Abstract: An insert for a drill bit that includes diamond particles disposed in a matrix material, wherein the diamond particles have a contiguity of 15% or less is disclosed. A method of forming a diamond-impregnated cutting structure, that includes loading a plurality of substantially uniformly coated diamond particles into a mold cavity, pre-compacting the substantially uniformly coated diamond particles using a cold-press cycle, and heating the compacted, substantially uniformly coated diamond particles with a matrix material to form the diamond impregnated cutting structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bit assembly for a drilling apparatus working by impact and rotation or merely by rotation, and comprising a pilot bit (1) drilling the hole centre and in connection with the pilot bit a ring bit (2) is arranged to drill the outer circle of the hole and, further, between pilot bit and ring bit surfaces are arranged to transmit impacts and/or rotary motion from the pilot bit to the ring bit, and the bit assembly also including an arrangement for pulling protectino tube into the hole on drilling. In the bit assembly between ring bit (2) and pilot bit (1) at least an arrangement transmitting rotation is jointly fitted in the ring bit shirt portion (5) by forming the rear edge of the shirt portion seen in the drilling direction to comprise surfaces with different directions, which with one of their portion (4) can transmit rotary motion force to the ring bit (2) and with their adjacent part (3) force to pull said ring bit off the hole.

Abstract: A front end portion of an output shaft is supported by a bearing mounted to an inner peripheral surface of a partition that separates a power distributing planetary gear and a speed change unit. A rear end portion of the output shaft is supported via a bearing which is interposed along a portion of the same plane along which also lies a mounting surface of a bearing in a rear wall that supports a rear end portion of a rotor of a second motor. As a result, the output shaft is supported by a twin support structure via the bearings by the partition and the rear wall.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and control method wherein an internal combustion engine and an electric motor system define a split power operating mode, a generator drive mode and a parallel power mode. Provision is made, when the motor is inoperable, for preventing discharge of a battery in the electric motor system when the battery state-of-charge is low and for delivering power from the battery when the battery state-of-charge is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An output shaft is divided into a first output shaft and a second output shaft. Torque from a motive power distributing planetary gear is transferred to the first output shaft. The first output shaft is supported on partition walls by a both-end support structure via bearings. Assist torque from a transmission is applied to the second output shaft. The second output shaft is also supported on partition walls by a both-end support structure via bearings.

Abstract: A front suspension system for a recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile has a lower A-arm assembly and an upper suspension arm for connecting each front ski to the chassis of the recreational vehicle. The lower A-arm restrains the front ski from moving backward or laterally while the upper arm connects to the top of the spindle to ensure that the spindle remains substantially vertical when the front ski encounters a bump.

Abstract: A motorcycle has a frame, a structure mounted on the frame, and a locking assembly locks the structure on the frame and has a latch pin mounted on the frame, and a latch housing mounted on the structure and having a passage into which the latch pin extends. A latch lever is pivotably mounted in the housing for movement into a latching position in which it engages the latch pin to prevent its retraction from the latch housing, and a spring biases the latch lever into the latching position. A key lock is mounted on the exterior of the structure and including a rotatable shaft and an arm or cable connected thereto engages the latch lever to effect its pivoting against the biasing action of the biasing means to disengage the latch lever from the latch pin and permit the structure to be disengaged from the latch pin.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus in which a steering shaft coupled to a steering wheel is mechanically separated from a turning mechanism to turn a turning wheel, a steering angle of the steering wheel is detected, and the turning mechanism turns the turning wheel by a turning angle corresponding to the steering angle, includes a hypercycloidal mechanism including an external tooth gear revolving in a housing according to rotation of the steering wheel, an Oldham coupling mechanism to extract only a self-rotating movement in a rotation movement of the external tooth gear as a self-rotating movement of a rotation disk, and a rotation regulating mechanism by engagement between a groove formed in the rotation disk and a projection projecting from the housing.

