A vehicle powertrain has an engine, a driving shaft having a passage defined therein, a driven shaft, a pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a CVT. A driving pulley of the CVT includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave disposed on the driving shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing a movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber fluidly communicating with the passage of the driving shaft. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the passage in the driving shaft. The hydraulic fluid flows from the passage to the CVT chamber to create a hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber. The hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave.

A bicycle transmission control apparatus comprises a control unit that provides a first signal to operate a first derailleur a gear shift distance from a first origin sprocket to a first destination sprocket. The control unit receives a condition signal that indicates a condition resulting from at least one of the first derailleur and a second derailleur; and an adjustment controller moves the first derailleur an adjustment distance less than the gear shift distance in response to the condition signal.

An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

A sealing arrangement used to create a seal between a first part of a chain and a second part of the chain, wherein the second part can at least be pivoted in relation to the first part, includes a sealing ring with an annular sealing lip for sealing a lubricant area between parts which can be pivoted towards each other, and an elastic ring which is adapted to be fixed to one of the parts and which is adapted to exert pressure in the sealing ring. In addition, a supporting ring is arranged between the sealing ring and the elastic ring.

A rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a linkage and an electric motor unit. The base member includes a bicycle mounting portion for attaching to a bicycle. The movable member includes a chain guide having a first pulley that rotates around a first pulley axis in a center pulley plane that bisects the first pulley. The linkage movably supports the movable member relative to the base member. The electric motor unit is stationary with respect to at least a part of the base member and operatively coupled to the linkage to move the movable member relative to the base member between an outermost lateral position and an innermost lateral position. The electric motor unit is at least partially disposed inward of the center pulley plane while the movable member is disposed in the outermost lateral position.

A bicycle derailleur adjusting apparatus for adjusting a bicycle derailleur includes a controller. The bicycle derailleur includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member, a linkage coupled between the base member and the movable member, and an actuator configured to move the movable member of the bicycle derailleur among a plurality of derailleur positions. The controller is configured to control the actuator based on a travel value indicative of a travel distance of the movable member between adjacent derailleur positions to update the derailleur positions of the movable member.

A bicycle gear shift control system capable of avoiding frequent gear shifting includes: a power module; a microcomputer electrically connected to the power module for allowing a cyclist to switch between the automatic gear shifting mode and a manual gear shifting mode; a gear shifting driver electrically connected to the microcomputer, substantially connected to a derailleur, and instructed by the microcomputer to drive the derailleur to perform gear shift control; and a manual shifting controller electrically connected to the microcomputer. The microcomputer has an automatic gear shifting logic whereby the microcomputer determines the timing of automatic gear shifting and performs gear shifting. The microcomputer further has a gear shifting delay logic that involves delaying for a delay time interval from commencement of gear shifting according to a gear shifting criterion and ruling out all other gear shifting commands during the delay time interval.

A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle comprises a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt entrained around both pulleys in an opposite manner between the fixed and movable sheaves thereof. One pulley carries a selectively deployable stop that may be placed into position to mechanically limit the range of motion between the fixed and movable sheaves. This establishes an actual maximum transmission ratio that is larger than the nominal minimum transmission ratio but smaller than the nominal maximum transmission ratio achievable by the transmission during normal operation thereof. When such a transmission is used on a utility vehicle attached to a substance dispensing applicator operatively driven by the vehicle's engine, the application rate stays substantially constant despite changes in engine speed when the user keeps the transmission upshifted to the actual maximum transmission ratio set by the position of the deployed stop.

A rear bicycle sprocket for use with a multi-gear rear cassette is provided. The sprocket includes a chain engaging portion and a mounting portion having generally annular shape about a central axis and a plurality of support arms, integrally formed with the chain engaging portion and with the mounting portion. The sprocket further includes a plurality of space maintaining protrusions, each space maintaining protrusion extending axially forwardly from an axially forward surface of a corresponding support arm and integrally formed therewith. A multi-gear rear cassette having a plurality of sprockets coaxially mounted together wherein the plurality of sprockets includes the rear bicycle sprocket mounted axially rearmost and a bicycle including the multi-gear rear cassette are further provided.

A driving device includes a stretched member, and a first rotation member and a second rotation member that support the stretched member in a stretched manner. The first rotation member has a first rotation axis, and the second rotation member has a second rotation axis. The first rotation member includes a plurality of members arranged in an axial direction of the first rotation axis.

