Abstract: A positive friction powder additive for modifying existing brake pad or brake shoe formulations to reduce squealing associated with braking. The positive friction powder additive comprises a friction modifier and a solid lubricant and is comprised of talc, barytes, aluminum oxide, and molybdenum disulphide. The positive friction powder additive can be formulated with binders and fillers to prepare a non-metallic brake pad or brake shoe formulation and a non-metallic brake pad or brake shoe. The positive friction powder additive, non-metallic brake pad or brake shoe formulation, and non-metallic brake pad or brake shoe have high and positive frictional characteristic which reduces vibrations and noise by reducing stick/slip oscillations by changing friction from negative to positive.

Abstract: A damper with a vehicle height adjusting function includes a damper body and a vehicle height adjusting mechanism adapted to adjust an axial length of the damper body. The damper body includes a cylinder, a head member having an annular shape and closing one end of the cylinder, a piston rod axially supported on an inner periphery of the head member and inserted in the cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction, and a piston retained by the piston rod and partitioning an inside of the cylinder into two pressure chambers. The vehicle height adjusting mechanism includes a partition wall member defining a jack chamber in one of the pressure chambers and being capable of extending and contracting in the axial direction, and a pump supplying/discharging a working fluid into/from the jack chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper comprises a cylinder and a piston assembly including a damping piston along with working fluid within the cylinder. A bypass permits fluid to avoid dampening resistance of the damping piston. A fluid path through the bypass is controlled by a valve that is shifted by a piston surface when the contents of at least one predetermined volume is injected against the piston surface which acts upon the valve. In one embodiment, the bypass is remotely operable.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper is described. The vehicle suspension damper includes: a pilot valve assembly; a primary valve; and an adjuster, wherein the pilot valve assembly meters fluid to the primary valve, and the adjuster moves the primary valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a damping force adjustment mechanism having a flow passage that allows the fluid from a cylinder, a valve seat, a valve body, and a stepper motor that adjusts a flow passage area by driving the valve body. A valve body position in which step-out may occur in the stepper motor if the valve body is moved further toward the valve seat therefrom is set as a step-out boundary position, a zone between a seated position in which the valve body is seated on the valve seat and the step-out boundary position is set as a step-out zone, and when the valve body is to be moved to the seated position through the step-out zone, the stepper motor is energized to move the valve body by a distance that is at least twice a distance to the seated position.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing member may include a cylindrical member configured to receive an impact load applied axially and capable of being axially compressed by the impact load, a wood member received within the cylindrical member without contacting each other and having an impact load-resistance strength greater than the cylindrical member, and a foam material capable of positioning the wood member with respect to the cylindrical member and filled in a clearance formed between an outer surface of the wood member and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical member partially or over the entirety thereof by foaming. The foamed foam material has a strength that does not prevent the cylindrical member from radially inwardly deforming when the cylindrical member is axially compressed with the wood member by the impact load.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable bag is provided with one primary compartment and at least one secondary compartment. An internal liner material is provided in each of the primary and secondary compartments. Each of the internal liner materials is flexible and collapsible. Therefore, when an item such as a breast pump is inserted into one of the secondary compartments, the secondary compartment would extend into the primary compartment, thereby reducing the volume of the primary compartment and simultaneously increasing the volume of the secondary compartment.

Abstract: Luggage cases of the soft-side construction are perceived to be lighter than hard-side cases. However, many rigidifying elements in soft-side cases tend to add to the weight of a soft-side luggage case. This reduces its weight advantage over molded shell luggage cases. Using a textile body in the luggage case to form both the grip of a carry handle and a portion of the outer surface of the luggage helps reduce the weight of the luggage. The textile body may be attached to a thin resilient wire hoop to resist distortion of the luggage case when is it lifted by the handle. This construction saves weight in comparison to conventional luggage case constructions.

Abstract: A rotor hub includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission torque converter assembly, having: an engine output shaft; a turbine; and a transmission input shaft linkable to either the engine output shaft or turbine via a lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch is configured to sustain the transmission input shaft being: (i) coupled to the engine output shaft; (ii) coupled to the turbine; or (iii) decoupled.

