A chain component of a chain for transmitting a force includes a steel-based substrate and a hard material layer on an external side of the steel-based substrate. The hard material layer contains metal nitrides and the metal carbide content in the hard material layer decreases toward the external side of the hard material layer.

A monitoring system for the operation of an energy chain. This has a movable strand, a stationary strand and a deflection bend therebetween. The system comprises at least one sensor which generates at least one output dependent on the condition of the energy chain, and an evaluation unit which evaluates the at least one output of the sensor in order to monitor whether a fault condition occurs during operation of the energy chain. The sensor has a non-contact working principle and is arranged so that the sensor interacts from a distance with at least a subregion of the deflection bend and/or a subregion of the movable strand. The sensor thus generates an output which is dependent on the position and/or speed of the energy chain.

A monitoring system for the operation of an energy chain. This has a movable strand, a stationary strand and a deflection bend therebetween. The system comprises at least one sensor which generates at least one output dependent on the condition of the energy chain, and an evaluation unit which evaluates the at least one output of the sensor in order to monitor whether a fault condition occurs during operation of the energy chain. The sensor has a non-contact working principle and is arranged so that the sensor interacts from a distance with at least a subregion of the deflection bend and/or a subregion of the movable strand. The sensor thus generates an output which is dependent on the position and/or speed of the energy chain.

A method for maintaining a chain or chain link comprises inspecting the chain or chain link for signs of wear without using tools and changing the orientation of the chain or chain link or replacing the chain or chain link if signs of wear are detected.

A method for maintaining a chain or chain link comprises inspecting the chain or chain link for signs of wear without using tools and changing the orientation of the chain or chain link or replacing the chain or chain link if signs of wear are detected.

An apparatus for carrying cable, including: a first curve-limited drag chain facing in a first direction and including a plurality of channel-defining links, a second curve-limited drag chain facing in a second direction and including a plurality of channel-defining links, the second direction opposite the first direction, a transition link coupled between the first curve-limited drag chain and second curve-limited drag chain, a first mount coupled to an end of the first-curve limited drag chain, and a second mount coupled to an end of the second-curve limited drag chain.

An apparatus for carrying cable, including: a first curve-limited drag chain facing in a first direction and including a plurality of channel-defining links, a second curve-limited drag chain facing in a second direction and including a plurality of channel-defining links, the second direction opposite the first direction, a transition link coupled between the first curve-limited drag chain and second curve-limited drag chain, a first mount coupled to an end of the first-curve limited drag chain, and a second mount coupled to an end of the second-curve limited drag chain.

A flail chain link comprises a plurality of adjacent link sections including a pair of oppositely disposed end link sections. Each end link section has an internal surface, and a first axis passes through the center point of the link and the center of each end link section. A second axis, which is not coincident with the first axis, passes through the center point and the center of at least two link sections. The first axis and the second axis together define a central plane through the center of each link section. An orthogonal plane passing through each of the end link sections is perpendicular to the central plane. A radius of the internal surface of each end link section that is measured in the central plane is equal to a radius of the internal surface of such end link section that is measured in the orthogonal plane.

A flail chain link comprises a plurality of adjacent link sections including a pair of oppositely disposed end link sections. Each end link section has an internal surface, and a first axis passes through the center point of the link and the center of each end link section. A second axis, which is not coincident with the first axis, passes through the center point and the center of at least two link sections. The first axis and the second axis together define a central plane through the center of each link section. An orthogonal plane passing through each of the end link sections is perpendicular to the central plane. A radius of the internal surface of each end link section that is measured in the central plane is equal to a radius of the internal surface of such end link section that is measured in the orthogonal plane.

A “Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member and One Non-Torque Transmitting Member” for CVT's that can be used with a commercially available Transmission Belt, which is Transmission Belt for which the teeth of said Transmission Belt are shaped below the belt of said Transmission Belt. In order to provide a Level Resting Place for its Transmission Belt on the conical (sloped) surfaces of its Cone, which are surfaces that are not covered by its Torque Transmitting Member or its Non-Torque Transmitting Member, its Torque Transmitting Member and its Non-Torque Transmitting Member each have a Leveling Extension. The Leveling Extension of its Torque Transmitting Member can enter and exit its Non-Torque Transmitting Member as required; and the Leveling Extension of its Non-Torque Transmitting Member can enter and exit its Torque Transmitting Member as required.