Abstract: A magnetic coupling assembly includes a first balancing magnet positioned and surrounding drive magnets and, across a gap, a second balancing magnet and surrounding driven magnets. The drive magnets when rotated drive the driven magnets to rotate. The balancing magnets generate a repulsive force, which counterbalances an attractive force generated by the drive magnets and driven magnets. The assembly may be utilized in a pump for contactless coupling of a motor shaft to a pump shaft. The driven side of the assembly may be hermetically sealed, such as with a liquid crystal polymer boundary interposed in the gap.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a drive-side rotatable body, a plurality of magnetic conducting portions and a driven-side rotatable body. The drive-side rotatable body includes a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in a rotational direction. The magnetic conducting portions are magnetizable by the magnetic poles of the drive-side rotatable body. The driven-side rotatable body has a plurality of magnetic poles configured to be rotated in response to rotation of the magnetic poles of the drive-side rotatable body through the magnetic conducting portions. The drive transmission device is configured to be operated as a magnetic speed changer that changes a speed of rotation between the drive-side rotatable body and the driven-side rotatable body by differently setting the number of the magnetic poles of the drive-side rotatable body, the number of the magnetic conducting portions and the number of the magnetic poles of the driven-side rotatable body from each other.

Abstract: A sensor for a medical device including a plurality of sensor segments. Each of the plurality of sensor segments can include a layer of magnetically-permeable material and a layer of electrically-conductive material disposed on the layer of magnetically-permeable material. In an example, the layer of magnetically-permeable material can be arranged in a partially-annular shape. The sensor segments can include an electrical connection formation that extends transverse to the layers of magnetically-permeable material and electrically-conductive material. The electrical connection formation can be electrically coupled with the layer of electrically-conductive material. The plurality of sensor segments can be electrically coupled with each other through an electrical coupling of the respective layer of electrically-conductive material of each sensor segment with the electrical connection formation of another sensor segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides lift pin strategies with a reduced risk of causing contamination due to the up and down actuation of lift pins. The present invention provides a lift pin system that uses electromagnetic actuation strategies in order to raise and lower lift pins. The electromagnetic forces act remotely on the lift pins so that direct contact or coupling of the lift pins to actuation components is not required. This avoids contamination that otherwise would be associated with friction and associated lubricants used for mechanical actuation strategies.

Abstract: a coupling assembly includes a first portion and a second portion which are configured to couple to one another such that the second portion is capable of rotationally driving the first portion about an axis of rotation. The first portion is provided with a first magnet and the second portion is provided with a second magnet. The first and second magnets are arranged to repel each other such that the first and second portions are biased away from each other in an axial direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Magnetic clutch arrangement for connecting an output shaft (1) of a drive (10) to a drive shaft (2) of a working machine (20), —having a hub (11, 21), —the hub (11, 21) has a hollow space (12, 22); —a first set of magnets (13, 23) is arranged in the hollow space (12, 22); —having a cardan shaft head (14, 24) which is arranged in the hollow space (12, 22) in the hub (11, 21); —a second set of magnets (15, 25) is arranged on the circumference of the cardan shaft head (14, 24); —the cardan shaft head (14, 24) and the hub (11, 21) are coupled either to the drive shaft (2) or output shaft (1) so as to transmit torque; the cardan shaft head (14, 24) is tilted through an angle ? in the hollow space (12, 22) of the hub (11, 21), so that an asymmetrical gap (50) is formed between the hub (11, 21) and the cardan shaft head (14, 24).

Abstract: A robotic end effector quick change coupling apparatus employs a drive motor assembly having a center drive interface. A coupling component having a magnetic element extends from the drive motor assembly concentric with the center drive interface. An end effector tool has a drive connection adapted to removably receive the center drive interface. A mating coupling component having a mating magnetic element extends from the end effector tool concentric with the drive connection. The magnetic element and mating magnetic element are separably engaged by mutual magnetic attraction to couple the end effector to the drive motor assembly.

