Abstract: An oil pump drive assembly for an automobile engine includes an oil pump and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably secured to the oil pump for actuating the oil pump in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The drive shaft extends between a pump end secured to the oil pump and a distal end. A sprocket is secured to the distal end of the drive shaft. A drive gear is secured to the drive shaft between the pump end and the distal end. A driven gear is engaged with the drive gear for rotation of the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft. A balance shaft extends axially from the driven gear for rotation with the driven gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft for dampening vibrations associated with the operation of the automobile engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rack serving device (1) with a load-bearing means (4) displaceable in the height direction of a mast (2), the mast (2) being guided by means of bogie assemblies (7, 8) on bottom and top guide tracks and mounted so as to be displaceable along the guide tracks by means of a bottom and top friction-locking displacement drive (13, 14). The bottom and the top adjusting mechanisms are guided by means of height and lateral guide elements on the guide track and are designed to be displaceable relative to the guide tracks by means of a drive system (33).

Abstract: A wedge-ribbed belt supports an elevator car by underlooping and engages a drive pulley of a drive mounted at the head of an elevator shaft. The belt has a running surface facing the drive pulley with a plurality of ribs and grooves extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the belt. The ribs and grooves can be triangular-shaped or trapezium-shaped in cross section. A plane of the drive pulley is arranged vertically and at right angles to a car wall at a counterweight side of the elevator car and approximately in a middle of a car depth with a vertical projection of the drive pulley onto the counterweight side being outside a vertical projection of the counterweight side. A part of a vertical projection of the drive motor is superimposed on the vertical projection of the counterweight side of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system includes at least one drive with at least one drive pulley, an elevator car and at least one counterweight as well as flat-belt-like support for the car and the counterweight. The elevator car and the counterweight have at least one support roller. The flat-belt-like support means together with the drive pulley and the support rollers form at least one 2:1 suspension system for the car and the counterweight. The flat-belt-like support can be a wedge-ribbed belt or a cogged belt.

Abstract: A drive, a method of operating the drive and an elevator operated by the drive for the movement of persons or goods by at least one car utilize a linear motor. The drive includes at least one linear motor with a secondary part positioned between a first primary part and a second primary part. The drive also includes at least one compensation device that acts by a compensating normal force against an attractive normal force between each of the primary parts and the secondary part.

Abstract: A device moves a door seal for a displaceable door panel of an elevator car in an elevator installation with an elevator shaft having shaft doors. The movable door seal is arranged so that the door panel in a closed state is sealed off. The device includes an entrainer unit connected with the door panel and upon stopping of the elevator car at a floor executes a part movement. The device also includes a coupling mechanism mechanically connecting the entrainer unit with the door seal to bring the door seal out of a sealing position into an open position when the entrainer unit executes the part movement.

Abstract: Equipment for determining a position of an elevator car movable along a guide flange of a guide rail in an elevator installation with a code carrier extending in a travel direction along a length of the guide rail in a groove includes a mount attached to the elevator car, a code reading sensor system attached to the mount, and a plurality of guide rollers rotatably attached to the mount and rolling on the guide flange to maintain the code reading sensor system at a predetermined spacing from the code carrier along two axes.