A belt-type continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes: a primary pulley including a first fixed sheave fixed to an input shaft, and a first movable sheave relatively non-rotatable and relatively movable in axial direction to the input shaft due to spline-fitting of a female spline formed on an inner circumferential portion thereof to a male spline formed on the input shaft; a secondary pulley including a second fixed sheave fixed to an output shaft in parallel with the input shaft, and a second movable sheave relatively non-rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction to the output shaft due to spline-fitting of a female spline formed on an inner circumferential portion thereof to a male spline formed on the output shaft; and a transmission belt, the belt-type continuously variable transmission for a vehicle disposed with at least one of a first groove width defining portion disposed on the primary pulley for defining a maximum groove width of the first pulley groove and a second groove width defining portion disposed on the secondary pulley for defining a maximum groove width of the second pulley groove, the first groove width defining portion and the second groove width defining portion being disposed on one shaft of the input shaft and the output shaft, and the other shaft having a uniform shaft diameter in an range of sliding of the first movable sheave or the second movable sheave in the axial direction except a site with the male spline formed, the other shaft being disposed on the opposite side to the one shaft.

An arrangement for supplying oil to a chain drive which drives a transmission oil pump that is axially offset relative to a torque converter and embedded in an intermediate plate in a vehicle having a torque converter. The driven sprocket of the chain drive is supported by a converter neck mounted in a centering plate. A seal is provided between the converter neck and the sprocket and is arranged adjacent the sliding fit between the converter neck and the sprocket. To compensate for the suppression of lubrication of the seal, the neck bearing and the chain drive, a valve is integrated in the intermediate plate, and a duct is provided in the plane, in which the centering plate is screwed to the intermediate plate, such that excess oil flowing from the valve is selectively directed to the seal, the neck bearing and the chain drive.

A drive arrangement (10) has first and second wheels (12, 14) and an endless loop member (16). The path of the member (16) is defined in part by a third wheel (18), between the wheels (12, 14). The wheel (18) is movably mounted so that the length can be changed for the path of the member (16) as it passes around the wheel (18), between the wheels (12, -14). Accordingly, the member (16) can be tightened or slackened around the wheels (12, 14), so that the wheels (12, 14) can be coupled to convey drive from one to the other, through the member (16), or disengaged, so that drive is not conveyed.

A vehicle has a motor-gear unit, a trailing wheel of the vehicle being connected the output shaft of the gear and an input shaft of the gear being connected to a motor. The gear has an outer wheel, an inner wheel and a traction means extending between the outer wheel and the inner wheel. A revolving transmitter is also provided which lifts the traction means off the outer periphery of the inner wheel and pushes it against the inner periphery of the outer wheel.

A belt unit includes an endless belt member, a first roller provided on an inner circumferential surface side of the belt member, and a stretching member provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the belt member. The stretching member is configured to stretch the belt member. A circumferential length of the belt member at a center portion in a widthwise direction of the belt member is shorter than a circumferential length of the belt member at an end portion in the widthwise direction of the belt member.

A chain belt-type continuously variable transmission in which ratchet-type chain belts are wound on driving and driven pulley devices, each of which has a variable diameter, in order to control the shift ratio. Driving belt supports are disposed in a driving pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Driven belt supports are disposed in a driven pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Teeth in the front portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports and teeth in the rear portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions. Front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driving belt supports and the front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions and are arranged in alternating positions without being formed at corresponding positions in a line.

A pulley assembly having a body, a shaft mount and a plurality of bolts is disclosed. The body is aligned to the shaft mount by providing a tight tolerance between a shoulder portion of the bolt and a neck portion of a counter sunk hole formed in the body. Additionally, an outer surface of the body may have a pattern of friction lines or patches formed by fusing particulate matter to the outer surface with heat generated by a laser beam.

A belt-driven continuously variable transmission having a downsized torque cam assembly for creating forward thrust to push a movable sheave toward a fixed sheave. The belt-driven continuously variable transmission is adapted to output a torque while changing a speed ratio continuously by altering an effective diameter position of a driving belt. The belt-driven continuously variable transmission is comprised of: an output gear, which is fitted onto the rotary shaft of the driven pulley to output the torque while being allowed to rotate relatively; a piston, which is fitted onto the rotary shaft of the driven pulley between the movable sheave and the output gear while being allowed to rotate integrally with the movable sheave and to reciprocate in an axial direction of the rotary shaft, and which increases an internal pressure of the hydraulic chamber by moving toward the movable sheave; and a torque cam assembly, which is interposed between the piston and the output gear, and which pushes the piston toward the movable sheave when the torque transmitted through the driven pulley is increased.