Abstract: A device for aeration, particularly for microbiological fermentation and for cell cultivation in a closed chamber. The device includes a sterilizable reactor (1) and a vertical stirring shaft (2) with numerous aeration and/or stirring elements (10) which are attached thereto and arranged in multiple levels vertically. The aeration elements (15) are constructed to create such an aeration of the liquid in the reactor that the gases are evenly introduced into the liquid as micro bubbles. The device also includes a recoil nozzles (20) connected to gas feed channels (11, connected to gas feed channels (11,12) connected to gas feed channels (11, 12, 14) for the purpose of driving the aeration and/or stirring elements (10) attached to the rotatably mounted stirring shaft (2). The result is a space-saving and absolutely hermetic construction of such a device.

Abstract: A discontinuous shaft assembly includes a first shaft arranged for rotation about a first axis and including an end arranged for placement adjacent the wall at a first desired location disposed on a first side of the wall, with a magnetic portion carried by the first shaft. The assembly also includes a second shaft arranged for rotation about a second axis and including an end arranged for placement adjacent the wall of the enclosure at a second desired location disposed on a second side of the wall, with a magnetic portion carried by the second shaft. The first magnetic portion is arranged to cooperate with the second magnetic portion so that rotation of the first shaft about the first axis causes rotation of the second shaft about the second axis.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a magnetic coupling and an oscillation absorber. The magnetic coupling has a rotor that rotates about an axis of rotation. The oscillation absorber is in operable communication with the magnetic coupling and includes an outer layer coupled to a separator layer of the magnetic coupling to form an enclosed area. An absorber shaft of the oscillation absorber is at least partially within the enclosed area and is coupled to the rotor. The absorber further includes an outer mover arranged such that rotation of the absorber shaft causes the outer mover to rotate due to interaction of inner absorber shaft magnets and outer mover magnets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting torque from a flywheel inside a vacuum chamber to a driveshaft outside the vacuum chamber includes constructing a magnetic gear coupling using a pair of permanent magnet arrays having magnetic flux coupling elements arranged in the vacuum chamber wall therebetween so as to effectively couple magnetic flux between the arrays.

Abstract: A two-torque-producing connecting rod assembly used in combination with a hand tool is provided with a rod and a connecting member. The rod is polygonal and includes a big first section, a small second section and a connecting portion. The connecting member is a hollow cylindrical structure sleeved on the rod and has an inserting cavity and a stepped receiving cavity. The receiving cavity includes an outer section, an inner section and a middle section which is smaller in diameter than the outer section but larger than the inner section, the outer section includes plural alternatively-arranged arc-shaped concave portions and pointed convex portions. When the first section of the rod is inserted in the outer section of the connecting member, plural angles of the first section are disposed between the arc-shaped concave portions and restricted to move between the two ends by the pointed convex portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kinetic energy accumulator, comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted accumulator members (100, 198) positioned adjacent one another, an input drive mechanism (116) arranged to impart rotational drive to a first of the accumulator members, and velocity responsive coupling members (106, 192) arranged to provide for magnetic coupling of successive ones of the accumulator members when respective ones of the accumulator members are caused successively to rotate with an angular velocity equal to, or greater than, a predetermined velocity. The accumulator can store kinetic energy and thereby act as source of rotational drive.

Abstract: There is provided a self-adjusting torque device which includes a driving module, a driven module and an adjusting module. The adjusting module comprises a magnetic torque device, wherein an input end of the magnetic torque device is capable of being driven by the driving module, an output end of the magnetic torque device is capable of driving the driven module, the input end and the output end of the magnetic torque device have a viable distance therebetween, and the input end is capable of driving the output end to transfer a torque in operation.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling assembly has a supporting base, a first disk, a second disk and two piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric actuators are mounted between the supporting base and the first disk to drive the first disk to move along an axial direction of the supporting base and to adjust the air gap between the first and second disks. Each piezoelectric actuator has a housing, a pushing arm and at least one piezoelectric block. The pushing arm is mounted slidably in and extends out of the housing along a longitudinal direction parallel with the axial direction of the supporting base and has an end securely connected with the first disk. The at least one piezoelectric block is mounted in the housing and is attached to the pushing arm to push the pushing arm to move along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A magnetic drive coupling apparatus is provided and includes a drive unit having a first rotatable shaft and an open drive assembly, a driven unit having an end face and a second rotatable shaft extending through the end face axially overlap, a magnetic drive coupling having first and second magnetically attractive parts associated with the first and second rotatable shafts, respectively, which transmits rotation between the first and second rotatable shafts and a sealing unit coupled to the end face to encompass the second magnetically attractive part and to hermetically seal oil and refrigerant in an interior of the driven unit.