Abstract: A method and a device for attaching an elevator guide rail to a substrate via a floating mount. The floating mount includes at least one of a base support, a side support, and a backside support. Each of the supports has a moveable part, a stop and a flexible element floatingly supporting the moveable part. Deforming forces cause the guide rail and the moveable part to move in a deforming direction deforming the flexible element until the deforming force exceeds a predetermined limit whereupon the stop limits further movement of the guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a sleeve for a disc brake. The sleeve is furnished with splines (4, 5) on the outer periphery for co-operation with one or more brake discs. The sleeve is to be placed on a wheel axle and is attached to a wheel flange 1 by means of a number of bolts 3 received in threaded openings of the sleeve. A groove is arranged in the sleeve, which groove is parallel with the outer periphery of the sleeve and is open at one end. The sleeve has a generally straight outer periphery allowing the brake disc(s) to be slid off and slid onto the sleeve in any axial direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a wheeled device such as a shopping cart is disclosed. In one embodiment, the securing structure comprises a depression formed in a support surface, such as a concrete or asphalt parking lot. The depression is configured to accept one or more wheels of a wheeled cart therein for restraining the cart. An advertising platform is located in the depression. The advertising platform bears advertising or other information. Another embodiment of the invention is an advertising platform for use with a cart securing structure which is mounted to a support surface. The platform may span the space between two securing structures, the platform having a top surface configured to bear advertising or other information.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a disc brake comprising a caliper, a brake disc and one or more brake pads received in a pad holder. The brake disc and pad holder are axially moveable in relation to the caliper. The brake disc is coated with a brake lining material on one side. On the other side of the brake disc there is no brake lining. The caliper is designed having cooling flanges extending over a part of the brake lining of the caliper.

Abstract: A disc-brake caliper comprises a caliper body suitable for being associated with a disc and has at least one seat suitable for housing a pad which cooperates with thrust means in order to generate a braking force on the disc. The caliper also comprises a brake-fluid distribution circuit for supplying the brake fluid to the thrust means, and at least one reinforcing element disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the caliper body in the region of the seat for the pad.

Abstract: A disc brake pad is suitable for cooperating with a fixed-caliper disc brake comprising a caliper body provided with a seat suitable for housing the pad. The pad seat is defined by a side wall with which the abutment surface of the plate of the pad is brought into abutment during braking.

Abstract: An internally ventilated brake disk has two friction rings which are mutually connected by way of webs, ducts for conducting cooling air being formed between the webs, and the two friction rings, and the webs extending in a curved manner between their end regions. End region of the webs, which point to an outer circumference region of the brake disk, are essentially radially aligned with respect to the brake disk and end region of the webs pointing to an inner circumference side of the brake disk are set at an angle of from 20° to 70°, preferably 30° to 60° C., with respect to a tangent ray applied to this point on the brake disk and pointing against the rotating direction of the brake disk.

Abstract: A wheeled extendable support for long travel cases. When long travel cases are balanced on one corner, a handle on the upper end is too high for ease of use. With this invention, the case is tilted to an angle of 45 degrees or less off the ground and the invented support which has wheels at the bottom is extended from the case to carry a portion of the weight, allowing the handle at the top of the case to be used at a comfortable height. The wheeled support may be built in or added on to a case. The extendable support includes a locking mechanism. The extendable support may be folded upward or downward when collapsed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement is provided with at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit in a clutch housing, the drive-side wall of the housing being connected on the side facing the drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, to the drive unit, a clutch device being provided to bring the housing into or out of working connection with the pump wheel. The clutch device is located inside the clutch housing.

Abstract: A lockup device includes a piston, a clutch plate and an annular coupling member. The piston has a pushing portion opposed to a friction surface of a front cover, and an engagement portion projecting from a portion radially outside the pushing portion toward a front cover. The clutch plate is axially movably and non-rotatably engaged with the engagement portion, and has a frictional coupling portion arranged axially between the friction surface and the pushing portion. The coupling member has an axially flexible body fixed to the front cover, and a pressure-contact portion provided at a radially outer end of the body and arranged axially between the frictional coupling portion and the pushing portion.

Abstract: In a power transfer device composed of a bottomed cylindrical housing 20a rotatably mounted on an inner shaft 20b and a main friction clutch 20c and a pilot friction clutch 30a coaxially assembled within a cylindrical space between the housing 20a and inner shaft 20b through a cam mechanism 30b, the thickness of a shim plate 39b for adjustment of a clearance between an inner clutch plate or outer clutch plate located at one side of an electromagnetic clutch 30a used as the pilot friction clutch and an inner end surface of an end wall block 21b threaded into an opening end portion of the housing 20a is determined on a basis of a clearance L1 between one side surface of a thrust bearing 39a assembled with an input cam member 35 of the cam mechanism 30b and an inner clutch plate or outer clutch plate located at one side of the electromagnetic clutch 30a.

