Abstract: A torque sensor is disclosed. The sensor has a support member for mounting to a rotatable shaft and a flexible electro-conductive member pre-tensioned and mounted to the support. An electrical coil is positioned in electrical communication with the support member and electro-conductive member. A magnetizing system is positioned adjacent the support member. The sensor is passive and operates on energy received from its rotation relative to the stationary magnetizing means. A receiver remotely detects electrical changes from the movement of the flexible member from torque experienced by the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a magnetostrictive portion provided on a shaft. At least one torque detection coil is disposed opposite the shaft. The at least one torque detection coil detects a torque applied to the shaft. A demagnetization circuit (C) demagnetizes the shaft via the detecting coil.

Abstract: An auto-sampler cleaning mechanism is provided, which is capable of maintaining the supply of a liquid in a non-time-consuming manner when a cleaning solution is supplied. The auto-sampler cleaning mechanism of the present invention includes: a sample-metering sample loop 14 having a sample-injecting needle 15 at a front end thereof, a metering pump 24, a multi-ported valve 11a, a multi-position valve 11b, and a liquid-supply valve 11c. A diaphragm pump 25 is disposed between the port of the multi-position valve 11a and the port of the liquid-supply valve 11b, and used to supply a cleaning solution 26 or a mobile phase 20 to the sample loop 14.

Abstract: A dilution apparatus suitable for use with particles suspended in a fluid is described. The apparatus comprises a first batch diluter and a second continuous diluter. The first diluter comprises a vessel having at least one inlet, and an outlet, the at least one inlet being arranged to receive diluent so as to mix said sample with said diluent. The second diluter comprises a sample input, a diluent inlet and an output, the diluent input being arranged such that diluent entering the second diluter experiences a pressure drop. The pressure drop is sufficient to entrain at least a portion of diluted sample from the first diluter through the sample input. The outlet of the first diluter is arranged to be in communication with the input of the second diluter such that a sample that has been pre-diluted in the first diluter is arranged to be further diluted in the second diluter.

Abstract: A container system for a liquid has an open-topped receptacle for receiving a liquid and a cover. The cover has an interior surface fitting on or within the open top of the receptacle and an exterior surface that it exposed when the cover is fitted to the open top of the receptacle. The cover also has an aspirating nipple formed therein. The aspirating nipple has a tube with an internal channel extending from the exterior of the cover into the receptacle for transferring liquid out of the receptacle and a gasket disposed on the exterior surface of the cover and surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A pipette is provided having a reduced operational vibration and noise and an increased operational accuracy. The pipette includes a body and a drive unit mounted within the body. The drive unit includes a motor, an operating rod configured for movement under control of the motor, a nut, and an elastic strip. The nut is mounted to the operating rod and is configured to allow translational movement of the operating rod with respect to the nut, but not to allow rotational movement of the operating rod with respect to the nut. The elastic strip is mounted to the nut and to the body to exert a rotational torque on the nut.

Abstract: A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and a fluid-holding vessel in fixed association. The method includes penetrating one or more materials of the cap with an air displacement pipette, thereby forming one or more passageways for venting air displaced from within the collection device, where the pipette includes structure for forming the one or more passageways. A fluid present in the vessel is drawn into the pipette before the pipette is removed from the collection device.

Abstract: A testing table that allows testing lights along its length. The testing table can be used to convey lights along the direction, and to test the lights at different locations along the direction along the conveying. The lights can be cleaned and tested. Empty tubs can be returned.

Abstract: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media, the meter having a housing and an interface for receiving a signal representing coding information, and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter, the container having a coding element associated therewith. Additionally, the system may provide a mechanism for removing the meter from an interconnected test container and reattaching it to a new container using on-container coding methods that can recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips.

Abstract: An insertion electrode device (1) is designed for installing a probe (2) in a medium to be measured, through a receptacle or a fitting (3) in the receptacle. The probe comprises a probe head (10) at an end opposite the measuring end of the probe. The fitting or the receptacle has an internal shoulder (34). In the probe's installed state, the internal shoulder serves as stop for the probe head. A spacer ring (33) and a sealing ring (36) are arranged along a shaft of the probe between the probe head and the internal shoulder. The spacer ring has a profile which, together with the probe shaft, forms a groove (37), In the installed state of the probe, the groove completely accommodates and compresses the sealing ring.