Abstract: A drive hub is mounted to an element and has a surface which presents away from the element and produces a magnetic field which extends from and returns to the drive hub. If depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines would appear to extend from two or more North domains defined in the surface to two or more South domains defined in the surface, the North and South domains being arranged to encircle a rotation axis in spaced alternating relation. A driven hub is spaced and frontwardly adjacent to drive hub, coupled to the element and constrained against movement but for axial rotation. Driven hub includes non-magnetic, electrically-conductive material having low magnetic permeability and receptors, receptors having a high magnetically permeability, being spaced to the axis and arranged such that rotation of the drive hub relative to the driven hub creates a net rotational force that urges co-rotation of the hubs.

Abstract: A drive system including a partition wall; a drive device positioned on a first side of the partition wall, wherein the drive device includes at least one first member positioned on said first side of said partition wall. An actuator for actuating the drive device, where the actuator is positioned on a second side of the partition wall so that the partition wall is between the drive device and the actuator, and where the actuator includes at least one second member positioned on the second side of said partition wall. The second member of the actuator is magnetically coupled to the first member of the drive device, where movement of the second member causes movement of the first member, and to a device including a drive system.

Abstract: An elastic shaft coupling has a resilient coupling body, a drive-side connector and an output-side connector connected to opposite sides of the coupling body, and an actively controllable damping mass. A connecting element connects the damping mass to the coupling body. Adjusting elements acting on the connecting element can influence how the shaft coupling compensates for torsional vibrations.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism with overload protection provided between a power input shaft and a power output shaft of an actuator includes a magnet set including at least a first magnet and a second magnet that are arranged as magnetically attractive to each other and are attached to the power input shaft and the power output shaft, respectively; and a friction assembly including a first friction member and a second friction member arranged adjacent to each other and between the first magnet and the second magnet, so as to provide a constant friction between the magnets. The magnet set and the friction assembly jointly set a limit of a torque between the power input shaft and the power output shaft. When the torque exceeds the limit, the power input shaft and the power output shaft are disconnected, so as to achieve overload protection.

Abstract: The modular magnetic rotary drive system includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a rotating cylindrical body with a plurality of blanks for receiving permanent magnets. The second module includes a plurality of rotating fingers, the number and angular spacing of the fingers matching those of the blanks. The fingers may be made of a ferrous material or configured to receive permanent magnets. The first and second modules can be mated together such that the cylindrical body and the fingers rotate synchronously due to magnetic forces between the magnets and the fingers.

Abstract: A transport system includes, in a first environment, a driving screw having threads with a thread pitch. In a second environment, a driven member has a magnetic coupling with a driven member pitch substantially corresponding to the thread pitch. The magnetic coupling is coupled to a portion of threads and rotation of the driving screw displaces the magnetic coupling with respect to the driving screw.

Abstract: An inner drive for a magnetic drive pump includes a magnet supported on a yoke. The inner drive is driven about an axis to pump a corrosive process fluid. The magnet and yoke are fully encapsulated during the molding process to completely surround the magnet and yoke in a protective plastic shell. A sleeve is arranged radially outwardly of the magnet to provide further protection. Backing rings are arranged on either side of the magnet. A bonding material joins the plastic shell to the backing rings and sleeve to prevent a space from forming beneath the plastic shell that would become filled with the process fluid once it has permeated the plastic shell. A protective coating is arranged on at least a portion of the magnet to further insulate the magnet from the process fluid.