Abstract: A clutch management system has a ramp actuator, an inner plate housing, an outer plate housing, and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may have a motor, a ratio adaptor, a primary sun gear, a secondary sun gear, a primary planet carrier and a secondary planet carrier. The primary sun gear is in contact with the ratio adaptor and primary planet gears. The primary planet gears are in contact with a ring gear. The primary planet carrier forms part of the ramp actuator. The second sun gear is connected to a housing and a secondary planet gears. The secondary planet gears are also in contact with the ring gear. A secondary planet carrier is connected to the ramp actuator and the outer plate housing.

Abstract: An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retaine.

Abstract: A normally closed automotive clutch with hydraulic drive and having: a stack of driven and driving plates, which are mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis; a pressure ring, which is mechanically coupled to the stack of plates and can axially slide so as to axially compress the stack of plates; at least one elastic closing element, which presses the pressure ring; a hydraulic actuator comprising an inner actuation chamber, which is suited to be filled with a fluid under pressure so as to generate an opening thrust, and a sliding piston, which is coupled to the inner actuation chamber and is mechanically connected to the pressure ring; and a box, which is provided with a lateral lid and houses the stack of plates, the pressure ring, the elastic closing element, and the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device for a friction clutch and a gear setting element has a power unit for pressure generation by use of an electrically driven pump. Gear setting and clutch actuating sections are hydraulically connected to the power unit. A detenting device with a blocking element is associated with a piston of the clutch setting cylinder, which is operatively connected with the friction clutch and can be hydraulically loaded on opposite sides. The blocking element is resiliently biased into a blocking setting preventing piston movement and is movable by an actuator from the blocking setting into a release setting permitting piston movement. The pump is reversible in order to load the piston on one or the other side for an actuating movement. The control unit coordinates activation of the pump and actuator in order to disengage or engage the friction clutch.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device configured with a source pressure generation section, a hydraulic servo for a clutch provided between an engine and a motor, a control solenoid valve that outputs a regulated source pressure to the hydraulic servo, and a switching section that switches a hydraulic passage, which extends between the source pressure generation section and the hydraulic servo to supply the engagement pressure, between a first and second state in which the hydraulic passage has a high conduit resistance compared to the first state at least until the clutch is engaged. The switching section switches the hydraulic passage into the second state during a failure in which the control solenoid valve is de-energized and the source pressure is directly supplied to the hydraulic servo as the engagement pressure, and switches the hydraulic passage into the first state during normal times when the failure does not occur.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch disk (1) having a ring-shaped base body (2) having at least one tooth (3) protruding beyond the base body (2) radially inward or radially outward, which tooth has at least one lateral face (9) formed from a lug (8) extending in axial direction and has a first surface (12) as seen in axial direction, and a second surface (13) lying opposite the latter in axial direction, characterized in that the lug (8) is embodied to protrude beyond the first as well as the second surface (9, 11) in axial direction.

Abstract: A friction material segment includes a first end and a second end, the first end including an edge having a first section having a reduced thickness and a second section having a second thickness greater than the reduced thickness section. A friction plate with a plurality of friction material segments and a wet-type friction clutch are also provided, as is a method for manufacturing the friction material segment.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing defining an axis. A plurality of plates disposed within the housing are in driving engagement with the housing around the axis. The housing defines a housing wall circumscribing the axis and having a sinusoidal configuration including a wall crest and a wall trough. The wall crest and the wall trough are substantially parallel to the axis defined by the housing. The plates have teeth complimentary of the sinusoidal configuration of the housing wall for engaging the housing wall enabling the driving engagement between the housing wall and the plates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a side safety device for an escalator which is operated in such a way that a plurality of stairs circulates. The side safety device includes a side safety plate (100) which is coupled to each of side surfaces of each of the stairs (2) at a position adjacent to a vertical plate (2b) of the stair. The side safety plate has a triangular shape and protrudes forwards from the vertical plate. The side safety plate includes a bottom side (104) which extends parallel to a step board (2a) of the stair in a direction away from the stair, and a hypotenuse (106) which extends at a predetermined inclination so as to meet the bottom side. The inclination of the hypotenuse is substantially equal to an inclination of an inclined section of the escalator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger conveyor comprising steps/pallets which are mounted to an endless drive member running between an upper conveying path and a lower return path, characterized in that at least one heating element is provided in the step/pallet, which heating element is connected to a power source. This solution prevents the building of ice surfaces on the steps/pallets of outdoor passenger conveyors.

