Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a frame having a first end and an opposing second end. The frame has a first frame rail defining a first channel and a second frame rail defining a second channel. The second frame rail is spaced from the first frame rail. The frame assembly further includes a cross member assembly coupled to the first end of the frame and extending between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The cross member assembly has a first end plate positioned within, and releasably received by, the first channel of the first frame rail; a second end plate positioned within, and releasably received by, the second channel of the second frame rail; and a cross member extending between the first end plate and the second end plate.

Abstract: The improved gearbox mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of cam-actuated gear block assemblies, which transfer power from a power shaft to a secondary or output gear element. Each gear block assembly includes a gear block having a surface that periodically interfaces with a secondary or output gear element. In a preferred embodiment the interface surface comprises a plurality of projections or teeth which correspond to complementary projections or gear teeth on the output gear element. Each gear block assembly further includes a plurality of linkage assemblies, which connect or link the gear block to a cam assembly, which in turn is connected to a power source. The cam assembly includes about its circumference a unique pathway or groove for each linkage assembly of a particular gear block assembly so that the movement of the gear block may be controlled in two dimensions in accordance with a certain design parameter.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the speed of a ship, in which the engine speed (nMOT) is automatically controlled by a closed-loop engine speed control system as an inner closed-loop control system, the ship's speed (vS) is automatically controlled by a closed-loop ship's speed control system as an outer closed-loop control system, and the ship's set speed (vSL) is influenced as a reference input of the closed-loop ship's speed control system as a function of an external signal source. The ship's set speed (vSL) is corrected as a function of the underwater topography (TOPO).

Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment is provided. The leveling control system for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling means and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting means, includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.

Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjuster piston is threadingly engaged with the master cylinder assembly for adjusting the initial position of the slave cylinder.

Abstract: A powertrain system is provided that includes a first prime mover and change-gear transmission having a first input shaft and a second input shaft. A twin clutch is disposed between the first prime mover and the transmission. The twin clutch includes a first main clutch positioned between the first prime mover and the first input shaft and a second main clutch positioned between the first prime mover and the second input shaft. The powertrain system also includes a second prime mover operably connected to one of the first and second input shafts.

Abstract: A fan has an associated centrifugal mechanism and a shutter, comprising a plurality of pivoted vanes and a central vane pivotally interconnected with a pair of heavy tie rods. The centrifugal mechanism is driven by the fan propeller and comprises a hermetic housing wherein are located, symmetrical spaced apart in rapport to the fan axis, at least a pair of radial sliding masses operatively connected with flexible cables to an axial sliding reciprocating actuator which is disposed at proximity of the shutter central vane. When the fan starts to operate in either direction by an electric motor, the radial masses slide radially by centrifugal action and pull the axial reciprocating actuator away from the central vane, allowing the shutter heavy tie rods, to open the shutter. When the fan stops, an internal spring housed within the axial sliding reciprocating actuator pushes it against the central vane causing the closing of the shutter.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with an automatic transmission including a shift manipulating device having an automatic shift position and a manual shift position, and a shift control device which places the automatic transmission in an optimum gear position when the shift manipulating device is operated to the automatic shift position, and places the transmission in a desired gear position according to a shift command operation by a driver when the shift manipulating device is operated to the manual shift position.

Abstract: A leverage mechanism actuating device includes a drive member with an output shaft to drive rotatably a rotary body around an axis. A force transmission member is moved relative to the rotary body between first and second positions by a centrifugal force generated by a rotary driving force applied by the output shaft on the rotary body. Movement of the force transmission member enables the force transmission member to convert the rotary driving force into a translational lifting force in a direction parallel to the axis. A leverage mechanism includes a fulcrum, and first and second locations. The first location is associated operably with the force transmission member. The second location is adapted to be connected to a toy. Thus, the first location is actuated by the translational lifting force of the force transmission member to result in a power output at the second location for initiating motion of the toy.

Abstract: The switch element for triggering a cut off or control function is accommodated in a shaft (1), for example of a speed monitor. A spring-loaded release bolt (2) is surrounded coaxially by a compensating bush (4) which has a compensating ring (15), a spring plate (13) and a hub tube (14) and the center of gravity (S.sub.Kb) is such that, when the shaft (1) rotates, it compensates the centrifugal force, acting as an additional force to the spring prestressing force, of the spring half adjacent to the spring plate (13) and having the center of gravity (S.sub.F/2).

