Abstract: A switching mechanism of a multiple change-over gear with an axially displaceable and pivoted gearshift lever shaft having a shift finger formed on the gearshift lever shaft with switching wings which are operatively connected with a synchronization and coupling device for wheels supported on a wheel set shaft of the gearing unit, and with cams formed on the switching wings with which the shift finger can mesh for the execution of a process of gear ratio modification and, over the cams, can axially displace the switching wings.

Abstract: A telescopic shaft for vehicle steering that is assembled into a steering shaft for a vehicle and has a female shaft and a male shaft that are fitted relatively unrotatably but slidably, the telescopic shaft for vehicle steering includes torque transmitting portions that are respectively disposed on an outer surface of the male shaft and on an inner surface of the female shaft and come in contact with each other for transmitting torque upon rotation, and a preload portion composed of a rolling member that is disposed between the outer surface of the male shaft and the inner surface of the female shaft at a different position from a position where the torque transmitting portions are located and rolls when the male shaft and the female shaft relatively move in the axial direction and an elastic member that is disposed adjacent to the rolling member in the diametral direction and gives pressure upon the male shaft and the female shaft through the rolling member, wherein when a gap in the torque transmitting por

Abstract: The present invention related to an electronic organ type accelerator pedal. The electronic organ type accelerator pedal according to the present invention is capable of enhancing stability by the compression spring having a double structure and the carrier restricting the reverse rotation of the foot plate, while maintaining the benefit of the electronic accelerator pedal which is capable of ensuring space, improving an operation feeling and reducing driver's fatigue since the electronic accelerator pedal is not influenced by tension changes of the cable, and improving fuel efficiency by improving fuel consumption rate.

Abstract: The invention provides a lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly. The lever assembly includes a first lever portion pivotable about a locking axis between a locked position for substantially preventing adjusting movement of a steering column assembly and an unlocked position spaced from the locked position. The steering column assembly is moveable in adjusting movement when the first lever portion is in the unlocked position. The lever assembly also includes a second lever portion defining a handle portion and operable to rotate about the locking axis. The lever assembly also includes a lost motion linkage disposed between the first lever portion and the second lever portion. The lost motion linkage is operable to transmit rotation of the second lever portion about the locking axis to pivot the first lever portion between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention is a transmission shifting method and system for vehicle, the vehicle having a transmission having a push-pull member for operating the transmission movable from a first starting position to a second upshift position or to a third downshift position.

Abstract: A handle bar includes an inner rigid shell, an outer cover, a rigid clamp, and a tightening screw. The. inner rigid shell has one end at least provided with plural axial protrusions divided by slits in a circle. One of the protrusions is provided with a position-limiting member on an outer surface, and the rigid clamp is provided with a position-limiting member on an inner surface to elastically engaging with that of the protrusion so that the rigid clamp may be positioned limitedly. relative to the inner rigid shell. At the same time, the rigid clamp is tightened to shrink inward by a tightening screw and subsequently also tightens the plural protrusions of the inner rigid shell around an end portion of a handlebar of a bicycle.

Abstract: A transport and mounting protection device is disclosed, for a shaft passage opening in a housing containing rotary parts, preferably a differential gear housing. The device includes a mounting protection sleeve which is arranged to be inserted, before mounting of a shaft, and maintained in the shaft passage opening and which is arranged to be broken to allow, after mounting of the shaft, the mounting protection sleeve to be removed from the shaft previously inserted through the mounting protection sleeve. The device further includes and a plug element for sealing the shaft passage opening in the absence of a shaft inserted therein. The mounting protection sleeve and said plug element are interconnected by a loop-shaped flexible connection element, which has a length that allows the plug element to be insertable into the mounting protection sleeve by an axial motion relative to the same.

Abstract: A wave gear device (1), wherein when a wave generator (4) is in a low speed rotating state, a rolling bearing state is formed by a wave bearing (43) and the wave generator (4) and a flexible external gear (3) are held in a relatively rotatable state and when the wave generator (4) is in a high speed rotating state, partition pieces (7) and split side plate pieces (8) forming the retainer (47) of the web bearing (43) are displaced to the outside to stop the rotation of balls (46) in their axes and the revolution thereof. Accordingly, a sliding bearing state is formed by lubricating oil film (9) formed between the wave generator (4) and the flexible external gear (3) and the wave generator and the flexible external gear are held in a relatively rotatable state. When the wave generator (4) returns to the low speed state, the constraint of the wave bearing (43) is released by the elastic return force of the elastic ring (5) of the retainer (47) and the wave bearing (43) returns to the rolling bearing state.

Abstract: A method of using an induction furnace to process iron ore into an iron product such as pig iron in which iron ore is the main or exclusive source of iron fed into the induction furnace.

Abstract: A metal processing method includes etching to remove material from a thin metal part. A pattern of etch resistant material is used to prevent etching of the metal in desired locations. The etch resistant material is intentionally applied to unclean surfaces so that an adhesion between the etch resistant material and the metal will fail during the etching process. An edge is formed during etching at the boundaries of the pattern of the etch resistant material. These edges are rounded where the adhesion fails. A shaver foil is produced using the described metal processing method including a face side, a cutter side and a plurality of whisker holes. A face edge is formed where an etched profile of the whisker hole meets the face side and a cutter edge is formed where the etched profile of the whisker hole meets the cutter side. The face edge is rounded using the aforementioned process and the cutter edge is sharp using a conventional etch resistant material application method.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved method for manufacturing a drill bit. The method includes applying a hardfacing material to the drill bit, forming a cutter pocket within the drill bit with plunge EDM, and inserting a cutting element into the cutter pocket.

Abstract: A universal tool for installation of an annular seal for a front axle as well as a rear axle of a vehicle includes a handle, a customized body member capable of being reversibly attached to the handle for placement and insertion of one of two sizes of seals in the motor vehicle axle housing.

Abstract: A clamshell package opener includes a handle to which a housing is attached at a first end. The housing includes a head portion distal to the point of attachment with the handle. The head portion preferably includes an end portion and at least two opposing planar sides. A cutting element is disposed within the head portion and is displaceable longitudinally relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position via a blade-deploying mechanism. A curved U-shaped guard is provided for attachment at one of the planar sides. The package opener is adapted such that during use, the cutting element is extended for cutting around the die cut edge of the clamshell package until the user may easily remove the contents of the same.

Abstract: A screwtop opener with a first handle and a second handle which can be pivoted in relation to the first handle. A first clamping jaw is formed on the first handle and a second clamping jaw is formed on the second handle. A screwtop can be grasped by the two clamping jaws. A distance between the clamping jaws can be reduced by pivoting the two handles against each other. In accordance with this invention, a first clamping jaw is embodied on a straightedge, which can be pushed into the first handle and can be arrested in a multitude of positions with respect to the first handle. Thus, it is possible to achieve a short linear extension of the screwtop opener without foregoing the comfort of being able to also grasp and open large screwtops.

Abstract: A powered adjustable jaw wrench comprises a wrench body having a handle portion and a head portion defining a stationary jaw, a movable jaw reciprocally mounted to the head portion, a driven mechanism operably connected to the movable jaw, and a drive mechanism mounted to the body member and including a power source and an indexing mechanism. The driven mechanism includes a worm driving the movable jaw and an indexing wheel operably connected to the worm gear. The indexing mechanism is driven by the power source and includes an oscillating pallet member. The pallet member incrementally drives the indexing wheel so as to convert an oscillating movement of the pallet member into an incremental rotatable movement of the indexing wheel.

Abstract: A link attachment to a torque wrench providing coaxial action in the reaction turning forces in opposite directions at equal torque, the link attachment has a housing, a ratchet mechanism including a ratchet engageable with a fastener and a drive plate turning the ratchet, a first connecting structure for connecting the housing to a part of the torque wrench providing a reaction turning force and a second connecting structure for connecting a part of the torque wrench providing an action turning force for the at least one lever drive plate, so that a turning action of the torque wrench is converted into a linear action applied to the at least lever drive plate so as to turn the at least one lever drive plate and thereby to turn a fastener by the ratchet, while abutting against a nearby stationary object with the housing to stop the torque wrench from turning around the fastener to be tightened or loosened.

Abstract: A one piece tool for use with a gas meter valve having a movable core with a post for actuation of the core, the tool including a main body having a handle portion located at a distal end of the main body and a post aperture located at a proximal end of the main body. The post aperture is formed to completely enclose around the post of the gas meter valve. A proximal depression located at the proximal end of the main body provides a grip for a user adjacent the post aperture for fitting the post aperture over the post. A distal depression located at the distal end of the main body provides a grip for a user to actuate the gas meter valve. A loop aperture located at the distal end of the main body attaches the tool to a user or near the gas meter valve.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench comprising a handle, a fixed jaw non-movably attached to the handle and a movable jaw slidably attached to the handle. One of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw has a generally V-shaped recess. The other of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw has a protrusion aligned with a center line of the V-shaped recess.

Abstract: A frame member for the handle of a folding knife or multipurpose tool includes an integral flange with an integral leaf spring. An internal frame member has an upper flange and an oppositely facing lower flange. Each flange includes an integral leaf spring. The leaf springs bear upon the base portions of folding tool blades that are pivotably pinned to the frame. Attaching side scales to the frame creates upwardly and downwardly facing tool pockets. Other frames are shown in the form of a channel with an integral external flange extending outwardly from the top of a channel wall in a direction away from the channel. Pivot pins extending through the channel and out the channel wall carry pivoting tool blades. An integral leaf spring on the external flange bears against the base of a blade pivotably connected to the frame outside of the channel. Other tool blades are carried inside the channel and pivot about the pivot pin.

Abstract: A mechanical tool coupler is adapted for operatively interconnecting first and second elongated hand tools arranged end to end. The first and second hand tools combine to form an extended tool assembly having a first free end adapted for engaging a head of a threaded fastener, and a second free end adapted for receiving a force applied by a user. The mechanical tool coupler includes first and second attached coupler heads. The first coupler head has adjacent intersecting sides defining a respective plurality of points. The first coupler head is adapted for receiving a proximal end of the first hand tool. A second coupler head has adjacent intersecting sides which define a respective plurality of points. The second coupler head extends opposite the first coupler head and is adapted for receiving a proximal end of the second hand tool.

Abstract: A compound screwdriver head, which comprises a first working portion and a second working portion of the same size, the first, second working portion of the bigger size is used for screwing and unscrewing a bolt of bigger, smaller size respectively, so that different sizes of bolts can be locked and unloaded by one screwdriver. Thereby this invention is not only can save the structure of the bolt, but also can prolong the life of the bolt.

Abstract: Tool head as seat and drive for the rotary motion of a tool to be bilaterally supported in the tool head. Near its ends, the tool has centering faces which fit into rotatably developed seat bushings in the tool head. One of said seat bushings is arranged in a drive carriage and the other in a counter-bearing, in alignment with each other. The counter-bearing is part of a counter-bearing carriage which can be displaced far enough on the drive carriages to seat the tool so that the tool, which is located between the carriages, is held with the centering faces in the bushings and a pre-adjusted axial force is present. A rotary drive motor is connected to the tool via a tool spindle supported in the drive carriage and a positive clutch. The tool is preferably developed as a shaft tool and is essentially symmetrical relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation in the center of a gear cutting enveloping body of the tool.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive and easy to use method and device for directly making a pattern of a relatively complex surface such as, for example, around a door frame, a window frame, building molding, and other similar surfaces. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for directly making patterns comprises a planar sheet of material having separating means, such as a plurality of perforations, for allowing the planar sheet of material to be easily severed into a desired shape. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the device includes a plurality of outwardly extending dimples effective for recording an outer surface contour of an object.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the capacity and precision of a portion cutter wherein the items to be portion cut are positioned abutting each other. In particular are provided means for identifying a boundary between consecutive items to be cut when the items are placed on a conveyor abutting each other with little or no gab between the items. At least one characteristic is measured for each of the items, and at least one process parameter is controlled in order to achieve predetermined product portions from the items based on the measured characteristic.

