of the box body and includes at least one partition plate to make a plurality of silencing passages of different length. Each of the silencing passages communicates with the ventilation passage through at least one opening formed in the dividing partition and at least one of those silencing passages is provided with at least one passage extending partition to extend the length of the silencing passage. This device can be applied to such a portion, e.g., the front grille or bumper of an automobile as cannot take a large area in front of the ventilation or a depth in the ventilating direction.

Abstract: A ground effect vehicle apparatus comprising a vehicle body of integral and contiguous construction including a medial portion having an aerodynamic upper surface, and a pair of spaced apart laterally positioned portions separated by the medial portion. Lower extremities of the laterally positioned portions extend downwardly below the medial portion to restrain air flow between them as it moves toward the rear of the body. Forward extremities of the laterally positioned portions extend forward of the medial portion to, again, restrain air flow from moving laterally. Power plants are mounted within the medial portion and support aircraft type propellers positioned forward of the medial portion of the body. The propellers are mechanized for moving over an arcuate vertical range, such that their force vectors are directable between the horizontal and approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal.

Abstract: An automotive powertrain includes a hydraulic drive circuit including at least one of: (1) a hydraulic pump/motor having a shaft fixed to for rotation with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and (2) a pair of pump/motors coaxially arranged to share a common shaft on which is mounted a gear of a gear set for transmitting output to the vehicle drive wheels. Hydraulic control logics are provided for control of the various pump/motors of the hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: An electrical bicycle includes a front body unit, a rear body unit and a pivot coupler unit which couples the front body unit and the rear body unit. The coupler unit enables the front body unit to be turned relative to the rear body unit when the rider turns his or her body to shift his or her center of gravity.

Abstract: In a vehicle in which an engine output power is transmitted to front and rear wheels through a transmission and an inter axle differential, a wheel lock prevention device is provided. The wheel lock prevention device comprises a differential lock mechanism for locking the inter axle differential, a detection element for detecting a wheel lock state of the front and rear wheels, and an operation element for operating the differential lock mechanism so as to lock the inter axle differential by operating the differential lock mechanism upon the detection of the wheel lock state.

Abstract: An attachment structure for a vehicle master cylinder that suppresses displacement of a pedal towards the rear of the vehicle to make it possible to maintain large legroom in front of the driver's seat. A clutch pedal is fitted to a dashboard via a pedal bracket. The master cylinder is attached to the side surface sections of the pedal bracket by a fastening member at a flange section so as to capable of swinging around a fixed axis extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle. The master cylinder and the clutch pedal are mechanically connected through a push rod. If an external force greater than a specified value is input, the master cylinder swings around a fixed axis extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body. The push rod also swings with the pivot shaft as a fulcrum, accompanying swinging of the master cylinder. Displacement of the master cylinder and the push rod towards the rear of the vehicle is controlled by the swinging itself.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a two-cylinder V-engine, having front and rear cylinders and mounted on a saddle-type all-terrain vehicle, includes a muffler disposed behind the two-cylinder V-engine and provided with two connecting openings, a front-cylinder exhaust pipe having one end connected to the exhaust port of the front cylinder, and a rear-cylinder exhaust pipe having one end connected to the rear cylinder. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is bent so as to extend rearward along side surfaces of the front and the rear cylinders to the muffler and is detachably connected to the connecting opening. The rear-cylinder exhaust pipe is fitted in the other connecting opening and is welded to the muffler.

Abstract: An ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle has a sleeve, an axle, a spring and a propeller. The sleeve is secured in an opening end of the exhaust pipe. The axle is moveably received in the sleeve. The axle has a first end exposed from the sleeve and a second and extending into the sleeve. The spring is received in the sleeve and is securely attached between the sleeve and the second end of axle. The propeller is rotatably mounted on the first end of the axle. Accordingly, the propeller will rotate when the waste gases are emitted from the exhaust pipe, and the axle will move relative to the sleeve. This can provide an excellent visual effect to the vehicle, and the appearance of the vehicle is improved.

