Abstract: A condenser arrangement for control of condenser temperature and condenser pressure. The condenser arrangement includes a condenser coil and a plurality of fans disposed adjacent to the condenser coil. The plurality of fans are arranged and disposed to circulate air through the condenser coil. At least one baffle is positioned between adjacent fans of the plurality of fans and forms a plurality of channels extending from a surface of the condenser coil. The channels include a variable flow channel having a plurality of adjacent fans of the plurality of fans. The condenser arrangement also includes a control system to control operation of the plurality of fans. The control system is configured to independently control each fan of the plurality of fans in response to a sensed condition.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises one or more chamber to store food or beverage; a power source provided in the refrigerator to provide power; a compressor equipped in the refrigerator and couple to the power source to compress gas to generate refrigerant gas in the chamber; a door attached on the refrigerator; a display panel equipped on the door; an image capturing device set in the chamber, wherein the image capturing device is electrically coupled to the display panel.

Abstract: In order to provide a modular arrangement, an inverter for an electric traction motor used to drive an automotive vehicle is positioned in proximity with the traction motor. The inverter is located within a compartment adjacent to one end of the electric traction motor and is cooled in a closed system by spraying a liquid coolant directly onto the inverter. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from the inverter and is cooled by a heat exchange arrangement comprising a reservoir with pipes carrying a second coolant from the radiator of the automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant is collected from the inverter in an annular reservoir that is integral with the compartment containing the inverter. In accordance with one embodiment of the cooling arrangement, heat from the inverter vaporizes the liquid coolant by absorbing heat from the inverter during a phase change from a liquid to a vapor.

Abstract: Power electronics for electric traction motors used to drive automotive vehicles are cooled in a closed system by spraying a dielectric liquid coolant directly onto inverter circuitry. The liquid coolant changes phase and vaporizes as it absorbs heat from power transistors in inverter circuitry comprising the power electronics. The resultant vapor is condensed back to a liquid in a heat exchange arrangement having pipes carrying a second coolant from a radiator used to cool an engine or fuel cell stack in the automotive vehicle. Overspray coolant, which remains liquid, can also be cooled by the heat exchange arrangement. By utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of the dielectric coolant and increasing the rate recycling of the coolant as power output increases, temperature increases in the power electronics are controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (1) for fixing an adapter (3) for an add-on piece to a condenser that is provided with deformable lamellae located between coolant conduits. Said device (1) comprises an adapter-supporting piece (2) that is provided with the adapter (3) for the add-on piece. An opposite piece (5) is also provided. The adapter-supporting piece (2) and the opposite piece (5) encompass a number of facing, wedge-shaped protrusions (1, 13). A locking arrangement (6) is embodied on the adapter-supporting If piece (2) and the opposite piece (5) for connecting the adapter-supporting piece (2) and the opposite piece (5). The protrusions (11, 13) engage with the lamellae of the condenser so as to deform the same when the adapter-supporting piece (2) and the opposite piece (5) are connected, resulting in stable securing of the device (1) while the connection is formed by the locking arrangement (6).

Abstract: A refrigerating unit including a base, a heat exchanger, and a shroud attached to the base, the shroud provided with integrally formed means for gripping the heat exchanger and mounting the heat exchanger to the base. More particularly, a condensing unit including a base, a heat exchanger having opposite side edges defined by a pair of substantially cylindrical headers, at least one of the headers having an inlet tube or an outlet tube extending from a side surface thereof near one end of the header, and a substantially rectangular shroud attached to the base and being provided with notched corners forming notched corner edges. The shroud has a top surface which is provided with at least one elongate boss, and a plurality of integrally-formed resilient gripping portions which surround and capture the heat exchanger headers.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator/freezer having a control module for more reliably driving a rotatable ice ejector for removing ice bodies from a mold of the ice maker and for refilling mold cavities with water. The control module has an ice ejector drive with a drive coupling that includes a gear wheel and an ejector shaft section, both made of hard plastic material, preferably a polymide resin, for transmitting higher torque to the rotary ice ejector without failure of the plastic drive components. In one embodiment, a drive sleeve on the gear wheel and a drive shaft section have a spline coupling for more effectively distributing driving forces in the drive coupling. In another embodiment, a metallic collar is tightly positioned over the gear wheel sleeve for enhancing torque transmission in the drive coupling.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a freezer compartment having an ice maker disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces and an ice storage bin removably mounted to freezer compartment door below the ice maker having an open top receptacle for receiving ice pieces from the ice maker. The ice storage bin has a movable lid assembly including a frame removably mounted to the top of the ice storage bin and two lid members mounted to the frame. At least one lid member is pivotally mounted to the frame to close the receptacle when pivoted to a generally horizontal position and to open the receptacle when pivoted to a generally vertical position. The pivotal lid member is biased to the generally horizontal position.

