A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

A rotary drive arrangement for a surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector. In one form, the rotary drive arrangement includes a drive shaft assembly that is selectively axially movable between a first position and a second position. A rotary transmission operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly such that when the drive shaft assembly is in the first axial position, application of one of the rotary drive motions to the drive shaft assembly causes the rotary transmission to apply a first rotary control motion to the surgical end effector and when the drive shaft assembly is in the second axial position, application of the rotary drive motion to the drive shaft assembly causes the rotary transmission to apply a second rotary control motion to the surgical end effector.

Three controls, three variable gear assemblies, an optional hatch or variable propeller pitch, and a variable overlap generator (VO generator), as well as one or more commutator and brush-less free direct current generators may be used independently and together to provide constant frequency and voltage output power and to increase the amount of output power generated with the same input water flow or wind speed in a plurality of embodiments useful in wind power generation and water renewable energy generators for any of tidal and ocean current or wave conditions. Two Transgear assemblies side-by-side and sharing the same central shaft may comprise a constant speed motor control, produce required constant frequency and voltage and be reduced in part count and complexity. The variable overlap generator of a marine hydrokinetic or wind power generator may be used as a low torque generator, a high power-rated generator or a control in these applications and may generate more electric power than a conventional fixed power generator (the rotor axially aligned to overlap the stator in a conventional manner) over a wider input range. An electromotive force (EMF) embodiment generates alternating current at constant frequency and voltage in varying wind and water speed conditions.

A windshield wiper assembly for a dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system is provided. The system includes a wiper motor and a wiper arm for sweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a first eccentric, the first eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and an indexable eccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric plate determines an eccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the first eccentric. The system further includes an output wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm, a second eccentric coupled to a cam shaft, and a link coupled to the first eccentric and the second eccentric, the link having a first effective link arm length between the first eccentric and the second eccentric for driving the first eccentric to operate the wiper arm when operated in a first direction.

A windshield wiper assembly for a dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system is provided. The system includes a wiper motor and a wiper arm for sweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a first eccentric, the first eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and an indexable eccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric plate determines an eccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the first eccentric. The system further includes an output wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm, a second eccentric coupled to a cam shaft, and a link coupled to the first eccentric and the second eccentric, the link having a first effective link arm length between the first eccentric and the second eccentric for driving the first eccentric to operate the wiper arm when operated in a first direction.

A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

A device can have an outer frame and an actuator. The actuator can have a movable frame and a fixed frame. At least one torsional flexure and at least one hinge flexure can cooperate to provide comparatively high lateral stiffness between the outer frame and the movable frame and can cooperate to provide comparatively low rotational stiffness between the outer frame and the movable frame.

In various embodiments, a surgical fastening apparatus comprising a motorized drive system and an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a channel and a rotary drive shaft. The channel is configured to support a removable staple cartridge including staples that are ejected from the removable staple cartridge as an ejector therein is moved from a starting position to an ending position. The rotary drive shaft defines an axis and is supported by the channel for movement in directions transverse to the axis between an engaged position wherein the rotary drive shaft is rotatable by the motorized drive system and a disengaged position wherein said rotary drive shaft is not rotatable by the motorized drive system. The rotary end effector drive shaft is retained in the disengaged position unless the removable staple cartridge has been operably installed within the channel and the ejector is in the starting position.