Abstract: The axial displacement of the clutch retainer 28 of the roller clutch 10 is prevented. And, part of the clutch retainer 28 is prevented from rubbing the portion which rotates together with the follower pulley 7 to suppress the heat generation during overrun. Accordingly, grease degradation is prevented and durability and reliability are improved. Bevel is formed on the inner periphery of the outer clutch-race 25 of the roller clutch 10 and on the outer periphery of rollers 26 at an axial end thereof. Accordingly, the circumferential location of the rollers 26 is properly maintained and the installation of the outer clutch-race 25 on the outer diameter side of the rollers 26 and so the assembling process thereof become easy.

Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.

Abstract: An external surface of a spindle is formed with tapering grooves which become narrower in a direction towards the forward end of the spindle. A slider sleeve is provided with splines which also taper in a forward direction. In this way, the slider sleeve is prevented from rotating relative to the spindle, but can slide axially. A rearward end of the slider sleeve includes a recess containing an elastomeric O-ring. When the drive torque exceeds a predetermined threshold, inclined surfaces of the mutually engaging teeth on the spindle drive gear and slider sleeve slide over each other, as a result of which the drive gear slides forwardly along the slider sleeve against the action of a spring. The spindle drive gear can then rotate relative to the slider sleeve and the cooperating sets of teeth ratchet over each other, preventing spindle drive gear being from rotating the spindle.

Abstract: A method and unit for controlling a clutch powered by a hydraulic actuator having a work chamber connected to a solenoid valve; a target value of the pressure of the fluid inside the work chamber is generated, an actual value of the pressure of the fluid inside the work chamber is measured, and a control signal for controlling the solenoid valve is calculated using feedback control of the pressure of the fluid inside the work chamber; and the target value of the pressure of the fluid is generated on the basis of an actual value of the position of the hydraulic actuator, and of a target value of the position of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: An installation device for a centrifugal clutch is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, the centrifugal clutch includes a clutch cover, a pressure plate for applying a clamping force against a friction plate, and at least one flyweight that moves radially outward under the effects of centrifugal force to cause the pressure plate to exert a clamping force against the friction plate. The installation device includes an installation hub moveable relative to the clutch cover between a first position, wherein the installation hub is engaged with the flyweight to force the engaged flyweight to move radially outward, and a second position, wherein the installation hub is disengaged from the flyweight. A resilient member biases the installation hub toward the second position and is selectively engaged with the clutch cover to inhibit movement of the installation hub toward the first position.

Abstract: In a damper device of a lock-up clutch-equipped torque converter which has at least two rotating members that have a common rotation axis and are rotatable relatively to each other via an elastic member, an axial-direction support portion that supports the at least two rotating members in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to each other, and a radial-direction support portion that supports the rotating members in a radial direction with respect to each other are disposed on circumferences that are substantially equidistant from the rotation axis.

Abstract: A shift locking apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a lock cam connected to a shift lock cable and a key lock cable, respectively. The lock cam is positioned between a latched and unlatched state depending on an engaged or disengaged state of the brake pedal. A shift lock pin cooperates with the lock cam via the shift lock cable to lock or release the shift lever in or from a ‘park’ position.

Abstract: A clutch assembly 10 is provided for a motor having a shaft 36, a worm 40 associated with the shaft and an output gear 42 engaged by the worm. The clutch assembly includes a clutch body 12 having a plurality of pockets 22 in a surface thereof. Each pocket has a cam surface 24 defined by a depth of the pocket that gradually increases from a deep end to a shallow end. A ball bearing 18 is disposed in each of the pockets 22. Spring structure 16 maintains the ball bearings in the pockets. A pressure plate 14 is operatively associated with the clutch body and is constructed and arranged to be coupled with the shaft 36 of the motor. Under certain conditions, the ball bearings wedge between the pressure plate and surfaces defining the associated pocket, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft when coupled with the pressure plate.