Abstract: A thrust transfer device includes: a motor serving as a driving source; a sun gear rotatable to an output shaft of the motor, a plurality of nut members each provided with an outer peripheral external tooth meshed with the sun gear and provided with an inner peripheral nut side spiral screw groove; and a plurality of screw shafts, each provided, at an outer periphery thereof, with a screw side spiral screw groove corresponding to the nut side spiral screw groove, and reciprocally moved in accordance with nut rotation by fitting the screw side screw groove into the nut side screw groove; and an internal tooth gear meshed with the external tooth formed to each of the nut members. When the sun gear is rotated, the nut members perform planetary motion inside the internal tooth gear, by which the screw shafts are reciprocally moved in axial directions thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for converting a linear motion into an arcuate motion, which can be used in a scanning device. The inventive mechanism comprises: a structure (35) which can move along a linear path and which can be connected to a drive device (34), a support part (39) which is mounted to the mobile structure (35) such that it can slide perpendicularly to the aforementioned linear path, at least one connecting rod (48, 49) which is articulated to (i) a fixed structure around a first axis of rotation located in a plane that is perpendicular to the linear path and (ii) the mobile structure (35) around a second axis that is parallel to the first. The arcuate movement of the support part (39) results from the sliding thereof under the action of the connecting rod (48, 49?) and the translational movement produced by the mobile structure (35?).

Abstract: A lift pin driving device and a manufacturing apparatus having the device are provided. The device includes drive unit including a single drive motor that drives a pin plate, a plurality of timing belts and a plurality of pulleys. The pin plate, which supports a plurality of lift pins thereon, is moved by the pulleys, operated in conjunction with the motor through the timing belts. A tensioner controls a tension of the timing belts. The tensioner may be controlled to provide precise rectilinear movement without leaning, and to prevent the timing belts from sagging. The device efficiently controls the tension of the timing belts and allows the lift pins to be precisely moved upwards or downwards such that a substrate positioned thereon may maintain a horizontal position while being moved upwards or downwards.

Abstract: In an actuator, a quick release unit is introduced in a transmission between an activating element and a reversible electric motor for disengaging the activating element (5) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission (6) which is disposed from the motor to the quick release unit. This quick release unit comprises two cylindrical coupling parts (8, 9) provided with axially extending and mutually engaging torque-transferring means (21a, 21b), and where the two coupling parts (8, 9) are mutually axially displaceable and kept in engagement with each other by a spring (25). The two coupling parts may be displaced mutually against the spring (25) by a release mechanism, so that the torque-transferring connection (21a, 21b) between the two coupling parts (8, 9) is interrupted. The quick release unit may be made compact, and especially in connection with a worm wheel (6) with a cylindrical part on the side it may be substantially received in the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A ball screw device includes a ball nut having an inner thread and a channel communicating with each other, a screw shaft threaded with the ball nut, a number of bearing members engaged in between the ball nut and the screw shaft and in the channel of the ball nut. A bearing housing is engaged onto the ball nut for forming a sealed annular gap between the bearing housing and the ball nut and for receiving a lubricating oil, and an oil forcing member includes an extension extended into the annular gap that is formed between the bearing housing and the ball nut for forcing or scrubbing or propelling the lubricating oil to flow into the channel in order to lubricate the bearing members.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a dual clutch assembly, a countershaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include synchronizer assemblies.

Abstract: In a dual-clutch transmission for a motor vehicle of four-shaft design including, for shifting into reverse gear, a shift element which connects a reverse gear drive output shaft to a reverse gear gearwheel, the shift element for the reverse gear is situated on the drive input shaft or on the drive output shaft and the shift element is usable in addition to shifting the reverse gear, for shifting also a forward gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator arrangement for a twin-clutch transmission which has a first and a second partial transmission. The first partial transmission contains odd forward gear stages and the second partial transmission contains even forward gear stages. At least one first and one second selector drum have in each case one controllable drive motor and at least one control cam. Each control cam is assigned at least one cam follower. The control cam of at least one selector drum encircles through at least 360°. The associated drive motor is designed to drive said selector drum through at least 360°. The gear stages are distributed on the two selector drums, and arranged on the control cams, in such a way that at least one direct multiple shift can be carried out.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a dual clutch assembly, a plurality of countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include synchronizer assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulating mechanism for operating an actuator or connecting element (11, 12) of an automatic transmission. The regulating mechanism has an actuator (3), a regulating mechanism (4), a transmission element (6), and an output element (8, 9). According to the present invention, the actuator (3) is configured as a three phase motor, advantageously as an asynchronous motor. The torque (M) of the actuator (3) is converted into an actuating force (S) in the transmission element (6), which is then applied to a regulated and or connecting element (11, 12).