Abstract: An improved shock-absorbing, disposable, insulated shipping container including an insulated body having a cavity for holding contents to be shipped in the container. The container also includes an especially configured dual-function structure, which is shock-absorbing and provides for air circulation about the contents of the container. A fan package provides for fan-forced circulation of air within the container over the contents and a temperature control mass, so that the contents are maintained at a desired uniform temperature during shipment.

Abstract: An earring that is convertible to a bracelet and vice versa is provided. The design comprises a chain of any type with magnetic clasps affixed at either end. Each earring may be attached to a person's ear lobe by using the magnetic elements in each clasp—the magnet elements attract one another when each clasp is fixed on either side of the earlobe. Alternatively, the two earrings can be coupled together in order to form a bracelet. Corresponding clasps from each of the earrings are mated together (via their internal magnets) in order to form a pair of decorative globes.

Abstract: I, Russell Leslie Phillips, together with Virginia Lindsley Frohlick, created the +Jhesus+Maria+Ring, to replace the one that was taken from Saint Jeanne D'Arc in the year 1431. We manufactured it, using present day lettering and medieval crosses; to combine the past and the future. We did it to give Saint Jeanne D'Arc a better ring than she originally had, because she was exposed to beautifull pieces of ‘heavenly’ jewellery, that Saints Michael Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, and Margharita of Antioch, wore upon their heads, when they appeared to her.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for producing a quartz glass crucible for use in pulling silicon single crystal, said crucible having at least a double-layer structure comprising a pore-free transparent inner layer and an opaque base body or outer layer having pores, characterized in that at least the base body is formed with a silica powder maintained in a gas having a mixing ratio of 0.0005 to 0.0065 kg/kg (dry gas), and a quartz glass crucible produced by said production method. The obtained crucible has an average OH group concentration of 50 ppm or lower and is capable of suppressing the vibration occurring on the surface of silicon melt during pulling the silicon single crystal. Further the obtained crucible suffers less deformation of the crucible on pulling the silicon single crystal.

Abstract: Micro-optical devices and methods of making the same are disclosed, wherein the disclosed micro-optical devices and methods include passive alignment features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making artificial tooth bridges consisting of a ceramic densely sintered high strength individual core veneered with Porcelain using powder metallurgical methods. According to the method the individual densely sintered bridge parts are joined together to a bridge core by a particle reinforced glass. Since only the glass material wets the surface of the densely sintered parts, the glass is the binding material that holds the core together and the particles function to only increase the strength (i.e. Kc value) of the bulk glass material.

Abstract: A bottle is separated along at least one or two severance planes and the base of the bottle is discarded leaving the body portion behind. The body portion having a rim (10) is inverted to form the bowl of the goblet. Under heat and rotation, the original mouth (20) is flared to form a foot and the neck portion (30) is twisted or otherwise closed to seal the goblet from leakage.

