Abstract:
An exoskeleton suit is provided that allows a user to control the legs using the arms. Preferably there is two-way feedback/control between the legs and arms causing movement of leg joints to be proportional to movement of arm joints. Haptic forces and control forces on the joints may also be proportional. The relative magnitudes of the movements and forces may be adjustable. Rotary or angular actuators may be used. A twisting actuator is also provided using a pair of bending actuators mounted side by side to provide torsional displacement of frame members. The ability to support a portion of the user's weight on the hand grips is possible while simultaneously controlling the lower body movement by applying pitch, roll and yaw movements to that hand grip.
Abstract:
A high speed ratio drive system is formed of planet rollers, each having varying diameter, an outer fixed ring in contact with one diameter of the planet rollers, and an outer drive ring in contact with another diameter of the planet rollers. An inner drive element is provided by a sun drive roller in contact with the planet rollers or by a planet carrier. Preferably the system has an axial reflective symmetry minimizing twisting forces on the planet rollers.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code, and means for integrating the sale of an aftermarket product to a customer with the sale of a vehicle to the customer include receiving sales information associated with the sale of the vehicle, where the sales information includes dealer information and vehicle information. An aftermarket product suitable for the customer is identified (based at least in part on the dealer information and the vehicule information). Aftermarket product terms are presented to the dealer, and an indication is received of the customer’s desire to purchase the aftermarket product and the sale of the aftermarket product is completed.
Abstract:
A planetary gearbox with two rows of planets between an inner race and a coaxial outer race. An input gear may also mesh with the inner planets or the outer planets. To avoid unmeshing of the gears due to twisting from the applied torque, a camming effect may be used in which applied torque generates a radial preload. The gears that mesh with the input gear may do so at portions of the gears that also mesh with a corresponding one of the inner or outer race. The planets may be geared with axial portions with different helix angle. The inner race or outer race may be formed of two components geared with different helix angle to mesh with the different axial portions of the planets. By using these different components, assembly is eased as the components can be slid onto the planets axially.
Abstract:
A power conversion device has a buckled wave disk having an axis and being radially compressed between a hub and a wave ring. The buckled wave disk is buckled in the radial direction to form circumferential waves which are displaced in the axial direction and extending around the buckled wave disk with lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves extending between the hub and wave ring. The wave ring is outwardly radially displaced at nodes corresponding to lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves. A wave propagation actuator cooperates with the buckled wave disk for driving a wave and the lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves around the buckled wave disk. An outer ring surrounds the wave ring, the outer ring being driven by or driving the wave ring at the nodes. A method of making a wave disk is provided.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for safely producing hydrogen peroxide is realized by injecting dispersed minute bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen into a rapidly flowing medium. The medium can contain either a water-soluble organic compound, a water-insoluble organic compound, a combination of a water-insoluble organic compound with water, liquid carbon dioxide and/or supercritical carbon dioxide. The minute bubbles are surrounded by the medium of sufficient volume for quench cooling any explosive reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen. Reactors are also provided with internal catalyst structures and/or circular paths to facilitate the production of hydrogen peroxide.
Abstract:
A coin-operated amusement device (10) for attempted retrieval of a prize (16) by a player. The device comprises a grasping mechanism (36) supported by a first carriage (56) movably disposed along a first rail (52). A second carriage (72) is movably disposed along a perpendicular second rail (54) for positioning the grasping mechanism over the prize. Once the chosen position is reached, the claw (36) is lowered automatically in an attempt to retrieve the article by the player. When the claw is closed, it is automatically raised back to its uppermost position and returned to home position for delivering any retrieved article to the player.
Abstract:
An exercise device is provided using, for example, handles, connected to cords that increase in tension as the handles are pulled. The tension may be provided using elasticity of the cords or by an actuator, for example powered by an electric motor. Pulleys allow adequate extension while remaining compact enough to fit in a standard height room and allowing accessibility to components. Upper and forward pulleys may be used. The upper pulleys may be displaced from potential obstacles, including the forward pulleys.
Abstract:
An actuator comprising: a motor comprising a housing and a drive shaft, the motor arranged to rotate the drive shaft relative to the housing about a drive shaft axis; a first torque transfer device comprising a first drive member on the drive shaft and a first driven member on a second shaft, the first drive member being arranged to transfer torque to the first driven member, such that the first torque transfer device is arranged to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the second shaft, the second shaft being rotatable about a second shaft axis spaced from the drive shaft axis; and an output torque transfer device comprising an output drive member on the second shaft and an output driven member, the output drive member being arranged to transfer torque to the output driven member, such that the output driven member rotates about an output axis; wherein a torque ratio of the output torque transfer device is smaller than or equal to a torque ratio of the first torque transfer device.
Abstract:
A pulley system comprising: a first pulley rotatable about a first pulley axis, a first cable portion wrapped around the first pulley, such that, when the first pulley is rotated in a first direction about the first pulley axis, the first cable portion is unwound from the first pulley, and a second cable portion wrapped around the first pulley, such that, when the first pulley is rotated in the first direction about the first pulley axis, the second cable portion is wound further onto the first pulley, wherein the first and second cable portions form a continuous cable passing radially through the first pulley.