Abstract: A ball screw device includes a ball nut having an inner thread formed by a number of helical groove portions and helical ridges, and an opening and a depression communicating with each other, and a channel communicating with the depression of the ball nut, a radially inserted deflecting member has a block engaged into the opening of the ball nut and an extension extended from the block and engaged into the depression of the ball nut for anchoring the deflecting member to the ball nut. A fastener may be engaged through the deflecting member and engaged with the ball nut for securing the deflecting member to the ball nut.

Abstract: A rotation apparatus of a flat display including a standard shaft which is implanted and fixed in the base, a clutch plate which is pivotally supported by the standard shaft so as to be able to freely rotate and is driven to rotate by rotation drive means as needed, a standard gear which is attached and fixed to the standard shaft, an idle gear which is attached to the clutch plate to be able to freely rotate and is engaged with the standard gear to roll around the standard gear, and a rotation output gear which is engaged with the idle gear and attached to the clutch plate to be able to freely rotate and orbit the circumference of the standard gear while rotating itself to support the flat display via the supporting shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body unit which has an image forming unit; a door unit which couples with the main body unit to open and close the main body unit, and has a projection at one side thereof; a mid-transfer unit which couples with the door unit; a coupling knob which is provided in the main body unit and rotates in cooperation with pressure of the projection when the door unit is closed; and a coupling apparatus which is provided in the main body and transmits a driving force from the main body unit to the mid-transfer unit in cooperation with the rotation of the coupling knob.

Abstract: The gearbox comprises a case, a rod mounted on the case, a pair of sliding shift forks mounted on the rod, and travel-limit elements arranged on the rod for defining travel-limit positions for the shift forks. The travel-limit elements comprise a pair of bushes which are separate from the rod and have each a first axially outer larger-diameter portion and a second axially inner smaller-diameter portion so as to define at least one axial abutment surface for the shift fork adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. These mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.

Abstract: A steering column includes a steering shaft connected to a steering wheel; a block, housing the steering shaft; a column tube, housing the block; a main housing, mounted at an exterior of the column tube, and including a telescoping guide hole for a telescoping operation, and a fixing portion for pressing the column tube; a tilt bracket mounted on the main housing and including a tilt guide hole for a tilting operation; a fixing unit combined with the block through the tilt bracket and the main housing, for fixing a position of the column tube; and an operation lever for controlling an operation of the fixing unit, the operation lever being disposed at an exterior of the tilt bracket and connected to the fixing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the tension of a cable of a parking brake is provided.

Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting a derailleur shifter to a distal end of a handlebar includes a locking part with a body and a clamping tube is connected to a first end of the body and a lug extends from a second end of the body. A connection member extends through the lug and is connected with a collar and the derailleur shifter. A groove is defined longitudinally through a wall of the body and the clamping tube which is mounted to the distal end of the handlebar. Two connection portions extend from the clamping tube and separated by the groove. A bolt extends through the tow connection portions to tightly clamp the clamping tube to the handlebar. An engaging portion connected to the body and includes a longitudinal slit with which a control cable is engaged.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal system includes a vehicle speed sensor outputting a vehicle speed signal, an accelerator pedal, and a switch that generates a signal corresponding to at least one predetermined speed and a selected mode. An engine management system receives the signals from the vehicle speed sensor and the switch. A pedal control unit receives the vehicle speed signal and the switch signal, and outputs a control signal if a vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined speed. A reaction device is physically attached to the accelerator pedal and electrically connected to the pedal control unit. The reaction device applies force to the accelerator pedal based on the control signal.

Abstract: A swing lever structure for use in jacks comprises a swing lever including a coupling mechanism extendedly provided on one end thereof and having a stop plane formed on at lease one side thereof, and including a driving stem having a connecting end formed on one end thereof for pivotally connecting with the coupling mechanism of the swing lever, thus enabling a jointed rotation, the connecting end further including a stopping surface affixed on at least one side thereof relative to the stop plane of the swing lever, thereby the swing lever and the driving stem may be relatively rotated to form a preferred included angle therebetween so as to facilitate the operation of a jack in a narrow place.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle includes a rim defining a perimeter of the steering wheel and a weighted cable positioned proximate to and at least partially surrounding the rim. The weighted cable increases the polar moment of inertia of the steering wheel and, in so doing, minimizes vibration of the steering wheel caused by operation and movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driving rod for the piston of a reciprocating compressor of the type that comprises: a cylinder block defining a compression chamber; a piston reciprocating within the compression chamber; a driving means to apply reciprocating forces to the piston; and a driving rod disposed between the piston and the driving means and comprising a number, greater than 1, of rods disposed side by side along the axis of the driving rod and each presenting a cross-section that is dimensioned and configured to impart to the driving rod, jointly with the other rods, a required axial rigidity and a flexibility, in at least one direction transversal to the axis of the driving rod, sufficient to absorb, at least substantially, the forces exerted on the piston by the driving rod and by the driving means.

