Abstract: A legged robot is provided whose trunk link is not prone to wobble in the front-back direction during walking. The legged robot is equipped with a trunk link and a pair of legs. Each leg has a pitch joint capable of rotating the connected links in a plane that intersects with a line extending in a lateral direction of the robot. Rotation centers of the pitch joints are located above a center of gravity of the trunk link. The legged robot walks mainly by swinging the legs backward and forward around such rotation centers. Hence, the trunk link wobbles mainly in the front-back direction around the rotation centers as the robot walks. Because the center of gravity of the trunk link is located below the rotation centers, the gravitational force acting on the trunk link acts in a direction to suppress swinging of the trunk link during walking. Due to this, the trunk link of the legged robot is not prone to wobble in the front-back direction during walking.

Abstract: The primary object of the present invention is a jointed and instrumented limb for robot or haptic interface comprising at least first (2) and second (4) rigid segments and a joint (6), said joint (6) comprising fibers and at least one measurement element (101, 102) and being fixed in each of the rigid segments (2, 4). The present invention also has for object a robot or a haptic interface comprising at least one such jointed limb.

Abstract: The control cable includes a reinforcing wire 11 of which the both ends are fixed by anchors 14, 14, an outer casing 12 made of synthetic resin so as to be slidable to the reinforcing cable, and so as not to constrain the thermal deformation in the axial direction based on the variation of ambient temperature, and an inner cable 13 made of metal having flexibility housed in the outer casing 12 slidably.

Abstract: A road bicycle handlebar comprises a base, a brake control handle, a gear shift handle, a cushion and three spherical cushions. The cushion covers a holding portion of the base for making the holding more comfortable. The three spherical cushions are respectively assembled on the brake control handle and the gear shift handle to make the riding more comfortable. The brake control handle is defined with a groove for placement of fingers of the hand to allow the hand of the rider to be always maintained in a ready-to-press-the-brake-control-handle state, thus improving the riding safety.

Abstract: A pawl for controlling the rotation of a gear in a planetary gear mechanism. The pawl includes a nose and first and second pivot axes. The nose is engageable with the gear. The pawl is rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first mode permitting rotation of the gear in a first direction and a second direction and a second mode preventing rotation of the gear in the first direction. The pawl is rotatable about the second pivot axis to permit rotation of the gear in the second direction while the pawl is the second mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe which can be worn for pedaling a bicycle and also for walking, jogging, and running. The pedal includes a body that has a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The first coupling element is disposed substantially near the toe end of the body and the second coupling element is disposed substantially near the heel end of the body. The first coupling element and second coupling element are adapted to couple to a shoe. In another embodiment, a method is provided for coupling a shoe to a pedal of a bicycle.

Abstract: A crank assembly for use on a human powered machine, the crank assembly having one or more cranks that can be connected to opposing ends of an axle of the machine. The crank assembly further has a chain ring having teeth for engagement with a drive element, the chain ring being capable of being supported on the axle such that the chain ring can rotate relative to the axle; and a set of two or more leaf springs, each spring has a root that can be rotationally fixed relative to the axle and a tip that bears against the chain ring to impart force to the chain ring. Each spring tapers from the root to the tip in a plane of the chain ring.

Abstract: A reduction drive gear for all-terrain vehicles (ATV) such as the HONDA RINCON™. The gear reduces the drive ratio, thereby increasing the load pulling capacity of the vehicle and providing for a lower-end torque. It is comprised of a carbon steel bar cut to a seventeen-tooth drive gear (as opposed to the original nineteen-tooth drive gear found in typical ATVs). The reduction drive gear enables the ATV to be more powerful while avoiding any modifications to the motor, thereby eliminating the creation of undesirable heat in the motor.

Abstract: A dual clutch type automated transmission apparatus includes first and second input shafts, an output shaft, a dual clutch mechanism having a first clutch actuator operating a first clutch portion for establishing/interrupting a first torque transmitting path and a second clutch actuator operating a second clutch portion for establishing/interrupting a second torque transmitting path, plural first gear trains, plural first connecting portions selectively connecting/disconnecting the first and second input shafts to/from the output shaft via one of the first gear trains, a second gear train provided between the first input shaft and the output shaft, and a second connecting portion provided at the second gear train and connected to the second clutch actuator. The second clutch actuator operates the second connecting portion to connect/disconnect the first input shaft to/from the output shaft via the second gear train while operating the second clutch portion to interrupt the second torque transmitting path.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing titanium metal is described herein. The process comprises generating an RF thermal plasma discharge using a plasma torch provided with an RF coil; reducing titanium tetrachloride to a titanium metal by supplying titanium tetrachloride and magnesium into the RF thermal plasma discharge; and collecting or depositing the titanium metal at a temperature not lower than the boiling point of magnesium chloride and not higher than the boiling point of the titanium metal.

Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit having a bit body with a cutting component formed from a tungsten carbide composite material is disclosed. The composite material includes a binder and tungsten carbide crystals comprising sintered pellets. The composite material may be used as a hardfacing on the body and/or cutting elements, or be used to form portions or all of the body and cutting elements. The pellets may be formed with a single mode or multi-modal size distribution of the crystals.

Abstract: A method for the production of iron from an iron oxide-containing material includes contacting an iron oxide-containing material with a particle size distribution range with a ?90 of less than 2 mm, with a carbon-containing material with a particle size distribution range with a ?90 of less than 6 mm, in a commercial scale reactor at a temperature of between 900° C. and 1200° C. for a contact time sufficient to reduce the iron oxide to iron.

Abstract: A molten metal treatment consisting of a liquid mixture in which fluorinated ketone is dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide at 0.01 to 10 wt % is put in a container, and the molten metal treatment is vaporized, and is fed as a cover gas to be contacted with the surface of a molten metal.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a hydraulic power wrench with a pivotable lever pivoted by a piston-cylinder unit and a ratchet arrangement for stepwise rotation of a ratchet bushing by advancing and return strokes, parameters such as nominal torque or pre-load or screw parameters are entered into an electronic input unit. Nominal pressure corresponding to the parameters is determined by an electronic evaluation unit and generated by the pump. The piston-cylinder unit is pressure-loaded for performing a pre-stroke until the nominal pressure is reached followed immediately by a return stroke. A time interval from beginning of pressure loading until reaching nominal pressure or until reaching an initial pressure after pressure relief is measured. Pressure loading and measuring are repeated. The measured time intervals are compared. Pressure loading cycles are stopped when at least the last measured time interval is shorter than at least the penultimate measured time interval.

Abstract: A container package that includes a structural component for holding a plurality of containers, and an opener affixed to the structural component and configured to allow a user to open one of the plurality of containers without removing the opener from the structural component.

Abstract: A tire-patching tool and its patching method includes a pneumatic tool for producing a rotation force with a preset rotating speed, and a tire-patching needle with a tire seal strip assembled on the pneumatic tool to be driven into a broken hole of a tire. In using, the pneumatic tool is started to transmit a rotation force to the tire-patching needle so that the tire-patching needle can be vertically driven into the tire in the direction of the broken hole to let the tire seal strip stuck in the broken hole of the tire, and then remove out the tire-patching needle to finish tire patching work. By the pneumatic tool driving the tire-patching needle to produce a rotation force, the tire seal strip can quickly and accurately be stuck in the broken hole of the tire, saving time and labor in carrying out tire patching work.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism includes a pair of contact portions facing each other which is capable of directly contacting a tie rod hexagonal portion, and an open-close drive mechanism that causes the both contact portions to move away from and approach the tie rod hexagonal portion. By appropriately changing the distance between surfaces of the mutually facing pair of contact portions, the tie rod hexagonal portion will be securely clamped by the pair of contact portions, regardless of the size of the diameter of the tie rod. Then, the tie rod hexagonal portion is rotated to adjust the toe angle, by rotating the clamping mechanism via the rotation drive mechanism.

Abstract: An article for use in a torque transmitting system which has a drive surface configuration having side and end surfaces is disclosed. The end surface tapers upwardly and outwardly from a lowermost point provided along a longitudinal axis to the side surface. The end surface defines a plurality of identically configured lobes that extend from a first point to a second point. The first point of one lobe is identical to the second point of an adjacent lobe. The first and second points of each lobe are provided along an imaginary circle having its center along the longitudinal axis. Each lobe extends from the first point to the second point by a series of edges that are straight, concave and/or convex. Two of the edges are tangential to the imaginary circle. The side surface extends upwardly from the edges defining the plurality of lobes.

Abstract: A lockable torque-limiting driver that includes, a body, a sleeve, a shaft carried by the body for rotation relative thereto and having a fastener-engaging tip at one end that projects from the body, a torque-limiting mechanism coupled to the shaft and housed within said body, a torque-adjusting mechanism within the body and coupled to the torque-limiting mechanism for adjusting the torque-limiting mechanism to a desired torque value, a torque-locking mechanism operably coupled with the torque-adjusting mechanism and the body or the sleeve for preventing movement of the torque-determining means and locking the settable torque-limiting driver at the desired torque value.