Abstract: A power steering system includes a double-acting power cylinder having a four-way valve for controlling steering direction. An accumulator stores pressurized fluid that is controllably supplied to the four-way valve by an electronically controlled three-way valve based upon an applied torque measured at a steering wheel.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a hydraulic power cylinder, a reversible pump including a first outlet connected with a first pressure chamber of the power cylinder through a first fluid passage, and a second outlet connected with a second pressure chamber of the power cylinder through a second fluid passage, and a motor for driving the pump. A controller controls the motor in accordance with a sensed steering force. There is further provided a connection passage connecting the first and second fluid passages together, and a closing valve disposed in the connection passage. The controller sends a first current to a coil of the valve to close the connection passage by moving an armature, to send a second current lower than the first current to the coil after the connection passage is closed, and to deenergize the coil to open the connection passage.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring geophysical processes is disclosed. The system may include a component array located within the bore hole of the active well, or, alternatively, in the bore hole of a nearby offset well, or, alternatively, in multiple shallow boreholes in the surface around the active well. The system may include a sensor array located within a bore, wherein the sensor array has at least one tilt sensor and at least one microseismic sensor, a transmitter in communication with the at least one tilt sensor and the at least one microseismic sensor, and a receiver in communication with the transmitter. In one embodiment, data comprising tiltmeter data and microseismic data from a sensor during at least one geophysical process is received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a signal with a signal generator comprising a tool body disposed in a tubular member. A first and second electromagnets are disposed within the tool body such that the second electromagnet is opposite the first electromagnet. A power supply selectively provides electrical current to the first and second electromagnets so as to displace the tubular member and generate a signal in the surrounding formation.

Abstract: A method of conducting seismic evaluation of a subterranean formation wherein a rigid, elongate member having a first end and a second end is positioned such that the first end of the elongate member is at a point on the earth's surface, imparting an impulsive force to the elongate member to urge the member into the earth, the positioning of the rigid member and the impulsive force being sufficient to generate and propagate primary seismic waves into the subterranean formation and positioning one or more seismic wave detectors on the surface of the earth to detect and receive reflected seismic waves from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An earplug comprising a foam composition comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin and less than about 5 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the foam composition, is described. The foam composition may comprise a plasticizer comprising less than or equal to about 2 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the plasticizer. The earplugs have slow recovery times from 60 percent compression to 10 percent compression of about 10 to about 60 seconds.

Abstract: An exhaust silencer includes an upper shell and a lower shell attached to the upper shell to define an internal cavity. Acoustic damping material is positioned within said internal cavity to reduce radiated and transmitted noise. A plurality of retention members compresses the acoustic damping material against an inner surface of the upper shell. The acoustic damping material is only located in the upper shell and thus is not affected by condensate that collects in the lower shell.

Abstract: An escape ladder includes a first rail secured to a structure, a second rail and a plurality of rungs hingedly connected to the first rail and the second rail in a non-actuated condition. A latch secures the second rail and the plurality of rungs in a first position with respect to the first rail, in a non-actuated condition, the second rail and the plurality of rungs actuating to a second position with respect to the first rail upon the latch being moved to an actuated condition. A release device connected to the latch moves the latch from the non-actuated condition to the actuated condition. The release device has a horizontally extending portion that is accessible by an occupant in the structure, and that is accessible from the ground by an instrument configured to engage the horizontally extending portion to move the release device to the actuated condition.

Abstract: An ascender/descender has two, three, or more clamping elements which in one position allow a rope to freely pass through canted aligned main openings in the elements, and in another position securely clamp the rope so that it essentially will not move with respect to the elements. The openings have a substantially completely enclosed periphery surrounding the rope. The clamping elements are in two parts, pivotal with respect to each other from an open position in which a rope may be moved sideways into the main openings, to a closed position in which the rope is held within the openings. The component parts of each clamping element are releaseably held together by a detent member and a guide pin (and associated slot). The clamping elements are pivotally connected together by a connecting element that has torsional rigidity but is flexible in at least one plane, such as a chain.

Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a reservoir for lubricant, lubricant delivery means to deliver lubricant to at least one component to be lubricated, an injector associated with each component, a control system to control the opening and closing of each injector and scavenge means to remove surplus lubricant from around each component and return it to the reservoir. Each injector comprises a pulsative injector, controlled by the control system to deliver lubricant to its associated component in a series of discrete pulses. In a preferred embodiment both the delivery of oil to each component and the scavenging of oil from each component are controlled in response to sensed conditions of that component.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the stroke limit of an electric motor-driven jack while the jack is being used to adjust the attitude of a mobile platform. A controller is programmed to detect when an electric jack motor has driven a jack to a jack stroke limit by monitoring one or more jack motor power draw characteristics and comparing those values to known values associated with the driving of a jack at or near the end of a jack stroke.

Abstract: An elevator (9) includes remote elevator monitoring equipment (10) connected by a communication linkage (12) to a central elevator monitoring and control station (11). Main, drive, and door controllers (16-18) are interconnected (19-21) with the monitor lines. Power-on-reset (POR) of controllers may be caused internally or by remotely-operable power relays (23-25) which interrupt power to the controllers. Maintenance personnel at the remote station (11) may order a POR through the communication linkage. In another embodiment, the remote elevator monitor (10) determines presence of a malfunction which a POR may cure and causes a POR internally or by a power relay. In another embodiment, the controller (16a) includes, in its program routines, elevator diagnostics (50) which can recognize an elevator malfunction which a POR may cure, and either cause the relay to interrupt power for an interval or cause an internal POR.

