Abstract: The present invention includes an improved cutting element substrate for cutting elements. The cutting element substrate includes non-planar, non-linear interfaces with an abrasive layer of superhard material affixed thereto often using a high pressure high temperature press apparatus. The cutting element substrate includes a cant intersecting a first and second interfacial surface. A plurality of truncated nodules intersects the first surface and extends towards the second surface. Arcuate segments protrude out of the second surface and are radially positioned along the surface. The truncated nodules are ill-aligned with the arcuate segments proximate the truncated nodules.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a suspension and weigh system for use with a vehicle having weight bearing members. The system has a support connectable to the weight bearing members of the vehicle. The support has a length and a neutral axis along at least a portion of the length. A weigh system is coupled to the support and configured to measure and/or determine weight carried by the weight bearing members. The weigh system has a load sensor attached to the support and positioned substantially adjacent to the neutral axis. A data processor is coupled to the load sensor and configured to receive the output signal from the load sensor for determining the weight carried by the axles. In one embodiment, a display is coupled to the data processor and configured to display data related to the weight carried by the axles.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for determining the presence of an object, such as a user's finger or a stylus, is provided. The sensor comprises a substrate, for example made of transparent plastics material, such as PET, on which electrodes are deposited. A resistive drive electrode for example formed of transparent ITO, is arranged on one side of the substrate and a resistive sense electrode, which again may be of transparent ITO, is arranged on the other side of the substrate. Thus an overall transparent sensor may be provided. A shorting connection is also provided which is configured to connect between two locations on one of the electrodes. The electrodes are connected to respective drive and sense channels. By providing the shorting connection between two locations on one or other (or both) of the electrodes, a lower resistance connection is provided between other locations on the electrode and the corresponding drive or sense channel.

Abstract: The “turbojet powered automobile” of this invention is actually powered by an electric motor for locomotion. The electric motor in this automobile provides a much superior acceleration response and smoother cruising control than can be obtained from a turbojet engine directly. The turbojet engine runs an electric generator that powers a battery pack and the electric motor. This automobile is designed to balance the weight load of the turbojet engine located at the back end of the vehicle with the electric motor, battery pack, and transmission located at the front end of the automobile. The turbojet engine in this automobile can be fueled by ordinary jet fuel, kerosene, diesel, or solid aluminum fuels that have recently been developed. Consequently, this turbojet automobile can be environment friendly, economical, and a lot of fun to drive.

Abstract: A hydraulic-drive work vehicle includes a plurality of variable capacity hydraulic motors which are rotated by receiving pressure oil from a variable capacity hydraulic pump. Wheels provided at two or more axles are rotated due to torques of the hydraulic motors. The work vehicle is provided with a traveling stabilizer, the traveling stabilizer including a traveling-state detector for detecting a traveling state of the vehicle, and a controller which receives a signal from the detector and varies a capacity of at least particular one of the plurality of hydraulic motors according to the traveling state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A structure of a main frame of a construction machine and a method for manufacturing the same are invented. Portions of the main frame to which an external force is applied by traveling units and working machines are formed into unitary casting modules, and the other portions of the main frame are formed into modules of sheeted structures. Then, these modules are combined to form the main frame. In the manufacturing process, required machining operations for the modules are completed before the combining of the same modules together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a small vehicle, particularly a wheel chair, having a modular structure including a main component, at least one pivotable wheel which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device, at least one driving wheel adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device and a seat component which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device. The main component comprises a main body to which four arms for supporting the wheels are springably coupled. The quick release devices between said main component and said wheels are disposed between said arms and said wheels, respectively.

Abstract: An electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches, wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states. In a parallel configuration, the battery provides power to a primary load, such as a propulsion load for a vehicle. In a series configuration, the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short-term and/or pulsed load, such as an additional load provided on the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for operating a hybrid vehicle, which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine as the propulsive drive, the electric machine operates in both motor and generator modes. Furthermore, there is an accumulator device, such as a capacitor assembly, for storing electric energy. The aim is to provide a method that guarantees an improved start-up operation of a hybrid motor vehicle in terms of fuel consumption and emission. This is achieved in that in the start-up operation the torque required on the basis of the request of the driver to drive the vehicle is divided between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, as a function of the existing operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: At least two or more energy storage units are disposed on the right and left sides, in a traveling direction, of a vehicle, and a drive unit for controlling these energy storage units is located between the two or more energy storage units. The drive unit is lower in height than the two or more energy storage units, whereby air passage are formed above the drive unit and between the two or more energy storage units.