Abstract: A drive system (100) for a cleaning device for cleaning a tank (1) including a brake arrangement (7, 8, 13) for regulating the speed of the magnetic hysteresis coupling, and where the brake arrangement is arranged in the vicinity of a second coupling part (5) of the magnetic hysteresis coupling, and where brake arrangement includes brake parts (7, 8, 13) that interacts with the second coupling part of the magnetic hysteresis coupling to adjust the rotation of the second coupling part of the magnetic hysteresis coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compliant joint achieving passive compliance. The compliant joint includes a housing and a rotating member mutually rotatably provided; and a cam provided between the housing and the rotating member, and connected to the housing and the rotating member respectively. The cam is connected to the rotating member to rotate together with the rotation of the rotating member, or be independent of the rotating member so as to move in the axial direction of the rotating member separately from the rotating member. The cam is connected to the housing such that the cam can maintain the connection with the housing when external force below a designated value is applied to the rotating member, and release the connection with the housing in the case that external force more than the designated value is applied to the rotating member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing a magnetic gear coupling for transmitting torque from a flywheel inside a vacuum chamber to a driveshaft outside the vacuum chamber, the coupling employing a pair of permanent magnet arrays having magnetic flux coupling elements arranged in the vacuum chamber wall therebetween so as to effectively couple magnetic flux between the arrays.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a first transmission mechanism comprising a first rotatable member and a first transmission member fixed to the first rotatable member for rotating together with the first rotatable member; and a second transmission mechanism comprising a second rotatable member and a second transmission member fixed to the second rotatable member for rotating together with the second rotatable member. The second transmission member received in the first transmission member, and the second transmission member being magnetically connected with the first transmission member. When a load applied to the first transmission mechanism is less than a predetermined value of the first transmission mechanism, the first transmission member rotates together with the second transmission member by a magnetic force generated therebetween, which in turn makes the first transmission mechanism rotates with the second transmission mechanism together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission apparatus for wind power generation and a wind power generator using the same. The power transmission apparatus includes a first magnetic member which is provided around a rotating shaft of an impeller, and a second magnetic member which is provided around a rotor shaft of a generating unit. The second magnetic member is disposed at a position facing the first magnetic member such that similar poles of the first and second magnetic members face each other. Thus, when the impeller is rotated by wind, the rotor shaft of the generating unit is rotated by magnetic repulsive force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. Thereby, the rotating force of the impeller is transmitted to the generating unit.

Abstract: A coupling configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft to a driven shaft by magnetic force includes a drive portion configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a driven portion configured to rotate integrally with the driven shaft, and a buffer member located in contact with both the drive portion and the driven portion.

Abstract: A die bonder comprises a bond head having a load shaft which passes through the bond head and a collet located at one end of the load shaft for holding a die to be bonded. A bond force motor is operative to drive the load shaft along a travel axis in directions towards and away from a die bonding position. A rotary motor is operative to rotate the load shaft about a rotational axis parallel to the travel axis. A coupler which comprises a bearing couples the load shaft to the bond force motor to allow the load shaft to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the bond force motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic shaft coupling with a resilient coupling body and a drive-side fastening device, such as a fastening flange for arranging the coupling on an engine flywheel, and an output-side fastening device, such as a fastening flange for arranging the coupling on a shaft hub. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a coupling which can effectively damp torsional vibrations within a wide frequency range. This object is achieved by an elastic shaft coupling with the features of Claim (1), in particular with the characterizing features according to which the resilient coupling body is acted upon by adjusting elements, by means of which the capacity of the shaft coupling to compensate for torsional vibrations can be influenced, wherein the adjusting elements are in particular embedded in the coupling body, in particular if the inherent elasticity of the resilient body can be influenced steplessly within a range by means of the adjusting elements.