Abstract: A process for removing blisters (large bubbles in a glassmelt) and seeds (small bubbles in a glassmelt) from a glassmelt by feeding helium bubbles having a diameter between about 0.5 centimeter and about 3 centimeters at a prescribed flow rate and location to effectively produce a substantially bubble-free article.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine includes at least one operating element for forming molten glass gobs into articles of glassware, a source of wind for cooling the operating element, and a system for controlling flow of the cooling wind. The system includes a shut-off valve having a valve body with an air flow passage and an expansible air bladder mounted within the passage. A control valve selectively feeds air under pressure into the expansible bladder to expand the bladder and block the passage. In the preferred embodiment, the bladder is mounted on an arm that is cantilevered from one end of the valve body, and a mounting/transition plate removably mounts the opposing end of the valve body on the glassware forming machine. The mounting/transition plate preferably is of a material of lower thermal conductivity than the valve body to retard heat transfer to the valve body and the bladder.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing directional coupler includes forming a first waveguide over a substrate, forming a separate section on respective ends of the first waveguide, and forming a second waveguide stacked over the first waveguide, wherein the first waveguide and the second waveguide are patterned by ink-jet process. The first waveguide and the second waveguide may be formed so as to overlap each other. The method may further include forming a projecting portion on the substrate, wherein the first waveguide being formed on the projection portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber having a core of crystal fiber doped with chromium and a glass cladding. The fiber has a gain bandwidth of more than 300 nm including 1.3 mm to 1.6 mm in optical communication, and can be used as light source, optical amplifier and tunable laser when being applied for optical fiber communication. The present invention also relates to a method of making the fiber. First, a chromium doped crystal fiber is grown by laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG). Then, the crystal fiber is cladded with a glass cladding by codrawing laser-heated pedestal growth (CDLHPG). Because it is a high temperature manufacture process, the cladding manufactured by this method is denser than that by evaporation technique, and can endure relative high damage threshold power for the pumping light.

Abstract: The production of an optical component from quartz glass, by elongation of a coaxial arrangement of a core rod and a hollow cylinder of a given length, is known. The arrangement is thus introduced into a heating zone with a vertical orientation, such that the lower end begins to partly soften and the component is drawn downwards from the softened part. The hollow cylinder has an inner passage, provided with a restriction in the region of the lower end thereof, on which the core rod is supported. Several methods are disclosed for formation of the restriction in which the inner passage (55) is mechanically machined to a final dimension and, in one version of the method, the restriction in the inner passage (55) is generated by means of softening the lower end face of the hollow cylinder, swaged against a tool and thus folded inwards with formation of a peripheral bead ring.

Abstract: One-cylinder circular knitting machine for production of hose-like knitwear, such as socks, etc., that are closed at one of their ends, is provided with an dial plate (3) situated above the needle cylinder of the machine and equipped with dial sinkers (4, 4?) for cooperation with needles (1) during transferring the knitting. The machine is provided with a device for transferring the retained knitting of the toe pouch (V) knitted on a half-circle of needles (1) from one half of the dial sinkers (4) to the other half of the dial sinkers (4?).

Abstract: A method for producing intarsia designs with a circular knitting machine, comprising correlating needle sets for producing regions of design in different colors threads, with respective feeds of the machine, moving for knitting the needles of each needle set at the corresponding feed by alternating rotary actuation of the needle cylinder, with an oscillation sufficient to produce transit of the needles of each set of needles at the corresponding feed, forming knitting both in forward and return rotations of the needle cylinder, and moving needles located at ends of each needle set to knit both at the feed correlated with its needle set and with the contiguous needle set.

Abstract: A needle selector for a knitting machine which selects a working needle by using a piezoelectric body having piezoelectric element is provided, in which an intermediate position between a rear end portion and front end portion of the piezoelectric body movably supported by a housing is rotatably held by the housing by using a rotary member to stabilize vibration of the piezoelectric body, a sectional structure of the rotary member 3 on a plane which is perpendicular to an axis of the rotary member 3 and perpendicular to a plane of the piezoelectric body is formed such that a bend in a widthwise direction of the piezoelectric body 2 is suppressed to be smaller than a bend in the longitudinal direction, so that a vibration speed and torque of the piezoelectric body further increase and energy saving is achieved.

Abstract: Front-loading clothes washing machine comprising: a perforated rotating drum holding the clothes to be washed, an access opening into said drum, a stationary tub containing said drum, an access opening into said tub provided so as to lie in alignment with said access opening of said drum, an outer casing containing said tub therewithin, a front aperture in said outer casing adapted to ensure access to the access opening of the tub, a loading door provided to close said front aperture in the outer casing, an annular bellows-like gasket adapted to provide an elastic, water-tight junction between the access opening of the tub and the front aperture in the outer casing, in which the portion of said drum that defines the respective access opening has an elongated cylindrical configuration on its front side, which extends coaxially with the access opening of the tub, the latter being preferably provided with a corresponding elongated cylindrical configuration adapted to enclose said elongated cylindrical configurat