Abstract: A hood hinge assembly for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle includes a base adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle. The hood hinge assembly also includes a mount bar adapted for pivotal attachment to the hood at a first pivot point. The hood hinge assembly includes a lever bar pivotally attached to the mount bar at a second pivot point and pivotally attached to the base at a third pivot point. The hood hinge assembly further includes an actuator operable to pivot the lever bar about the third pivot point to thereby move the first pivot point away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A hood hinge assembly for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle body of a vehicle including a base adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle. The hood hinge assembly also includes an actuator link adapted for pivotal attachment to the hood at a first pivot point and a mount link pivotally attached to the actuator link at a second pivot point. The hood hinge assembly includes a lever link pivotally attached to the mount link at a third pivot point and pivotally attached to the base at a fourth pivot point. The hood hinge assembly further includes an actuator operable to pivot the actuator link, mount link, and the lever link to thereby move the first pivot point away from the vehicle. The hood hinge assembly includes a support link pivotally attached to the mount link at a fifth pivot point. The support link is operable to support the mount link at the fifth pivot point as the mount link pivots about the second pivot point.

Abstract: A vehicle engine compartment hood is provided for a vehicle body having a hood opening. A hood panel normally closes the engine compartment. A hood base panel underlies the hood panel and is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body for pivotal opening movement to lift the hood panel and allow access to the engine compartment through the hood opening. A mechanism acts between the hood panel and the hood base panel for selectively elevating the hood panel above the hood base panel and the hood opening when the vehicle is in a pedestrian rich environment. The mechanism absorbs energy when an impact is received against the hood panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to transport means, in particular to light aircushion vehicles. The aim of said invention is to design a better-controlled light aircushion vehicle. The aim of said invention is to design a better-controlled light aircushion vehicle. The inventive air-cushion vehicle comprises a body, an elastic enclosure (2) forming with the body bottom a lifting chamber, a propelling fan (3), an internal combustion engine (4) for driving the fan (3), propelling and lift contours (6, 7) which are divided by a ridge (5) which is used for guiding an air flow from the fan (3) to said contours, an air nozzle (8) for the propelling contour, a thrust reverser bucket (12) arranged at the output of the air nozzle (8), the vehicle control system comprising the thrust reverser bucket (12) control system and a control system of rudders which are disposed on the nozzle (8) exit section and in the lift contour (7), said rudders being cinematically connected to each other and to the vehicle control system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for designing and manufacturing a snowmobile platform. The method entails designing and manufacturing a group of tunnel subassemblies, designing and manufacturing a group of engine cradle subassemblies, and designing and manufacturing a group of front suspension subassemblies. Next, one tunnel subassembly, one engine cradle subassembly, and one front suspension subassembly are selected from each respective group. Then, the tunnel subassembly is connected to the engine cradle subassembly at a rear portion thereof. Finally, the front suspension subassembly is connected to the engine cradle subassembly at a front portion thereof to create the snowmobile platform. The present invention also concerns a snowmobile platform constructed according to this method, which combines, among other elements, a tunnel subassembly, an engine cradle subassembly, and a front suspension subassembly.

Abstract: A motorcycle with a low floor is configured such that secondary vibration of an engine can be largely reduced and an increase in engine width can be suppressed. The motorcycle with a low floor includes step floors on which to put a rider's feet on left and right sides of a vehicle body frame. An engine is provided between the step floors. A plurality of exhaust pipes extend respectively from cylinders of the engine, the exhaust pipes being gathered at a gathering portion. The engine is an in-line 3-cylinder engine having cylinder portions inclined forwardly. The exhaust pipes extend downwards from the cylinder portions on the basis of each cylinder. The exhaust pipes are bundled and extend on the right side of the engine, in a position on the lower side of one of the step floors.

