Abstract: A sensor for sensing pressure is disclosed. The sensor may be a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, or a tactile sensor for sensing tactile events through pressure measurement. In one aspect, the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor having at least one VCSEL on a substrate. It further includes a compressible sensor layer covering a top surface of the at least one VCSEL, and a reflecting element covering a top surface of the sensor layer. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a vortex flowmeter having a vortex body which projects into the flowing measurement medium in a measuring tube, a sensor for detecting the vortex frequency being connected downstream of said vortex body in the direction of flow and being provided with means for measuring the temperature of the measurement medium, and a downstream electronic evaluation unit determining the flow rate in a temperature-compensated manner, the sensor including a carrier body on which a plurality of piezoelectric elements, which are arranged at a distance from one another and are intended to measure the frequency, and a temperature-measuring element are placed.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid to a user includes a housing, a drive motor assembly in the housing, a force sensor, and an electronics module. The drive motor assembly regulates delivery of fluid by actuating a piston of a fluid reservoir, and the force sensor generates output levels in response to force imparted thereto during, for example, fluid delivery operations. The electronics module processes the output levels of the force sensor to assess the operating health of the force sensor, to check for occlusions in the fluid delivery path, and to monitor the seating status of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow meter, comprising: means for defining a fluid flow path; a rotor, with at least one blade, positioned in said fluid flow path; and a ring positioned upstream from, and adjacent to, said rotor; wherein the ring is adapted to conditions the flow at the leading edge of the rotor blade over a range of operating conditions. By providing a ring the accuracy and flow measuring range may be improved.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant vibratory flowmeter (5) is provided. The flowmeter (5) includes a flowmeter assembly (10) including one or more flow tubes (103) configured to be vibrated and a diffusion coating (202) over at least a portion of the flowmeter assembly (10). The diffusion coating (202) is diffused into and comprises a part of the flowmeter assembly (10).

Abstract: A controller for a flowmeter includes an input module operable to receive a sensor signal from a sensor connected to a vibratable flowtube. The sensor signal is related to a fluid flow through the flowtube. The controller also includes a signal processing system operable to receive the sensor signal, determine sensor signal characteristics, and output drive signal characteristics for a drive signal applied to the flowtube. An output module is operable to output the drive signal to the flowtube and a control system is operable to modify the drive signal and thereby maintain oscillation of the flowtube during a transition of the flowtube from a substantially empty state to a substantially full state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear mechanism comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one output shaft, which enter a gear mechanism housing through a respective opening. The drive shaft and/or the output shaft comprise a magnetically or optically coded section in the region of the respective opening. The coding in said section may be changed by the effect of a torque or a force on the drive shaft or output shaft. Moreover, at least one gear wheel connected to the drive shaft and at least one gear wheel connected to the output shaft are provided that are directly or indirectly engaged with one another. In addition, the gear mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one scanning unit for detecting the magnetic or optical coding of the drive shaft or output shaft in a contact free fashion.

Abstract: A solid phase extraction apparatus includes a sample adsorption assembly and a needle. The adsorption assembly includes a housing, a distal housing opening, and an adsorption bar disposed in the housing. The adsorption bar includes an outer surface coated with an adsorption material. The adsorption bar is located between the distal housing opening and a proximal housing opening. The outer surface is spaced from an inner housing surface, wherein the adsorption assembly includes an adsorption region between the inner housing surface and the outer surface. The adsorption assembly establishes a fluid flow path from the distal housing opening, through the adsorption region along a longitudinal direction, and to the proximal housing opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sample processing system which comprises a plurality of process order issuing units, in which each process order issuing unit issues a process order for instructing processing of a sample. The sample processing system further comprises a sample processing unit that processes the sample based on a process order issued by one of the process order issuing units. The sample processing system further comprises a controller that causes a display unit to display progress information indicating a progress situation of the processing of the sample based on the process order issued by the one of the process order issuing units. The progress information includes identification information for identifying the process order issuing unit that issued the process order.

Abstract: A substrate processing system comprising a first detecting part configured to detect unprocessed wafers, and a second detecting part configured to detect processed wafers. The first detecting part is configured to detect whether the unprocessed wafers are respectively accommodated in respective accommodating portions of a container or not, and to detect accommodated conditions of the respective unprocessed wafers accommodated in the respective accommodating portions. The second detecting part is configured to collectively detect whether the processed wafers are respectively accommodated in the respective accommodating portions of the container.