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system having a hydraulic cylinder including a piston used for brake pressure modulation disposed between a master brake cylinder and at least one wheel brake cylinder in which the piston of the hydraulic cylinder is actuated mechanically by an electric-motor-driven centrifugal positioner. In an anti-skid system, the hydraulic cylinder can be used in combination with the centrifugal positioner for rapid reduction of brake pressure. It is also possible to embody the hydraulic cylinder and centrifugal positioner such that a brake boosting or anti-slip regulation takes place upon actuation of the centrifugal positioner. By the use of a centrifugal positioner, the piston can be displaced quickly and very precisely for either increasing or reducing brake pressure.

Abstract: An overspeed trip mechanism for a rotating shaft has a collar mounted on the shaft. An eccentric ring surrounds and is connected to the collar for rotation therewith. A trip member is located exteriorly of the collar. The eccentric ring is movable radially relative to the collar between a first position spaced from the trip member and a second position in contact therewith. A spring is arranged between the ring and the collar to yieldably urge the ring into its first position.

Abstract: A Belleville spring type of overspeed trip mechanism is made to rotate at the same speed as the shaft by preventing slippage between the spring and the other members of the trip mechanism. Slippage is prevented by forming grooves in the periphery of the interior portion of the spring and using pins which coact with the grooves to prevent rotation of the spring relative to the other members.

Abstract: A trip mechanism for use with a rotatable shaft comprising a Belleville spring encircling the shaft, a pair of collars secured to the shaft for mounting the spring thereon and engaging the spring to transmit rotary motion from the shaft to the Belleville spring, and a plurality of weights connected to the spring. The spring includes a reinforcing band portion annularly extending therearound, and the Belleville spring and weights are so proportioned that the spring will snap overcenter when the rotational speed of the shaft exceeds a preset value and will snap back overcenter toward an unstressed position when the rotational speed of the shaft is reduced.

Abstract: A rail system of the type in which a vehicle runs along a track to carry articles such as goods from one location in an industrial plant or other installation, to another location. At some point along the path an arm is provided for engagement with the vehicle and is swung with an angular velocity determined by the vehicle speed. A centrifugal clutch, effective when the angular velocity exceeds a predetermined level equivalent, say, to the maximum safe speed for the vehicle, can operate a cam to control a spring-loaded stop for the vehicle or car so that the stop can be rendered effective to bring the vehicle to standstill when the sensor detects the excessive speed.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for selectively engaging a handwheel with a shaft to manually rotate the shaft with the handwheel. The mechanism automatically disengages the handwheel from the shaft when the shaft is rotated by a power source above a predetermined speed. Further, when the shaft is thusly rotated by a power source, the mechanism does not allow an operator to engage the handwheel with the shaft. The mechanism includes a complementary groove system and a cam, one being on the shaft and the other on the handwheel. The groove system comprises at least two laterally-spaced grooves encircling the axis of the shaft, and a third groove spiralling about the axis between the first and second grooves. In one embodiment, the cam is mounted on the handwheel and rides in the grooves in the shaft. When the handwheel is axially depressed, to engage the shaft, the cam rides in the innermost encircling groove.

Abstract: The invention comprises a trigger mechanism providing stepwise linear motion responsive to a shaft rotating above a predetermined rate. The trigger mechanism comprises a rotating shaft having a collar thereabout attached to rotate therewith. Also part of the mechanism are a plurality of arcuate cams mounted within the collar to rotate therewith, each biased with the ends of the arcs thereof adjacent the collar at a normal shaft rotation rate of no more than said predetermined rate and the midpoints of the arcs thereof spaced away from the collar towards the shaft. The midpoints of the arcs are forced centrifugally to adjacent the collar when the shaft rotates above said predetermined rate (at overspeed).

Abstract: A control device sensitive to speeds exceeding a pre-determined rotation speed, characterized in that it comprises a mobile locking ring for a driving organ, resiliently returned to the locking position, a sleeve freely rotating inside said ring at a speed linked to the speed to be controlled, and comprising at least a peripheral fly-weight, returned to its rest position by a calibrated spring, and mounted in such manner as, under the action of the centrifugal force created by said pre-determined rotation speed and against the action of the return spring, to engage with the inner surface of the ring, in order to cause it to leave its locking position.