A distributed torque, single axis solar tracking system includes a plurality of spaced apart mounting posts with selected posts having an electrically controlled actuator mounted thereon. A torque structure extends between the actuators to distribute rotational torque on the torque structure. A plurality of solar panels is connected to the torque structure. Electrical apparatus is coupled to each actuator and designed to be coupled to a power source so that when the electrical apparatus is coupled to the power source, the plurality of actuators is energized to rotate simultaneously a desired amount. Whereby the plurality of solar panels is rotated the desired amount as the plurality of actuators rotates.

A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft, and a rotary device. The shaft is rotatable with reference to the transmission mechanism through a defined range of rotational motion about a first axis of rotation and includes a protrusion extending from the shaft in a direction normal to the first axis of rotation. The rotary device includes a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and a notch between the first stop surface and the second stop surface, with the notch configured to receive the protrusion extending from the shaft. Rotation of the shaft through a midpoint of the range of rotational motion causes the protrusion to enter the notch of the rotary device and rotate the rotary device from a first position to a second position.

A resolver assembly for a ducted-rotor aircraft is configured to detect and measure rotation of a spindle of the aircraft. The resolver assembly includes first and second gear-driven resolvers. The first and second resolvers are coupled about a shared pivot axis and are independently pivotable about the pivot axis to maintain engagement of the first and second resolvers with the spindle of the aircraft. The resolver assembly is configured such that the first and second resolvers are biased toward the spindle. The input shafts of the first and second resolvers are spaced from the pivot axis through respective first and second distances that extend outward from the pivot axis along respective first and second radial directions. The first distance is equal to the second distance and the first radial direction is not coincident with the second radial direction.

The motorized drive according to the invention application is configured to open and/or close a wing of a barrier such as a door, main door, gate or swing shutter, a wall or sliding partition or other sliding wing. The motorized drive comprises includes a motor and a first reduction unit through which the motor can open or close the wing. The reduction unit comprises includes a first and a second toothed profile engaging together, thus realizing a gear with a variable transmission ratio depending on the angular and/or linear position of at least one of the two toothed profiles. At least one of the first and of the second toothed profile forms at least one toothed section having a pitch profile which is substantially non-circular or not formed by a simple arc of a circle or a straight line.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include an actuating drive comprising: a drive element; an actuation element; and a restoring spring. The drive element drives the actuation element indirectly about an actuation axis. The actuation element includes a shaft portion concentric to the actuation axis and extends at least partially circumferentially. The restoring spring includes a wound flat spring providing a restoring torque on the actuation element, acting tangentially on the shaft portion, and a free spring end tangentially fastened to the shaft portion. The free spring end is radially externally disposed with respect to the spring axis and fastened tangentially to the shaft portion. The spring is mounted rotatably so the spring axis is radially spaced apart from the actuation axis and aligned parallel to the actuation axis.

A driving mechanism that relatively displaces first and second links includes a motor, a reduction gear, and a torque sensor including a hollow portion, wherein the reduction gear includes an input shaft that is rotated by drive of the motor, the torque sensor is arranged between the reduction gear and the first link, and the input shaft penetrates through the hollow portion of the torque sensor.

A mechanism for driving a first member for adjusting the orientation of the blades of a first stage of a turbine engine diffuser and a second member for adjusting the orientation of the blades of a second stage of the turbine engine diffuser, including a single drive wheel which simultaneously drives the first adjustment member and the second adjustment member and a set of gears which is arranged between the drive wheel and the two adjustment members, wherein the set of gears includes a first gearwheel which is directly coupled with the drive wheel and with the first adjustment member and which is coupled with the second adjustment member with a secondary gearwheel which is directly coupled with the second adjustment member.

A gear reducer has a helical gear, an eccentric shaft that is joined to the helical gear and has a first supporting portion that is offset in a rotation radial direction with respect to a rotation shaft of the helical gear, and a slider plate that is disposed at a radial direction outer side of the eccentric shaft. Further, the gear reducer has a transmitting gear that is supported at a first supporting portion, and whose rotation around its own axis is restricted due to the transmitting gear being engaged with the slider plate, and that revolves due to the helical gear rotating together with the eccentric shaft, and has an output gear body that rotates due to the transmitting gear revolving. The transmitting gear has a pair of restricting projections that project-out toward the slider plate side, and the slider plate is disposed between the pair of restricting projections.

In one variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable within a driving plane, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion wherein the adjustable pulley portion is rotatable relative to the base pulley portion within the driving plane, and a driving member including an end coupled to the adjustable pulley portion wherein at least a portion of the driving member is wrapped at least partially around the adjustable pulley portion. In another variation, a pulley arrangement includes a base pulley portion rotatable around an axis, an adjustable pulley portion coupled to the base pulley portion and movable in a first direction parallel to the axis, and a sliding block engaged with the adjustable pulley portion, wherein the sliding block moves in a second direction different from the first direction, in response to compression of the adjustable pulley portion against the base pulley portion.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a plurality of support beams configured to support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the plurality of support beams, a base configured to rotatably support the torque tube, and an articulation system configured to rotate the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes a first helical tube coupled to the torque tube, a first helical tube support disposed on the base and configured to slidably support the first helical tube, and a gearbox in mechanical communication with the first helical tube. Actuation of the gearbox causes the first helical tube to translate within the first helical tube support and the first helical tube support is configured to rotate the first helical tube as the first helical tube is translated therein to cause a corresponding rotation of the solar array.