A transmission system for vehicles, including bicycles, is disclosed. The system aligns a chain or other drive means to a center of each of a plurality of provided sprockets, allows for a smaller, lighter and more durable shifter/controller, and reduces various complications associated with cable slack and shifting. A derailleur is provided with linear actuated features to directly translate drive means from one position to another along a desired path.

A secondary assembly drive of an internal combustion engine and a method for operating same are provided. The secondary assembly drive includes: a first drive wheel (1) which can be rotatably connected to a crank shaft (CR) of the internal combustion engine, an electric machine which can be operated either as a generator (AL) of as a motor (M) and a second drive wheel (2) which can be rotatably connected to the electric machine (AL, M), an air-conditioning compressor (A/C) and a third drive wheel (3) which can be rotatably connected to the air-conditioning compressor, a traction element (4) which rotates infinitely and which wraps around the drive wheels, and an actuable clutch (7) for disconnecting the drive of the electric machine and of the air-conditioning compressor from the crankshaft when necessary. In addition, the air-conditioning compressor is designed for operation in both rotational directions, and a reversal of the rotational direction between the generator operating mode and the motor operating mode of the electric machine is provided.

A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift comprising at least one derailleur is disclosed, comprising the sequential steps of: a) imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in an intended position;b) waiting for a predetermined time period,c) performing a check whether the derailleur is in the intended position, within a possible predetermined tolerance,d) in case said check has a negative outcome, imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in the intended position. A derailleur and an electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift comprising control electronics comprising modules adapted to carry out the method outlined above are also disclosed.

A derailleur device, particularly a rear derailleur, includes at least one locking device for locking a chain guide at least in one locking position that is different from the starting position in relation to a movable element, and it is provided therein that the locking device includes a locking element displaceable between a passive position, in which the chain guide is released in relation to the movable element, and at least one active position, in which the chain guide is held in the at least one locking position.

A secondary assembly drive of an internal combustion engine and a method for operating same are provided. The secondary assembly drive includes, in two drive planes, an assembly drive (2) and a starter drive (12) and permits, in addition to a normal operating mode, the following operating modes: —starting of the internal combustion engine, —boosting of the internal combustion engine, —air-conditioning, and —deactivation of the assembly drive (2).

The present invention is structured by using one or both of an active wheel and a passive wheel being composed of an eccentric transmission wheel and being combined with a synchronous transmission belt for forming an eccentric wheel transmission wheel series, so that in the reciprocal treadle performed by the human's feet, when the feet input forces at different angles from the treadle shafts of the treadles to an active wheel shaft combined on the active wheel through cranks, the active wheel forms different transmission speed ratios relative to the passive wheel according to the treadle angle.

A novel soybean variety, designated XR31L13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XR31L13, cells from soybean variety XR31L13, plants of soybean XR31L13, and plant parts of soybean variety XR31L13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XR31L13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XR31L13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XR31L13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XR31L13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XR31L13 are further provided.

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045772. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045772. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045772 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045772 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046169. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046169. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046169 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046169 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1036101. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1036101. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1036101 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1036101 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1036360. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1036360. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1036360 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1036360 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

The cotton variety FM 2011GT is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 2011GT with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 2011GT and to plants of FM 2011GT reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 2011GT.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated DC4016YD, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line DC4016YD with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line DC4016YD, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line DC4016YD, and plants produced according to these methods.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated HID3483, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line HID3483 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line HID3483, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line HID3483, and plants produced according to these methods.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated KLI6131, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line KLI6131 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line KLI6131, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line KLI6131, and plants produced according to these methods.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated KDL6289, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line KDL6289 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line KDL6289, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line KDL6289, and plants produced according to these methods.

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV052803. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV052803, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV052803 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV052803 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV052803.

The present invention relates to methodology and constructs for modifying plant architecture and enhancing plant biomass and/or sucrose yield.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola variety SCV435009 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola variety SCV435009 with itself or with another canola variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola varieties or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola variety SCV435009, to methods for producing other canola varieties, lines or plant parts derived from canola variety SCV435009 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the variety SCV435009 with another canola variety.

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035446. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035446. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035446 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035446 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

A barley cultivar, designated BG-161, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, and hybrids of barley cultivar BG-161, and methods for producing a barley plant produced by crossing plants from barley cultivar BG-161 with themselves or plants from another barley variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a barley plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic barley plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to barley varieties derived from barley cultivar BG-161, to methods for producing other barley varieties, lines or plant parts derived from barley cultivar BG-161, and to the barley plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid barley seeds and plants produced by crossing barley cultivar BG-161 with another barley cultivar.

