Abstract: A method and an equipment for controlling the operation of a rock drilling apparatus, which rock drilling apparatus comprises a percussion device for producing impact energy to a tool of the rock drilling apparatus, a rotating device for rotating the tool in a drill hole, a feeding device for feeding the tool in the drill hole and a flushing device for supplying flushing agent through the tool and the bit for flushing loose drilling waste from the hole. The feed force and the percussion power are determined and the relation between the feed force and the percussion power is adjusted to a targeted operation area within an upper and a lower limit.

Abstract: A post driving apparatus includes a chassis having a longitudinal axis and a frame carried by the chassis. The frame includes an upper support member having an axis of elongation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. A post magazine is indexingly supported by the frame and, a post driving assembly is suspended from a portion of the upper support member for reversible travel therealong so as to laterally position the post driving assembly from the chassis. The post driving assembly includes a post driver adapted to retain a post supplied from the post magazine, the post driver adapted to continuously drive such post.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic percussive tool for a paving breaker and/or a hammer drill comprising a drive piston which is displaceable both backwards and forwards by a crankshaft and arranged in a percussion piston which is displaceable both backwards and forwards. A hollow chamber is connected to a compensating chamber by an idling air channel and embodied between the drive piston and the percussion piston in order to receive a pneumatic spring. A valve is arranged in the idling air channel, the opening and closing position thereof depending on the rotational speed of the crankshaft. If the rotational speed of the crankshaft falls below a predetermined value, the valve opens the connection between the hollow chamber and the compensating chamber so that a pneumatic spring can no longer be to embodied in the hollow chamber and the pneumatic percussion tool is placed in a idling position.

Abstract: A projected portion provided at a cylinder and projected in a radius direction is formed at an end face thereof on a side of a tool holding portion, and a holding portion on one side of holding portions for holding an outer periphery of the cylinder by at least two portions remote from each other in an axial direction to position in the radius direction of the cylinder is configured by a guide face having an inner diameter of a dimension substantially the same as an outer diameter of the projected portion and extended over to a contact face brought into contact with the projected portion from an end face of a cylinder case on a side of the tool holding portion.

Abstract: A power tool (2) has a first body (6), a second body (4) connected to the first body (6), and a locking mechanism. One of the bodies (4;6) is moveable with respect to the other body (4;6). The locking mechanism is capable of locking the movement of the one body (4;6) with respect to the other body (4;6). The locking mechanism is a two part system having a first part, a locking member (119), and a second part, receiving member (82). Engagement between the first part and the second part locks the first body (6) and the second body (4) against movement with respect to each other. One part is moveable with respect to the other part between a first position and a second position. The first part and the second part are engaged when the one part is in the first position. The first part and the second part are disengaged when the one part is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and a system for minimizing circulating fluid return losses during drilling of a well bore are disclosed. Circulating fluid, or mud, is heated above conventional temperatures for circulating fluids. The heated circulating fluid then contacts a region of a formation, in which a well bore is to be drilled, maintaining the formation at a relative higher temperature than if no special sources of heat were used to add heat to the circulating fluid. The region, at the relatively higher temperature, has a tendency to expand and to be placed in a relatively higher compressive state as compared to a formation at a lower temperature. Consequently, the use of the heated circulating fluid minimizes fracture initiation and growth and circulation fluid losses into the formation.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

Abstract: A pipe running tool for use in an oil drilling system and the like comprises a lower drive shaft adapted to engage a drive shaft of a top drive assembly for rotation therewith. The pipe running tool further includes a lower pipe engagement assembly which is driven to rotate by the lower drive shaft, and is designed to releasably engage a pipe segment in such a manner to substantially prevent relative rotation between the two. Thus, when the lower pipe engagement assembly is actuated to securely hold a pipe segment, the top drive assembly may be actuated to rotate the top drive output shaft, which causes the lower drive shaft and lower pipe engagement assembly to rotate, which in turn rotates the pipe segment.

Abstract: A bit head retaining system includes a bit head having an upper end and a working face, and a retention sleeve adapted to be connected to an end of a drill casing and having an internal opening in which at least a portion of the bit head above the working face is disposed, the bit head being secured to the retention sleeve so as to be axially immovable relative to the retention sleeve. A method of installing a bit head in a percussion drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: A freestanding self-propelled device for moving objects. The device includes a chassis having lower frame portions and upright frame portions. A single motor-driven drive wheel is centrally located between the lateral ends of the chassis and coupled to the chassis so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis. The drive wheel is located between sets of support wheels coupled to the lower frame portion of the chassis. In combination, the drive wheel and the support wheels result in the device being freestanding. The drive wheel projects below the sets of support wheels so that the device is supported by the drive wheel and by only one of each set of support wheels at any given time, thereby establishing a three-point contact with the surface supporting the device. A tiller equipped with controls is pivotably coupled to the drive wheel for pivoting the drive wheel about its vertical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis having substantially all of the mechanical, electrical, and structural componentry necessary for a fully functional vehicle includes at least an energy conversion system, a steering system, and a braking system. The chassis is configured for matability with a variety of different types or styles of vehicle bodies. Various prior art mechanical control linkages between a driver and controlled systems are replaced with non-mechanical control signal transmission components. Fuel cell technology is also implemented. The chassis may also include an electrical connector operably connected to the fuel cell and configured to transmit electrical energy from the fuel cell to an offboard system that consumes electrical energy. Chassis may be stacked and/or have interconnected fuel cells to increase electrical energy output.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by a hybrid car comprising a motor generator mechanically connected with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine for driving a car wherein the internal combustion engine is started by electric power supplied by a battery and power is generated by rotation from the internal combustion engine to charge the battery, an inverter for controlling the drive and power generation of the motor generator, and a control circuit for controlling the inverter, this hybrid car further characterized in that the motor generator is driven by battery power to start the internal combustion engine, and after the internal combustion engine has started, the battery is charged by the generator mode operation of the motor generator using the power of the internal combustion engine, wherein a step-down chopper circuit is provided between the battery and the inverter, and step-down control is provided to ensure that the power generation voltage will reach the level of the battery charging

Abstract: To reduce moment generated at the proximal portion and the supporting portion of a brake pedal and to prevent an increase in weight even when the brake pedal is disposed outside a vehicle body and an operating unit is disposed away from the brake pedal within the vehicle body. A supporting shaft rotates integrally with the brake pedal by being connected with the brake pedal at one end with a supporting member for supporting both ends of the supporting shaft. An operating member is provided for operating an operating unit by rotation of the brake pedal and the supporting shaft by being connected to the other end of the supporting shaft at the position away from the brake pedal are provided. A pedal pad unit includes a flat depressing surface forming portion to be covered by a cover on the front face on which the driver depresses and a mounting portion extending from the depressing surface forming portion in the direction opposite from the cover for being pivotally mounted on the pedal lever unit.

Abstract: If a control device determines that a collision during a vehicle run has been detected on the basis of a combination of an output signal of a sensor and a vehicle speed signal, an inflator is actuated so as to inflate and deploy an air bag body disposed in an apron upper member. When inflated and deployed, the air bag body raises a longitudinal-direction central portion of a hood. At this time, the longitudinal-direction central portion of the hood bends with a depression serving as an origin of bending.

Abstract: An anti-rollover system is used with a concrete mixing truck with a mixing drum, in particular during turning maneuvers, for preventing rollovers by the truck. The anti-rollover system is comprised of one or more sensors on the truck which generate an input signal representative of the truck's operating conditions indicative of a rollover condition. The system compares the sensor signal against stored data indicative of rollover conditions and if necessary initiates corrective action to prevent the truck from rolling over. Corrective action includes stopping, or in some circumstances slowing, rotation of the drum carrying a concrete load. With mixing trucks including a booster axle system, corrective action may additionally or separately include unloading the booster axle.