Abstract: An operating device capable of assuring safety when operating on-vehicle equipment of an automobile is implemented. The operating device includes force sensors buried in a grasping part of a steering wheel in a vehicle, a detector for detecting force acted on the grasping part on the basis of an output signal of each of the force sensors, and a controller for outputting an operating signal to a piece of the on-vehicle equipment mounted on the vehicle on the basis of a detected signal supplied from the detector. As a result, it is possible to operate force sensors and operate the on-vehicle equipment by adjusting force used to grip the steering wheel or pressing the steering wheel without letting go the driver's hold of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for an automobile includes a reduction mechanism having a worm shaft and a worm wheel, the worm shaft having a worm formed on an outer peripheral surface of the worm shaft, the worm shaft being contained in a housing, the worm wheel being formed on a side of the steering shaft, the reduction mechanism being driven by the motor; a support member for enclosing an end-side outer peripheral surface of the worm shaft; and an elastic member for applying elastic force to the support member in a direction slanted away from an axial direction of the worm shaft. The gap between the worm wheel and the worm shaft is compensated for and backlash is avoided. Since a single elastic member is used, the number of components is reduced, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Abstract: A method for generating an active damping torque signal for a vehicle steering system includes receiving a vehicle speed input, receiving a handwheel velocity input, receiving a handwheel torque input, and generating an active damping torque output from each of the inputs, wherein the active damping torque output is non-linear with respect to the handwheel velocity input.

Abstract: An active exhaust-noise attenuation muffler for an exhaust pipe includes a control unit, a sensor assembly which is operatively connected to the control unit, and a gas-tight diaphragm constructed to be resistant to exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe and acoustically coupled with a flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe. The diaphragm has a surface which confronts the exhaust gas. A transducer is operated by the control unit for causing the surface of the diaphragm to vibrate in a bending vibration mode to produce a structure-borne sound in dependence on exhaust noise.

Abstract: A muffler assembly includes first and second muffler components that are each formed as a single piece. The first muffler component includes a first outlet pipe portion, a first bypass pipe mount portion, and a first resonator shell portion. The second muffler component includes a second output pipe portion, a second bypass pipe mount portion, and a second resonator shell portion. The first and second muffler components are positioned in an overlapping relationship such that respective portions are aligned with each other to form an outlet pipe, a bypass pipe mount, and a resonator shell. A noise attenuation valve assembly is also installed within the first and second muffler components. The bypass pipe mount is positioned at a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the outlet pipe such that a bypass pipe having a straight end mount can be received within the bypass pipe mount to bypass the noise attenuation valve assembly.

Abstract: A laminated steel having a non-continuous viscoelastic layer. The viscoelastic material is absent (voided) at certain predetermined locations of the laminated steel, particularly predetermined potential weld locations. Preferably, the outside surface of at least one of the metal sheets is marked to indicate each location of absence of the viscoelastic material. Advantageously, welding of the laminated steel at the absences of viscoelastic material will be more easily performed than if the viscoelastic material had been present at the weld site.

Abstract: A bottom anchor assembly for a substantially vertically-orientated elongate safety line comprises safety line gripping means, tensioning mean for adjusting the safety line tension to a predetermined value, bracket means and connector arm means. The tensioning means and safety line gripping means are spaced apart and are linked by the connector arm means so that a safety line traveller moving along a safety line gripped by the safety line gripping means can pass over the safety line gripping means and the connector arm means.

Abstract: A dorsal pad assembly for use with a safety harness having a first strap and a second strap includes a D-ring operatively connected to the straps and a mechanism operatively connected to the dorsal pad assembly. The D-ring has a first position and a second position. The first position is a receiving position and the second position is a connected operating position to a safety device. The mechanism substantially holds the D-ring in the first position and allows the D-ring to be in the second position when the D-ring is operatively connected to the safety device.

Abstract: A modular roof installation scaffolding system comprises a plurality of light-weight, generally rectilinear rails having a plurality of regularly-spaced apertures extending laterally therethrough. The rails are supportable upon a plurality of feet adapted for pinned connection to the rails utilizing the apertures. One or more jacks are slidably supportable on the rails and are adapted for pinned connection to the rails. The jacks are adapted to support one or more planks extending orthogonally to and across the rails for supporting one or more roofing installers thereon. A roof hook is attachable to each rail for supporting the scaffolding on the roof at the ridgeline of the roof.