Abstract: A disk brake has a support member, an inner pad, and an outer pad. The support member is mounted on a car body member at a side near a car body with respect to a disk rotor and straddles the disk rotor in a cantilever manner in a rotor axis direction. The inner pad is movably supported in the rotor axis direction by the support member at a side near the car body with respect to the disk rotor. The outer pad is movably supported in the rotor axis direction by the support member at an outer side of the car body with respect to the disk rotor. The outer pad has a smaller friction coefficient than that of the inner pad, and the braking torque generated between the outer pad and the disk rotor is smaller than the braking torque generated between the inner pad and the disk rotor.

Abstract: A selectively engageable friction mechanism such as a brake assembly including hard anodized brake disks having a single cross section and a bias assembly including a single spring, in the preferred embodiment such spring being a belleville spring

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake band in which brackets are joined to both ends of a curved strap and a friction material is fixed to an inner side of the curved strap and wherein a dynamic pressure generating groove is formed in the friction material only at an area of the friction material which is positioned at an upper part along a vertical direction in a condition that the brake band is attached to an automatic transmission.

Abstract: A brakable wheel hub device includes a wheel hub shell having a disk securing portion with angularly displaced insert holes or slots extending from an end surface, a brake disk having a disk body and a plurality of keys which are disposed on and which extend axially from the disk body to be inserted into insert holes or slots, respectively, and a locking member having an externally threaded portion which is threadedly engaged with an internally threaded portion or a plurality of internally threaded segments formed in the wheel hub shell so as to force the disk body to displace to the end surface of the wheel hub shell.

Abstract: A brake pad for a disc brake has first and second abutment surfaces disposed toward opposite respective ends of the brake pad for mounting the brake pad in the disc brake and, in use, reacting a braking torque acting on the brake pad. The first abutment surface is centered above a neutral moment axis of the pad and facing in a first direction to react a braking torque generated in use during braking of a disc of the disc brake rotating in a particular direction. The second mounting abutment surface is centered below the neutral moment axis, and faces in the same first direction as the first abutment surface to also similarly react the braking torque generated during braking of a disc of the disc brake rotating in the particular direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic antivibration device comprises an inner strength member and an outer strength member together with an elastomer body disposed between the inner and outer strength members. The elastomer body includes at least two sets of two hydraulic chambers the chambers in any one set intercommunicating via a duct in which a fluid flows. The device includes a window strength member disposed inside the elastomer body and including at least one plate element close to the outer strength member. The ducts interconnect two chambers of a given set via at least a portion situated between a plate element of the window strength member and the outer strength member, and include walls formed by the elastomer body.

Abstract: The present invention provides the art with a shock absorber which is capable of compensating for the differing thermal expansion between two materials. The shock absorber in its various embodiments includes a free floating pressure tube that is able to expand or contract axially without breaking a seal, a hybrid piston rod with a shaft of one material that compensates for differing thermal expansions and a cap of another material that absorbs axial forces, a unique rod guide assembly with a biasing member that compensates for differing thermal expansions, and a unique cylinder end assembly with a biasing member made from springs, a rubber block, or pressurized gas.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing member with damper for use in Western style stool or piano and the like which facilitates an easy control of the rotary damper and easy execution of assembling work, and the hinge members corresponding to the opening and closing member side are adjacently disposed at the same side of the two pieces of the hinge members at the side of the proper member. The rotary damper having a directivity is disposed between the hinge members that face each other, and the mounting member at one side of the rotary damper is tied to the mounting member provided at the hinge member of the proper member, and the mounting member of the other side is tied to the mounting member provided at the hinge member of the opening and closing member.

Abstract: A damper device having a casing with a cylindrical inner circumferential surface, a shaft body located in the cylindrical space of the casing and supported in a freely turnable manner, a cover which seals the casing, and viscous fluid stored in a sealed space formed between the shaft body and the casing. The casing is provided with a first engagement part and a second engagement part which engage with the cover, and the cover is welded with the first engagement part by ultrasonic welding and positioned by the second engagement part which is used as a positioning part in an axial direction for the cover.

