46 results about "Backdrive" patented technology

An articulating surgical instrument suited for endoscopic use includes a lateral articulation control into a handle portion that provides an intuitive visual and tactile indication to the clinician as to the amount and direction of articulation of an end effector at a distal end of a shaft. Lateral movement of a lateral control actuator is converted into a longitudinal motion or a rotational motion transferred by the shaft to an articulation mechanism. A version of a lateral articulation control for a rotationally driven articulation mechanism incorporates an articulation backdrive lockout that prevents forces on the end effector from causing the selected amount of articulation from being changed.

A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and / or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and / or cutting member relative to the end effector. The firing drive can include a pawl which can be selectively engaged with the firing member in order to advance the firing member, wherein the pawl can be disengaged from the firing member when the reversing drive is engaged with the firing member. The reversing drive can include a gear train having a first gear operably engaged with the firing member and, in addition, a second gear operably engaged with the first gear, wherein the second gear can be selectively operable with the trigger such that an actuation of the trigger can retract the firing member and / or cutting element via the first and second gears.

A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and / or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and / or cutting member relative to the end effector. The firing drive can include a pawl which can be selectively engaged with the firing member in order to advance the firing member, wherein the pawl can be disengaged from the firing member when the reversing drive is engaged with the firing member. The reversing drive can include a gear train having a first gear operably engaged with the firing member and, in addition, a second gear operably engaged with the first gear, wherein the second gear can be selectively operable with the trigger such that an actuation of the trigger can retract the firing member and / or cutting element via the first and second gears.

An air turbine starter for starting an engine includes a housing, and a flow path communicating a flow of gas therethrough; a turbine member; a clutch; and a decoupler device at least partially housed within the output member of the clutch. The decoupler device includes a first shaft portion coupled to and rotating with the output member and a second shaft portion coupled to and rotating with the engine. The first and second shaft portions are axially aligned and configured to engage each another for rotation in a first direction and to separate from each other in a second direction to decouple the output member of the clutch from the engine. The starter further includes a bearing between the inner surface of the output member and the second shaft portion for reducing friction between the second shaft portion and the inner surface of the output member when the first and second shaft portions are decoupled.

The present invention relates to an actuating device with an electromotive rotary drive, via which an actuating element can be driven rotatably about an axis of rotation between a first end position and a second end position and can be acted upon out of the first end position by a spring. The electromotive actuating drive includes a reversing drive and the spring action upon the actuating element is effective between the first end position and an intermediate position. The spring action is ineffective between the intermediate position and the second end position. The intermediate position lies between the first end position and the second end position.

A drive mechanism for utility machinery is disclosed. The mechanism includes a driver wheel and a driven wheel that are coupled by means of an endless flexible band trained around outer rims of the driver and driven wheels. The driver wheel is adapted to transmit drive to the driven wheel in a forward direction F along a loaded side of the band. The mechanism further comprises an idler wheel that runs on an outer side of the band and applies an inwardly directed tensioning force to the band on a run of the band that is unloaded when forward drive is being transmitted. A reverse driver is positioned between the idler wheel and the driven wheel on an inner portion of the side of the band that is unloaded during forward drive. The reverse driver is adapted to selectively provide a reverse drive to the band.

A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a converter housing and a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about a rotational axis of the converter. The torque converter further includes a lockup clutch for producing a torque transmission connection between the converter housing and the turbine wheel. The lockup clutch has a first friction surface arrangement held by a first friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the converter housing, a second friction surface arrangement is held by a second friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the turbine wheel, a contact pressing arrangement for pressing the first and the second friction surface arrangement against one another in frictional contact, and an abutment arrangement at which the first and second friction surface arrangement can be supported substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation when pressed by the contact pressure arrangement. The first friction surface carrier arrangement has a substantially annular body region connected either directly or indirectly with the converter housing and driver projections which are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction proceeding from the body region. Respective counter-driver projections at the first friction surface arrangement engage between these driver projections.

A disc recliner includes a fixed plate having a plurality of outer teeth and a movable plate having a plurality of inner teeth meshingly engageable with the outer teeth to allow rolling movement of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. A pair of wedges defining an eccentric is rotatably mounted between the fixed and movable plates and rotation of the wedges causes the rolling movement of the movable plate. An anchor is disposed between the wedges for rotation therewith. A lock plate is coupled to the anchor and is movable between a locked position engaged with the fixed plate to prevent rotation of the wedges and an unlocked position disengaged with the fixed plate to permit rotation of the wedges. A cam actuates the lock plate from the locked position to the unlocked position and rotates the wedges thereby causing the rolling movement of the movable plate.

A logic gate for use in an electronic system comprising: i) a first component operating from a low voltage power supply rail; ii) a second component operating from a high voltage power supply rail; and iii) an over-voltage protection circuit that detects an over-voltage on an output pad of the first component and, in response to the detection generates from the over-voltage a generated power supply voltage and a generated reference signal. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the logic gate comprises a plurality of transistors, wherein the plurality of transistors are powered by the generated power-supply voltage and at least one of the plurality of transistors is turned ON and OFF by the generated reference signal.

A system is disclosed herein. The system having a backdrive assembly that includes a spring body retainer having a first body portion, the spring body retainer configured for rotational movement about an axis. A biasing member is provided that is configured to exert a backdriving force on the spring body retainer. A spring leg retainer is provided having a second body portion and a plurality of projections, the spring leg retainer being configured to incrementally apply a preload torque to the biasing member. A spring locking plate is operably connected to the spring leg retainer, the spring locking plate being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections.