Abstract: A connector ensuring good mechanical and electrical connection to a coaxial cable includes a metal housing; an insulating element mounted in the metal housing and having a split end portion; a connecting terminal inserted in the split end portion of the insulating element to thereby associate therewith, and having a split end portion for receiving and electrically connecting to a center conductor of a coaxial cable; and a fixing element attached to an outer side of the metal housing, and having a first pair of wings inward bent to compress against the split end portion of the insulating element for the same to apply a force against the split end portion of the connecting terminal, so that the center conductor of the coaxial cable is firmly held to the connecting terminal without the risk of loosening therefrom.

Abstract: A hermetic pressure connector which provides a pressure-tight, electrically conductive connection through a hole in a bulkhead. The connector includes a transverse support member having a high pressure side and an opposite low pressure side. A passage extends through the transverse support member between the opposite sides. A conductor pin having an axial portion extends through the passage. An insulating sleeve surrounds at least the axial portion of the conductor pin, thereby electrically insulating the transverse support member from the conductor pin. A molded connected body surrounds at least a central portion of the conductor pin at least at one of the high and low pressure sides to thereby mechanically support the conductor pin in the passage. The molded connector body is directly sealingly engaged with the conductor pin, the insulating sleeve and the transverse support member.

Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle having a simple connector housing structure, a secure grounding connection of a metal shell to ground, and excellent durability, includes a connector housing having a pair of locking sections with nut-storing-sections formed therein, nuts stored in the nut-storing-sections, and a metal shell covering the connector housing. The nut-storing-section is open at an upper side, and formed in a vertically elongated, concave shape with a depth to receive the nut fully, and has a screw-insertion-hole running through the locking section across the nut-storing-section, and a shell-strip through-hole running through the locking section above the screw-insertion-hole. A retaining through-strip is formed in the shell and is inserted into the shell-strip through-hole and contacted to an upper part of the nut stored in the nut-storing-section, thereby preventing falling-off of the nut, and providing electrically conduction to the nut.

Abstract: A tube-shaped electroconductive member is attached to a shielding casing from the inside of the shielding casing so as to surround an opening formed in the shielding casing, and two slits are formed in an axial direction of the tube-shaped electroconductive member so as to extend from an end position thereof far away from the opening, thereby preventing a noise component having a specific frequency emitted as radiation noise from the opening formed in the shielding casing which functions as an slot antenna.

Abstract: A jack assembly for use with a modular electrical plug includes a jack housing. The jack housing includes an electrically non-conductive substrate metallized with a metal shield layer. The jack housing defines a socket adapted to receive the plug. At least one electrical contact is positioned in the socket to engage the plug when the plug is inserted in the socket. An electrically conductive jumper member including a drain wire connector may be mounted on the jack housing. The drain wire connector includes a pair of connector tabs defining a slot therebetween to receive and hold the drain wire.

Abstract: A micro SD adapter structure includes a casing having an insert slot which is a hollow structure in the shape of a mini SD card, a hollow portion at the casing, a plurality of fixing grooves on the casing and corresponding to the hollow portion, a plurality of sunken grooves on the hollow portion, a connecting base proximate to each sunken groove; a transmitting unit having a conducting interface on the hollow portion and the conducting interface is electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals which are installed in the fixing groove of the casing and corresponding to a plurality of sunken grooves; and a latch unit disposed on the connecting base. The micro SD card can be secured into the insert slot to achieve a better electric transmitting effect and swap the micro SD card immediately when the micro SD card is inserted into the insert slot.

Abstract: A combination electrical plug, receptacle and switch includes a cylindrical plug portion in which is inserted a cylindrical receptacle portion. The plug portion may be plugged into a conventional electrical socket. An electrical appliance or device may be plugged into the receptacle end. Electrical contacts in the plug portion and the receptacle portion can be made to contact to form a pathway for electrical current by a applying a twisting motion to the receptacle portion. The pathway for the electrical current may be disconnected by twisting the receptacle portion the other way. In this manner, the combination may be conveniently used as an on/off switch for almost any electrical device. Safety features include a way to block twisting of the receptacle end when the switch is in the off position unless the receptacle end is first pulled slightly away from the plug end before twisting it.