Abstract: A tilt switch to be carried by a motorcycle and connected in an engine control circuit to control the rotational speed of the motorcycle engine in response to the front end of the motorcycle lifting off the ground during rapid acceleration events (e.g. a “wheelie”) to prevent the motorcycle from flipping over and causing injury or death to the operator and/or his passenger. Also connected in the engine control circuit is an on/off override switch that is located at the front of the motorcycle so as to be in easy reach of the operator. When the front wheel of the motorcycle is elevated with the override switch moved to the on position, the tilt switch will assume a closed switch condition to complete the engine control circuit. The engine control circuit then causes the engine speed of the motorcycle to slow such that the acceleration of the motorcycle will be correspondingly reduced, whereby the front wheel will automatically return to the ground to prevent the motorcycle from flipping over.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: Control valves are respectively provided in a pair of variable displacement hydraulic pumps. If an ultra low speed travel signal is issued in response to an ultra-low-speed switch turned on, one of the control valves is fixed to a neutral position by a solenoid valve. And a displacement amount of a travel motor is fixed at a maximum displacement by another solenoid valve. In this way, an upper limit for motor rotation speed is significantly reduced. As a result, it is possible to realize the ultra low speed travel with maximum operation of an accelerator pedal, without the need for subtle operation of the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A steering input device for a steer-by-wire system is provided. The input device comprises a first shaft and a hand wheel. The first shaft is rotatably installed in a first housing. The hand wheel is connected to the first shaft such that the hand wheel and the first shaft drive one another. The hand wheel has a range of motion of between about ±45 degrees and about ±90 degrees. The hand wheel also has an outer dimension of about 12 inches. The range of motion and the outer dimension allow the steering input device to be installed in a vehicle in a non-conventional position relative to a twentieth century conventional position including at least one of the hand wheel extending from the first shaft extending along a length defining the vehicle on one of two sides thereof and the hand weel extending rearward in the vehicle farther than an instrument panel.

Abstract: In steering apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a turning section that turns steered road wheels is provided, a clutch is installed in a predetermined position in a midway through a steering system from an operation input section to the steered road wheels to link between the operation input section and the steered road wheels, a steering angle of the operation portion is detected, a turning angle is detected, an elastically deformable member is interposed between the operation portion and the turning portion to transmit a steering torque inputted from the operation input section to the steered road wheels when the clutch causes the operation input portion and the steered road wheels to be connected; and an angular deviation between the steering angle detection value and the turning angle detection value developed due to a deformation of the member is calculated.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating the rotation of a rotatable shaft in an electric motor and a converting mechanism for converting the output rotation of the speed reducing mechanism into the axial movement of a steering shaft extending toward the right and left sides of a vehicle. The speed reducing mechanism includes an input pulley driven by the electric motor, an output pulley arranged with the steering shaft enclosed thereby, a belt for connecting the input pulley and the output pulley to each other, and a belt tension adjuster.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a ball nut rotationally driven by an electric motor through a gear train and having a female thread groove formed in the inner periphery thereof, a rack shaft disposed through the ball nut on the axis thereof and having a male thread groove so formed in its outer periphery as to face to the female thread groove, a ball screw mechanism having a number of circulation balls interposed between the female thread groove and the male thread groove, and a housing for holding the ball nut rotatably through the bearing. An elastic member is interposed between the housing and the ball nut in order to permit the ball nut to make a predetermined displacement.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact and highly reliable motor vehicle steering device that does not require a spiral flat cable. The motor vehicle steering device includes variable gear ratio system that modifies the transmission ratio of the rotary motions between first steering shaft and second steering shaft. Variable gear ratio system comprises Strain Wave Gearing Speed Reducer that modifies the transmission ratio between first steering shaft and second steering shaft in response to the rotating speed of motor shaft. Motor shaft and second steering shaft forms a substantially concentric dual structure, drive motor is affixed, and output shaft is connected to motor shaft.

Abstract: In the control of an electric power steering apparatus, where so-called lead steering control is performed in which a steering wheel angle signal is output through a lead filter to correct reaction delay of a driver and a vehicle, a delay in control response occurs due to feedback of a road surface reaction force torque. When road surface reaction force torque is fed back to the steering wheel, it is added through a low-pass filter having a time constant equal to a reaction delay time constant of a driver. A sum signal is output through a lead filter to a second motor for controlling a steering shaft.

Abstract: A rebuildable low frequency loudspeaker driver has a replaceable diaphragm assembly. In a first embodiment, the peripheral edge of a loudspeaker driver diaphragm comprises a flexible surround and is releaseably supported within a matching basket having a peripheral mounting flange clamping surface to which a rigid ring-shaped clamping member or gasket is releaseably attached. A parts kit includes a replacement cone assembly with a frustoconical cone having an attached annular surround at the large cone end and a flexible spider attached near the small cone end, adjacent the attachment point for the cylindrical voice coil former. The spider includes a rigid ring mounted at the spider peripheral edge and dimensioned to be removably fastened to the driver basket. The driver basket includes a spider plateau region including a valley with sidewalls adapted to receive and center the spider rigid ring.

Abstract: A fan shroud includes a fan shroud portion having a surface including an aperture. A cooling fan is supported proximate to the aperture for permitting air flow through the fan shroud from the environment to the engine compartment. An air intake portion is supported on the fan shroud portion. The air intake portion and the fan shroud portion together define at least a portion of an air passageway having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for connection to an engine throttle. The fan shroud portion and air intake portion may respectively include first and second circumferential portions that define the air passageway.

Abstract: An air induction assembly includes a tuning tube that is integrally formed with an air duct having a distal tube end extending into a resonance chamber. The air duct includes a shoulder portion that transitions into a base end of the tuning tube. The shoulder portion has a greater diameter than the tuning tube and defines an external duct surface. The resonance chamber includes an opening for receiving the tuning tube. A flange surrounds the opening and defines an external resonance chamber surface. The external resonance chamber surface abuts against the external duct surface to define an attachment interface. The assembly is welded at the attachment interface to securely attach the resonance chamber to the air duct.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, in particular, of a motor vehicle has two mufflers through which the exhaust gas is able to flow in a parallel fashion. A switching unit makes it possible to selectively convey the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine only or almost exclusively through the first muffler, or only or almost exclusively through the second muffler, or through both mufflers in a parallel fashion. The two mufflers are realized differently with respect to their muffling effect and/or flow resistance.

Abstract: The adjustable height workhorse is a height adjustable workspace for allowing a worker to easily hang sheet rock on walls at elevated heights. The workhorse provides a platform supported by a frame having a plurality of vertical posts and a plurality of horizontal height adjustment bars. The frame is positioned on a base board. A plurality of wheels is disposed underneath of the base board. The wheels allow the workhorse to be repositioned while the worker is on the platform. The height adjustment bars are mounted on either side of the frame. The bars are positioned at varying heights so that the worker may adjust the height of the platform. The platform is disposed across the frame and is supported by the height adjusting bars. The platform is of suitable size to support a worker and the worker's sheet rock material while providing enough room for the worker to operate.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly is provided which includes a gear housing and differential gear set. An insert is provided which is disposed in a lubricant reservoir of the gear housing. The insert directs lubricant away from the reservoir upon rotation of the differential gear housing.

Abstract: A chain with links made of plates connected with hollow pins containing a reserve of lubricant connected with the chain parts to be lubricated. The lubricant reserve is contained in replaceable cartridges inserted removably in the pins through an appropriate end passage. The cartridge can be made with an enlarged section to constitute a plug of the pin in which it is received.

Abstract: Emergency current supply equipment for lift installations with electric motor drives has the task of bridging over temporary drops or interruptions in main voltage and of supplying, in the event of failure of the mains supply during a lift travel, all components of the lift installation needed for an evacuation travel with energy until such time as the lift car has reached the level of a story. The energy storage unit used for that purpose comprises as the storage medium exclusively capacitors in the form of super capacitors or a combination of super capacitors and electrochemically acting batteries.

Abstract: A configurable wheel lock comprising a rigid chock and an adjustable fork pivoted to the chock that engages a wheel seated within a cradle. The fork projecting from the control portion mounts a pair of separate arms pivoted to opposite ends of an axle that is slidably captivated within guide slots in the chock sides. Projecting arm stubs are inserted within the wheel to be captivated for locking. The fork arms rotate in a first plane that is coplanar with both arms and the axle, and they may be rotated about the axle. These combined rotational features enhance the positional abilities of the arms, and the dexterity of the wheel lock. Rigid locking-links pivoted to at least one of the arms are extended to the opposite arm to lock it in a selected locking position about the wheel.

Abstract: An electromechanical wheel brake device has a helical gear for converting the rotating motion of an electric motor into a translating motion of a brake piston in order to press a brake pad against a brake disc in an advancing stroke or in order to release the brake pad in a restoring stroke. In addition, a clutch is provided, which operatively disengages a part of the helical gear from the electric motor should a permissible restoring stroke be exceeded. This prevents a mechanical failure or damage to the wheel brake device in the event of such a malfunction. The electromechanical wheel brake device can be used in motor vehicles such as cars.

