5061results about "Friction gearings" patented technology

A surgical device adapter for coupling an end effector to a handle assembly is disclosed. The surgical device adapter includes: a housing; a drive mechanism disposed within the housing and couplable to the handle assembly and the end effector; and a drive coupling assembly coupled to the surgical device adapter and selectively couplable to the handle assembly, the drive coupling assembly including a retraction assembly selectively couplable to the drive mechanism such that rotation of the drive coupling assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by the surgical device adapter and relative to the housing actuates the drive mechanism.

A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.

Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

An apparatus having a member that revolves about a remote center of motion (RCM) and a base link coupled to a mounting fixture. A first and second link are pivotably coupled to the member at respective distances from the RCM and are translatable relative to the base link along a first direction, at a fixed ratio of displacement. The ratio of respective distances equals a fixed ratio of displacement. The apparatus has a translational motion generator for a first and second element along parallel opposing directions. The translational motion generator is disposed on the first link and enables motion parallel to the first direction. The base link is fixed in position, the first element is fixed to the base link and the second element is fixed to the second link, such that the first and second link may translate relative to the base link with fixed ratio of displacement.

A continuously variable transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft, an output shaft, a toroidal continuously variable transmission, a gear-type differential unit including a plurality of gears, and a controller. The controller calculates a torque actually passing through the toroidal continuously variable transmission to obtain a deviation of the torque from a target value and adjusts a transmission ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission to eliminate the deviation. The controller stops the adjustment of the transmission ratio when the torque is not stable.

A toric-drive transmission comprising a drive disk for receiving a power input. A driven disk transmits a power output. A roller device has a roller displaceably mounted between the drive disk and the driven disk. The roller has three rotational degrees of freedom. A first degree of freedom transmits motion from the drive disk to the driven disk to convert the power input to the power output. A second degree of freedom varies a ratio of the power output to the power input as a function of an orientation of the roller along the second degree of freedom. A third degree of freedom initiates a rotation of the roller about the second degree of freedom. A controller system is operatively connected to the roller device for changing the orientation of the roller in the second degree of freedom by actuating a displacement of the roller in the third degree of freedom.

An apparatus for selectively advancing and / or rotating an elongate device, includes a carrier mounted for rotation about a primary axis and a pair of opposed rollers on the carrier adapted to receive and engage an elongate device between them, and drive the device in a direction along the primary axis. A drive mechanism for driving at least one of the pair of opposed rollers, the drive mechanism comprising a first gear pivotally mounted about a first axis perpendicular to the primary axis, a second gear engaging the first gear, rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to the primary axis. A first input for selectively rotating the second gear in first or second directions to advance or retract an elongate device engaged by the pair of opposed rollers. A second input for selectively rotating the carrier in first and second directions to rotate an elongate device engaged by the pair of opposed rollers. The operation of the second input alone simultaneously rotating and advancing or retracting the elongate device, and the coordinated operation of the first and second inputs allowing rotation of the elongate device without advancement or retraction of the elongate device.

A haptic shift device for use in shift-by-wire systems in vehicles. The haptic shift device includes a shift lever manipulatable by a user. At least one sensor detects a position of the shift lever, and a transmission gear of the vehicle is caused to be changed based on the position of the shift lever. At least one electrically-controlled actuator outputs a force on the shift lever. In some embodiments, the shift lever is moveable within a pattern and is blocked from areas outside the boundaries of the pattern. The actuator(s) can be active or passive, and / or a variable mechanical gate can be used to implement the pattern. Provided shifting modes can include automatic, manual, and / or sequential modes. Other shifting modes can also be provided.

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and / or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting spherical planets. In one embodiment, a variator is provided with multiple planet arrays. In another embodiment, a hydraulic system is configured to control the transmission ratio of the IVT. Various inventive idler assemblies and planet-pivot arm assemblies can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of an IVT. Embodiments of a transmission housing and bell housing are adapted to house components of an IVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and / or functionality of the IVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a control feedback mechanism, axial force generation and management mechanisms, a control valve integral with an input shaft, and a rotatable carrier configured to support planet-pivot arm assemblies.