Abstract: A plug connector comprises a housing including an accommodation chamber, and a support plate which is arranged in the accommodation chamber and divides the latter in first and second sections. A first type of contact is arranged in the first section and a second type of contact is arranged in the second section. The second type of contact is a USB coupling.

Abstract: A USB device in which all of the devices ICs are located on a lower surface of a PCB (i.e., opposite to the metal contacts) to minimize the device's thickness, and at least one of the ICs is positioned on a relatively narrow portion of the USB plug to minimize the device's length. A card-like carrier for protecting the USB device when not in use includes a frame-like base portion having peripheral walls surrounding a relatively wide main chamber, and an end portion that is attached to the base portion and includes end walls that define a relatively narrow slot communicating with the main chamber. The USB device plug structure is inserted through the main chamber into the slot until a front edge of the handle structure abuts the end walls, and then the device is rotated downward into the main chamber.

Abstract: The invention specifically relates to a plug-and-socket connection part (1) of a plug-and-socket connection for a data transmission cable with a plurality of electrical conductors, comprising a connection housing, and per electrical conductor, a connection contact element (31) held by the connection housing, in each case with one insulation displacement contact (31.1) or a piercing contact, for contacting the electrical conductor, as well as in each case a contact (13.1) for contacting corresponding contacts of a corresponding counter piece with the plug-and-socket connection part. Each insulation displacement contact (31.1) or each piercing contact is electrically connectable to one of the contacts. The invention is characterized essentially in that the connection housing is shaped, such that the connection contact elements (31) may not be introduced from the outside into the connection housing.

Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting device for electric bunched conductors in an electric connector housing with male contacts and/or female contacts that are arranged in separate chambers in the form of rows and columns, wherein a clamping sleeve is attached to a sliding element arranged in the chambers. An electric bunched conductor that is inserted into the sliding element and the clamping sleeve attached thereto is pushed over a stationary, conical connecting region of the male or female contacts during an axial movement of the sliding element along the chamber such that the bunched conductors are fixed between the clamping shoulder of the connecting region that is formed by the cone base and the clamping sleeve.

Abstract: A press-fit pin is press-fitted into a conductive through-hole disposed on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The press-fit pin includes a contact portion, a shoulder portion, a press-fit portion, and a tip portion. The contact portion along with the shoulder portion is inserted into a housing of a connector to be mounted on the printed circuit board, thereby forming a terminal of the connector. The press-fit portion spirally extends downward from a lower portion of the shoulder portion and is connected to the tip portion. The press-fit portion has the property of elastic deformation. Thus, the press-fit portion comes into interference with the through-hole, thereby allowing the press-fit pin to be mechanically fixed to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An obstruction assembly for use in connecting a cable to a disconnectable joint is provided, wherein the connection is to be covered by a sleeve. The obstruction assembly includes a shear bolt having a torque head portion and a main bolt portion, the torque head portion designed to at least partially detach from the main bolt portion at a predetermined torque, and wherein the main bolt portion is designed to connect a cable to a disconnectable joint. The obstruction assembly also includes an obstruction piece having a projection extending away from the main bolt portion a sufficient distance so as to inhibit the placement of a sleeve on the connection between the cable and the disconnectable joint. Preferably, the obstruction piece is removable, in whole or in part, after the torque head portion is at least partially removed from the main bolt portion, such that the sleeve can be properly positioned on the joint.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a crimping section for securing a wire and a flute section for receiving a pin. The flute section includes fixed engagement members and a resilient cantilever member that engages the pin within the flute section.

Abstract: An electric propulsion unit can include a propeller for producing thrust, a motor for driving the propeller, and a fuel cell for supplying electric power to drive the motor. The fuel cell can include a fuel cell stack for generating power and a fuel tank for feeding fuel to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A cowling structure for an outboard motor having a top cowl and a bottom cowl for covering an engine, and sealing a mating face between the top cowl and the bottom cowl, including an annular sealing rail forming a sealing face and is attached to the bottom cowl. The annular sealing rail has a tight fitting part and an attaching part on the outer and inner sides of the sealing face, respectively.