Abstract: An elevator installation with a drivebelt sheave and a flat-beltlike suspension member that bears the elevator car and the counterweight, and that is driven by the drivebelt sheave. A running surface or a partial running surface of the drivebelt sheave, via which the flat-beltlike suspension member rests on the drivebelt sheave, is friction-reducingly coated or friction-reducingly surface treated.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a guide rail has a plurality of unit rails that are vertically connected to each other. A car is provided with a rail joint detecting device mounted on the car, for detecting the presence/absence of a joint between each of the unit rails. The rail joint detecting device has a joint detecting portion for optically detecting the presence of the joint; and a joint determining portion for determining the presence/absence of the joint based on information from the joint detecting portion. Information on the presence/absence of the joint is outputted from the joint determining portion to a car position correcting circuit. In the car position correcting circuit, information on the position of the car is corrected based on the information on the presence/absence of the joint.

Abstract: Pistons 3 and 7 are pressed to a friction member 11 at two points that are positioned at a rotating-in side and a rotating-out side in a rotating direction of a brake rotor 10. An axial force control is performed for the piston 3 on the rotating-out side, and a position control based on the position of the piston 3 on the rotating-out side is performed for the piston 7 on the rotating-in side.

Abstract: A load indicator for use with a railway car hand brake that is connected to a railway car brake rigging comprising a housing, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted in the housing, each of the plurality of levers having a first end and an opposite second end, a plate coupled to each of the plurality of lever second ends, wherein the plate is moveable with respect to the housing, and a plurality of springs each operatively coupled between a respective one of the plurality of lever first ends and the housing. At least one of the plurality of lever first ends is moveable between a first position in which tension exerted on the plate from the railway car hand brake is within a predetermined range, and a second position in which tension exerted on the load indicator from the railway car brake rigging is outside the predetermined range.

Abstract: An electro mechanical or pneumatically actuated disk brake, in particular for a utility vehicle, includes a brake caliper or saddle and a brake disk. The brake saddle overlaps the brake disk at least in sections of the outer periphery thereof. The disk brake also includes a tensioning device which is entirely or partially inserted into the brake saddle. The tensioning device is used to produce a tensioning movement between the brake linings and the brake disk. The disk brake further includes at least one, and preferably several, adjusting devices. The brake disk and/or the brake saddle are arranged on a stop with elastic pre-tension when the brake is in a release state. Braking is determined by a control method in a sensor-free manner during adjustment.

Abstract: An electro mechanical or pneumatically actuated disk brake, in particular for a utility vehicle, includes a brake caliper or saddle and a brake disk. The brake saddle overlaps the brake disk at least in sections of the outer periphery thereof. The disk brake also includes a tensioning device which is entirely or partially inserted into the brake saddle. The tensioning device is used to produce a tensioning movement between the brake linings and the brake disk. The disk brake further includes at least one and preferably several adjusting devices. The brake disk and/or the brake saddle are arranged on a step with elastic pre-tension when the brake is in the release state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a friction damped disc brake rotor, including the steps of: (A) providing a ceramic coating on an insert, wherein the insert has a body with tabs extending therefrom to hold the insert in a desired position within a mold; (B) washing the ceramic coating off of the tabs; (C) positioning the insert into the mold; and (D) casting a rotor cheek of the disc brake rotor in the mold around the insert such that a portion of each tab is bonded with the rotor cheek, and such that the coating is substantially non-bonded with the rotor cheek so that the coating provides a proper interfacial boundary between the body and the cheek for damping, and the at least partial bonding of each tab with the rotor cheek prevents corrosion-causing exterior elements from reaching the interfacial boundary when the friction damped disc brake rotor is in use.

Abstract: A disc brake enables a parking apparatus to be operated via actuation of an electric motor, thereby permitting easy operation of the parking apparatus. The disc brake comprises a piston to compress a friction pad used for braking of a disc, a caliper housing to receive the piston such that the piston moves linearly therein, and having a cylinder section to which a hydraulic pressure for braking is applied, an actuation shaft rotatably installed within the cylinder section, and having a male screw formed thereon, a compression sleeve installed within the piston to compress or release the piston while linearly moving therein by rotation of the actuation shaft, and having a female screw formed thereon to engage with the male screw of the actuation shaft, an electric motor to rotate the actuation shaft, a multi-stage reduction gear train to transmit rotational force of the electric motor to the actuation shaft.

Abstract: A spring force adjusting device for a hydraulic shock absorber includes a cover (13) having a tubular shape, which is arranged on an outer side of a rod (12), a suspension spring (2) arranged on outer peripheries of a cylinder (11) and the cover (13), a cam mechanism (3) which adjusts a spring force, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the cover (13), a top cap (5) mounted on a tip of the rod (12), a junction member (4) sandwiched between the top cap (5) and the cover (13), and a means for preventing relative rotations of the top cap (5), the cover (13), and the junction member (4).