Abstract: A digital torque wrench includes a position sensor assembly which measures the movement of a load beam with respect to an indicator beam to determine the torque being applied to a working element by the torque wrench. The position sensor assembly includes a first position sensor portion having multiple rotatable pinion gears coupled to a potentiometer, and includes a second position sensor portion having a rack gear that engages one of the pinion gears of the first position sensor portion. The first and second position sensor portions are attached to different ones of the load beam and the indicator beam so that at least one of the pinion gears rotates along the rack gear in response to force (torque) being applied through the load beam to the working element. Rotation of the pinion gears causes rotation of a potentiometer element, which produces a signal indicative of the relative displacement of the load beam with respect to the indicator beam.

Abstract: A separator chute is placed at a standby position while a part is machined, and when the processing of the part is completed, the separator chute is swung and moved to a reception position to receive the part separated from a spindle. An opening portion of a cover structure, formed near a pivot shaft of the separator chute, is formed in the size through which the machined part can be discharged. The opening portion is closed by the separator chute when the chute is in the standby position and opened when the chute is in the reception position.

Abstract: A module for automatic scrap wire isolating and removal is used in systems such as wire insulation lines for extricating scrap wires while minimally interfering with the mechanized wire insulation process. One such module includes a knife assembly with a knife, a scrap tray with a tilt plate for catching the scrap wire below the knife assembly, an accumulator with curved hooks oriented for catching and accumulating, one at a time, the wire and the scrap wire and rotatable for letting go, one at a time, of the wire and scrap wire, so as to allow the knife to completely separate the scrap wire from the wire. A lifting linkage in this module is operatively engaged with the tilt plate tilting it at an angle sufficient for the isolated scrap wire to slide off, whereby the scrap wire is removed.

Abstract: A method for palletizing confectioned units including the steps of grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device, providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material, cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer, moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device, moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device, transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station, and positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet.

Abstract: A workpiece adjusting mechanism for a miter saw is provided. The workpiece adjusting mechanism may include: a table for supporting a workpiece to be cut by the miter saw; an engager for engaging the workpiece, the engager configured to move the workpiece with respect to the table; and an actuator configured to control the engager to move the workpiece with respect to the table.

Abstract: A sawmill having a carriage 1 for moving a saw between two points, the saw having a cutting blade 11 which can move between a substantially vertical cutting position and a substantially horizontal cutting position, the sawmill having a board removal system comprising a deflector flap 23 mounted adjacent the cutting blade 11 such that when a board has been cut from a log 13 by the sawmill that board is moved from the log by the deflector flap 23 as another board is being cut from the log 13 adjacent the first mentioned board.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for detaching a workpiece from a cutting table (1), which workpiece comprises a cutting (6) cut out from a flexible web (10) made of fiber material, comprising a raising device (4) which is displaceable relative to the cutting table (1) receiving the web (10) with the cutting (6) and which comprises a run-up surface (8) for the workpiece ascending from the cutting table (1) for progressively lifting the workpiece from the cutting table (1), a receiving device (7) progressively receiving the workpiece after the run-up surface (8) and a lifting device (14) for the edge of the workpiece facing the raising device (4).

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a bench cutter like a miter saw including: a drive portion driving a cutting blade; a base portion supporting a workpiece; a cutting portion arranged on the base portion, pivotally supporting the cutting blade above the base portion, and configured to make the cutting blade come close to and separate from the base portion; and a supporting portion connected to the base portion and movably supporting the cutting portion, wherein the cutting portion including: a transmission portion for transmitting power of the drive portion to the cutting blade; and a gear case covering the transmission mechanism and having a lower face portion opposed to an upper face of the base portion, wherein the transmission portion including: a spindle concentrically supporting the cutting blade; and a cutting blade fixing portion having a flange for fixing the cutting blade to the spindle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miter box. Miter boxes have a base, a pair of opposed side walls, and at least one aligned slot in the side walls. An embodiment of the present invention includes at least one guide rail mounted on the base perpendicular to the side wall. Further, a clamping assembly is positioned on the guide rail. The clamping assembly is selectively moveable along said guide rail. In this manner, a work piece can be secured to the miter box to hold the piece in position while it is being cut.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quick dismantling and positioning structure for the saw blade of sawing machine; a n-shaped rod is defined, two guard plates and stoppers are correspondingly arranged at both sides to form a shield assembly; moreover, two moveable dampers are arranged within the rod, a quick-release bolt is externally mounted onto the front end of the moveable clamper, so that the shield assembly could be quickly dismantled or reassembled by screwing and release of the quick-release bolt.