Abstract: Some known types of conveyor apparatus on a cargo deck of an aircraft comprise roller tracks with a U-shaped cross section that are attached to or on the cargo deck, as well as ball units attached to the roller tracks. In order to enable simple and reversible attachment combined with great durability, it is proposed that holder frames be provided, in each of which one or more ball units are attached, and that can in turn be attached to or in the roller tracks. Locking elements are provided with which to fix the holder frames releasably to the roller tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for discharging and transferring load carriers to connection conveyors (2), running transversely to a conveying path (1), by means of transporting belts (2a, b and c) which circulate parallel to one another, and transversely to the conveying path, and form a horizontal rest for the load carriers (3).

Abstract: Guided devices are connected to the front and rear ends of the main body of a moving body. Each guided device is connected in a relatively rotatable fashion about a lateral axle to the lower part of a vertical shaft. A lateral roller supporting body is connected to the vertical shaft, and guide rollers supported and guided by guide bodies disposed in prescribed positions in a fixed path are provided on the right and left-hand ends of the roller support body. During movement, the roller supporting body connected to the vertical shaft too rotates integrally, and the axis of a lateral axle supporting the pair of right and left-hand guide rollers can be orientated orthogonal to the fixed path, whereby the guide rollers are able to rotate smoothly without causing slipping or frictional resistance. Thereby, the supporting unit can always be supported and guided smoothly in curved path sections.

Abstract: A variable-capacity store (1; 50) for elongated elements (2), in particular tobacco articles, wherein an endless conveyor (8) has a conveying branch (9) for transferring the elongated elements (2) from an input station (3) to an output station (4) of the store (1; 50), and a return branch (10) extending from the output station (4) to the input station (3); each branch (9; 10) is coiled about a relative pair (11; 12) of transmission members, (13, 15; 14, 15); and the two pairs (11; 12) of transmission members (13, 15) (14, 15) share a transmission member (15) movable transversely in controlled manner.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly for a conveying belt. The load bearing assembly has a main body for attachment to a support, and a support layer capable of being operably attached to the main body and having an exposed bearing surface to act supportingly against a conveying belt. The main body has a first shoulder facing a first direction, with the support layer having a second shoulder facing oppositely to the first direction and confronting the first shoulder to prevent separation of the main body and support layer with the support layer operably attached to the main body.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (MEMS) switch suitable for use in medical devices is provided, along with methods of producing and using MEMS switches. In one aspect, a micro electromechanical switch including a moveable member configured to electrically cooperate with a receiving terminal is formed on a substrate. The moveable member and the receiving terminal each include an insulating layer proximate to the substrate and a conducting layer proximate to the insulating layer opposite the substrate. In various embodiments, the conducting layers of the moveable member and/or receiving terminal include a protruding region that extends outward from the substrate to switchably couple the conducting layers of the moveable member and the receiving terminal to thereby form a switch. The switch may be actuated using, for example, electrostatic energy.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch has a beam with a high-resonance frequency. The MEMS switch includes a substrate having an electrical contact and a hexsil beam coupled to the substrate in order to transfer electric signals between the beam and the contact when an actuating voltage is applied to the switch. A method of fabricating a MEMS switch includes forming a substrate having a contact and forming a beam. The method further includes attaching the beam to the substrate such that the beam is maneuverable into and out of contact with the substrate.

