Did You Know...
...that power steering was invented by independent inventor Francis W. Davis? As chief engineer in the 1920s of the truck division of the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company, he saw how hard it was to steer heavy vehicles. So that he would be able to keep the profits from his future invention, Davis left his job, rented a small engineering shop in Waltham, Mass., and developed a hydraulic power steering system that led to power steering.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7866228 | Device for moving at least one moveable element in a gas turbine The invention relates to a device (20) for moving at least one moveable element (19) in a gas turbine engine (1) between a first and a second position. The device includes a linkage (21) that connects a pivotable annular member (18... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7861614 | Apparatus for operating a distribution chute for changing ores and coals into a furnace A driving apparatus for a blast furnace charging distribution chute includes: a driving unit comprising a crankshaft connected to a motor to rotate with a variable rotational radius; a power transmission unit comprising a plurality of connection rods connected to th... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7416365 | Safety device for backward movement of vibration roller The present invention provides a safety device of vibration roller wherein a travel switching device of the roller is switched to a neutral position automatically and the roller stops automatically when the operator is caught between the roller and an obstacle, and ... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7366561 | Robotic trajectory guide A surgical alignment device is shown that is controlled remotely through the use of an actuator, where the actuator in turn controls at least one local adjustment device. The alignment device is suited for neurosurgery, although it is not exclusively limited to neur... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7363869 | All-purpose sewing machine A sewing machine includes a main frame, a retainer, a rocker arm assembly, a wire assembly, and a platform. The main frame contains therein a transmission mechanism. The retainer is mounted to the base of the main frame. The retainer defines a bore in which a first ... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7325539 | Mechanical release or trigger device A mechanical release or trigger device including a body. A trigger forming a shaft is movably mounted with respect to the body. At least one caliper is mounted with respect to the body and operatively connected to the trigger. The caliper is movable between a closed... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7318625 | Reclining element A reclining element includes a pivotal backrest, a headrest, which is coupled in an articulated manner thereto, and optionally a footrest. These pivotal parts can be displaced by an electromotive adjusting device. The reclining element is so configured as to elimina... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7316681 | Articulated surgical instrument for performing minimally invasive surgery with enhanced dexterity and sensitivity An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce ... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7311017 | Link mechanism A link mechanism prevents a first pin from coming out of a groove and prevents interference with other elements. The line of action is the line orthogonal to the center line of the grooved portion and passes through the center of the first pin when the first pin is ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7302789 | Mechanism for discontinuing power to an implement drive during machine reverse travel (no power in reverse) with automatic reengagement An apparatus, systems and methods for automatically disengaging and re-engaging a cutting implement on a mowing machine by disconnecting and connecting, respectively, electrical power to an implement drive means. Power to the implement drive means is disconnected or... | 12/04/2007 |
| 7281446 | Machine tool with machining head kept fixed by means of bars whose length is variable by magnetostriction A machine tool (1) for machining by chip removal, in which a machining head (2) operates while being positioned in a horizontal plane and is mounted on a vertical bed (3) to which it discharges the forces (F) by which it is axially stressed, thi... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7277594 | System and method for preparing an image corrected for the presence of a gravity induced distortion The present invention relates to an imaging system for obtaining an image correctable for the presence of a gravity induced image error. The imaging system includes an imager to obtain an image of an object and a position measurement device to obtain position data i... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7275332 | Multi-axis positioning apparatus An apparatus for supporting a platform (84) relative to a base (82), has first, second, and third flexible shaft couplings (80). Each flexible shaft coupling (80) is mechanically coupled between the platform (84) and the base (8... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7259906 | System and method for voice control of medical devices A light source includes a wavelength shifter that is capable of shifting a shorter optical signal wavelength to a longer optical signal wavelength based at least in part on a Raman effect in a waveguide. The wavelength shifter includes a pump laser that operable to ... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7250578 | Multifunction switching arrangement for controlling transmission overdrive and autostick functions A multifunction switching arrangement for an electronic transmission control which includes a button on a knob casing which can be moved in opposite circumferential directions and alternatively operates two switches in the assemblage which in turn causes an upshift ... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7225012 | Methods and systems for image-guided surgical interventions Featured is a system to determine the three-dimensional position and orientation of an effector (a needle, probe, or other medical instrument) relative to a subject using cross-sectional images (e.g. from a CT or MRI scanner). Also provided is a method for image gui... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7219590 | Method for positioning a body along continuous-range inclination and rotation angles In a system for controlling the inclination angle and rotation angle of a body, a rotary actuator is coupled to a base. A pivot actuator is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator controls the angular position of the pivot actuator. A ... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7216831 | Shape changing structure In one preferred embodiment, a structure is provided that includes a body having a first wall and a second wall. At least one appending component extends from an end of the body and includes a first skin and second skin. The structure additionally includes at least ... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7209344 | Computer controlled display device The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may ... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7199544 | Device for steering a vehicle A device for steering a vehicle, particularly a helicopter or even a simulator, comprising a handgrip that can be moved in a manner that is linear to the drive of a drive device, particularly the power unit or motor. The linear motion of the handgrip is coupled with... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7166114 | Method and system for calibrating a surgical tool and adapter thereof A method for easily calibrating both the position of the tip of a surgical tool and the orientation of that tool includes attaching a tracking device capable of communication with the surgical navigation system to the surgical tool using an adapter, where the adapte... | 01/23/2007 |
