Abstract: Embodiments are provided for dynamic management of charge. The techniques may involve obtaining an estimated readiness time for an energy storage element, obtaining a target state of charge for the energy storage element, calculating an estimated charging time based at least in part on a difference between the target state of charge and a current state of charge, using a first charging rate to charge the energy storage element to an intermediate state of charge, and responsive to determining the amount of time remaining before reaching a second estimated readiness time is less than an updated estimated charging time to charge the energy storage element at the intermediate state of charge to the target state of charge, using a second charging rate to charge the energy storage element to the target state of charge, wherein the second charging rate is greater than the first charging rate.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump device may include a drive system that accurately and incrementally dispenses fluid from the pump device in a controlled manner. Particular embodiments of the drive system may include a rotational motor that is coupled to a string member, which is used to adjust a pawl relative to a ratchet body. In such circumstances, the drive system can provide a reliable and compact infusion pump device that accurately dispenses the desired volume of fluid.

Abstract: A moving device in a pipeline, including: more than three segments, including a front segment, arranged in series; an extendable interconnecting element to connect adjacent segments; and an engaging force changing component to change engaging force of a segment that is to be moved with the inside of the pipeline to a smaller force, smaller than the engaging force of a remaining segment with the inside of the pipeline. The front segment has a head part, a body part, a joint part to turn the head part centering around the body part, and a drive unit to move the head part around the body part. The drive unit have a magnet provided in the head part and an electromagnet provided in the body part.

Abstract: A connecting device for an actuator comprises two actuators, a connecting assembly and a motor. Mandrels of the actuators are located correspondingly to each other, and lower ends of the actuators are connected to each other. A connecting assembly is provided for connecting the mandrels of the actuators, such that the actuators are combined with each other. A motor serves to drive the mandrel of one of the actuators, enabling the actuators to extend or retract simultaneously. Thereby, one motor can drive two actuators simultaneously, thus obtaining a double travel length by using only a single actuator, so the structure is simple and the cost is low, and the connecting device for an actuator is easy to assemble.

Abstract: A moving device in a pipeline, including: more than three segments, including a front segment, arranged in series; an extendable interconnecting element to connect adjacent segments; and an engaging force changing component to change engaging force of a segment that is to be moved with the inside of the pipeline to a smaller force, smaller than the engaging force of a remaining segment with the inside of the pipeline. The front segment has a head part, a body part, a joint part to turn the head part centering around the body part, and a drive unit to move the head part around the body part. The drive unit have a magnet provided in the head part and an electromagnet provided in the body part.

Abstract: A steplessly variable transmission has an input body rotatable about an input-element axis and an output body rotatable about an output-body axis and movable between a position with the axes coaxial and a position with the axes substantially parallel and offset from each other. An annular formation on one of the bodies is centered on the axis of the one body. A plurality of guides rotationally coupled to the other of the body are angularly equispaced about the axis of the other body. Respective control elements displaceable in the guides and angularly coupled to the other body are each displaceable relative to the other body between a torque-transmitting position engaging the annular formation and rotationally coupling the bodies and a no-load position disengaged from and out of contact with the formation. A controller is selectively engageable with the control elements for displacing same between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A mover device and an ion implanter apparatus having a processing base that reciprocates at a high speed without undesirable noise and vibration are provided. The mover device includes: a fixed base; a movable base that is linearly movable with respect to the fixed base; a processing base that is linearly movable with respect to the movable base; a main linear motor that generates a moving force to move the processing base with respect to the movable base, thereby moving the processing base with respect to the fixed base; and a velocity control unit that controls the moving velocity of the processing base with respect to the fixed base. In this mover device, the movable base is moved by virtue of a reaction force caused by the moving force to move the processing base.

Abstract: An angular velocity profile generator [22,24] comprising an input shaft [46], an output shaft [56], a universal joint coupling the shafts by pivot pins [70,75] situated on two pivot axes which are normal to one another, means [49] in the joint for varying the path of rotation of the pin [70] relatively to that of the pin [75], a first control arrangement [32] for varying the angle between the shafts and a second control arrangement [84], external to the universal joint, connected to the pivot pin path varying means which is activated by the first control arrangement to suit a specific velocity profile produced by the generator. The invention extends to an infinitely variable transmission machine including transmission stages [16] which each include two of the profile generators connected in series and an angular velocity profile portion extraction device.

