Abstract: Valve system with rotary stepping actuator to actuate a valve stem. An actuator drive shaft supported for stepwise rotation imparts rotation to a valve stem nut to axially move a valve stem to open and close valve flow trim. The drive shaft forms peripheral first and second slotted circular drive paths co-axially spaced from each other. Actuation assemblies releasably engage forward or reverse ratchet pawls in a drive shaft slot to incrementally rotate the drive shaft in forward or reverse steps. One or both of the forward and reverse ratchet pawls is one of a plurality of ratchet pawls, such that each forward or reverse step by one of the plurality of ratchet pawls incrementally rotates the drive shaft through a partial forward or reverse step which is a fraction of a predetermined angular increment set by the slot spacing.

Abstract: A torque sensor includes: a base portion fixed to a metal shaft having a rod shape as a measurement object of strain; a strain detection element of a surface acoustic wave type which is arranged in the base portion, and detects the strain of the metal shaft (10) through the base portion; and a fixing portion that is arranged between the base portion and the strain detection element, and fixes the strain detection element to the base portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which can be used to provide rotation motion to a driving wheel by the application of lateral motion by the user. It consists of axial track plate having a plurality of track paths with said guide paths having a plurality of slope sections. Additionally the caliper element can enable movement of a wheelchair's wheel from a first position to a second position. The caliper element is responsive to slope sections such that the slope sections can engage or disengage the caliper element. The caliper element's broad face is parallel to the track plate's broad face. The broad face is perpendicularly connected to each other via cylindrical pegs along the guide paths. The caliper element has a mating surface enabled to rotate a sprocket which is concentrically connected to a wheel hub where wheel rotates at the same angular velocity as the sprocket while the sprocket is in the engaged mode.

Abstract: A surface-transformation method of forming regions of a second material in a first solid material to control the properties of the first solid material is disclosed. The regions of the second material are formed in the first solid material by drilling holes to a predefined depth and at a predefined lattice position. The holes in the first solid material are then filled with a second material and then the first and second materials are heated to a temperature close to the melting point of the first solid material to spontaneously form the regions filled with the second material and embedded in the first solid material at the desired location. A liquid-phase immersion method or a deposition method may be employed to fill the holes in the first solid material.

Abstract: In the indexing mechanism, for producing rotary indexing of a primary sprocket or pulley, a locking bracket is operable to alternately lock or unlock the primary sprocket or pulley. At the same time, the locking bracket alternately unlocks or locks an endless chain or synchronous belt at a locking location. The chain or synchronous belt passes around the primary sprocket or pulley and past the chain or synchronous belt locking location. The chain or synchronous belt has first and second loops between the primary sprocket or pulley and the chain or synchronous belt locking location, on opposite sides thereof. First and second secondary sprockets or pulleys are mounted on the ends of first and second cylinder rods respectively, each secondary sprocket having one of the loops passing over it. The locking bracket is moved between two positions, to lock either the sprocket or pulley, or the chain or synchronous belt at the locking location.

Abstract: A motion translation machine for converting reciprocating movement to rotational movement includes a frame that has drive pulleys, a drive belt connected to the drive pulleys, at least two perimeter pulleys and a perimeter belt which is supported by the drive pulleys and the perimeter pulleys. At least one drive pulley and both perimeter pulleys are restricted to a single direction of rotation. A reciprocating spindle is attached to the frame and includes a contact pulley which engages with a portion of the perimeter belt. Movement of the spindle causes a displacement of the belt, which, in turn, moves about the frame and drive and perimeter pulleys. Rotational restriction of the pulleys causes the perimeter belt to rotate in a single direction. Each cycle of reciprocation causes both drive pulleys to rotate in the same direction. The reciprocating spindle may be driven by human power or pressurized fluid, including internal combustion engines, and pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A mechanical device forms part of a limiter assembly associated with reversible electric actuators. Typically, such an actuator is for controlling pipeline valves. The limiter assembly comprises a mechanism by which one or more limiters can be held in the engaged position even after the trigger has been deactivated. The undesirable phenomenon of hunting or pumping (the effect of the actuator motor cutting in and out repeatedly) is prevented by a simple flexible ribbon with teeth positioned in such a way as to engage corresponding sprockets that are capable of rotation on their respective shafts in only one direction.