Abstract: Clothes washing machine comprising a washing tub, a drain pipe provided under said tub and connecting it with a drain pump chamber, said drain pipe comprising a central length and a final length oriented horizontally towards said drain pump chamber, a hydraulic impeller (4) provided within said drain pump chamber, wherein in correspondence to and below said final length there is arranged an auxiliary filtering chamber connected to said final length via a horizontal aperture provided in the bottom wall of said final length. Said horizontal aperture is situated at the beginning of said final length, as viewed in the direction of flow of the liquor being let off said tub. In a preferred manner, said auxiliary filtering chamber is provided with a bottom wall connected to said central length via a smoothly radiused union that is concave towards the interior of said central length.

Abstract: A drum washing machine which reduces the number of balance weights installed on the rear surface of a tub, and prevents the tub from being cracked due to eccentric rotation. The drum washing machine includes a bearing housing installed on the tub for supporting a rotary shaft; and a bearing housing bracket fixing the bearing housing to the tub, and serving as a balance weight for reducing vibration generated due to the eccentric rotation of a rotary drum. The drum washing machine further includes a balance weight detachably attached to the tub separately from the bearing housing bracket. The bearing housing bracket may be made of cast iron. The weight of the bearing housing bracket may be at least three times the weight of the balance weight. The thickness of the bearing housing bracket is gradually reduced from an opening to an edge portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tub for washing machines. The tub comprises a tub body, a weight receiving part formed at the tub body, and a balance weight integrally formed at the weight receiving part by injection molding. Consequently, the balance weight is integrally attached to the tub body without using additional fixing units for fixing the balance weight to the tub body, and therefore, the balance weight and the tub body are formed in a simple structure.

Abstract: A security device includes at least two pins and at least two locks. Each lock is adapted to releasably receive one pin. At least one of the at least two pins and the at least two locks are attached together. The device has a release position wherein the pins are not in the locks and a locked position where the pins are secured in the locks. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a detacher for use with two locks.

Abstract: A self-powered electric lock includes a lock bolt and a first engagement element having disengaged and engageable positions. An electric actuator includes an output operative to move the first engagement element to its engageable position. A manually operated rotatable member is operatively coupled to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. A lock bolt drive mechanism is coupled to the lock bolt and to the first engagement element when the first engagement element is in its engageable position. The movable output moves the first engagement element to its engageable position upon input of correct electronic data. An electricity generator is coupled to the manually operated rotatable member. The electricity powers the electric actuator and an electronic data input device. The manually operated rotatable member is also used to actuate the lock bolt drive mechanism and retract the lock bolt.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the diameter, rounding or straightening of pipe or tubing by rolling comprising a plurality of cylindrical rollers arranged in a parallel-cylindrical array through which the pipe or tubing is passed, the rollers being skewed to displace their central contact zones radially inwards bringing them into forceful contact with the external surface of the pipe or tubing, and being rotated to cause the central contact zones to describe helical paths along the external surface of the pipe or tubing. Thereby to progressively apply locally to the whole of the external surface of the pipe or tubing a compressive force in excess of the yield strength of its material, causing the pipe or tubing to adopt a set at a smaller diameter.

Abstract: A piercing method for manufacturing a seamless pipe capable of suppressing the rotary forging effects and suppressing the redundant shear strain without excessive narrowing of the roll diameter is provided. This method is characterized by holding a feed angle ? and a cross angle ? of main rolls in a range satisfying the following expressions (1) to (3), setting the relationship between outer diameter “d0” of the solid billet and the outer diameter “d” and thickness “t” of a hollow piece after piercing so as to satisfy the following expression (4), and further setting the relationship between inlet diameter D1 and outlet diameter D2 of the main roll with the above-mentioned “d0”, “d” and ? so as to satisfy the following expression (5). 8°???20°??(1) 5°???35°??(2) 15°??+??50°??(3) 1.5???r/???4.5??(4) (d/d0)/(0.75+0.

Abstract: A bending device for bending machine comprises a matrix (2), a countermatrix (6), and a die (7) able to prevent wrinkles. A countermatrix-holder support element (8) is fixed on an upper slide (10), which is slidable transversally to a workpiece T to be bent on a lower slide (11) movable in turn in the same direction of the upper slide (10), on a table (12). A first double-acting cylinder (19), being fixed on said lower slide (11), moves the countermatrix (6) toward and away from the workpiece (T); and a second double-acting cylinder (24) is slidable on the upper slide (10) and connected to a slider (25) on a counteracting rod (26) which is pivoted about an end of an arm-turning spindle (3), so that a force is exerted on the countermatrix-holder support element (8) in a projecting portion (23) thereof.