Abstract: A drive system for propelling a lawnmower which includes a chassis, a driveshaft, a pair of ground engaging wheels and means for moving the ground engaging wheels into direct contact with the driveshaft. The driveshaft is mounted firmly in the chassis, allowing the use of a variable speed transmission that rotates the driveshaft at different speeds; the selection of these speeds to be controlled by the operator. The ground engaging wheels are moved by the operator into direct contact with the driveshaft to accomplish the propulsion of the lawnmower.

Abstract: An independent steering and/or braking control to improve motor vehicle stability and stopping utilizes a steer-by-wire system that includes a steering input system, a controller in electronic communication with the steering input system, and a plurality of roadwheel systems. Each of the roadwheel systems is in electronic communication with the controller, and each roadwheel system includes a steering actuator and a steerable wheel rotatably and operably connected to the steering actuator. The steerable wheel is configured to be angled independent of other steerable wheels and relative to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A method of stopping the motor vehicle as it travels includes angling a pair of the steerable wheels thereof in opposing directions.

Abstract: A steering actuator can be controlled such that the ratio between amount of operation of an operating member and amount of steering of vehicle wheels changes. Movement of the steering actuator is transmitted to the vehicle wheel such that variation in steering angle is generated. A relationship between behavior index value for operating corresponding to change in behavior of the vehicle caused by change in steering angle, target behavior index value for operating corresponding to amount of operation of the operating member, and target operating torque is stored. The target operating torque is calculated from the stored relationship, the determined behavior index value for operating, and the determined target behavior index value for operating. An operating actuator for generating torque which acts upon the operating member is controlled such that the operating torque of the operating member corresponds to the target operating torque.

Abstract: In en electric power steering apparatus, a motor controller unit controls PWM driving of a brushless motor for imparting a steering torque assist, on the basis of output signals of at least a steering torque detector section, motor current detector section and rotational angle detector section that includes a resolver. Either one of a predetermined frequency of the PWM driving and predetermined exciting frequency of the resolver is set to be an integral multiple of the other of the predetermined PWM driving frequency and the predetermined exciting frequency.

Abstract: The speaker assembly includes a speaker housing having a closed top wall and an opposed open end. The speaker assembly further includes a first sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The first sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end. A portion of the exterior surface of the cone is covered, thereby, revealing an exposed portion which defines the directionality of the first sound source. The speaker assembly also includes a second sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The second sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end.

Abstract: A coaxial speaker system that includes an acoustic bass resonator, a lower speaker case that extends from the acoustic bass resonator, an upper speaker case that extends from the lower speaker case, and a coaxial speaker that interfaces with both the lower and upper speakers cases. The acoustic bass resonator and the lower and upper speaker cases are each tubular. The acoustic bass resonator has a pair of ports that extend therethrough. The lower speaker case has a pair of bass ports that extend through diametrically opposite sides thereof, a first diffuser panel that extends coaxially therein, and a second diffuser panel that extends coaxially therein, perpendicular to the first diffuser panel. The upper speaker case has a port that extends therethrough and is generally parabolic-shaped, and a high frequency deflector panel that is generally parabolic-shaped, extends skewly rearwardly therein, and cooperates with the port therein.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure is disclosed. The loudspeaker enclosure comprises a base panel, a first side panel configured to attach to the base panel, a second side panel configured to attach to the base panel, a top panel configured to attach to the first side panel and the second side panel, a front panel configured to attach to the base panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel, the front panel defining at least one loudspeaker opening configured to receive a loudspeaker, and a rear panel configured to attach to the base panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel.

Abstract: An extension ladder and tree stand for supporting a seated or standing person on an elevated platform against a tree trunk for hunting, photography, and the like. The ladder and platform collapse into a compact size and shape for carrying by a person. The ladder is in telescoping sections. Alternate steps of the ladder slide to the middle of each telescoping section. This provides twice as many steps as sections, reducing the number of telescoping sections by half. This minimizes weight, size, complexity, and expense. When deployed, all parts remain safely assembled in all positions. Captive spring loaded pins fix the telescoping sections in extended or retracted positions, and fix the sliding steps in a middle position of each section. A folding seat on the platform has a cushion that reconfigures into a back cushion for carrying the collapsed assembly on the back of a person.