Abstract: An actuator unit comprises a worm wheel rotated by a motor and having an output gear, a rotational lever having a toothed portion engaged with the output gear. The output gear has one first motor side gear tooth, two second motor side gear teeth, and two third motor side gear teeth which are shifted in three stages in an axial direction of a wheel shaft. The toothed portion has two first lever side gear teeth engageable only with the first motor side gear tooth, one second lever side gear tooth engageable only with the second motor side gear teeth, and one third lever side gear tooth engageable only with the third motor side gear teeth. The toothed portion does not rotate the output gear when the rotational lever is rotated while the worm wheel is located in a neutral position.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a hand tool comprises a body with a converging internal wall surface which is mounted on a rod. The body houses a set of ball bearings which are biased along the converging wall into an engaged position with a rod passing through the body. An axial force applied to one end of the body causes the balls to grip the rod. Whereas a force applied to the other end of the body releases the balls from the rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for a vehicle seat with a silent ratchet. The silent ratched includes a first ratchet portion and a second ratchet portion. The first ratchet portion has an inner lining which is defined by a rotating body. The second ratchet portion is a) arranged so as to oppose the first ratchet portion and to be capable of rotating about an axis of the inner lining and b) which carries at least one clamping lever capable of pivoting about an axis of the clamping lever. The clamping lever has a clamping area located in a neighborhood of the inner lining. An actuating device for the clamping lever being provided so that the clamping lever may be pivoted in a controlled manner between a normal clamping position in which the lever is frictionally engaged with the inner lining, a non rotatable connection of the two ratchet portions being provided thereby, and a release position, in which the clamping area is located at a distance from the inner lining.

Abstract: Actuators for power driven accessories for moving objects, such as vehicle power windows, windshield wipers, vehicle power antennas, power side view mirrors, catheter drivers, curtain moving machines, bi-directional rotary motors, thruster mechanisms that move relative to a reaction surface or that drive a driven member relative to itself, use orthogonal oscillatory transducers cooperatively to drive intermediary elements to move these objects bi-directionally along constrained paths. The actuators may also power a pneumatically driven autonomous robot element using dual pneumatic DSES elements such as planar contact surfaces with an array of apertures which are cyclically switched form a source of compressed air which acts as a lubricant to greatly reduce surface friction to a vacuum source, which acts as a clamping medium increasing contact frictional force. Orthogonal bladders are cyclically pressurized or vented to move a central block relative to a surrounding frame.

Abstract: The gear drive or transmission comprises toothed elements whose radial spacing from a drive shaft can be selectively altered. There are two sets of such toothed elements whose aforementioned radial spacing can be infinitely varied in increments or sets. Each set of the toothed elements has operatively associated therewith at least one planetary gear which always meshes with one of the toothed elements of the associated set. The drive shaft generates, on the one hand, between the toothed elements and each of its associated planetary gear, on the other hand, a relative revolving or orbiting motion. Coacting with each planetary gear is an intermediate gear train which is positively or form-lockingly connected with one of the freely rotatably mounted starting elements of a differential gearing. A compensation element of the differential gearing is rotatably mounted at the end of a radially protruding arm rigidly connected for non-relative rotational movement with the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displacing a linear output member by wrapping at least a pair of flexible strands around the periphery of the linear member. The flexible strands are each attached at each end to spaced-apart rotatable members. Rotation of the rotatable members in opposite direction causes engagement of the flexible strands with the linear member as a wrap around the periphery of the linear member. After a grip is effected on the linear member, rotation of the rotatable members in the same direction causes the linear member to be linearly displaced.

Abstract: A device for activating the one or the other of two movement transfer devices, both driving the same output shaft, at least one of said movement transfer devices having a cam disc to create a desired velocity characteristic, control means controlled by said output shaft being present to activate or disable the connection between a command member and means for controlling clutches in said movement transfer devices and a step regulating means connected to said output shaft.

Abstract: A solenoid drive apparatus for driving a lead screw of an External Infusion Pump (1) having a housing (302), solenoid winding (356) within the housing (302), a solenoid armature (358) which is driven by the field of the solenoid winding (356), push rod (362) which is driven by the armature (358), pawn (314) which is driven by push rod (362), a first pawl (320) which is driven by pawn (314) and a second pawl (326) which is an antibacklash device, a ratchet wheel (318) having teeth (319) around its periphery and engaged by the first pawl (320) and the second pawl (326) and the drive shaft (316) which is drawn by the ratchet of the ratchet wheel (318).

Abstract: A handle arrangement for a hot water tap or faucet which requires an axial and rotational movement of the handle in order to turn the tap "on" or a rotational movement only, in order to turn the tap "off". When applied to a hot water tap the handle arrangement provides a safety device against rotation by young children as the combination of movements is difficult or impossible for young children to overcome. The arrangement comprises a spindle member 11 which is attached to an existing tap spindle 18 by grub screws 19 and co-operates with a drive member 13 fixed to the handle to provide a ratchet arrangement between a drive member 13 and spindle member 11. The ratchet arrangement allows the tap to be turned off merely by rotation of the handle but does not engage when the tap is rotated in the direction to turn the tap on. A hexagonal protrusion 14 inside the handle co-operates with the handle member 11 to cause rotation of the handle when the handle is depressed axially inwardly.

Abstract: An automatic indexing mechanism for stepping one or more thermocouples through selected positions in a gas turbine engine comprises a quadrant plate having an arcuate row of apertures therein. A first arm is pivotally mounted on the plate and carries the one or more thermocouples. A further arm is pivoted mounted on the plate and also with respect to the first arm and has attached thereto a piston rod of a pneumatic piston and cylinder device whose body is fixed to the first arm. Stops actuated by piston and cylinder devices are mounted on the arms and are arranged to be engaged in the arcuate row of apertures in the plate. A pneumatic circuit and an electrical logic circuit control operation of the piston and cylinder devices to effect stepwise movement of the first arm relative to the quadrant plate.