Abstract: An improved electrically operated transportation vehicle and an electrified roadway over which the vehicle may operate and which supplies electric current to the vehicle are disclosed, in which hot power lines are located overhead of vehicles and neutral lines are deposited on the surface of the roadway. In addition, a high voltage AC line, extending continually along the roadway, is separated from a segmented low voltage AC or DC line. An improved electrical pickup is also disclosed to facilitate engagement and disengagement of a vehicle from a power supply line.

Abstract: In a method for operating a motor vehicle drive train during a shifting operation of a gearwheel change gearbox, the clutch is triggered for closing before the target gear is fully engaged. A control device determines a triggering moment for the clutch as a function of operational parameters and/or state variables of the drive train. The control device calculates a required interval which is necessary until complete engagement of the target gear and an interval which is necessary until a gripping point of the clutch is reached. An optimum triggering moment is determined from these intervals. The tractive force interruption during a shifting operation is thus very short. At the same time, the completion of the shifting operation is ensured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic control device for an automatic dual-clutch transmission which has a first clutch and a second clutch, having a control valve unit which predefines at least one hydraulic parameter such as pressure and/or one volume flow. Regulating this parameter engages or disengage the clutches. An additional separating valve can is provided assuming a normal position when the second control signal is applied, so that at least one of the clutches can be operated by means of the control valve unit. The purpose is to provide enhanced operational safety against misoperation while at the same time secure availability of the clutches.

Abstract: A drive device for electric vehicles comprises a casing 30, a motor 40 housed in the casing and having a rotating shaft 42, a housing 50 rotatably fitted around the casing and coupled to the outer end of the rotating shaft of the motor by a reduction gear mechanism 48, a drive wheel 80 provided around the housing and an electromagnetic brake 60 for arresting the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor at the base end of the shaft. The rotating shaft of the motor is engaged with or disengaged from the electromagnetic brake by a clutch mechanism 70 provided between the shaft and the brake.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque in one rotary direction includes a cam plate including notches spaced angularly about an axis, a rocker plate including pockets mutually spaced angularly about the axis, rockers, each rocker being located in a respective pocket for movement toward and away from engagement with a notch on the cam plate, a spring recesses, each spring recess including a retainer, and springs, each spring located in a spring recess and engaged with a retainer, for urging a rocker toward the cam plate and engagement with a notch.

Abstract: A torque-controlling mechanism for transmission shaft, including: a first shaft; a second shaft coaxially connected with the first shaft, the first and second shafts being synchronously or independently rotatable about the same axis; and a controlling unit arranged between adjacent first ends of the first and second shafts. The controlling unit includes a clutch section movable between a clutching position and a declutching position. In the clutching position, the adjacent first ends of the first and second shafts are engaged with each other via the clutch section, whereby the first and second shafts can synchronously rotate about the same axis. In the declutching position, the first and second shafts are independently rotatable about the same axis. The locating section serves to resiliently keep the clutch section in the clutching position. The clutch section includes several concaves formed on a circumference of a first end of the second shaft.

Abstract: A torque transfer apparatus including a torque transfer plate with reduced thermal stresses. The apparatus includes a housing and a pack including at least one pair of plates interacting to transfer torque. At least one of the plates includes a plurality of teeth with at least two slots to reduce thermal stresses.

Abstract: An activation assembly in a transmission for two pressure-activated friction shifting elements positioned immediately behind each other axially, basically on the same radial transmission diameter and are constructed as a disc coupling or a disc brake, each of which is associated with its own servo device. To activate the two shifting elements separately and independent of the pressure, the inner discs (10, 11) of both friction shifting elements are positioned on a common inner disc carrier (16), the inner disc carrier (16) has, with respect to its cross-sectional geometry, a pot axially opened on one side, and the two servo devices are located radially within the pot space (27) formed by the pot-shaped inner disc carrier (16) as well as axially next to each other and basically radially below both disc packets (8, 9) of the friction shifting elements.

Abstract: A parking lock mechanism of an automatic transmission includes a parking gear provided in a casing, a parking pawl engaged with the parking gear to achieve a parking lock state, a parking rod moving in an axial direction to press the parking pawl against the parking gear, and a guide portion guiding movement of the parking rod in the axial direction. The guide portion is formed with a casing.