Abstract: A conveyor support structure for an aggregate processing apparatus, the support structure (20) comprising a base section (24) and a deployable boom structure (22). The boom structure includes a mid-section (28) pivotably coupled to the base section, and a head section (26) pivotably coupled to the mid-section. When the boom structure adopts a transport state, the mid-section extends at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the ground surface. A pair of crossed head section supports (38, 40) are pivotably coupled between the base section and the head section and serve to guide the movement of the boom structure (22).

Abstract: A storage unit includes carousels each including a plurality of levels and including a plurality of spaces for storing containers on each level, the carousels rotating around a vertical shaft; a loading port for loading and unloading the containers; transport units for transporting the containers between the loading port and the storage spaces; and pipes for feeding clean gas such that feeding is turned on and off for each storage space, the pipes being configured to be connected to an intake port provided for each container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

Abstract: A conveyor belt scraper includes a non-linear scraping edge for directing product towards the center of the scraper. The non-linear scraping edge comprises two obliquely extending portions that intersect at an obtuse angle to define a nadir of a channel. The non-linear scraping edge is formed at the top end of a curved inner surface that abuts a conveyor belt wrapped around a reversing element. Channeling surfaces are formed between the non-linear scraping edge and an outer surface of the scraper. The scraping edge and channeling surfaces direct product away from the conveyor belt and over the outer surface of the scraper.

Abstract: A medium conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller, a pinch roller and a pinch roller spring. The pinch roller includes a pinch roller shaft and a bearing. The pinch roller shaft has a flat surface formed thereon to be made in contact with a spring flat surface of the pinch roller spring, thereby preventing the pinch roller shaft from rotating together with the bearing.

Abstract: For the conveying device for heterogeneous, sensitive foods that cannot be pumped and have a low liquid content, e.g., Asian noodle or rice dishes, a screw conveyor, which is designed as a hollow worm, is rotated by means of a drive motor. The drive motor is connected to the screw conveyor by a bearing flange and a connecting bolt. The screw conveyor is partially hollow and has radial spikes.

Abstract: A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

Abstract: A folding mechanism comprising a first support; a second support pivotably coupled to the first support; an actuator operable to pivot said second support relative to said first support about a first pivot axis between a deployed position and a folded position; and an elongate support strut extending between said first and second supports, the support strut being adapted to permit movement of said second support about said first pivot axis when the support strut is in a first state, the support strut being adapted to retain said second support in said deployed position when the support strut in a second state; the support strut being coupled to the actuator such that the support strut is reconfigured between its first and second states as the actuator is operated to pivot the second support between its folded and deployed positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission device and transmission method for glass substrate. The transmission device includes a transmission channel and a calibration mechanism; wherein the transmission channel for loading and transmitting, the calibration mechanism being disposed next to the transmission channel and the calibration mechanism comprising: a first positioning pillar, a second positioning pillar and a driver module; the first positioning pillar being disposed on one side of the transmission channel and the second positioning pillar being disposed on the other side of the transmission channel; the driver module driving the first positioning pillar and the second positioning pillar through the conveyor belt to move towards or away from each other so as to calibrate the position of the glass substrate by clamping or releasing the glass substrate during transmission. The present invention can solve the position deviation problem during transmitting glass substrate.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a part of a machine, the support assembly comprising at least one support member for supporting a part of the machine on a base, the support member being slidably mounted on a mounting member on the base to be displaceable with respect to the mounting member between a retracted position and an extended position, a jacking leg extending from a lower end of the mounting member to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, a ram acting between the jacking leg and the support member, said ram being operable to move the jacking leg between its retracted and extended positions and to move the support member between its retracted and extended positions to adjust the position of said part of the machine relative to the base.

Abstract: An improved electrically conductive membrane switch, such as, for example, an improved graphene membrane switch. The improved electrically conductive membrane switch can be used in applications requiring in excess of 100 volts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch panel including: a transparent substrate; and a bezel part including a white layer formed at one-side edge of the transparent substrate and a light-shielding layer formed on the white layer, wherein the bezel part has a narrow width and a thin thickness, thereby implementing a display screen larger than that of the other touch panels having the same exterior size and providing the touch panel including the white-colored bezel part having a thin thickness and a uniform and sufficient color.