Abstract: In an automatic load shift transmission including a transmission output shaft arranged coaxially with respect to a twin clutch disposed at the transmission input side, a countershaft is provided comprising only fixed gears and all the freely movable gears and the shift elements are arranged on the shafts extending along the axis of the twin clutches and the input and output shafts.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical composition for making compacted parts is provided. Such composition comprises iron or an iron based powder, and a binder comprising a drying oil and a drying agent. In a preferred embodiment graphite also is present.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed towards methods of producing iron and titanium-containing nanoparticles by reducing iron and titanium-containing precursors with alkali or alkaline-earth metal-containing reducing agents in the presence of a suitable surfactant, and by the thermolysis of iron and titanium-containing precursors without alkali or alkaline-earth metal-containing reducing agents present.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering a metal, such as uranium, from a metal-containing material are disclosed. The metal-containing material is exposed to an extractant containing a liquid or supercritical-fluid solvent and an acid-base complex including an oxidizing agent and a complexing agent. Batches of the metal-containing material are moved through a series of stations while the extractant is moved through the stations in the opposite direction. After the extraction step, the metal is separated from the solvent, the complexing agent and/or other metals by exposing the extract to a stripping agent in a countercurrent stripping column. The complexing agent and the solvent exit the column and are separated from each other by reducing the pressure. The recovered complexing agent is recharged with fresh oxidizing agent and recombined with fresh or recovered solvent to form a recovered extractant, which is distributed through the extraction stations.

Abstract: A multifunction injector (10, 11, 12) comprising a De Laval nozzle (20) adapted to act as a burner at subsonic or supersonic speed, combined with a plurality of nozzles (31, 32) for fuel and comburant respectively, arranged in two rings, concentric and co-axial to said De Laval nozzle (20) and externally protected by a specifically shaped protection cavity (40).

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool (50) for extracting a valve assembly (16) from a container (10). The tool preferably had three gripper ring segments (52) adapted to move between a closed ring engaging position and a non-engaging position with the valve assembly (16). The tool has one lever assembly (60) for each gripper ring segment. Each lever assembly has a lever having a first end portion (64) connected with a corresponding one of the ring segments (52) to move the corresponding ring segment between the engaging and non-engaging positions with the valve assembly. The tool has an actuation mechanism (90) connected with the levers to move the levers in synchronism and thereby move the gripper ring segments into engagement with the valve assembly. The actuator pulls the valve assembly from the container via the levers and gripper ring segments with the gripper ring segments in the engaging position.

Abstract: A motor has a motor shaft. An output shaft is provided with a driver bit and movable in an axial direction thereof. A first gear is configured to rotate around a rotary center to transmit rotations of the motor shaft. A second gear has inner teeth. A carrier includes planetary gears each of which is disposed inside the second gear to mesh with the inner teeth. A clutch mechanism is configured to connect or disconnect the carrier and the output shaft in accordance with the movement of the output shaft. The rotations of the first gear is transmitted to the carrier by way of the planetary gears.

Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit having a biased fitting engagement attached to rail guides is movably maintained through the head, and a probe and switch are associated with different ones of the reaction unit and the head. A safety assembly includes a biased gate switch engageable with a signal switch and is located at the head for sending run status electrical signals to the driver dependent on position of the gate switch. Indicator and control arrays are provided for user interface and driver status monitoring.

Abstract: A wrench includes a driving member engaged with the receiving hole in the head of the wrench and a protrusion extends from an underside of driving member so that a socket is mounted to the protrusion. An axial passage is defined in the driving member and a radial hole is defined through a wall of the protrusion and communicates with the axial passage. An elongate C-shaped biasing member is inserted into the axial passage and a bead is movably engaged with the radial hole and biased by the elongate C-shaped biasing member which biases the bead toward the radial hole. The elongate C-shaped biasing member can be easily removed form the axial passage when needed.