Abstract: In an engine speed control system for an outboard motor, overrev prevention control is implemented which determines whether the engine overrevs by comparing the detected engine speed and a desired speed and responds to a determination that the engine overrevs (in which case the cause of the engine speed increase is probably reduced load caused by sucking in of air and/or exhaust gas by the propeller) by driving an electric throttle motor in the direction of reducing the throttle opening, thereby lowering the engine speed to the desired speed. Owing to this configuration, the problem of decline in thrust owing to intake of air and/or exhaust gas by the propeller can be quickly overcome irrespective of operator skill, thereby improving power performance and steerability.

Abstract: An air intake device for a watercraft adapted to suppress noise generating from an intake system of an engine and can obtain good intake efficiency. The air intake device includes intake ports opening to a side surface of the engine, and an air cleaner located on the rear side of the engine. An outlet of the air cleaner is connected through an intake passage to the intake ports of the engine. An air duct extends from an inlet of the air cleaner along the side surface of the engine to the position corresponding to the front end of the engine. The air duct has a front opening that faces downward.

Abstract: A personal flotation device is formed with a neck opening defined by a plurality of discrete lobes projecting in toward the inside of said neck opening and including a chin lobe that is positioned to engage the underside of the chin of a user when device is in operative position on said user and inhibit removal of said device over the head of the user. The chin lobe is spaced from adjacent portions of adjacent said lobes to provide spaces therebetween to facilitate donning and doffing of said device when said chin is aligned with one of the spaces. The device is also preferably provided with cover panels that releasably connect together around their peripheries so that the edges of the bladder contained between the cover panels may be folded and retained in folded position when the sides of the over panels are connected.

Abstract: Each of spacers which defines an interval between substrates composing an envelope is fixed to the substrates while their linearity is kept by the tension exerted therein. In the fixation, it is set such that a fixing point of each of the spacers is located between points on which the tension is exerted. Thus, even when the tension is released, the linearity is maintained, so that a displacement of each of the spacers can be prevented to kept a high assembly accuracy.

Abstract: Provided is an electron-emitting device using a carbon fiber as an electronic member. A carbon fiber through which a cathode electrode and a control electrode are short-circuited is removed to obtain an electron-emitting device having a uniform electron emission characteristic. A first electrode including a plurality of fibers each containing carbon and a second electrode are prepared. Then, a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode with a state where a potential of the first electrode becomes higher than a potential of the second electrode to remove a carbon fiber through which the first electrode and the second electrode are short-circuited.

Abstract: A soft flat balloon neck closure disc formed of non-rigid, soft, flexible, and resilient material for safe use with fluid filled balloons, including water filled balloons that may be thrown at a person. The device is relatively thick and has a flat top surface, a flat bottom surface, and a peripheral outer surface defining its shape. A first small hole and second small hole are each disposed inwardly from first and second segments of the peripheral outer surface in diametrically spaced apart relation and a first and second slit extend outwardly from the holes to the first and second side segments, respectively, and each has a V-shaped entrance. The first side segment is pushed onto the balloon neck such that the neck passes through the first slit and snaps into the first hole, the disc is slid down on the neck, and the neck is wrapped over the top of the disk, pulled inwardly through the second slit to snap into the second hole, and then back under the disc and upwardly through the first slit and hole.

Abstract: The present embodiment provides for methods and systems for use in processing objects such as wafers, including polishing and/or grinding wafers. Some embodiments provide systems that include a front-end module and a processing module. The front end module couples with a storage device that stores objects for processing. The front-end module can comprise a single robot, a transfer station, and a plurality of end effectors. The processing module is coupled with the front-end module such that the single robot delivers objects from the storage device to the processing module. The processing module comprising a rotating table, and a spindle with a carrier configured to retrieve the delivered object and process the object on the rotating table.