Abstract: A switch suitable for use in contaminated environments provides for internal support of the operator allowing an oversized opening in the housing of the switch through which the operator extends. In this way contamination on the outer surface of the operator may be accommodated without a jamming of the operator in the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a method for manufacturing same. The mobile terminal of the present invention comprises: a rear-side case provided with a side key mounting portion, having on a plate surface thereof a side key through-hole; a waterproof tape which is provided on the inner surface along the edge of the side key through-hole of the side key mounting portion; and a side key unit which couples to the waterproof tape. According to the present invention, provided are the mobile terminal and the method for manufacturing same, the mobile terminal having a superior waterproof function and which is easy to produce and assemble.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator for operating a positioning element. A common requirement in such actuators is that the positioning element can be decoupled from the electric motor that drives the positioning element via a transmission. In some applications the actuators are so compact that the only way to decouple the actuator is to disassemble parts of the actuator. To connect the positioning element to the electric motor again, this however requires that the whole actuator is demounted so as to ensure that the disassembled parts are properly assembled. The present invention overcomes this problem by providing an actuator comprising two toothed wheels which by mutual displacement can be brought out of mesh and which each comprises at least two toothed rims positioned with a spacing corresponding to at least the width of one toothed rim.

Abstract: A scissors-type connecting member includes an inner frame and an outer frame. The inner frame includes a pivot rod. The pivot rod includes a curved edge and two flat slant surfaces. The outer frame includes a pivot hole, an entrance, and a guiding surface. The pivot hole has a flat bottom surface. The entrance is located beside the pivot hole. The guiding surface is disposed under the entrance. For assembling the scissors-type connecting member, the pivot rod of the inner frame is moved into the pivot hole along the guiding surface. When the inner frame is rotated relative to the outer frame, the two flat slant surfaces of the pivot rod are respectively stopped by the bottom surface of the pivot hole and the guiding surface. Consequently, a rotating angle of the inner frame relative to the outer frame is limited.

Abstract: A key for user input having superior tactile qualities. The key is suspended by a magnetic field force to improve the smoothness of motion. Two compact interleaved members link a keycap to a key base to provide highly precise parallel travel with reduced tilt and flexion, and improved durability.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a touch panel, a touch electrode structure, and a manufacturing method thereof. The touch electrode structure comprises a plurality of first-axis sensing lines and at least one first laser etching line. The plurality of first-axis sensing lines are formed by laser etching a first conducting layer, wherein each first-axis sensing line at least has a first output pin. The first laser etching line is formed around the corresponding first output pin by laser etching the first conducting layer. Thus, the present disclosure can reduce overall production time by using a simplified manufacturing process in a laser etching process to form an improved touch electrode structure.

Abstract: A keyboard device including a lower cover, an upper cover for covering the lower cover and a keyboard module is provided. The lower cover has a plurality of hook structures, and the keyboard module includes a plurality of key caps and a plurality of scissor-type connecting elements. The plurality of hook structures are connected with the plurality of scissor-type connecting elements, and the plurality of scissor-type connecting elements are connected with the plurality of key caps. As a result, the lower cover is able to connect with the plurality of key caps without an additional base plate such that the cost of the keyboard device can be decreased and the volume of the keyboard device can be reduced.

Abstract: A power window switch includes: an upper case including a plurality of openings; a plurality of operation portions which are respectively positioned in the openings and are supported to be oscillated; a plurality of drive bodies which are arranged on a lower side of the operation portions and are lifted and lowered according to the oscillation operations of the operation portions; an elastic sheet including a plurality of pressing portions that are pressed according to the lifting and lowering operations of the drive bodies; a board disposed on a lower side of the elastic sheet; and a lower case. In the board, at least a first board and a second board are electrically connected, the second board includes a plurality of contact portions corresponding to the pressing portions, and conduction of the contact portions can be switched according to the operations of the pressing portions.

Abstract: The operating device (10), in particular for a vehicle component or generally for a human/machine interface, is provided with at least one pushbutton (28), which has a depressible pushbutton element (26). In addition, the operating device (10) has a guide element (18), which defines an accommodating area (24) in which the pushbutton element (26) is at least partially accommodated and in which the pushbutton element (26) is guided, and a capacitive proximity sensor (36) with an electrode (34) for detecting an object approaching the pushbutton element (26), in particular a hand or a finger of a hand. The electrode (34) is arranged outside the accommodating area (24) of the guide element (18).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitive touch panel has steps of providing a substrate, delimiting at least one preset zone on the substrate, forming multiple first-axis sensing units and multiple second-axis sensing units on one of the surfaces of the substrate, forming at least one set of connection circuit and at least one die pad on the other surface of the substrate, forming multiple first conductive vias through the substrate with at least one of the first conductive vias located within the preset zone for the second-axis sensing units to be mutually connected by the first conductive vias to form multiple second-axis sensing lines, and bonding a controller with an LQFP (Low Profile Quad) package or a TQFP (Thin Quad Flat) package on the at least one die pad within the preset zone to ensure enough space available to form the at least one first conductive via on the bottom of the controller.