Abstract: A follower shaft is rotatably supported coaxially with a driving shaft. An inner rotary permanent magnet having poles in a radial direction is fixed around an outer circumference of the end of the follower shaft. On the inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical coupling, an outer rotary permanent magnet is fixed such that opposite poles face each other between the inner rotary permanent magnet and the outer rotary permanent magnet. A fixed permanent magnet is fixed such that like poles face each other between the fixed permanent magnet and the inner rotary permanent magnet. Thus, rotation of the driving shaft is transmitted to the follower shaft without contact.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a rotor assembly mounted on a driven shaft, and a motor for rotating a drive shaft in forward and reverse directions. A drive member on the drive shaft engages a driven member on the driven shaft. Each member has first and second impact surfaces. The members are configured to permit at least one quarter of a revolution of the drive member relative to the driven member in either the forward or the reverse direction before one of the impact surfaces of the drive member impacts upon a corresponding impact surface of the driven member. This enables the drive member to acquire sufficient angular momentum before it impacts the driven member such that the amount of energy transferred to the driven shaft upon impact can be sufficient to free a pump that has become locked by process deposits.

Abstract: A magnetic device that includes a first wheel and a second wheel is provided. The first wheel has a first rotational axis and a plurality of first magnets. The second wheel is received at least in part within the first wheel. The second wheel has a second rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to the first rotational axis of the first wheel. The second magnetic wheel has a plurality of second magnets. The configuration of the plurality of first magnets and the plurality of second magnets creates magnetic fields that cause one of the first and second wheels to rotate when the other of the first and second wheels rotates.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling a blade assembly of a removable jar to a motor located in the base of a blender includes a tapered metallic male coupler that is received into a tapered non-metallic female coupler. An electromagnetic field is generated to secure the male coupler in the female coupler.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism that transfers power from an output shaft disposed in sealed-off space within a power generation unit includes: a drive shaft to which the power from the output shaft is transmitted; a first magnet that is fitted to the drive shaft and that rotates together with the drive shaft; a second magnet that is fitted to a driven shaft, which is arranged concentrically with the drive shaft, that is disposed outside the sealed-off space, and that faces the first magnet; and a partition wall that is interposed between the first magnet and the second magnet, and that separates a drive shaft side space and a driven shaft side space from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission apparatus for wind power generation and a wind power generator using the same. The power transmission apparatus includes a first magnetic member which is provided around a rotating shaft of an impeller, and a second magnetic member which is provided around a rotor shaft of a generating unit. The second magnetic member is disposed at a position facing the first magnetic member such that similar poles of the first and second magnetic members face each other. Thus, when the impeller is rotated by wind, the rotor shaft of the generating unit is rotated by magnetic repulsive force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. Thereby, the rotating force of the impeller is transmitted to the generating unit.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler with hysteresis (1) comprises an inductor subassembly (2) and an armature subassembly (6) that are capable of rotating one with respect to the other. The inductor subassembly has a plurality of magnetic poles and the armature subassembly (6) has one or more armature permanent magnets with hysteresis (11, 12). The invention is notable in that the or each armature magnet is produced in the form of a ring of one piece in magnetic material with vertical hysteresis and has through-slots for attenuating radial currents each running in the direction of the circumferential spread of the ring. Application to limiting heating and reducing axial bulk.

Abstract: A drive transmission mechanism for transmitting torque between two or more rotary shafts in synchronization with one another without need for lubrication thereby eliminating occurrence of oil contamination, and an oil-free fluid machine equipped with the mechanism, are provided. A magnetic drive disk and a synchronization gear are attached to a rotary shaft connected to a drive motor, a magnetic drive disk and a synchronization gear is attached to a rotary shaft, torque transmission from the rotary shaft to the rotary shaft is carried out in two ways, via the magnetic drive disks and via the synchronization gears and at least one of the synchronization gears is made of plastic material. With the construction, torque transmit load between the rotary shafts via the synchronization gears is decreased, and a plastic gear or gears can be adopted for synchronization gears without reducing life of the gears without need for lubrication oil.

Abstract: A rotor for a magnetic-drive centrifugal pump includes a core for supporting a magnetic assembly of magnets. An inner barrier covers at least part of the magnets. The inner barrier hermetically isolates the magnetic assembly within the impeller. For example, in one embodiment the inner barrier may be sealed or hermetically connected to the core at one or more seams. An outer barrier overlies the inner barrier.