Abstract: The invention provides a crankshaft-slider assembly, the crank-slider mechanism has at least gasket mounted on the crank pin, the slider end face and the structure end face of the crank are separated by the position of the gasket, such that both end are no longer opposite each other directly; the structure end face of the crank include a spindle neck end face, a crank arm end face, a ring gear or a gear segment end face and a crank end face; the gasket is referred as anti-friction plate. Preferably, the anti-friction plate is provided with oil grooves in a radial distribution, the oil grooves play oil storage roles, to improve the friction condition of the adjacent surfaces of the crank-slider mechanism.

Abstract: A linear drive mechanism includes first and second tapes formed of resilient material that each have an inner surface, a parallel outer surface, a first end, a second end and a concave/convex cross-section. A first tape guide has first and second guide slots that are sized and shaped to fit slidably about the first and second tapes and located to position the outer surfaces of the tapes adjacent one another. At least one second tape guide has third and fourth guide slots that are sized and shaped to fit slidably about the tapes. The tapes are connected together adjacent their first ends. A drive system has a mounting for the first tape guide that locates it orthogonal to lengths of the tapes. The drive system has rolled storage for the tapes and driving members for extending and retracting the tapes through the first and at least one second tape guide.

Abstract: A linear unit for applying an axially acting force, composed of a rotational/translational gear (2) which has a threaded spindle (18) and a threaded nut (19) which are arranged in a gear housing (22), and of an electric motor (1) with a rotor (12) and with a stator (11) which are arranged in an electric motor housing (10). In order to simplify the set-up of the linear unit, while at the same time reducing the packaging space required, according to the invention the threaded spindle (18) is mounted rotatably and axially fixedly inside the gear housing (22) and is connected to the rotor (12) outside the gear housing (22).

Abstract: A multi clutch transmission includes a first clutch plate mounted on a first input shaft, a second clutch plate mounted on a second input shaft arranged concentrically around the first input shaft, a third clutch plate mounted on a third input shaft arranged concentrically around the second input shaft, and a clutch housing comprising a plurality of reaction plates, the first, second, and third clutch plates being individually and selectively engageable and disengageable with reaction plates in the clutch housing. A multi clutch transmission can also include at least three countershafts arranged around the input shafts.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A drive train for a motor vehicle, including a drive unit having a drive shaft and a transmission having a transmission input shaft and a plurality of gears, of which at least one is used as a starting gear for the motor vehicle, and having a friction clutch, which is arranged between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft and is actuated in an automated manner. In order to prevent start-up noise caused by backlashes in the motor vehicle, a backlash present in the transmission is compensated by applying a small compensating torque set at the friction clutch to the transmission input shaft while the starting gear is engaged before start up.

Abstract: A spindle (242; 414; 542; 642) for driving a bung of a cartridge is provided. The spindle includes a generally circular shaft having an outer surface (560). The generally circular shaft extends from a distal end to a proximal end of said circular shaft. A first helical groove (219; 519; 619) is provided along a first portion of the outer surface. The first helical groove having a first pitch. A second helical groove (221; 521; 621) provided along a second portion of the outer surface of the generally circular shaft. The second helical groove overlapping the first helical groove. The second helical groove having a second pitch.

Abstract: A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves and a returning channel for forming an endless ball guiding passage and for receiving a number of ball bearing elements, two deflecting devices are engaged with the ball nut and each include a deflecting pathway communicative with the helical groove and the returning channel of the ball nut and each include a protrusion engaged with a recess of the ball nut for anchoring the deflecting devices to the ball nut, and the deflecting devices each include a connecting surface directed toward the helical groove of the ball nut for guiding the ball bearing elements to smoothly move between the helical groove of the ball nut and the deflecting pathways of the deflecting devices.

Abstract: A transmission shifter for a vehicle includes a base, a transmission shift lever, a cable bracket adapted for connection to a transmission control member, and a yoke. The yoke and the cable bracket are assembled and define a first pivot axis on the base. The shift lever is pivoted to the yoke for movement about a second pivot axis generally perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The shift lever and the cable bracket include vertically-elongated mating engagement features that, when the shift lever is in a fully engaged position, lock the shift lever and the cable bracket together preventing relative movement therebetween. The shift lever is movable from the fully engage position to a partially disengaged position where the mating engagement features are sufficiently disengaged to permit at least limited movement of the shift lever without concurrent movement of the cable bracket.