Abstract: A gripper which can hold the adhesive tape between its branches is mounted on a chain driven in a loop. In a gripping area at the start of the outgoing portion, the gripper is closed around the adhesive tape unwound from the reel. The gripper which is kept closed is then moved along the outgoing portion, thus pulling the adhesive tape up to a release area where it is stopped. The adhesive tape is then cut across by a cutting system designed to hold the adhesive tape on both the upstream and the downstream sides. The gripper is then opened, and the cut piece is transferred to a user station. The gripper is then returned to the gripping area by driving the chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying flat material web sections (28) to a first flat web of material (6) which is displaced in the direction of the machine having a first web speed during the production of hygiene articles or medical articles. The dimensions of the flat material web sections (28), in the direction of the machine, are smaller than the measurements of the articles which are to be produced. The flat material web sections (28) of an endless web (8) are separated in the cut-and-place method and are arranged on the first flat material web (6). The endless web (8) is fed at a second web speed to a second cutting station in the direction of a cutting roller (18). According to the inventive method, a front section (26) of the endless web (8) is applied against a surface section (24) of an anvil roller (22) which co-operates with the cutting roller (18), the surface section being curved less than the periphery (34) of the anvil roller (22).

Abstract: A rod-cutting device and method of the tobacco-processing industry. The device includes a rotatable cutting body with a cutting edge, and a first rotary body with a rotation axis on which the cutting body is arranged. The cutting body is arranged essentially parallel to the rotation axis of the first rotary body, and has an extension at least from a mounting point to the cutting edge. A tangent of the first rotary body extends through or parallel to the extension.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for cutting a piece of styrofoam or like material. This styrofoam cutting machine comprises a working platform, a support arm fixed on the working platform, a heating wire attached to the end of the support arm, and a protective mantle that is positioned around the heating wire. The protective mantle around the heating wire prevents the machine operator from coming into direct contact with the heating wire and thus prevents accidents, making the operation safer and more reliable.

Abstract: A circular is provided which can operate in two modes. In a first mode, the circular saw operates in a conventional manner; in a second mode the circular saw can turned through 90° to operate in an undercutting mode, for undercutting a wall mounted door, for instance. To achieve this, the blade shroud comprises an outer surface facing away from the saw's motor housing which is flat for engagement with a floor surface or a guide rail. Advantageously, the outer surface might comprise a groove or channel arranged to cooperate with a guide rail rib.

Abstract: A saw. In one embodiment, the saw includes a base, a table, a motor that rotates a blade, a sensor, a controller, and a display element. The table is movable with respect to the base. The blade is movable between a first, substantially vertical position and at least one angular position removed from the first position. The sensor includes an optical encoder disc, and generates and transmits a signal indicative of the angular position of the table with respect to the base or the angular position of the blade with respect to the first, substantially vertical position by monitoring one or more optical reference elements included on the optical encoder disc. The display element receives the conditioned signal from the controller and displays the angular position of the table with respect to the base or the angular position of the blade with respect to the first, substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A paper cutter includes a base with a rail secured thereon, a slide unit, a cutter seat and at least two blades. The base is provided with the rail for the slide unit to slide thereon. The cutter seat is pivotally connected to the slide unit. The cutter seat is provided with the blades. The slide unit further comprises a one-way locking member therein. The cutter seat comprises locking edges corresponding to the locking member for one-way engagement of the locking member with one of the locking edges. The cutter seat is positioned with respect to the slide unit. By turning the cutter seat towards a reversed direction, the blades are exchangeable. The one-way locking member is a pawl. The pawl is urged by an elastic member towards one-way direction to engage with the locking edge.

Abstract: Table saws with mounting brackets for accessories such as riving knives, splitters and splitter/blade guard assemblies are disclosed. The mounting brackets can include handles that overlap a blade, handles capable of extending above a work surface in at least one position, handles accessible through an opening in a table, cam surfaces configured to reduce the possibility of unintentional opening of a clamping structure, and shoulders, flanges and/or surfaces to help position and hold the riving knife, splitter or splitter/blade guard assembly in the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A paper cutter structure having dual cutters includes a main body in a slanting-shaped design, with a slide cutter set secured to one end at one side of the main body and a push-down cutter set secured to an opposite end at the other side of the main body. The main body comprises a main board and supports formed on four corners of the main board with two as a set at one side upwardly and the other two supports as another set at the other side downwardly. The supports maintain the top surface of the main body in a flat level no matter if the slide cutter set or the push cutter set is being used.