Abstract: A parking lock mechanism of an automatic transmission includes a casing, a parking gear provided in the casing, a parking pawl engaged with the parking gear to achieve a parking lock state, and a “parking pawl holding portion” suppressing inclination of the parking pawl in an out-of-plane direction (a direction shown with an arrow DR40). A groove portion is formed in the casing. A protruding portion is provided in a sleeve fixed to the casing. A side surface of the groove portion implements a “first portion” of the “parking pawl holding portion.” A base and protruding portion are formed from a member separate from the casing, and implement a “second portion” of the “parking pawl holding portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns an idler (10) having a shell (12) with at least one core (14) within the shell. The shell has at least one inwardly projecting shell formation (32), and the core has at least one outwardly projecting core formation (40), wherein the shell formation and the outwardly projecting core formation are engaged with one another.

Abstract: A paper money input and output device includes a money input unit to which paper money is paid in, a money output unit which releases paper money to the exterior of the device, a plurality of recirculation cases which, along with storing paper money, also output stored paper money to the money output unit, a collection case which can store paper money from the money input unit or the plurality of recirculation cases, and a rejected-for-payout case which stores money which has been paid out from the recirculation cases and which has been rejected for outpayment; and, along with these units being arranged so that the thickness direction of the paper money which they receive is in the same direction, and along with them being provided in a stacked state in that direction, on one side only of a direction which is orthogonal with respect to the direction along which the money input unit, the money output unit, the collection case, the rejected-for-payout case, and the recirculation cases are provided in a stacked

Abstract: A hopper coin feeder (1) comprises upper and lower hopper discs (18, 25). A flexible hopper wall (17) of diabolo shape cooperates with the upper disc (18) to control the feeding of coins by a coin pushing member (35) to the outer margin of the disc (18) where they are gripped between an annular band (33) and the disc (18) to be conveyed past a coin discriminator (61). Any coins or debris that drop from the edge of upper disc (18) are caught on the lower disc (25) and pass to a reject chute (132) and coin payout cup (12). An active coin delivery chute and diverter (80), FIG. 10, comprises a reciprocable plate (81) having a finger (82) which controls whether a coin fed from the upper disc (18) passes down the chute or is rejected onto the lower disc (25). Coins that pass down the chute enter a bowl (89) of a double-disc coin conveying assembly (5) that conveys a coin from the bowl (89) to a LIFO coin stacks (3) of a coin storage unit (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine, for rolling apples around their major axes at a fixed rpm depending upon the imaging and processing speed so as to make it possible for the camera to scan the entire periphery of each apple. This orientation unit of the present invention consists of a pair of rollers, wherein each of the rollers has a conical profile on one side and a flat laminar surface on the other side to orient an apple of any shape with its major axis aligned along the axis of rotation. This set of rollers is spring loaded to make it possible for the rollers move to and fro to accommodate apples of size ranging from 60 mm to 100 mm. A rotating belt is provided underneath the rollers to rotate the fruits at a desired rpm so that a camera with an image processing system can scan the entire periphery of the fruit, including the size and shape, and surface bruises, and grade them into multiple categories in terms of quality.

Abstract: Heat is transferred away from the rollers and base of a printer heater by introducing chilled water into the rollers and the base. The paper upon which print has been applied remains at an elevated temperature so that the drying of the print is not delayed. A conventional roller is modified by having an annular cavity formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the cavity and a chiller. A conventional base is modified by the addition of a serpentine passageway formed in its interior and providing fluid communication between the passageway and the chiller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the roller prevents breaking down of oil in the bearings of the roller. Cold water provided by the chiller to the base carries the heat from the base, increasing the safety of the workplace and extending the working lifetime of the base and its related parts.

Abstract: A supporting body (1) for an axially moving body such as a conveyor belt, a cable or a stepless escalator, comprising a roller (3) rotatable about a shaft (2) for the support of the body and at least a first support (4) in which the shaft of the roller is mounted for carrying the roller, wherein a second support is provided, wherein the first support and the second support (5) are designed to cooperate in carrying the roller, wherein the second support is fixedly mounted and the first support can, in the moving body's direction of movement, be fixedly coupled with the second support, while in a plane perpendicular to this direction of movement, the first support is rotatable about a pivoting point located on a contact surface shared by the roller and the body to be supported by the roller.