Abstract: An electric parking brake mechanism characterized in an electric parking brake for pressing a friction member to a braked member via a force transmission converting mechanism for converting a rotational movement of an electric motor to a linear movement, including an input shaft connected to a side of the electric motor, an output shaft connected to a side of a brake mechanism for pressing the friction member to the brake member and a cam mechanism interposed between the input shaft and the output shaft, the cam mechanism is provided with a plurality of cam members and each having a cam face having a radius gradually increasing relative to a rotational center and in driving only a side of the output shaft, rotation of the output shaft is hampered by operating all of the plurality of cam members to constitute sides of large diameters.

Abstract: A brake assembly including a brake pad; a selectively movable rotor, a backing plate which is coupled to the brake pad, at least a first roller which is coupled to the backing plate, a caliper, at least a second roller which is coupled to the caliper, a wedge member which is positioned between and which engages the at least first and the at least second roller, and a motor which is coupled to the wedge member and which selectively moves the wedge member, effective to brake a selectively movable assembly.

Abstract: A spring-pressure brake includes a brake housing which has an outside body, and into which are integrated a disk-brake arrangement, an axially movable brake-piston arrangement and a pressure-spring system acting onto the brake-piston arrangement. The outside body is designed as a one-piece hollow body that extends over the entire axial length of the spring-pressure brake and is used for hydraulic disk spring-pressure brakes.

Abstract: A brake head positioning means for railcar braking systems. The brake head positioning means is comprised of an attachment means that is engageable with a railcar hanger arm for attaching such brake head positioning means to such railcar hanger arm. An extension means that is engageable with and extends substantially perpendicular to and outwardly from such attachment means is also included. The extension means provides sliding engagement and enables a biasing force to be achieved. Also included is a variable distancing means which is disposed for sliding engagement with and is substantially perpendicular to such extension means adjacent a first end thereof, and is engageable with a brake head adjacent a second end thereof. A biasing means, disposed around and slideably engageable with such extension means for providing a bias to such variable distancing means during service is further included.

Abstract: A suitcase includes a housing defining an interior chamber. The housing has a panel, which has a first end and a second end. The panel also has at least one wheel rotatably connected to the housing adjacent to the first end of the panel for enabling rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. A plurality of spaced apart axles are fixedly connected to the housing. The suitcase also contains a roller being rotatably carried by each of the axles. Each of the rollers have a portion protruding into the panel and a portion protruding exterior to the panel. An endless belt may be circumscribed around the rollers.

Abstract: A wheeled luggage item includes a collapsible bar assembly for stably supporting a secondary bag on top of the luggage item. The collapsible bar assembly includes a base mounted on top of the luggage and a generally U-shaped bar member having two ends respectively pivoted to the base. The bar member can be pivoted between a collapsed position, at which the bar member rests against the base, and an extended position, at which the bar member extends outwardly at an angle of about 90° to the base. Releasable locking means disposed on the base lock the bar member at the collapsed position. A push-button releases the bar member from the collapsed position, and an elastic member captured between the base and the bar member biases the bar member upward away from the collapsed position.

Abstract: A conductor rail fishplate for the electrical and mechanical connection of successive conductor rails has two symmetrical plates, which encompass the exterior of the conductor rail. The two plates are tensioned against one another using screws. Contact strips are arranged in the contact zone between the conductor rail and the respective plates, the strips coming into contact with the respective surfaces by means of a large number of spring-loaded contacts.

Abstract: Hydrokinetic coupling apparatus with an axis of rotation X—X, in particular for motor vehicles, in which the connection without clearance between the turbine wheel, the turbine hub and the input element of the damping device is accomplished by axial rivets. Bearings (80) are axially interposed between turbine hub (14) and a hub of a reaction wheel (13).

Abstract: A lockup device 7 is provided with a clutch mechanism, an elastic coupling mechanism, a piston 75, and a piston coupling mechanism 76. The piston coupling mechanism 76 has a piston pilot 78 and a return plate 79 and serves to couple the piston 75 and a front cover 11. The piston pilot 78 is fixed to the front cover 11 and supports the piston 75. The axially deformable return plate 79 is disposed between the front cover 11 and the piston 75. The elastic coupling mechanism is provided with a plurality of torsion springs 73, a spring holder 71, a driven plate 72, and a drive plate 74. A plurality of slit holes 71d each having a width that is larger than the width W1 of the first claw parts 72b are formed in the annular part 71a at positions corresponding to those of the first claw parts 72b.