Abstract: The invention describes a machining apparatus for skis (5) having a binding (16), comprising a roller table (6) for the skis (5) resting with the running surface on the rollers (9) of the roller table, tools (2) provided between the rollers (9) of the roller table for machining the running surface and the edges of the skis (5), and a feed device for the skis (5) which presses the skis (5) against the rollers (9) of the roller table. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the feed device comprises at least one guide (10) for a drivable carriage (11), which guide is provided above the roller table (6) and extends parallel to the same, and which carriage carries holding-down devices (13) for the ski which are distributed over the length of the ski.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a single-block plastic blasting booth having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls, wherein at least a portion of one of the side walls defines an opening closeable by a door, thereby providing access inside the single-block blasting booth, and wherein one or more gaskets create a hermetic seal between the single-block blasting booth and the openable side wall portion, the one or more gaskets being provided on one or more of the opening and the door. The abrasive cleaning material may comprise sodium bicarbonate or a granular mixture containing sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A slurry feeding apparatus includes closed slurry bottle, piping, wet nitrogen generator, wet nitrogen supply pipe, suction and spray nozzles, temperature regulator, flow rate control valves, slurry delivery pump and controller for controlling the operation and flow rate of the slurry delivery pump. While a wafer is being polished by a CMP polisher, the controller continuously operates the pump. On the other hand, while the polisher is idling, the controller starts and stops the pump intermittently at regular intervals. No stirrer like a propeller is inserted into the slurry bottle, but the slurry is stirred up by spraying the slurry through the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted pole sander includes a sanding means attached at the end of the main pole, which in turn is supported in its middle section by a support pole. Both the support pole and the main pole are hollow and adjustable in length. The vacuum is transmitted from the sanding means of the device through the main pole to the vacuum connector in the supporting pole such that a vacuum can be attached on to ensure dust removal during operation. The combination of the support pole and the main pole is designed in such a way that the entire device is supported on the floor of the building under construction while allowing the operator to move it easily back and forth to achieve sanding of the ceiling. The support pole has a non-slip cap on its lower end and an angle connector on the other end.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a sausage from a stick includes an endless circulating body provided with hooks; stick supporting members for supporting a stick at a position below the hooks; a pair of stick-supporting-member actuating devices for moving the stick supporting members toward or away from the stick; and a stick transferring device for transferring the sausage suspended from the hooks onto the stick while removing the stick from the stick supporting members, and for concurrently supplying an ensuing stick onto the stick supporting members.

Abstract: A method is described for processing poultry, comprising the steps of supplying live poultry, stunning the live poultry in a stunning device, placing the stunned poultry into product carriers advanced along a conveyor, killing the poultry and removing the feathers from the dead poultry in a plucking device. Downstream of the plucking device, the poultry is exposed to an electrical stimulation, an electrical voltage (V1) being applied across the carcass of the poultry. A method is further described for controlling process parameters, especially the time and duration of execution of working steps in a process of mechanized working of slaughtered poultry, the tenderness of a specified meat portion being evaluated prior to a due processing step and, after this evaluation, the important process parameters for the particular processing step being set to an optimal value.

Abstract: There is provided a coin handling apparatus which can be employed in public telephones and other coin fed apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the coin handling apparatus comprises a pocketed disc (100) arranged, in use, to cooperate with an entry portal (506) for receiveing coins and an exit portal (507) for dispensing coins, and drive means arranged, in use, to cause rotation of the pocketed disc (100), said drive means comprising a driving gear (200) and a driven gear (120) wherein the pocketed disc (100) comprises said driven gear (120), and the driving gear (200) is arranged such that it rotates the disc (100) in predetermined increments and rotation of the pocketed disc (100) can be paused between each incremental rotation.