Abstract: There is described an optical fiber sensor for sensing one of vibration, temperature, and strain, comprising: a laser source; a first single mode optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the laser source for receiving and propagating light from the laser source; a multimode optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of the first single mode optical fiber for receiving the light and thereby exciting a plurality of modes of the multimode optical fiber, the multimode optical fiber being stretched at an out of band frequency and operated at a point at which an output is a linear function of a displacement of the multimode fiber; and a sampling photo-detector module connected to the second end of the multimode optical fiber for spatially filtering an output of the multimode fiber to obtain a spatially filtered interference pattern, and for detecting a variation of the spatially filtered interference pattern when one of the vibra

Abstract: A percussion instrument and its method of construction. The percussion instrument has an annular body with an open top and an open bottom. The annular body has multiple sections that include a first section and an opposite second section. The first and second sections join together at bending regions that are located at opposite sides of the annular body. A striking membrane is stretched taut over the open top of the annular body. An adjustment mechanism is provided that is used to selectively bend the annular body within the bending regions. Depending upon what direction the annular body is bent, the tautness of the striking membrane is either increased or decreased. This selectively alters the tone of the sound produced by the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides drumsticks for training percussionists to use proper form, which may increase learning speed and enable faster and more efficient drum strokes. Each drumstick includes a tip or bead with a wing extending therefrom. The wing extends beyond the width of the shaft of the drumstick so that the percussionist must strike the drum head with wing extending parallel to the drum head surface to achieve a proper and acceptable sound. A grip is also provided to properly orient the user's hands for the matched grip variation desired.

Abstract: The automatic audio playing device mainly contains a hollow body member, a control unit housed inside the body member, a plug member and a speaker as integral parts of the body member, an adaptor, and a remote controller. The control unit has a radio reception circuit for receiving control signals from the remote controller. The control signal is forwarded to a signal processing circuit, which in turn triggers a microprocessor in accordance with the control signals. The microprocessor instructs an audio playing circuit to play an appropriate digital audio file via the speaker. The plug member could be plugged into a conventional lamp socket for a light bulb, or the plug member is first plugged into the adaptor and the adaptor is then plugged into a conventional wall socket. Once this is done, the automatic audio playing device could be turned on and off by switches of existing wiring.

Abstract: A method for organizing a wave sample in a memory comprises loading the wave in two parts, each of which is a continuous waveform, wherein a discontinuity is provided between said two parts.

Abstract: A method for controlling the frequency of a conscious, periodic human physiological activity that comprises preparing a base track of prerecorded music having a base tempo, adding a rhythmic musical track having an activity tempo conforming with a target frequency of at least one conscious, periodic human physiological activity to the base track of prerecorded music, and configuring the base track of prerecorded music with the rhythmic musical track for playback by a human participant having interest in the target frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a new composition based on a database of pre-recorded performances of existing compositions. A system and method for generating an automated method for converting existing performances and associated MIDI transcriptions to a database and generating a new composition from the database. Musical improvisations are performed by musicians, in digital audio format. The digital audio data is transcribed to MIDI data and stored in a song file. The tempo, chord symbols used and key signature are input, and added to the song file. The digital audio file is analyzed and markers for the start and the end of phrases are added in a phrase marker text file. The system analyzes the MIDI transcriptions, chords, and phrase marker text. Information about sections and phrases of the solo from the phrase market text are stored in a “Riffs” file.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a pressure container which can prevent dispersion of a hazardous substance or the like to the exterior and ensure a high level of safety with a simple structure. To achieve this object, a pressure container (10) comprises an outer vessel (30) and an inner vessel (40) which receives an impact load produced at the time of blasting disposal operation. The inner vessel (40) is disposed inside the outer vessel (30). The inner vessel (40) has a pressure relieving part (50) which can discharge part of high-pressure gas produced in the inner vessel (40) at the time of the blasting disposal operation into a gap formed between the inner vessel (40) and the outer vessel (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a braided rope for bend-over-sheave applications consisting essentially of n braided primary strands being made of polymeric filaments, which rope has an oblong cross-section with aspect ratio in the range 1.2-4.0. Such a rope shows markedly improved service life performance in cyclic bend-over-sheave applications. The invention also relates to the use of a braided rope according to the invention as a load-bearing member in bend-over-sheave applications; and to a system comprising such a rope and at least one sheave with a groove, the dimensions of which groove are adapted to the rope dimensions.