Abstract: A dual tube shock absorber includes a spool valve located between the upper working chamber and the reserve chamber. The spool valve moves with the piston rod to open and close a flow path between the upper working chamber and the reserve chamber. This provides a low damping characteristic for small movements of the piston rod which changes to a high damping characteristic for larger movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: This invention is directed at torsional vibration dampers of a rotating shaft. The dampers of the invention provide self-tuning to dampen harmonics, over a broad range of shaft angular velocities. Where the shaft rotates with an angular velocity about a longintudinal axis, and rotates perpendicular to a plane of rotation, the damper comprises: at least one passive damping element, and one controlling damping element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling two shafts intended to rotate in the continuation of one another about an axis. The device comprises a dog clutch allowing the driving shaft to drive the driven shaft, and declutching means allowing the dog clutch to be uncoupled from a clutch-engaged position to a declutched position. The declutching means comprise at least one first channel secured to a driving element of the dog clutch, the first channel having the shape of a portion of a torus about the axis, at least one second channel secured to the driving shaft, the second channel having a helical shape about the axis, and a rolling element intended to roll between the first and in the second channel.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a bicycle includes a hub shell adapted to be rotatably mounted on a hub axle, and having a plurality of angularly displaced retreat bores for receiving pawls, respectively, a flywheel mounting cylinder rotatably mounted on the hub axle and having a tubular coupling wall confronting the retreat bores, and an annular drive member including a coupling segment which is coupled to and which is rotated with the tubular coupling wall, and a toothed segment which extends into an annular accommodation space between the hub shell and the hub axle to be coupled with the pawls radially so as to form a uni-directional mechanism for driving the hub shell to rotate in a clockwise direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power transmission unit, in particular a multiple disk clutch or friction brake, in which a disk carrier that has at least one disk, which has external teeth and is fastened to it in a non-rotating fashion, which disk carrier, in a cylinder section and oriented toward the disk, has axial grooves and axial ribs distributed over the circumference in alternating fashion and is connected to a hub on one side by means of a drive plate spaced axially apart from the disks; a non-rotatable connection between the drive plate and the disk carrier is produced by means of plug-in teeth in order to transmit a torque. The object of the invention is to propose a power transmission unit (1) in which the axial space is reduced.

Abstract: A clutch actuator for controlling engagement of a friction clutch and having a first actuator plate rotatable about an axis, a second actuator plate adjacent to the first actuator plate, and a ballramp unit disposed between the first and second actuator plates. A piston assembly acts to induce rotation of the first actuator plate relative to the second actuator plate. Relative rotation between the first actuator plate and the second actuator plate induces linear movement of one of the first and second actuator plates along the axis to regulate engagement of the friction clutch.

Abstract: A clutch actuator for controlling engagement of a friction clutch and having a first actuator plate rotatable about an axis, a second actuator plate adjacent to the first actuator plate, and a ballramp unit disposed between the first and second actuator plates. A piston assembly acts to induce rotation of the first actuator plate relative to the second actuator plate. Relative rotation between the first actuator plate and the second actuator plate induces linear movement of one of the first and second actuator plates along the axis to regulate engagement of the friction clutch.

Abstract: The present invention allows for the pack clearance of a clutch pack to be adjusted during the manufacturing process to the proper amount, even if there are variations in friction disc thickness and steel disc thickness. The present invention is an electromagnetic clutch having an adjustable pack clearance arrangement, comprising an output shaft, a pressure plate, and a clutch pack actuated by the pressure plate. The pressure plate and the clutch pack are splined to the output shaft. There is also a clutch housing splined to the clutch pack, which also receives force from the clutch pack when the pressure plate is applied. The pressure plate defines a pack clearance for the clutch pack, and the pack clearance is adjustable by a pack clearance adjusting arrangement.

Abstract: A clutch operator for a disconnectable clutch useful in a motor vehicle, and having a self-adjusting release bearing supported on a housing and in the form of a rolling-contact bearing designed as an inclined-shoulder bearing. The bearing has an outer bearing ring, a rotating inner bearing ring and rolling bodies guided between the rings. An adjusting ring at the inner bearing ring. A sliding element in a supporting region of the adjusting ring on the inner bearing ring, and being in the form of complementary spherical-cap segments. A noise-reducing and wear-reducing coating, on which a spring element connected to the disconnectable clutch is supported at a radially oriented annular flange of the adjusting ring.

Abstract: A clutch-release device for actuating a friction clutch of a motor vehicle includes a clutch-release mechanism which slides axially along a release axis and is in working connection with a release element to transmit a clutch-actuating force. The clutch-release device also has a clutch lever which pivots around a center of rotation in a pivoting plane of the lever essentially including the release axis. The clutch lever defines a force application point to the release mechanism for the transmission of the clutch-actuating force. The clutch-release mechanism and the release lever are arranged with respect to each other such that, when a release movement is performed to actuate the clutch, the radial deflection of the force application point relative to the release axis is minimized over the entire range of the release movement.