Abstract: A system and method of vent placement within a building is provided for improved passive ventilation. Vents are provided within the dividing structures or material layers that form the building's exterior and interior walls, ceiling, roof, floor, and/or intermediate story-defining “ceiling-floors.” Preferably, each vent is not a conventional ventilation stack and is oriented generally along a planar portion of the dividing structure within which the vent is positioned. Preferably, each vent is substantially entirely contained within its associated dividing structure. Vents are provided in corner sections of exterior walls, roof-portions, and the bottom floor of the building. Vents are also provided in corner sections of the ceiling portions, floor portions, and wall portions that define the interior rooms of the building.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a gaming device having a separately changeable value and multiplier bonus scheme. The bonus scheme begins when a triggering event occurs during normal operation of the gaming device. Initially, the game displays a value and a multiplier to the player, which form an offer. The game enables the player to keep the offer or change either the value or the multiplier. If the player changes either, the game changes the value or multiplier selected by the player, and yields a new offer. In the preferred embodiment of the bonus scheme, the player can keep the new offer or change the value or multiplier and obtain a final new offer. After the player can no longer change the value or multiplier or if at any time the player keeps an offer, the bonus scheme ends by adding the amount of the offer to the player's gaming device credit, and the player resumes normal play.

Abstract: A flexible coupling is provided with a plurality of drive side connection elements (10A) and driven side connection elements (10B) arranged alternately in a circumferential direction, a drive side bobbin (11A) and a driven side bobbin (11B) outward inserted to the respective connection elements (10A, 10B) in a loose fit state, first and second connection bands (20, 30) wound in a loop shape around the drive side bobbin (11A) and the adjacent driven side bobbin (11B), and alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and an annular elastic body (40) formed in a state that the bobbins (11A, 11B) and the connection bands (20, 30) are buried, the bobbins (11A, 11B) being made of a synthetic resin material, and a lubricant being filled in a fitting gap (G) between the connection elements (10A, 10B) and the bobbins (11A, 11B).

Abstract: An encapsulated fastener includes a nut adapted to receive a bolt. The nut is encapsulated by an encapsulation including an extension, which includes a tube adapted for receiving a portion of the bolt and a flange adapted for engaging a face of the nut. The encapsulation extension is placed on the nut in an overmolding tool, wherein an encapsulation base is injection molded over a portion of the encapsulation extension. The encapsulation base encapsulates the nut, except for its bore, which is sealed off during the overmolding process by a spring-mounted mandrel. Alternative embodiments of the invention include tubes with different configurations for contacting the bolt whereby the tube or cylinder is reinforced. A method and tooling for manufacturing the encapsulated fastener are also provided.

Abstract: Ski run provided with a means for preserving snow on the skiing surface, said means comprising at least pipes suitable for the flow of a cooling agent for cooling the snow present on the skiing surface, said pipes (1) being embedded and located in a layer (5) enabling, when the layer (5) has a temperature of at least 2° C., a water percolation through the layer (5). Below the layer (5), a draining system (6,7) is placed for collecting and draining at least substantially all the water percolating through the layer (5) in which the pipes (1) are embedded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prescribing overall club length for iron-type golf clubs for an individual player wherein the method comprises measuring the erect height (PH) of a player to be fitted, providing the player with a fitting ball club (FBC) having a spherical ball with a hosel bore therein, one end of a golf club shaft in the hosel bore and a golf club grip on the other end of the shaft, having the player hold the fitting ball club in address position as if about to hit a golf ball therewith, measuring the wrist-to-floor distance (WFM) vertically from the player's higher wrist to the floor, locating in the first two columns of the FIG. 4 table data corresponding to the PH and WFM measurements, respectively, for the player, deriving an incremental length LCC from the third, length control club column of FIG. 4, and adding that incremental LCC length to 37-½ inches, thereby giving a prescribed overall club length for that player.

Abstract: An accessory for a golf club comprising a ball marker and a pitch repair portion, the ball marker selectively retained in a recess of the pitch repair portion such that a user can slide, pull or roll the ball marker from the recess. The accessory is suitable for locating in a golf club head or grip provided with an opening. The pitch repair portion includes legs which can be sprung or otherwise biased to grip the internal wall of the golf club when located therein.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking plate, a golf club head body and a plurality of annular flexible portions. In assembling, the striking plate mechanically connects to a front side of the golf club head body. The golf club head body forms a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion and a side portion to constitute a body member. The annular flexible portions are provided on an inner surface of the golf club head body. Thereby, the annular flexible portions can increase an elastic deformation of the golf club head body.