Abstract: A remote controlled actuator includes an elongated guide section (3) of a curved shape, a distal end member (2) fitted to a tip of the guide section for alteration in attitude, and a work tool (1) provided in the distal end member. A drive shaft (22) for transmitting a driving force of a work tool drive source (41) to the work tool and a curved guide hole (30a) extending to its opposite ends are accommodated inside the guide section. A wire-like attitude altering member (31) is inserted within the guide hole for selective advance or retraction and then is driven by an attitude altering drive source (42) to alter the attitude of the distal end member. The attitude altering member has a curved shape identical with the curved shape of the guide hole under a natural condition while it has not yet been inserted into the guide hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a steering shaft part that forms a section of a steering shaft, the steering shaft part including a reinforcement section at least in an end area, over which reinforcement section the steering shaft part has a wall thickness that is enlarged relative to an adjacent section of the steering shaft part extending toward the longitudinal center of the steering shaft part. The steering shaft part includes a pipe and a sleeve that is arranged in the reinforcement section of the steering shaft part and that form the enlarged wall thickness.

Abstract: A system is described herein for actuating at least one feature of multiple features of a device located inside an enclosure. The system can include a depressor extending through an aperture in a surface of the enclosure. The depressor can include a depressor shaft having a first depressor end and a second depressor end, where the first depressor end is accessible from outside the enclosure. The depressor can move between an undepressed state and a depressed state. The second depressor end can contact the at least one feature of the multiple features of the device when the depressor is in the depressed state.

Abstract: An improved, adjustable hand-operated motorcycle lever is disclosed for actuating hydraulic motorcycle braking and clutching mechanisms. The adjustable lever comprises, inter alia, a base member, a proximal member, a center member, a distal member, an actuator nut, and a barrel component. The lever is easily adjustable to accommodate the hand sizes of different riders, and can be laterally adjusted to augment or reduce leverage to a motorcycle rider.

Abstract: A handlebar support structure for sandwiching a steering handlebar (12) between a lower holder (25) and an upper holder (28) includes an instrument mounting area (30) for supporting an instrument panel unit (14) fitted removably thereto and a shield mounting area (32) for supporting a windshield (16) fitted removably thereto. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) are formed integrally with each other. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) altogether represent a forwardly pursed shape along a direction conforming to a forwardly tilted direction (D).

Abstract: In a dual camshaft structure, an inner shaft provided with a variable cam is inserted into an outer shaft provided with a secured cam. In the dual camshaft structure, the secured cam is provided on a first cylindrical member, the first cylindrical member is secured to the outside of the outer shaft, the variable cam is provided on the second cylindrical member, and the second cylindrical member is installed at the outside of the first cylindrical member and is secured to the inner shaft by a connection member via a notch provided on the first cylindrical member and a notch provided on the outer shaft. Therefore, the rigidity of the dual camshaft structure can be ensured, and a slidable surface of a cam rotatable at the outside of the outer shaft can be held.

Abstract: A multi-output transmission assembly includes first and second gears rotatable in opposite directions, an output shaft, first and second collars slidably coupled to the output shaft, and an actuator coupled to the first and second collars. The first collar is rotated by the first gear in a first direction. The second collar is rotated by the second gear in a second direction. The actuator moves the first and second collars along the output shaft. With the actuator in a neutral position, the first and second collars are disengaged from the output shaft and the output shaft does not rotate. With the actuator in a first position, the first collar engages the output shaft and the output shaft rotates in the first direction. With the actuator in a second position, the second collar engages the output shaft and the output shaft rotates in the second direction.

Abstract: A transfer case comprises a casing, an input shaft extending from outside the casing into the casing and at least one output shaft extending from inside the casing to outside the case. The input shaft is rotationally coupled to the output shaft(s) for transferring rotation from the input shaft to the output shaft(s). Various types of mechanical arrangements can be used to couple the input shaft to the output shaft(s). The input shaft and the output shaft(s) are rotatably supported in the casing by opposed pairs of tapered roller bearings oriented so that the narrow ends of the tapered roller bearings in each pair of tapered roller bearings point away from one another, and the tapered roller bearings are each squeezed between the casing and their respective shaft. The tapered roller bearings are adjustable to limit play between the shafts and the casing.

Abstract: In a method of producing a metal structure by photoreducing metal ion, a substance capable of suppressing growth of metal crystal is added to a medium in which metal ion is dispersed to prevent growth of the metal crystal produced by photoreduction of the metal ion, thereby processing resolution of a metal structure formed of the metal crystal is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing metal bearing gases involves generating a toroidal plasma in a plasma chamber. A metal bearing gas is introduced into the plasma chamber to react with the toroidal plasma. The interaction between the toroidal plasma and the metal bearing gas produces at least one of a metallic material, a metal oxide material or a metal nitride material.