Abstract: To provide a sectioning instrument capable of fabricating a section having an accurate and uniform thickness to be carried to a next step automatically without deforming a surface of an embedded block and while observing the surface of the embedded block, a sectioning instrument includes a sample base for fixing an embedded block, a cutter for fabricating a section by sectioning the embedded block, carrying means for carrying the section, and a feed mechanism for moving the sample base in a predetermined feed direction, the carrying means includes a belt, a direction switching portion provided on an upper side of the cutter, and a rear roller, the belt is inserted to between the cutter and the direction switching portion from a rear side of the cutter, folded back to an upper side by the direction switching portion and is reeled back to the rear side of the cutter by the rear roller substantially in parallel with the feed direction of the feed mechanism in a plane view thereof.

Abstract: A bowstring tension meter for a stringed instrument to meter the tension of the bowstring for it to demonstrate optimal timbre includes a main body, a lid, a sensor, a control unit, a screen, and a cell cabinet. The main body is mounted to the bow with locating members. The main body further comprises a supporting member to support the bowstring in its loosened status. The sensor is disposed on the main body to detect the tension of the bowstring. The lid is secured to the main body and comprises the control unit, the screen, the cell cabinet. The control unit is to receive signals transmitted from the sensor. The screen is to display signals received by the control unit. The cell cabinet is to supply power to the meter.

Abstract: Soundboards of stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, are usually made of 2 pieces of matched wood and are usually braces in an X configuration. This author uses 12 triangular pieces, shaped like wedges, each cut to 30 degrees. The apex or point of each piece terminates under the bridge. The bases or wide parts are shaped, terminated and attached to the sides or rims of the instrument. Each piece or wedge is braced along each joint on the underside of the soundboard. each brace terminates under the bridge and resembles the spokes of a wheel. A plate, the same size and shape as the bridge is attached to the braces directly under the bridge. The bridge is attached to the top directly over the plate and where all the top's pieces join together. The bridge pin holes are configured as to not go through the braces.

Abstract: Included herein is an instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, for example a guitar. The instrument component comprises a plurality of attachment devices, an elongated bracket, and a biasing element. The elongated bracket includes a plurality of attachment apertures where each aperture includes a center and is shaped to accept one of the attachment devices. A biasing element is positioned in each attachment aperture wherein each biasing element engages one of the attachment devices. Each biasing element includes a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the center of the attachment aperture.

Abstract: Included herein is an instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, for example a guitar. The instrument component comprises a plurality of attachment devices, an elongated bracket, and a biasing element. The elongated bracket includes a plurality of attachment apertures where each aperture includes a center and is shaped to accept one of the attachment devices. A biasing element is positioned in each attachment aperture wherein each biasing element engages one of the attachment devices. Each biasing element includes a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the center of the attachment aperture.

Abstract: Methods of infusing matter with vibration. One method can include cleansing the matter with at least one vibration instrument and infusing the matter with vibration with at least one vibration instrument. The method can also include creating a buffer in the matter to retain the infused vibration in the matter for predetermined time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ocarina in which a musical performance can be performed with an accurate tone and rapidly, by solving problems that, in the case of an existing round type ocarina, various musical performance having high musical range is impossible because a width of the musical range is narrow and the angle of an airway must be changed when music of chromatic scale is performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head muting device (1) for percussion instruments (7), in particular drums (2) and/or bass drums (3). The head muting device (1) comprises at least one muting element (4) and a retaining element (5), which is used to bring the muting element or elements (4) into contact with the head (6). According to the invention, the retaining element (5) is elastic and consists preferably of a cord or a cable (8), in particular a tensioned rubber cable.

Abstract: A front fallboard, a rear fallboard and a hinge connected between them form in combination a fallboard assembly connected between side arms of a piano cabinet by means of a pair of rotary connectors, and each of the rotary connectors includes a front metal plate connected to the side surface of the front fallboard, a rear metal plate connected to the bottom surface of the side art defining a recess and a rotary damper; since the recess is wider than the rear metal plate already combined with the rotary damper, the rear metal plate is movable on a virtual plane defined by a fore-and-aft direction and an up-and-down direction; while a worker is seeking the optimum positions of the rotary connectors, self-tapping screws keep the rear metal plates in the recesses so that the worker drives woodscrews into the side arms through main holes or auxiliary holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a visualizing map of music in accordance with the identifiable features of the music. First, the music would be divided into plural segments, and the length of each segment is preferably identical. After that, an audio analysis is executed to determine the mood types of these segments. Each mood type may be determined by certain parameters, such as tempo value and articulation type. Besides, every mood type corresponds to a certain visualizing expression, and the correspondence can be defined in advance and looked up in a table for example. Eventually, the visualizing map of the music is generated according to the mood types and the distribution of visualizing expressions.