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH715413. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH715413, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH715413 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH715413.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated FX8609, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line FX8609 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line FX8609, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line FX8609, and plants produced according to these methods.

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated MFX7589, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line MFX7589 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line MFX7589, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line MFX7589, and plants produced according to these methods.

A wheat variety designated W030377L1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W030377L1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W030377L1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W030377L1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W030377L1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W030377L1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.

A method and apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. The apparatus, such as a holding tank, has a passage. At the outlet to the passage, a conveyance member is provided to convey the cellulosic feedstock laterally across the outlet. The conveyance member, e.g., at least one screw conveyor, may have a variable pitch along its length. The method comprises passing the cellulosic feedstock through an impregnation chamber to an outlet of the impregnation chamber; passing the cellulosic feedstock from the outlet of the impregnation chamber to an inlet of a holding tank; passing the cellulosic feedstock downwardly through the holding tank; maintaining a generally constant residence time in the holding tank; and subsequently subjecting the cellulosic feedstock to a hydrolysis process.

A device mixing ingredients for coloring hair includes a mixing bowl and a housing removably placed atop the mixing bowl so that a pair of agitators rotatably and coaxially mounted within the housing extend downward into the mixing bowl, being driven in opposite directions at the same speed by a mechanism powered by a hand crank, which can be turned in either direction to cause one of the agitators to move a liquid inward within the mixing bowl while the other agitator moves the liquid outward. In an alternative version of the device, the agitators are driven by an electric motor.

A method of entraining a second fluid in a first fluid is provided. The method comprises supplying a first fluid to a processing passage (4) having an inlet (6) and an outlet (8), and supplying an entrainment fluid to a nozzle (10) which opens into the processing passage (4) intermediate the passage inlet (6) and the passage outlet (8). A second fluid which will undergo a change of phase and/or state when added to the first fluid is also provided, and supplied to a first port (22) opening into the processing passage (4) adjacent the nozzle (10). The entrainment fluid is injected from the nozzle (10) into the processing passage (4) so as to form a dispersed phase of the first and second fluids in a continuous vapor phase, and the vapor phase is condensed downstream of the nozzle (10). A device suitable for carrying out such a method is also provided.

An apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an enclosed volume having a lower surface comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending portions. Each longitudinally extending portion has an inner surface that is arcuate in transverse section. A plurality of conveyance members are provided within the enclosed volume. Each conveyance member is associated with one of the inner surfaces and configured to sweep the one of the inner surfaces. Additionally, a method for treating a cellulosic feedstock is disclosed. The method comprises providing a cellulosic feedstock being less than 100% saturated moisture. The cellulosic feedstock is introduced into a longitudinally extending enclosed volume, and conveyed longitudinally through the enclosed volume while being mixed.

A cartridge for squeezing-out a cartridge content, like a cement, or a medical cement, having a cylindrical hollow space bordered by a cartridge wall, a feed plunger arranged in the hollow space to be mobile along the cylinder axis of the hollow space and abutting the cartridge wall, and at least one snap-in means for locking the feed plunger in place at the cartridge wall, to a locking device arranged on the feed plunger and comprises at least a snap-in means which is accessible from outside when the feed plunger is locked. The invention also provides a cartridge system with a cartridge for squeezing out content and a method for dispensing such cartridge content, preferably a cement, through the use of a cartridge of said type.

A method of mixing together liquids or liquid/solid combinations, and mixing apparatus/universal combine utilizing a vertical spinning container or vessel having a rib, or a cross rib in its bottom wall. The container is spun about a vertical axis with no wobbling component to the motion. Meshed elements are used for high shear mixing. Start/stop routines, and variable acceleration/speed values are used, to facilitate complete mixing. Use of ‘impeller’ blade stirrers is completely eliminated.

A mixer system includes a mixing chamber with a drive panel, open top, discharge opening in a side of the mixing chamber, and door configured to open and close the discharge opening. A first mixing auger is disposed inside the mixing chamber, and a first auger drive is disposed on another side of the drive panel and connected to the first auger through the drive panel and connected to a driveline. A second mixing auger is disposed inside the mixing chamber on the first side of the drive panel, and another auger drive is connected to the second auger through the drive panel. A clutch is connected between the second auger drive and the driveline and configured to mechanically connect and disconnect the second auger drive from the driveline based on an input. A method of sequentially starting different augers within a mixing chamber is provided.