Systems and methods are provided for an irreversible clutch to prevent back-drive. The irreversible clutch may transfer torque and/or rotation received at a first end to a second end, but may not transfer torque and/or rotation received at the second end to the first end. The irreversible clutch may prevent unintended adjustment of one or more rudder pedals and/or a rudder pedal assembly.

A positioning and position maintaining device comprises a solenoid having an armature and an electromagnetic holder. The solenoid is arranged to effect positioning of an object upon translation of the armature and the electromagnetic holder is arranged to effect position maintaining in order to maintain the object in the position effected by the solenoid. An apparatus for aircraft autopilot and manual control feel-force control switching comprises an autopilot mechanism and the positioning and position maintaining device. The positioning and position maintaining device is arranged to engage the autopilot mechanism and maintain the engagement thereof. A method of switching between autopilot and manual control in an aircraft is also envisaged.

A positioning and position maintaining device comprises a solenoid having an armature and an electromagnetic holder. The solenoid is arranged to effect positioning of an object upon translation of the armature and the electromagnetic holder is arranged to effect position maintaining in order to maintain the object in the position effected by the solenoid. An apparatus for aircraft autopilot and manual control feel-force control switching comprises an autopilot mechanism and the positioning and position maintaining device. The positioning and position maintaining device is arranged to engage the autopilot mechanism and maintain the engagement thereof. A method of switching between autopilot and manual control in an aircraft is also envisaged.

A self-centering mechanism for a rotatable shaft includes first and second centering members. Each centering member defines a first and second arcuate slot. A stationary pin extends through the first arcuate slots of the centering members. A rotatable shaft member extends through the centers of the centering members and is disposed between the first and second arcuate slots. A support member extends radially from and is fixed to the shaft member so as to be rotatable therewith. An actuating pin extends from the support member and through the second arcuate slots, and engages the second arcuate slots to rotate one of the first and second centering members. At least one biasing member is in communication with an anchoring structure and rotationally biases at least one of the first and second centering members to a registration position upon release of the rotatable shaft.

A self-centering mechanism for a rotatable shaft includes first and second centering members. Each centering member defines a first and second arcuate slot. A stationary pin extends through the first arcuate slots of the centering members. A rotatable shaft member extends through the centers of the centering members and is disposed between the first and second arcuate slots. A support member extends radially from and is fixed to the shaft member so as to be rotatable therewith. An actuating pin extends from the support member and through the second arcuate slots, and engages the second arcuate slots to rotate one of the first and second centering members. At least one biasing member is in communication with an anchoring structure and rotationally biases at least one of the first and second centering members to a registration position upon release of the rotatable shaft.

A system for heating and/or cooking food whose upper heating limit is adjustable. An energy setting assembly is provided with the system that includes a knob, a restrictor plate, and a limit pin. The limit pin is selectively inserted into openings formed along multiple locations in the restrictor plate, where the openings follow a generally curved path. The knob rotatably mounts over and is generally coaxial with the restrictor plate. Rotating the knob regulates heat output of the system. Web members are formed on the knob and that project in a radial direction from a receptacle in the knob. The web members come into interfering contact with the limit pin when knob is rotated to a designated orientation, so that strategically locating the limit pin, limits angular movement of the knob to the designated orientation, thereby limiting a maximum energy input to the system.

A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.

A geared motor includes a stopper mechanism restricting the range of movement when the trailing gear rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. In the stopper mechanism, a first and a second angle ranges are obtained by dividing the range of angle of rotation of the trailing side gear by a virtual line passing through the center of rotation of the trailing side gear and the center of rotation of the driving side gear. In the first angle range in which the stopper touching part moves in a direction approaching the center of rotation of the driving side gear when the trailing side gear rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the stopper touching part touches the part to be touched by the stopper. Thus, when the stopper mechanism is activated, the trailing side gear is subjected to a reaction force in a direction away from the driving side gear, making the meshing shallower.

An accelerator device includes: a support portion that is installable to a vehicle body; a shaft that is rotatably supported by the support portion; an operable portion that is rotatable integrally with the shaft and is depressible by a driver; an installation blocking portion that is formed in the support portion; and a full opening stopper that limits rotation of the operable portion in an accelerator opening direction when the full opening stopper contacts the operable portion. The installation blocking portion includes a space that opens toward the operable portion. A rib is formed in the space and joins between a top side inner wall and a bottom side inner wall of the space.

An accelerator device includes: a support portion that is installable to a vehicle body; a shaft that is rotatably supported by the support portion; an operable portion that is rotatable integrally with the shaft and is depressible by a driver; an installation blocking portion that is formed in the support portion; and a full opening stopper that limits rotation of the operable portion in an accelerator opening direction when the full opening stopper contacts the operable portion. The installation blocking portion includes a space that opens toward the operable portion. A rib is formed in the space and joins between a top side inner wall and a bottom side inner wall of the space.