Abstract: In a storage section, there are stored special connecting waveform data for connecting between at least two notes to be generated in succession. The special connecting waveform data contain only a waveform of a succeeding-note region of a waveform connecting portion which is provided for a continuous transition between the at least two notes and which is divided into a preceding-note region and the succeeding-note region. When a connecting tone is to be generated for connecting between two notes in accordance with acquired performance information, a tone waveform connecting between waveforms of the two notes is generated using the special connecting waveform data. With such arrangements, the waveform data of the succeeding-note region are read out without waveform data of the preceding-note region being read out, so that it is possible to reduce a time required for transition from a preceding note to a succeeding note.

Abstract: A taste profile production apparatus includes a storage section configured to retain one or more music data; a music analysis section configured to analyze the music data using a predetermined music analysis method to classify numerical value meta data, which are successive values for a plurality of individual items representative of characteristics of the music data, into a plurality of individual classes for the individual items; and a profile production section configured to take statistics of the number of the music data classified in the individual classes for the individual items to produce a taste profile representing a taste unique to a user of the taste profile production apparatus with regard to the music data.

Abstract: An audio signal reproducing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing digital audio data of music pieces each having a tempo corresponding to either a first tempo or a second tempo, the second tempo being different from the first tempo, if a walking tempo of a user is either the first tempo or the second tempo, a reproducing circuit for reproducing the digital audio data, a detecting unit for detecting the walking tempos of the user, a calculating circuit for calculating a change in the walking tempo detected by the detecting unit, and a control circuit for retrieving the digital audio data from the storage unit in accordance with the walking tempo detected by the detecting unit and sending the retrieved digital audio data to the reproducing circuit.

Abstract: The invention is applied to a compressor assembly wherein a coating is applied to the pocket in the piston for sliding engagement with a shoe for reciprocating the piston. The coating is a composite of solid particles of a lubricant, suspended in an adhesive, bonded to the to the aluminum alloy defining the pocket. More specifically, the coating comprises particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suspended in an epoxy resin having a low cross-linking characteristic. The particles of PTFE are sub-micron in size and the ratio of PTFE to epoxy resin is optimally one to one. The thickness of the coating is between two and ten microns and preferably substantially four microns.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a pump includes a first member having a peripheral wedge-shaped pocket; a second member with a rim opposed to the pocket; and a diaphragm disposed between the two members. The diaphragm includes a central stem, a disk-shaped head attached to the stem, and an upstanding bead disposed around the periphery of the head. The bead includes a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The bead is received in the pocket so as to form two separate, spaced-apart sealing surfaces between the diaphragm and the first member. The sealing arrangement may also include a gasket made from a resilient material and having a flat web with a circular crosssection bead disposed in a gland between two members. The dimensions of the bead and the gland are selected such that the bead is diametrically compressed at least about 40% from its free state.

Abstract: Hybrid gas bearing, planar spring clearance seal compressors and methods that provide a hybrid planar spring supported/gas bearing supported piston. In accordance with the method, a gas bearing is energized to center the piston in the cylinder prior to rigidly attaching the planar spring or springs between the piston and the compressor frame. This automatically and very accurately centers the piston in the cylinder to provide the added stiffness of a planar spring and gas bearing in an easily manufactured configuration. Various exemplary embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments having the piston cantilevered from one end using a single or multiple springs, an embodiment having a spring on each end of the piston, a double piston embodiment and embodiments using and not using the gas bearing during operation of the compressors.

Abstract: Methods for extracting and compressing an inert gas from an exhaust gas of an engine relate to providing an inert gas processing system including a multi-stage gas compressor to receive the exhaust gas from an exhaust gas processing system, a cooling and extraction system to receive the exhaust gas from each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor and remove liquids from the exhaust gas, and a controller to monitor operation of the inert gas processing system. The methods include processing the exhaust gas before each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas, processing the exhaust gas after each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas and compressing the inert gas processed for export from the inert gas processing system.