Abstract: A touch device is provided. The touch device includes a decorative layer formed on at least one side of a sensing electrode layer and disposed for corresponding to the sensing electrode layer to constitute a vacant space, a signal-conveying trace disposed on the decoration layer, an insulating layer formed to fill the vacant space, and a conductive layer formed on the insulating layer and bridging over the sensing electrode layer and the decorative layer through the buffer function of the insulating layer for electrically connecting the sensing electrode layer with the signal-conveying trace. Further, a method for fabricating the touch device is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of charcoal from wood chips or other particulate organic waste material. The quality of charcoal produced is suitable for use in applications such as chemical reagents, fuels, and as absorbents. The reaction vessel defines a flow path extending from the input to the vessel, through to the output from the vessel, in which the thermal decomposition of the organic material progresses as the organic material passes through the reaction vessel. The vessel includes a reaction zone for autogenous reaction of organic material in a reaction bed of the organic material, and a cooling zone having at least one inlet for supplying cooling gas into the reaction bed and an outlet to extract heated gas from the reaction bed.

Abstract: A process for the thermal-chemical modification treatment of wood is described, in which such a modification is obtained through multiple chemical reactions of the substances comprising the wood structure generated by exposing the wood to temperatures at which the pyrolysis phenomenon begins, i.e., in the range of 180° C.-240° C., in a vacuum autoclave-cell while always maintaining the internal pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, in a range of values of 70-350 mBar of absolute pressure, consisting in the steps of pre-heating, actual heat treatment, and cooling of a wood mass.

Abstract: A method of harnessing geothermal energy to produce electricity by lowering a geothermal generator deep into a pre-drilled well bore below the Earth's surface. The Self Contained In-Ground Geothermal Generator (SCI-GGG) includes a boiler, a turbine compartment, an electricity generator, a condenser and produces electricity down at the heat sources and transmits it up to the ground surface by cable. The Self Contained Heat Exchanger (SCHE) is integral part of (SCI-GGG) system and can function independently. It consists of a closed loop system with two heat exchangers. No pollution is emitted during production process. There is no need for hydro-thermal reservoirs although not limited to hot rocks. It can be implemented in many different applications. The SCHE also includes an in-line water pump operatively coupled to the closed loop system and can be used in many different applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for solar thermal energy production in which switching between daytime and nighttime operation is possible, and also to a device for solar thermal energy production. The present invention relates, in particular, to the use of the process and of the device for producing drinking water or service water.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a method of pre-treatment of adulterated water for distillation, including adulterated water produced during hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) of shale rock during natural gas drilling. In particular, the invention is directed to a method of treating adulterated water, said adulterated water having an initial level of bicarbonate ion in a range of about 250 ppm to about 5000 ppm and an initial level of calcium ion in a range of about 500 ppm to about 50,000 ppm, said method comprising contacting the adulterated water with a non-thermal arc discharge plasma to produce plasma treated water having a level of bicarbonate ion of less than about 100 ppm. Optionally, the plasma treated water may be further distilled.

Abstract: A process and system for separating butenes and butanes by extractive distillation using a polar solvent is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a hydrocarbon mixture including butanes and butenes with a lean solvent mixture in an extractive distillation column to form an enriched solvent fraction comprising butenes; recovering an overheads fraction comprising butanes and a bottoms fraction from the extractive distillation column; feeding the bottoms fraction to a stripper including a stripping section and a wash section; recovering the lean solvent mixture as a bottoms fraction and a stripper overheads fraction comprising butenes and water from the stripper; condensing the overheads fraction to form a water fraction and a product butenes fraction; feeding water as reflux to a top of the stripper wash section; feeding at least a portion of the condensed water fraction intermediate the top and bottom of the stripper wash section as a second reflux.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing combinatorial processing are disclosed. Methods include introducing a substrate into a processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a sputter assembly disposed over the substrate. The sputter assembly includes a rotatable n-fold, symmetric-shaped magnetron and a sputter target. The methods include depositing a first film on the surface of a first site-isolated region of the substrate. The methods further include depositing a second film on the surface of a second site-isolated region of the substrate. Furthermore, methods include evaluating results of the first and second films.