Abstract: The switching device for switching high electrical currents and voltages has at least one switch pole (1, 1′, 1″) which is operated by means of a rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″). Furthermore, the switching device has at least one lever system (10, 10′, 10″), a first switching linkage (11) and at least one drive (2) with a drive rod (24), with the rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″) being connected to the lever system (10, 10,′, 10″), the lever system (10, 10′, 10″) being connected to the first switching linkage (11), and the first switching linkage (11) being operatively connected to the drive rod (24). Movements of the drive rod (24) are converted to rotary movements of the rotatable shaft (8, 8′, 8″). The physical space which is required for installation of the switching device is intended to be capable of being matched to the physical circumstances.

Abstract: The circuit-breaker comprises: a control assembly having a driving splined shaft; an interrupting chamber having at a pair of arcing contacts, at least one of which can be moved under the action of the control assembly, and also a driven second splined shaft; and a synchronization assembly for synchronizing said shafts, said synchronization assembly comprising: two levers, each of which is provided with a splined ring suitable for co-operating with a corresponding shaft; and two connection rods, each of which is hinged at both of its ends to respective ones of said levers.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus for forming a film by a physical gas-phase growth on a substrate having a irregular or flat shape is provided including three or more axes for independently varying a relative positional relationship between a substrate and a cathode in the course of film formation.

Abstract: In a sputtering apparatus, target particles to be deposited onto a substrate are selectively ionized relative to other particles in the deposition chamber. For example, titanium or titanium-containing target particles are selectively ionized, while inert particles, such as argon atoms, remain substantially unaffected. Advantageously, one or more optical ionizers, such as lasers, are used to create one or more ionization zones within the deposition chamber in which such selective ionization takes place.

Abstract: A bipolar assembly for filter-press type electrolysers is described comprising a single sheet, whose two faces work respectively as anodic and cathodic wall, characterised by a design of perimetral flanges which greatly simplifies its construction enhancing its reliability. The peripheral flanges are made of a first flange obtained by folding the peripheral portion of the single sheet and of a second flange formed by a rod or a tube with quadrangular section or, alternatively, the first and second flange are pre-formed by folding of adequate strips subsequently fixed to the single sheet. The electrolyser resulting from the assemblage of a multiplicity of assemblies of the invention is particularly suited to the process of electrolysis of hydrochloric acid solutions carried out with chlorine-evolving anodes and oxygen-consuming cathodes.

Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium has a nickel-iron alloy outer portion which during use is covered with an integral iron-based oxide surface layer. The nickel-iron alloy outer portion comprises one or more rare earth metals that are substantially insoluble in nickel and iron. These rare earth metals are present in the outer portion in an amount which provides during use controlled diffusion of iron from the outer portion to the integral iron-based oxide surface layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anodizing a component. The component is placed in a container having first and second seal members that seal an annular surface of the component to be anodized. The first and second seal members, the annular surface of the component, and an inner surface of the container form a reaction chamber that holds a reaction medium therein. The reaction medium is supplied to the reaction chamber through a supply passage formed in the container. The reaction medium is drained from the reaction chamber through a drain passage formed in the container.

Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium (50) from alumina, comprises an inclined plate-like or grid-like open anode structure (25) which has a generally v-shaped configuration in cross-section. The anode structure (25) has a downwardly-oriented sloping electrochemically active surface that is generally v-shaped in cross-section and spaced above an upwardly-oriented corresponding sloping cathode surface (11) by an anode-cathode gap (40) in which alumina dissolved in a circulating electrolyte (60) is electrolysed. The anode structure (25) has a plurality of anode through-passages (45) distributed thereover for an up-flow of alumina-depleted electrolyte (60) from the anode-cathode gap (40).

Abstract: A magnetic dipole ring assembly positioned inside a vacuum chamber and around a wafer being sputter deposited with a ferromagnetic material such as NiFe or other magnetic materials so that the material is deposited with a predetermined magnetization direction in the plane of the wafer. The magnetic dipole ring may include 8 or more arc-shaped magnet segments arranged in a circle with the respective magnetization directions precessing by 720° around the ring. The dipole ring is preferably encapsulated in a vacuum-tight stainless steel carrier and placed inside the vacuum chamber. The carrier may be detachably mounted on a cover ring, on the shield, or on the interior of the chamber sidewall. In another embodiment, the magnet is a magnetic disk placed under the wafer. Such auxiliary magnets allow the magnetron sputter deposition of aligned magnetic layers.

