A chain plate includes two end segments, and an intermediate segment between the end segments. One of the end segments has an extension portion extending away from a rod hole of the end segment in a lengthwise direction. A distance from a center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in the lengthwise direction is greater than a distance from the center of the rod hole to an edge of the end segment in a widthwise direction. An inner surface of the chain plate has a first inclined region corresponding to a peripheral region of the end segment, and a second inclined region corresponding to the extension portion and between the first inclined region and the rod hole. The intermediate segment is formed with a recess.

Roller chain outer plate links including a cable support portion are disclosed. Example roller chain outer plate links include a link portion, a cable support portion oriented projecting from an outer face of the link portion, and a joint at one of the lead/tail ends of the link portion. The link portion, joint, and cable support portions each comprise portions integral with remaining portions of the outer plate link. Cable support portions of the roller chain outer plate links support a cable extending between components of an apparatus.

Roller chain outer plate links including a cable support portion are disclosed. Example roller chain outer plate links include a link portion, a cable support portion oriented projecting from an outer face of the link portion, and a joint at one of the lead/tail ends of the link portion. The link portion, joint, and cable support portions each comprise portions integral with remaining portions of the outer plate link. Cable support portions of the roller chain outer plate links support a cable extending between components of an apparatus.

This disclosure describes powersplit hybrid transaxles for hybrid vehicles. An exemplary hybrid transaxle may include a dual sprocket assembly at least partially disposed between an engine and a first electric machine (e.g., a generator). A power transfer unit, such as a planetary gear set, may be nested within the dual sprocket assembly. Chains may operatively connect the power transfer unit to driven sprockets of a second electric machine (e.g., a traction motor) and a differential to provide torque to vehicle drive wheels. The proposed hybrid transaxles provide improved efficiency and compact packaging configurations.

This disclosure describes powersplit hybrid transaxles for hybrid vehicles. An exemplary hybrid transaxle may include a dual sprocket assembly at least partially disposed between an engine and a first electric machine (e.g., a generator). A power transfer unit, such as a planetary gear set, may be nested within the dual sprocket assembly. Chains may operatively connect the power transfer unit to driven sprockets of a second electric machine (e.g., a traction motor) and a differential to provide torque to vehicle drive wheels. The proposed hybrid transaxles provide improved efficiency and compact packaging configurations.

Novel chain links that are used in combination with essentially identical chain links to form a chain that is useful in flex rake apparati for use in cleaning water streams.

Novel chain links that are used in combination with essentially identical chain links to form a chain that is useful in flex rake apparati for use in cleaning water streams.

Robotic limbs and methods of operating robotic limbs are described. In some embodiments, a robotic limb includes a chain and a growing point. The growing point is configured to selectively move links through the growing point, and to rotationally lock and/or unlock each link relative to adjacent links as they are moved through the growing point. In some embodiments, a robotic system includes two or more robotic limbs arranged in a parallel configuration. The growing points of the robotic limbs are connected such that the robotic system steers by selectively growing one robotic limbs relative to the other robotic limb(s). In some embodiments, a method of operating a robotic limb includes drawing a link of a chain into a growing point, rotating the growing point relative to a rigid portion of the chain, and locking a relative angle between the link and at least one other link of the 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 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.