Abstract: A socket receiver for a wrench assembly that is used with a socket having a longitudinal axis includes a receiver body and a socket retainer. The receiver body selectively receives the socket. The receiver body can include a proximal section, a distal section and a body aperture. The proximal section is shaped to inhibit the socket from rotating relative to the receiver body. The distal section is positioned so that the proximal section is between the distal section and the wrench body. The distal section is shaped so that the distal section does not inhibit the socket from rotating relative to the receiver body. The body aperture extends continuously through the proximal section and the distal section. In some embodiments, the socket retainer can encircle the receiver body. The socket retainer engages the socket to inhibit movement of the socket relative to the receiver body in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A combination includes a socket wrench and an adaptor. The socket wrench includes a handle having a head portion. The head portion includes a drive column for driving a socket. The handle includes an open end in which a coupling member is securely mounted. The adaptor is removably engaged with one of the drive column of the head portion and the coupling member. The adaptor includes a coupling portion for releasable engagement with the drive column of the head portion. The adaptor further includes a drive portion having a specification different from that of the drive column. The drive portion can be used to engage with another socket having a size different from that of the socket driven by the drive column.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench includes a head portion, a handle portion connected to the head portion and having a receiving space, a strain sensor unit disposed in the head portion, and an indicator unit disposed in the receiving space and having a moving unit. The handle portion further has a tubular wall with a through hole communicated with the receiving space. The moving unit has a touching member aligned with the through hole and movable between first and second positions, where the touching member protrudes outwardly of and retracts into the through hole, respectively. A controlling unit is connected electrically to the strain sensor unit and the moving unit, and actuates the touching member when the strain sensor unit detects a torque that is larger than a reference torque level.

Abstract: A tool assembly comprising a handle having first and second sides, first and second ends, and a channel portion. A resiliently biased driver assembly is movably retained within the handle. The driver assembly can be activated from a closed condition to an open condition by pressing a button.

Abstract: In cutting the braking surface (13a) of a brake rotor-equipped wheel bearing device (A) which comprises an outer member (1) having a car body attaching flange (4) in the outer periphery, an inner member (2) having a wheel attaching flange (6) in the outer periphery, a plurality of rows of rolling bodies (3) incorporated between the two members (1, 2) and rotatably supporting the inner member (2), and a brake rotor (13) attached to the wheel attaching flange (6), the cutting is performed such that subsequently to assembling the wheel bearing device in its mounted state, the end surface of a wheel pilot (9) formed in the inner member (2) is finish-cut, and then the brake rotor (13) is attached to the wheel attaching flange (6), whereupon the braking surface (13a) of the brake rotor (13) is cut with the outer diameter of the wheel pilot (9) gripped relative to the end surface of the wheel pilot (9).

Abstract: An actuator for moving a tool is disclosed, comprising a housing in which a tappet carrying a tool holder is guided axially movable, wherein the tappet is movable by means of a fast drive, e.g. by a piezo drive or by a nanotube drive, which is biased against a restoring force and which is dampened by a dampening element. Herein the fast drive may at least partially be received within a recess of the tappet which leads to a very compact design, in particular in combination with a coaxial dampening element. For guiding the tappet in axial direction alternatively a roller guide may be used (FIG. 3).

Abstract: This invention is a simple system and method for making U.S. banknotes easily readable by all visually-impaired persons, without requiring major changes to the way U.S. currency is now produced, nor the replacement of millions of existing vending, ATM, and currency counting machines. The system slightly modifies the six lowest-denomination U.S. banknotes, $1 through $50, by truncating a small section from different corners of each denomination. This enables a visually-impaired person to hold the banknote in any orientation and determine by feel its correct denomination. The specific sequence of truncated corners has been designed so that no banknote can be altered by truncating additional corners to make it feel like a higher-value banknote to a visually-impaired person.

Abstract: A machine and process are provided for forming small, random sized potato pieces suitable for use in preparing potato hash browns and potato patties and the like. Blanched potatoes are chilled and then swept against a blunt edge resulting in shattering of each potato into relatively small, random-sized pieces. If desired, each blunt shatter-edge can be provided in a knife unit including one or more cross-cut knives to subdivide larger shattered pieces into a smaller size. The produced potato pieces are chilled as by freezing or by chilling to a refrigerated temperature for shipment and/or storage pending finish preparation.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus that automatically adjusts blade depth for a sheet being cut regardless of the amount of wear on the blade. The apparatus includes a top plate for supporting a sheet being cut. A cutting head is disposed above the top plate and has a cutting blade movable toward the top plate. The cutting blade includes a cutting blade tip which engages a cutting blade tip sensor to indicate a location of the tip relative to the cutting head.