Abstract: A projectile tracking system for acquiring and precisely tracking a projectile in flight in order to reveal the source from which the projectile was fired. The source is revealed by the back projection of a 3-dimensional track file. In preferred embodiments the system is installed on a vehicle, such as an un-manned blimp or other aircraft, road vehicle or ship, for locating and destroying small arms fire directed at the vehicle. A kill system may also be included on the vehicle to destroy the source of the projectile.

Abstract: A hard armor composite includes a rigid facing and a ballistic fabric backing. The fabric backing is carried by the facing, and includes an array of bundled high-performance fibers. The fibers have a tensile strength greater than 7 grams per denier and a denier per filament ratio of less than 5.4.

Abstract: A howitzer suitable for deployment on a ground plane, the howitzer comprising a barrel for firing a projectile, the barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech towards the back end of the howitzer; a cradle for holding the barrel at an azimuth and an elevation; a recoil accommodating mechanism such that the barrel can move along the barrel axis relative to the cradle; a bearing for varying the azimuth of the cannon; and a linkage for varying the elevation of the bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating and/or transmitting forces/torques and rotational movements between two components, particularly for compensating for vehicle movements, in which at least one joint module is situated between the two components, which joint module converts a translational and/or rotational movement of a piston, to which a pressure medium is applied, into a rotational movement of at least one first rotatable shaft or of a first and a second rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A method for producing a rubber diaphragm, comprising: (a) preparing materials; (b) primary forming: putting a first rubber film into a lower mold cavity of a diaphragm mold, covering the film with a canvas, positioning the canvas via a mold ring, switching on a primary upper mold on a vulcanizer, pushing the mold into a center of a hot plate of the vulcanizer, and performing primary forming for 30-40 seconds under a setting temperature of 152-157° C. and holding pressure of 16-18 MPa; and (c) secondary forming and curing: taking the mold out, removing the upper mold, putting the second rubber film into a mold cavity and switching on a secondary upper mold, pushing the mold into a center of the hot plate, and performing secondary forming and curing for 5-5.5 minutes under a setting temperature of 152-157° C. and holding pressure of 16-18 MPa. A rubber diaphragm produced by this method.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism is mounted at an end section of a cylinder tube, which configures a cylinder device, by having a step section in between, and the sealing mechanism is sandwiched between the cylinder tube and a rod cover. The sealing mechanism includes a thin plate formed of a metal material, and a sealing member attached to one side surface of the plate. The plate and the sealing member are integrally arranged.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes rolling elements, such as balls or rollers acting as bearings carried in openings in the skirt or equivalent portion of a piston, to engage the cylinder walls and replace the sliding bearings of the skirt with the roller elements in the skirt. The rolling elements then absorb all or some of the thrust loads conventionally absorbed by the skirt walls sliding along surfaces of an associated cylinder and thereby reduce the friction forces developed by the reciprocating action of the piston skirt.

Abstract: The concentration of adsorbate in the feed gas to an on-stream bed of a cyclical swing adsorption process is monitored and the data processed to predict the time required to complete the on-stream mode of that bed and the purge flow rate and/or other regeneration mode operating condition of the concurrently off-stream bed is modified in response to changes in said predicted time whereby the regeneration mode of the off-steam bed is completed at the same time as the on-stream mode of the concurrent on-stream bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the absorption of sulfur dioxide from flue gases comprising the steps of: a) providing input seawater or brackish water; b) treating at least a portion of the seawater or brackish water to form a more concentrated solution of ions; and c) contacting the flue gas with an aqueous stream containing the concentrated solution to form flue gas with a reduced content of sulfur dioxide and a wash solution. wherein the treatment in stage (b) is a process selected from the group consisting of vacuum distillation, distillation, reverse osmosis, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to adapt an item of visualization or optimization software with the least possible amount of effort made on any electrostatic filter configurations. To this end, the invention provides that the electrostatic filter, the high-voltage supply units, and the auxiliary functional units can be used by the software modules in the server component as objects with characteristic features and with characteristic methods, that are capable of being accessed as information, which only exists in the server component, for the client modules via data interfaces.

Abstract: Provided is a dripper that is light-weight and deformable into an arbitrary shape to be stored compactly and that enables coffee extraction irrespective of the existence of a filter. Provided is a dripper 1 for extracting coffee, including: a filter portion 10 that is formed from fabric with permeability and that includes an opening 11 through which coffee powder can be added and a receiving portion 12 that receives the coffee powder added through the opening 11; and a frame 50 that is made of an super-elastic alloy and can define the respective shapes of the opening 11 and the receiving portion 12 in the filter portion 10.