Abstract: A ladder for people with limited mobility comprising a first frame member defining a first sidewall; a second frame member defining a second sidewall; a plurality of steps spanning between the first and second sidewalls, from a first level above the surface to the upper level substantially to the height of a wheelchair seat; handles positioned above each of the steps, so that a person is able to place one's hands on the handles and lift oneself up the first step, and grasp the next highest handles and lift to the next highest step until the person is able to move from the highest step onto the wheelchair seat.

Abstract: Wayside lubrication apparatus for railroad track wherein metered charges of lubricant are delivered to points spaced at intervals along the gage sides of the heads of the rails, and systems for and methods of monitoring the apparatus at a location remote from the site thereof.

Abstract: A breather device for a power train of an electric vehicle including an electric motor and a gearbox connected to the electric motor. The breather device comprises: a breather chamber provided above a connecting portion connecting an electric motor housing and a gearbox casing; a first breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and an inside of the electric motor housing; and a second breather passage providing a communication between the breather chamber and a lubricating oil separation chamber formed in the gearbox casing.

Abstract: A transport apparatus transports objects from one location to another, and in particular between a check station and a conveyor system. The apparatus has an arm that is structured and arranged to be located in a bagwell near the check station. The arm is telescoping and is contained in a base unit. A platform for receiving baggage is coupled to a free end of the arm and extends over the base unit when the apparatus is retracted. The platform has a roller that bears on the floor. As the arm extends and retracts, the platform rolls on the floor. Internal roller bearings allow the arm to telescope. The arm and the platform can be adjusted in height and the widths of the base unit and platform can be adjusted to the bagwell.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting pivoting of a pivotal axle in a forklift. The forklift has an axle that is supported pivotally relative to a body frame. A damper is arranged between the body frame and the axle to permit and restrict pivoting of the axle. An electromagnetic valve locks the damper to restrict pivoting of the axle. The axle is free to pivot when the pivot angle of the axle relative to the body frame exceeds a predetermined reference angle. A controller refers to the pivot angle and other factors relating to vehicle stability when deciding whether to restrict pivoting of the axle.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for use in conjunction with an elevator construction having an elevator car operably connected to a pair of hydraulic rams comprises a chassis having a floor and a sidewall forming a hydraulic fluid sump region. The hydraulic rams are mounted to the floor in the sump region. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is supported by the chassis, which also supports a pump/motor unit for the rams. Leveling feet mounted to the chassis allow the power unit to accommodate a variety of conditions in the hoistway pit.

Abstract: A horizontal door system is used in conjunction with an interfloor vertical transport system that penetrates an opening in a floor. The vertical transport system has vertical elements that define a fixed horizontal cross-section within the opening, and the door system includes a leading edge profile having a configuration matching the fixed horizontal cross-section of the vertical transport system. The door system is particularly suitable as a fire door system to seal upper and lower fire zones.

Abstract: A safety brake for braking a load receiving portion of an elevator has at least one brake wedge that penetrates a gap between a resiliently supported pressure body and a guide rail for the load receiving portion of the elevator and thereby generates a braking force. A stroke limiting device limits the penetration stroke of the brake wedge and controls the braking force in dependence on the retardation value of the load receiving portion of the elevator.

Abstract: A wear detection probe for detection of wear of a braking member is mounted in or adjacent to the braking member. The wear detection probe includes a holder having a detection wire in a wiring path. The detection wire has a folded portion, and two portions extending from the folded portion in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the brake rotor. An apex of the folded portion of the detection wire is nearer than the straight portions to the wear surface of the holder, so that after a predetermined amount of wear, the folded portion is broken without breaking the straight portions. The probe is compact, and the wire remains securely in position during use.