| 7142415 | Computer controlled display device The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may ... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7139601 | Surgical navigation systems including reference and localization frames A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position of one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has refe... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7092477 | BWR inspection manipulator A reactor service manipulator delivery system supported on a remotely operated trolley that travels on top of a track attached to the steam dam of a BWR shroud. The trolley has a mast and pulley system designed to manipulate a TV camera for inspection of various rea... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7085400 | System and method for image based sensor calibration Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the calibration of a tracked imaging probe for use in image-guided surgical systems. The invention uses actual image data collected from an easily constructed calibration jig to provide data for the calibration algorithm. The ... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7036623 | Control configuration for a utility vehicle having, e.g., an extendable utility boom In preferred embodiments, a utility vehicle (such as, e.g., a skid steer vehicle) has a multitude of potential control-to-function configurations (in some preferred embodiments, enabling about sixteen or more configurations). The control-to-function configurations c... | 05/02/2006 |
| 7032473 | Shift lever vibration isolator A two-stage, bi-directional shift lever vibration isolator. A shift lever has a sleeve whereinside is a lever vibration isolator which includes a damping body having an axial bore and an outer surface characterized by an hour-glass cross-section composed of convex a... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7032474 | Mechanical attachment for a shift lever vibration isolator A mechanical attachment for a two-stage, bi-directional shift lever vibration isolator. A shift lever has a sleeve which receives thereinside a lever vibration isolator which includes a damping body having an outer surface characterized by an hour-glass cross-sectio... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7032471 | Control device for controlling machines by hand or foot The invention relates to a control device for controlling machines, especially hydraulic machines, by hand or foot. The inventive device comprises an actuating element (1), especially a pedal or a control lever, which can be moved in several directions. The a... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7017439 | Adjusting device An adjustment device includes a lifting mechanism having a lifting arm articulated to a component of a stationary supporting structure for moving the component between two end positions. A rotary drive mechanism has an output member which is linked to the lifting ar... | 03/28/2006 |
| 7013750 | Unit set for robot A unit for constructing a robot with units, wherein a joint unit comprises joint means and is organized in a joint casing having a surface profile of a dice-like cube, or a uniaxial cylindrical body, or an orthogonal dual-axis cylinder-like cubic with a uniform join... | 03/21/2006 |
| 7004047 | Variable area nozzle for gas turbine engines driven by shape memory alloy actuators A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its m... | 02/28/2006 |
| 7000723 | Cruise control system A control mechanism for a hydraulic assembly is disclosed. The control mechanism comprises a hydraulic pump, a swash plate, a control arm, a return to neutral mechanism and a cruise control arm. The control arm is linked to the swash plate and is moveable in such a ... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6963792 | Surgical method A teleoperator system with telepresence is shown which includes right and left hand controllers (72R and 72L) for control of right and left manipulators (24R and 24L) through use of a servomechanism that includes computer. The teleoperato... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6953902 | Vehicular turn-indicator system A restricting projecting portion is provided on an upper surface of a bracket in the vicinity of an apex portion of an angled cam projecting portion for guiding the movement of a shaft portion of a ratchet. When an operation lever and a bracket are returned to a neu... | 10/11/2005 |
| 6945349 | Control arrangement for a vehicle A control device in a vehicle, which control device is connected to, and is for operating, a semi-automatic gearbox, can be set in various gearchange function positions and can, in at least one gearchange function position for traveling forwards, be operated for gea... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6920347 | Trajectory storage apparatus and method for surgical navigation systems Apparatus and methods are disclosed for use within an image-guided surgical navigation system for the storage and measurement of trajectories for surgical instruments. An icon representing the real-time trajectory of a tracked instrument is overlaid on one or more p... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6915872 | Cruise control system A cruise control system for use in connection with a control arm linked to a swash plate that is moveable to provide the swash plate with a plurality of non-discrete angular orientations to affect fluid displacement of a hydraulic pump and a return to neutral mechan... | 07/12/2005 |
| 6899308 | Passive gravity-compensating mechanisms Mechanisms for passive gravity compensation for a system of linkage arms are provided. Gravity compensation is provided through a pair of non-circular gear profiles, with an end of each linkage arm connected to a separate gear set of two non-circular cam bodies, by ... | 05/31/2005 |
| 6827174 | Driver control input device having opposing movable posts for steering A driver control input device includes left and right control posts each having a hand grip. The control posts are movable forwardly and rearwardly and are sufficiently linked together such that forward movement of one control post will result in an equal and opposi... | 12/07/2004 |