Abstract: A bending machine with a controlled-return bending die includes a matrix (2) mounted around a spindle (3) having an axis y, a bend arm (4) being able to turn around on the same axis y, and a vice (5) adapted to clamp a section of a workpiece to be bent. A driving element causes the bend arm (4) and the matrix (2), both being connected together by the vice (5), to rotate around the axis y for a set angle from a start position, and a workpiece bending operation is performed for a workpiece section corresponding to the angle. The bend arm (4) carries on itself a controlled return element able to return the matrix (2) to its start position at the end of workpiece bending operation.

Abstract: A bending machine with a compact bend arm includes in a bend arm (4) being mounted on a rotating spindle (3) a cylinder which is fed with a pressured fluid through hoses (7) being part of a hydraulic circuit connected to a source of pressured fluid and of an electric circuit. Each of the hoses (7), which are side by side, comprises a curved section (7a) around the rotating spindle (3), the curved section (7a) being radiused at one end to a section (7b) parallel to the bend arm (4), and at the other end to a section (7c) directed to the rest of the bending machine, to which hoses (7) are retained. In the section (7b) parallel to the bend arm (4) the plurality of hoses (7) are clamped on a slider (9) slidable in a prismatic guide (10) which is provided in the bend arm (4).

Abstract: A forming apparatus (50) includes a roll former (51) operative to roll form a metal strip (100) to form a profiled metal section (10) of generally C section profile including a pan (12) and a pair of upstanding edge margins (14 and 16). The section profile incorporates a longitudinal precamber which is introduced by the forming apparatus by incorporating a prestretching apparatus (52) upstream from the roll former (51), and a bending apparatus (53) located downstream of the roll former (51). The prestretching apparatus differentially stretches the metal strip (100) in its longitudinal direction so as to form portions (101, 102), which are more elongated than a laterally adjacent portion (103) of the strip (100). The differential stretching compensates for longitudinal shortening of the metal strip in forming the profiled section in the roll former (51). The bending apparatus (53) uses a (3) point bending process and includes a reaction stage (60), a fulcrum stage (61), and an action stage (62).

Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder (1), in particular for producing curved extrusion products. According to the invention, the extrusion product is formed and subsequently curved or bent by the action of external forces in a mould (11), which is located on a counter tie-bar (8) of the extruder and usually comprises a pressure part (9) and a die holder (14) that houses the die (13).

Abstract: A stripping assembly for removal of a can body from a punch in a can bodymaker in which an actuator lifts stripper fingers clear of the can carried on the punch in the forward stroke to avoid damage to the can or can coating. On the return stroke, the actuator piston is disabled so that the fingers close around the punch for stripping the can from the punch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a shaping machine (1) having a tool (2), in particular a shaping machine having a shaping tool, in which the workpiece is handled by means of a handling device (3) during the manufacturing process. To improve the production process, the invention provides that before machining of workpieces on the shaping machine (1), the position and/or orientation of the tool (2) is/are determined by approaching at least one reference surface (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) on the tool (2) with a handling device (3) equipped with at least one sensor (4, 4?), transmitting the determined positions of the reference surfaces (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) to an evaluating means (11), and determining in the evaluating means (11) the position and orientation of the tool (2). The invention further relates to a shaping machine.