Abstract: The iron golf club head (20) of the present invention is preferably composed of three main components: a periphery member 22, a central member 24 and a face plate 26. The periphery member (22) is preferably composed of a high density material such as a nickel-tungsten alloy. The central member (24) is preferably composed of a lightweight, non-metal material. The face plate (26) is preferably composed of a titanium alloy material. The iron golf club head (20) preferably has high moments of inertia Izz and Ixx.

Abstract: A coating composition for a golf ball is comprised of a slippery, transparent or white, non-sticky lubricant film, and a method for applying same to a golf ball comprises the steps of applying the lubricant to an external surface of the golf ball prior to striking the ball with a golf club, and applying the coating uniformly to the external surface of the golf ball and to a sufficient degree as to reduce the friction between said external surface and the atmosphere or ground when propelled through the atmosphere or along the ground, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball composed at least in part of a material molded under heat from a rubber composition containing (a) a diene base rubber, (b) an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide which includes an aliphatic peroxyester. The golf ball has an excellent rebound.

Abstract: A golf ball having traditional dimples and a tubular lattice structure is disclosed herein. The golf ball has dimples and a plurality of lattice members that form multi-faceted polygons. Each of the plurality of lattice members has an apex and the golf ball of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members preferably has a continuous contour.

Abstract: A golf ball (20) having a plurality of primary dimples (50) with annular tubular portion (60) is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, there are 332 primary dimples which cover a surface area ranging from 81% to 87% of the golf ball (20). Also in a preferred embodiment, there are twenty different types of primary dimples (50), which vary in diameter, chord depth and/or entry angle.

Abstract: A detachable table tennis apparatus includes a playing table detachably mounted on a table, and a plurality of positioning devices mounted on the playing table to position the playing table on the table. Thus, the playing table is mounted on tables of different sizes to facilitate a user playing the table tennis. In addition, the fixing block is driven by the two movable plates to press or release the rim of the table so as to lock or unlock the playing table, so that the playing table is mounted on and detached from the table easily and rapidly. Further, the playing table is foldable when not in use to reduce the volume of the table tennis apparatus, thereby facilitating storage and transportation of the table tennis apparatus.

Abstract: The generally spherical handball includes a first spherical surface portion at a common radial distance from the ball center and a second spherical surface portion at a second common radial distance. In a preferred embodiment, a third surface portion is defined at the second radial distance. A curvilinear edge is formed at the abutment of the first, second and third surface portions. Dependent upon where the surface of the ball strikes the playing surface, the ball bounces irregularly. To enhance the irregularity of the play, the second and third surfaces are surfaces of two semi-spherical domes and each semi-spherical dome has a hollow core region.

Abstract: In a hydraulic tensioner, a check valve provided on the rear end of a circular, cylindrical inner tensioner body, fits into a recess formed in the bottom of a hole in an outer body which receives the inner body. The check valve is radially offset from the center line of the inner body, and its engagement with the recess secures the inner body against rotation relative to the outer body.

Abstract: An apparatus for manually uncoupling a V-belt drive from an active power source. The apparatus is mounted on the end of a pulley of the V-belt drive and is comprised of a tapered member connected to the output shaft of the power source for engaging in holding relationship the pulley of said V-belt drive; a retractor member attached to the pulley; and a toggle linkage for displacing the retractor member relative to the tapered member to disengage the pulley from the tapered member. The toggle linkage includes a first pair of diverging toggle links and a second pair of crossing toggle links having end portions pivotally connected to end portions of said first pair of toggle links. The second pair of toggle links is mounted in a sleeve for rotation about an axis having a fixed relationship to the tapered member.

Abstract: An auxiliary machine driven by an engine comprises: an operating section operated by a rotary motion and having a drive shaft; an input shaft, one side of which is connected to the engine and the other side of which is connected to the operating section; a clutch for connecting the engine to the input shaft and for disconnecting the engine from the input shaft; an electric motor; a planetary gear mechanism arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft; a first rotary direction regulating means for inhibiting a rotary direction of the input shaft in one-direction; and a second rotary direction regulating means for inhibiting a rotary direction of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and three interconnecting members. The powertrain includes an engine that is selectively connectable to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the input shaft and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.