Abstract: A drop safe comprising a housing, a safe door in the housing, the safe door having a slot for accepting deposits, a bill acceptor for accepting deposits through the slot, a cash cassette for storing cash received by the bill acceptor, wherein the cash cassette moves toward the safe door upon the opening of the safe door, as the safe door moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A device for transporting and arranging cylindrical elements in a row has a first conveying belt, operated by first motor means to pull a plurality of cylindrical elements in a feeding direction. A second conveying belt is situated in cascade with respect to the first conveying belt and is operated continuously for receiving and transporting the plurality of cylindrical elements in a direction concordant with the feeding direction. Canalization means are fastened to an upper run of the second conveying belt for intercepting and for guiding the cylindrical elements, being transported on the second conveying belt, in a discharge direction up to an outlet channel, situated on one side thereof. Sensor means are connected with the first motor means and detect the presence of at least one cylindrical element in a selected section of the second conveying belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for conveying transverse axially rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry. The device includes at least one fluted conveyor device with flutes for the articles. In this manner, the width of the flutes is greater than the diameter of the articles and the flutes respectively have at least one suction boring that can be acted on with a vacuum for holding the articles by a vacuum at a position in the flute.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and an apparatus for treating, in particular cooling, a layer of bulk material by means of a stream of gas passed through it on a grate. The grate includes a plurality of elongated planks which extend in a conveying direction and are driven in advancing and return strokes in the conveying direction in such a manner that at least two adjacent planks are moved forwardly simultaneously and are moved backwardly non-simultaneously. Since the material located on a plank which is being moved back is prevented from completely following the plank moving back by the friction generated with the material located above the adjacent planks or with the wall, the conveying effect in the conveying direction outweighs the conveying effect in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A feeder belt for strip-shaped parts used to feed the strip-shaped parts in various processes such as plating, deflashing, or the like among processes for manufacturing semiconductors or other articles at industrial scale. According to the feeder belt, by improving the structure of a finger including a belt body, the separation, fatigue, and the sliding during feeding of the strip-shaped parts of the finger are solved. Since external force can be applied in the horizontal direction when loading and unloading the strip-shaped parts, peripheral devices are simplified.

Abstract: The invention is related to induction driven straight or curved conveyors. Belts of the current invention have a flexible strip of permanent rare earth magnetic composition embedded therein. In combination with the flexible strip, stators induce magnetic flux to advance the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A guide, particularly for conveyor belts, inside which it is possible to accommodate first elements for generating a magnetic field, each one being constituted by a single permanent magnet, which has a U-shaped cross-section and has at least one pair of wings that protrude upward; the magnet can be inserted within a complementarily shaped receptacle formed inside the guide structure that can support slidingly a chain composed of a plurality of conveyance elements, which have second elements for their mutual engagement and are made at least partially of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the planarity of a conveyance element with respect to a guide while the conveyance element is in motion. This control is achieved by coupling a guide to a conveyance element where the conveyance element is held in a level position by a magnetic force. The attractive force specifically holds the edges of the conveyance element in place, so that they do not lift up or separate from the guide as the guide, by way of a chain coupling the guide to the conveyance element, carries the conveyance element through a defined path over a linear distance or around a corner in, for example, a manufacturing line environment.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of flexible belt modules molded out of a material such as a flexible elastomeric compound that enables the belt to wrap closely around drive sprockets. Drive elements in the bottom of the belt are uniformly spaced in the direction of belt travel. The distance between consecutive drive elements is the drive pitch, which is less than the pitch, roughly the length, of each module. A belt constructed of these modules has fewer joints between modules than a typical modular conveyor belt of the same length.

Abstract: What is described is a microscope comprising at least one rotary knob, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, for operation of actuating elements and comprising a plurality of buttons for control of electrical components, said buttons being arranged in the region of the rotary knob, wherein the buttons comprise operating surfaces, which are located substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and on the outline of the rotary knob, as viewed along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A push switch includes a case having a bottom face, first and second fixed contact provided on the bottom face of the case, a movable contact made of metal thin plate, an elastic body, and an operating body. The elastic body includes a cylindrical portion having a hole formed therein, a conical portion provided below the cylindrical portion, a projection located above the movable contact, and a junction portion coupling the projection to the cylindrical portion. This push switch can provide a long over-stroke after turned on.