Abstract: In a oneway clutch apparatus, block bearings for maintaining a space between an inner race and an outer race, each is formed in a tapered-shape with the circumferential width expanding toward a cylindrical surface side. A retainer comprises, in a retaining portion of the block bearing, bearing retaining pieces respectively enlarged from the cam surfaces along the both end surfaces in the circumferential direction of the block bearings. A bearing retaining piece has a latching portion for latching and retaining the block bearing at the tip end thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling two shafts that are intended to rotate in the continuation of one another with respect to a casing (4). A dog clutch couples the two shafts. The device comprises clutch-release means allowing the dog clutch (9) to be uncoupled. According to the invention, the clutch-release means comprise a ramp (17) secured to the casing (4), the ramp (17) having a helical shape around the axis (1), a flat disk (19) secured to the first shaft (3) the plane of which is more or less perpendicular to the axis (1), an element (20) intended to roll between the ramp (17) and the disk (19) so as to cause a translational movement of the first shaft (3) with respect to the casing (4) more or less along the axis (1), the translational movement allowing the dog clutch (9) to be uncoupled. The specific structure of the clutch-release means enables the shafts to be uncoupled while they are in rotation.

Abstract: A transmission includes a clutch basket and a driving disc each having teeth and tooth spaces which correspond to one another. A plug-in intermeshing connection between the driving disc and the clutch basket is provided such that there is no torsional backlash and such that no rattling noises are produced. To this end, at least one of the teeth of the driving disc and/or at least one of the teeth of the clutch basked has a slot. The tooth thickness of at least one of the teeth of the driving disc is greater than at least one of the tooth space widths of the clutch basket. In order to avoid rattling noises, it is also suggested that at least one pair formed of a tooth and a corresponding opposite tooth space may be configured such that the tooth is displaced with respect to the corresponding tooth space.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator includes a wedge fork having a gear rack segment and a tapered tang segment and a reaction block defining a tapered edge in sliding engagement with the tapered tang segment. An electric motor drives a pinion that is meshed with the gear rack to cause bi-directional linear movement of the wedge fork which causes corresponding sliding movement of the reaction block relative to the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A light weight but strong extension chute for discharging concrete from a concrete transportation vehicle or a cement mix plant. An extension concrete chute comprising a chute assembly including a frame having a first end and a second end, with each end including an arcuate end angle member maintained in a spaced apart relationship by a pair of chute rails attached to each end angle member. The chute assembly also includes a chute skin mounted within the frame and attached to each chute rail and each end angle member, wherein the chute assembly defines a longitudinally elongated concave chute. A removable aligner is mounted within the chute assembly adjacent to the chute skin. Each chute rail is provided with a hook mounted on each chute rail proximate the second end of the chute assembly and a bracket assembly mounted on each chute rail proximate the first end of the chute assembly. The chute rails are configured to releaseably engage and support the liner.

Abstract: A sorter conveyor having cross-belts for supporting and discharging article is disclosed, wherein the cross-belts are driven by interaction between a rotor moving with the cross-belts and stationary electric stator parts, wherein the rotor is arranged separate from the cross-belt and is connected to a drive roller with a transmission. Further is disclosed such sorter conveyors having tilt-trays driven by interaction between rotors moving with the tilt-trays and stationary electric stator parts, as well as such sorter conveyors which are driven along the stationary track by means of stationary linear motor stator parts interacting with the reaction means. Lastly, rotors and the manufacture of such rotors are disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical lift assembly for raising a plurality of diverting belts between rollers of a roller conveyor, to engage and raise an object from the surface of the conveyor, and to divert it to the side of the conveyor. The vertical lift assembly uses a plurality of hinges to join together a stationary frame, as a base, and a raisable plate on which sets the diverting belt assembly. The hinge is formed from a section of roller chain. A pair of hinges is disposed along each side of the stationary frame and raisable plate. The hinges provide tilt-free lift of the diverting belt assembly.