Abstract: Cobalt chrome forging of complex parts such as femoral knee implants is described.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools. Provided in certain embodiments are a press brake tool holder and a press brake tool, in combination. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided. In some embodiments, the tool holder has a mechanism for tool seating, such as a mechanism adapted for moving a tool generally parallel to a pressing axis of the tool holder.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools. Provided in certain embodiments are a press brake tool holder and press brake tool, in combination. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle frame and unibody straightening jig has multiple receivers at each end for connection with pulling tower assemblies on all sides of the vehicle. Multiple pulling towers can be installed side-by-side on the same side or end of a vehicle. Receivers at the end of the jig may be installed in parallel orientation. The receivers are selectively removable. The jig also includes lateral support legs or outriggers pivotable about a 90° arc and foldable against the spine to reduce the width of the jig for storage. Height-adjustable, rotatable clamps are mounted on the outriggers for connecting the jig to a vehicle frame or unibody, The clamps are adjustable along the length of the legs to permit connection of the jig with a wide variety of vehicle frames and unibody structures. The jig also includes a carriage assembly with wheels for easy positioning beneath a vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor monitoring system and associated methods are provide that preferably include a plurality of sensors connected in parallel across a single pair of wires that include resistances of equal value placed in series between each sensor. This allows each sensor to measure the voltage dropped between itself and the monitoring system to determine its relative placement on the bus to autonomously assign itself a number to delineate to the monitoring system its relative location on the equipment or item being monitored. The sensors modulate their internal resistance to change the current on the bus to transmit their status to the monitoring system.

Abstract: A self-calibration device and method for a FFET sensor having a thin functional film positioned to detect the presence of at least one specific component in a fluid, a current driven source, a gate and a voltage source applied to said gate, a tub and a drain. An input signal is applied to the gate to produce a measured output signal that is compared to an expected output reference signal. The input signal is selected from controlled voltage pulses to the gate, or the source bias current can be changed. Alternatively, the signal can be a known concentration pulse of the specific component applied to the FFET or a heat source pulse for changing the temperature of the FFET by a small amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for aligning a rotation rate sensor with a vibration gyroscope, the first input and the first output of which is part of a primary control circuit. Said control circuit excites the vibration gyroscope to vibrate at its natural frequency by supplying it with an excitation signal. The second input and the second output of the vibration gyroscope is part of a secondary control circuit. An output signal can be gathered from the second output and said signal is demodulated after amplification and analog to digital conversion to give an in-phase component and a quadrature component. After filtering, these components are modulated and composed to give a driver signal that is supplied to the second input and a rotation rate signal is derived from the in-phase component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting the steps taken by a walker, where the method includes detecting an acceleration value generated by a step taken by a walker at every first stated interval, calculating a standard deviation of detected acceleration values at every second stated interval, determining a walking mode corresponding to the calculated standard deviation among first through Nth walking modes as a walking pattern of the walker, in which N is a positive integer that is larger than 1, checking if there is at least one absolute value that is larger than a threshold acceleration value corresponding to the determined walking mode among the absolute values of the detected acceleration values, and incrementing a count value as a step taken by the walker if there is at least one absolute value that is larger than the threshold acceleration value among the absolute values of the detected acceleration values.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibration and testing of pressure switches which are typically used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. The apparatus can be used to test, set or adjust a pressure switch to the manufacturer's specifications. The apparatus includes an exterior housing with an on/off switch, a vacuum nozzle, a pressure nozzle, and a bypass control valve mounted thereon, with the inside of the housing including an air compressor in communication with the nozzles and the bypass control valve. The air compressor typically operates from a battery power supply located within the housing. A pressure measuring device, such as a differential pressure gage, and a conductivity meter are typically used in conjunction with the device to calibrate adjustable pressure switches and to test and diagnose faulty pressure switches.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a method comprises determining an orientation of a device, said device having at least one component with a selectable function. The method further comprises selecting a function for the at least one component based on the orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibration actuator. The vibration actuator excites a mass member by interaction between an electric field of a vibration coil provided in an inner space of a case and a magnetic field of a magnetic field unit disposed corresponding to the vibration coil. The vibration actuator comprises an elastic wire having a wire body fixed to the outer surface of the mass member and elastic ends fixed to the inner surface of the case. The elastic wire is connected between the case and the mass member for elastically supporting mass member. The present invention minimizes change of natural frequency due to manufacturing tolerance of raw materials to improve vibration characteristics of the vibration actuator, simplifies and reduces a manufacturing process to improve productivity of the vibration actuator, and improves durability to increase the service life of the vibration actuator.

Abstract: A method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test is disclosed. The method subjects the motor vehicle to a sequence of different tests and provides a system of staged modifications that can be made to help the motor vehicle pass the current test without invalidating test results obtained earlier in the sequence. In some cases, this method can be used to confirm that a particular motor vehicle qualifies for a certain crash test routine.