Abstract: A method for use in production of metallic iron nodules comprising providing a reducible mixture into a hearth furnace for the production of metallic iron nodules, where the reducible mixture comprises a quantity of reducible iron bearing material, a quantity of first carbonaceous reducing material of a size less than about 28 mesh of an amount between about 65 percent and about 95 percent of a stoichiometric amount necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material, and a quantity of second carbonaceous reducing material with an average particle size greater than average particle size of the first carbonaceous reducing material and a size between about 3 mesh and about 48 mesh of an amount between about 20 percent and about 60 percent of a stoichiometric amount of necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material.

Abstract: A method using diglycolamide for increasing the separation factor between americium and curium and/or between lanthanides during an extraction operation. The operation comprising putting an acid aqueous phase, in which are found the americium, curium and/or lanthanides, in contact with an organic phase non-miscible with water, containing at least one extractant in an organic diluent. The aqueous and organic phases are then separated, and the diglycolamide is added to the aqueous phase.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides (3) to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or steam (H2O) with gaseous hydrocarbons, the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is provided at least partially by the combustion of a fuel gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for degassing molten steel, comprising an evacuation vessel (2), a pouring ladle (3), an inlet nozzle (4) with a gas purging device (5) arranged therein, and a discharge nozzle (1), wherein at its lower edge (9), in a radial direction in relation to the central longitudinal axis (6) of the discharge nozzle (1), the discharge nozzle (1) has at least one bore (7).

Abstract: A magnet nut driver is provided with a cleanable magnet.

Abstract: A hydraulic press unit has a fixed part and a movable part. The movable part is moved relative to the fixed part by a hydraulic piston and is moved back into a starting position by a return spring. In addition, the return motion is actuatable as a function of a predetermined applied pressure by activation of a return valve. A control valve is provided which, in addition to the return valve, opens a hydraulic-medium outlet when in its open state and has a hydraulic-medium inflow side and a hydraulic-medium outflow side. In order to configure the hydraulic press unit, when the return valve opens, the control valve is acted on by the pressure of the returning hydraulic medium on the inflow and outflow sides, the pressure being lower on the inflow side due to throttling.

Abstract: A polymer clay slicer having a base which supports a platform positionally adjustable in relation to a blade carrier which operates to engage a blade with an amount of polymer clay located on the platform to generate polymer clay slices having a desired thickness.

Abstract: A method including printing an image onto a medium and printing an alignment region onto the medium. The method further including loading the medium to an electronic cutter and aligning the medium with the electronic cutter. The method further including cutting the image from the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fruit. The apparatus includes a frame, at least first and second cutting stations, at least one receptacle in which the fruit is received that includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, and a conveyor that conveys the receptacle from the first cutting station to the second cutting station. The frame includes a kicker. In use, the object is cut along its vertical axis at the first station, the receptacle is then rotated about its vertical axis as a result of one of the extensions contacting the kicker, and the object is cut at the second station.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium has a cut surface along an edge of the magnetic recording medium and includes, in the following order: a nonmagnetic support having a Young's modulus of 8 GPa or more in a width direction; a nonmagnetic layer formed by radiation curing a dispersion of a radiation curing compound and a nonmagnetic powder in a binder; and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder dispersed in a binder, and the cut surface has a waviness of from 20% to 50% as defined herein.

Abstract: An adjustable working area cutting machine includes a worktable, a cutting unit, a movable guide rail unit, a fence unit, and a locking unit installed on one of the worktable and the movable guide rail unit. The worktable includes a first rail. The movable guide rail unit includes a channel bar coupled to the first rail, and a second rail. The locking unit is fixed to the other of the worktable and the movable guide rail unit. The fence unit includes a fence arranged to be located on the top side of the worktable, and a slide coupled to the second rail. By moving the movable guide rail unit relative to the worktable, the working area of the cutting machine is relatively extended. To cut a large size workpiece, the position of the movable guide rail unit is adjusted relative to the worktable to extend the working area.

Abstract: A saw machine fence adjustment mechanism installed on a base member of a worktable, including a fence body, a pivot shaft mounted on the fence body, a spanner coupled to the pivot shaft, a spring member positioned between the spanner and the fence body and a locking device on the pivot shaft adapted for locking the fence body. To adjust the position of the fence body, the spanner operated to rotate the pivot shaft to move the locking device away from the base member for allowing adjustment of the position of the fence body. After adjustment of the position of the fence body, the spanner is released to allow the spring member to bias the pivot shaft to its former angular position and to force the locking device into engagement with the base member to provide quick adjustment of the position of the fence body to provide sufficient support.