Abstract: An ion selective monoelectrode complex which is favorably employable to manufacture an ion activity measuring apparatus, has on a common non-electroconductive support sheet, plural ion selective monoelectrodes each of which is composed of an electrode composite consisting of, in order, a silver metal layer, a silver halide layer, an electrolytic material layer, and an ion selective membrane, and an electroconductive terminal which is electrically connected to the silver metal layer and which has an exposed surface, under the condition that the ion selective monoelectrodes are aligned, without electric contact with each other, along an imaginary line bridging the electrode composite and the electroconductive terminal.

Abstract: In a gas sensor element, a sensor portion has a solid electrolyte member and a pair of electrodes. The solid electrolyte member has first and second surfaces opposite thereto. The first and second electrodes are mounted on the first and second surfaces of the solid electrolyte member, respectively. A heater member has a heating element and one and other surfaces opposite thereto. The sensor portion is integrally laminated on the one surface of the heater member. The other surface of the heater member is contactable to the target gas. At least a part of the other surface of the heater member has a ten points average roughness that is no more than 1.71 &mgr;m.

Abstract: In a gas concentration detecting apparatus, a voltage is applied to electrodes of a sensor element. A change is caused in either the applied voltage or an element current. An amount of a change in each of a current value and a voltage value caused is measured in response to the caused change. An amount of resistance of the sensor element is calculated based on a ratio between the change amounts in the current value and the voltage value. A detection unit detects abnormality relating to controlling the sensor by utilizing at least one of the change amounts in the current value and the voltage value.

Abstract: A gas sensor element which may be employed in measuring the concentration of gas such O2 is provided. The gas sensor element is of a laminated type and designed to introduce gas to be measured into a measurement gas chamber through a diffusion resistor. The measurement gas chamber has a volume of 0.15 mm3 in order to facilitate expelling of the gas remaining within the measurement gas chamber during transition of thermal activation of the gas sensor element.

Abstract: A connection component for making connections to a microelectronic element is made by providing leads on a surface of a polymeric layer and etching the polymeric layer to partially detach the leads from the polymeric layer, leaving a portion of each lead releasably connected to the polymeric layer by a small polymeric connecting element which can be broken or peeled away from the lead. Leads in a connecting element may be covered by an insulating jacket applied by a coating process, and the insulating jacket may in turn be covered by a conductive layer so that each lead becomes a miniature coaxial cable. This arrangement provides immunity to interference and facilitates operation at high speeds.

Abstract: An electrode plate of a sample plate is set on the body of an electrophoretic apparatus, while a plug is inserted into a migration high voltage line connection hole and connected to a high-tension distribution cable. Each well of a base plate is inserted into a through hole of a well guide and further press-fit and engaged into a cavity of an electrode plate, for fixing the base plate to the electrode plate. Thereafter a sample is introduced into each well of the base plate and an end of a capillary column is dipped into each well for applying a migration voltage and electrophoretically injecting the sample into the capillary column.

Abstract: A method for controlling the chemical composition of an electroplating bath solution used to plate a plurality of substrates by providing the electroplating bath solution to a small-volume plating cell configured to minimize additive breakdown, and discarding the electroplating bath after a predetermined bath lifetime. The method includes predetermining a lifetime of an electroplating bath solution having a desired chemical composition, combining a plurality of electroplating bath solution components thereby forming the electroplating bath solution having the desired chemical composition, filling a small-volume plating cell with the electroplating bath solution, plating a plurality of substrates in the electroplating bath solution until the bath lifetime is reached; and discarding the electroplating bath solution after the bath lifetime is reached.