Abstract: A torque converter which is a hydraulic torque converter that transmits power via a fluid, includes: a shell which is connected to a power transmission source, and is rotated by the power of the power transmission source; an impeller blade which is fixed to an inner surface of the shell, and generates a flow in the fluid by rotating together with the shell; and a turbine runner which is connected to a power transmission destination, and is rotated by the flow of the fluid, in which the impeller blade has an inlet angle which is equal to or less than 0 degrees, and in which at least a part of an inlet portion to which the fluid enters is bent toward a rotational direction side of the impeller blade.

Abstract: Phonograph record turntable stabilizing assemblies are provided that can include: a vessel having outer sidewalls; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles to be received within the vessel. Phonograph record turntable stabilizing kits are provided. These kits can include: a vessel; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles. Phonograph turntable assemblies are provided that can include: a phonograph turntable having a record thereon; a vessel upon the record; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles within the vessel. Methods for stabilizing a record upon a turntable are provided. The methods can include: placing a vessel upon a record on a turntable; and at least partially filling the vessel with flowable solid particles.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power take off system for a motor vehicle engine includes a viscous coupling. The input rotor of the viscous coupling is provided with a variable geometry impeller section which allows direct control over the proportion of input torque on the input shaft transferred to the viscous fluid and thereby to an output shaft. Both passive and active control schemes are proposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic machine, in particular hydrodynamic retarder, with a bladed primary wheel, which is rotatable over an axis of rotation of the hydrodynamic machine, and a bladed secondary wheel which is stationarily or rotatable over the axis of rotation of the hydrodynamic machine, wherein the primary wheel and the secondary wheel together form a toroidal working space which is filled or can be filled with working medium, and the primary wheel has at least one inlet channel for the working medium. The invention is characterised in that the inlet channel runs within the torus wall and/or within a blade of the primary wheel and opens in the region of the centre or radially outside the centre between the outer radius and the inner radius of the blades of the primary wheel at a location in the region of the torus wall in the working space.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for driving, or for being driven by, a fluid is disclosed. The drive arrangement comprises a rotatable member (40) for receiving the fluid, and having mounted thereon a plurality of drive members (56). The drive members (56) are movable between a drive position, in which the drive members can drive, or be driven by, the fluid, and a non-drive position in which the drive members (56) are substantially prevented from driving or being driven by a fluid received in the rotatable member (40).

Abstract: A winding mechanism for controlling the retraction and deployment of an architectural covering, such as a window blind or shade having a winding element 12, about which the covering, or its lift cord or tapes are wound and unwound with rotation of the winding element about a first axis of rotation, and a fluid brake 40 for retarding the rotation of the winding element in at least one direction about the first axis. The fluid brake comprises a fluid tight compartment 42 containing a liquid and an impeller 46. The compartment and the impeller are adapted for relative rotation about a second axis, which can be the same as or coaxial with the first axis. Either the compartment or the impeller is operatively connected to the winding element. In operation the liquid rotates with the rotation of the compartment or the impeller about the second axis.

Abstract: A winding mechanism for controlling the retraction and deployment of an architectural covering, such as a window blind or shade having a winding element 12, about which the covering, or its lift cord or tapes are wound and unwound with rotation of the winding element about a first axis of rotation, and a fluid brake 40 for retarding the rotation of the winding element in at least one direction about the first vaxis. The fluid brake comprises a fluid tight compartment 42 containing a liquid and an impeller 46. The compartment and the impeller are adapted for relative rotation about a second axis, which can be the same as or coaxial with the first axis. Either the compartment or the impeller is operatively connected to the winding element. In operation the liquid rotates with the rotation of the compartment or the impeller about the second axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle door lock or the like, which comprises a motor or in particular an electromotor drive and a gear unit (3) with a drive end and an output end. In order to optimize mechanical back-up actuation in the case of power failure or voltage drop or other interruption of the motor, in particular electromotor drive, according to the invention, between the drive end and the output end of the gear unit (3), is fitted a coupling (10) that is variable in coupling degree, which has a high degree of coupling in the case of high rotational speed, and a low degree of coupling in the case of low rotational speed.