Abstract: A worktable for a circular saw includes a rotatable table defining a cutting groove, two movable fences arranged on the rotatable table at two opposed sides relative to the cutting groove, and a connection member connected between the two movable fences. The connection member has an arc-shaped locating groove and is adapted for engagement with a guide member of the rotatable table so that when the rotatable table is rotated, the guide member engages and applies a force to the wall of the arc-shaped locating groove, causing the two movable fences to be moved relative to the cutting groove, and therefore the two movable fences are maintained spaced away from the cutting groove at a distance without interfering with the operation of the saw blade.

Abstract: The miter saw includes a base and a turntable. The turntable is rotatable in relation to the base. The turntable has a work piece support surface. The miter saw further includes a clamp structure secured in fixed relation to the turntable. The miter saw further includes a bevel arm pivotably connected to the turntable and a cutting arm pivotably connected to the bevel arm. The miter saw also includes a cutting assembly supported by the cutting arm. Further still the miter saw includes a clamp member movable in relation to the bevel arm between a first clamp member position and a second clamp member position. The clamp member includes a follower surface and a brake surface. The miter saw also includes an actuator including a cam surface. The actuator is (i) supported by the bevel arm, and (ii) movable in relation to the bevel arm in a linear path of movement between a first actuator position and a second actuator position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting platform for cutting and shaping a clay slab. The platform has a water-absorbing cutting mat with a top surface for receiving the clay slab. The platform has a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The bottom surface is adapted to overlay a board. The platform includes grid-pattern indicia extending across the top surface of the mat. The grid-pattern indicia includes a first set of spaced-apart lines in parallel with each other and a second set of spaced-apart lines in parallel with each other. The first set of lines intersect with and are perpendicular to the second set of apart lines. The grid-pattern indicia includes unit measurement indicia. Cutting of the clay slab to a desired shape is facilitated by the cutting platform thereby.

Abstract: Provided are a device and a method for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which the workload of workers and danger to the workers can be reduced, and gum around each of the steel cords can be cut off nearly completely and sufficiently uniformly, regardless of skill of workers, as well as, the work efficiency is more favorable than before. Provided is a device for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which individual steel cords embedded in gum of a conveyor belt are separated between each other, and gum is stripped off around each of the steel cords after the separation. The device includes a V-shaped cutting blade having a shape such that the upper end and the lower end of the cutting blade are protruded with respect to the traveling direction of the conveyor belt for separating between the individual steel cords, and a cylindrical cutting blade for stripping gum off around each of the steel cords.

Abstract: The present invention provides in combination, an intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism for a musical string instrument with a fingerboard where the combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism includes a string-nut fulcrum and a string-locking means, where each string-nut fulcrum may have a varying linear position in relation to each individual string in order to provide the optimum compensation amount for improving the consistency and production of in-tune musical notes during play for musical string instruments with fingerboards. Also disclosed are methods of use of various embodiments for the intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism.

Abstract: There are provided an image acquisition unit acquiring an image containing information of a paper-based musical score from an image reading-out unit, and a musical character recognition unit recognizing a musical character contained in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit by using a plurality of musical character recognition methods, and outputting a plurality of musical character recognition results.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage medium generates an audio fingerprint for an input audio clip that is robust to differences in key, instrumentation, and other performance variations. The audio fingerprint comprises a sequence of intervalgrams that represent a melody in an audio clip according pitch intervals between different time points in the audio clip. The fingerprint for an input audio clip can be compared to a set of reference fingerprints in a reference database to determine a matching reference audio clip.

Abstract: Musical performance/input systems, methods, and products can accept user inputs via a user interface, generate, sound, store, and/or modify one or more musical tones. The user interface can present one or more regions corresponding to related chords. A set of related chords and/or a set of rhythmic patterns are generated based on a selected instrument and a selected style of music. The related chords can be modified via one or more effects units.

Abstract: An online real-time session is conducted between at least two electronic music devices each equipped with an interface connectible to a communication network and a display with a touch sensing ability. An electronic music device communicates with its counterpart device to count a time Ta1 of making an inquiry about a present time Tb of the counterpart device and a time Ta2 of receiving a response from the counterpart device while setting a time Ta3 which progresses from the time Ta2 and a time interval Td which is counted from the time Ta3. Thus, the electronic music device determines tone-generation timing at which the electronic music device is synchronized with its counterpart device in conducting an online real-time session by way of a calculation of Td+Tb+(Ta3?Ta1)?(Ta2?Ta1)/2, or Td+Tb+(Ta3?Ta2)+(Ta2?Ta1)/2.