Abstract: A magnetic transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft with two or more gear assemblies, each gear assembly having an input sprocket affixed to the input shaft, an output armature with peripheral electromagnets affixed to the output shaft, a transfer drum concentric with the output armature and having electromagnets inset from the inside surface of the transfer drum and a drum sprocket on the periphery of the transfer drum, and a transfer chain engaging the input sprocket and the drum sprocket. A gear assembly actuator is used to select and energize a desired gear assembly. A hysteresis clutch can also be used in lieu of the output armature and the transfer drum.

Abstract: A cam drive apparatus comprising a magnetic gear adapted to communicate rotational movement between a crankshaft and a cam shaft, wherein said magnetic gear comprises an outer member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnet means, said outer member being mounted for rotation with one of said crankshaft and camshaft, an inner member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnet means, said inner member being concentrically arranged within said outer member to define an annular gap therebetween, and an intermediate member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ferromagnetic pole pieces located within said annular gap between said inner and outer members and being mounted for rotation with the other of said crankshaft and camshaft.

Abstract: Magnetic ring systems for attachment to a shaft and methods of making and using are provided. According to an embodiment, a magnetic ring system for attachment to a shaft comprises: a magnetic ring; and an adaptor configured to fit, inside the magnetic ring, the adaptor comprising an inner wall spaced from an outer wall, wherein the inner wall comprises a plurality of grooves for engaging the shaft.

Abstract: An actuator of a variable valve operating device includes an electric motor for varying the distance by which an intake valve of an internal combustion engine is lifted. The electric motor has a hollow cylindrical magnet assembly disposed around a hollow cylindrical holder, and a shaft rotatably supported in a housing, with a hollow region being defined between the shaft and the holder. The magnet assembly is skew-magnetized at a predetermined angle to the axis of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: A torque converter for transferring rotational motion between a first axis and a second axis is provided. The torque converter has a first body rotatable about the first axis; a plurality of first magnets mounted to the first body, each of the first magnets having an inner end portion, the inner end portion being located closer to the first axis than to a peripheral portion of the first body; a plurality of first backing plates, each disposed adjacent to the inner end portion of each of the first magnets; a second body rotatable about the second axis; and a plurality of second magnets mounted to the second body. The second magnets magnetically interact with the first magnets to transfer the rotational motion between the first and second axes.

Abstract: A coupling configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft to a driven shaft by magnetic force includes a drive portion configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a driven portion configured to rotate integrally with the driven shaft, and a buffer member located in contact with both the drive portion and the driven portion.

Abstract: A device for displaceably actuating, in both directions along a longitudinal direction, a crown wheel includes an actuator for actuating the crown wheel to engage and lock a differential. The actuator includes an electromagnetic actuator that provides advantages of pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A splice sleeve magnet assembly including a mounting plate having a front surface and a back surface with an aperture therethrough, a circular plunger having a centrally-located aperture, a device connector having a first end and a second end to couple the mounting plate with the circular plunger, and at least one magnet located on the mounting plate front surface so that the splice sleeve magnet may be inserted into a construction element and the device connector tightened to securely lock the splice sleeve magnet within the construction element.

Abstract: A motor transmission/control assembly includes a housing, a motor, a transmission member having a first side engaged an output shaft of the motor and a second side with a first elongated protrusion, a coupling member including a first side with a second elongated protrusion and a second side with a coupling section for coupling with an external transmission element, and a shift-guiding member mounted between the transmission member and the coupling member. The shift-guiding member includes a first side with a first elongated groove slightly longer than the first protrusion of the transmission member. The shift-guiding member further includes a second side with a second elongated groove slightly longer than the second elongated protrusion of the coupling member. The first and second elongated protrusions of the transmission member are respectively engaged in the first and second elongated grooves.

Abstract: A valve timing system for an internal combustion engine includes a phase alteration mechanism interposed between a driving rotator and a driven rotator and having a direction turning point at which the phase alteration direction is reversed when a movable portion of the mechanism travels from a beginning to a termination, and an operation control device for displacing the movable portion when undergoing an energization control, the movable portion being displaced toward the beginning when the energization control fails to be carried out. The rotation phase is set at a middle position between a maximum retard position and a maximum advance position when the movable portion is located at the beginning.