Abstract: An arrangement of cables, pulleys and cams has been invented which provides a simple, reliable, flexible and inexpensive method of converting rotary carousel motion in the horizontal plane into vertical motion of animals on the carousel. A cam is attached to the center pole of the carousel. The cam is positioned so as to interact with cables which are routed from the carousel animals to be given subsidiary motion (typically up-down). For up-down motion each cable is routed vertically from its animal to the overhead support structure and then along a radial passing neat the center pole and is fastened to the overhead support radially opposite the animal being moved. As the carousel, with animals and cables, rotate around the center pole the cam sequentially intercepts the cables forcing the overhead table paths to lenghten and drawing the animals upward to accomodate the cable path change.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for converting the reciprocating motion of at least one piston of a combustion engine into an oscillating rotary motion of at least one shaft, the piston being coupled with the shaft via a flexible band connected with a winding on and off area of the shaft. The rotational energy existing in the rotary motion of the shaft is utilized to continue rotation of the shaft in the same direction when the end of the pistons's working stroke is passed, so that the band is then wound onto the winding on and off area of the shaft in the opposite direction, thereby causing the band to pull back the piston. Alternatively, two pistons with opposite working stroke directions are present whose bands are connected to the shaft with opposite directions of winding. Due to a connecting rod between the two pistons, the working stroke of one piston pushes the other piston back to its starting position.

Abstract: A fan constructed according to the present invention has a base supporting a vertical tube having a movable vertical rod inside. The lower end of the rod is hingedly connected to a means for attaching the device to a moving part of a rocking chair, such as a rocker, seat or leg. An endless belt is connected to the top of the vertical rod for oscillating movement therewith, the belt being held in a vertical loop by a pair of wheels or gears mounted within the tube. A top wheel movable with the belt engages a set of gears in such a manner as to transform oscillatory motion of the belt into rotation of a horizontal shaft in a single direction. A set of fan blades is mounted on the horizontal shaft.

Abstract: A windmill powered generator having one or a plurality of wind operated motor units, each being operably connected to a single power drive shaft to effect rotation of said drive shaft regardless of the rotational direction of the wind operated rotary units. Each rotary unit is provided with a crank shaft having one or more crank arms carried thereby, the drive shaft having one frictional hub associated with each crank arm. A drive belt extends from each crank arm around its associated hub and is yieldably secured to either the frame or to the end of another drive belt attached to an oppositely oriented crank arm whereby movement of the crank arm in a direction away from the drive shaft increases the friction between the drive belt and the frictional hub causing rotation of the drive shaft and whereby movement of the crank arm in a direction toward the drive shaft decreases the friction between the drive belt and the frictional hub thereby allowing the belt to slip about the frictional hub.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting oscillatory motion to reciprocating motion featuring the use of thin, non-permanently deformable band-like members confined to a linear track so as to be reciprocable when one end of the band-like member is engaged by an oscillatory shaft. The other end of the band-like member may be secured to a work element used for exerting force against a work object. Selection means may be employed in apparatus having a plurality of band-like members in which each of the members can be selectively induced into engagement with a shaft or other oscillatory means to control the work elements as desired.

Abstract: A device for multiplying the force applied to deflect a tensile member attached to a weight or load. The device may be used in place of a block and tackle and provides substantially greater mechanical advantage without the additional length of line needed by a block and tackle to string over the additional pulleys employed. Various embodiments employ one or two unidirectional motion members and a lever pivotably mounted to the frame for applying the deflecting force. Additional mechanical advantage is achieved by selectively locating the pivot mounting of the lever.