1. A multiple gear ratio transmission device, adapted to connect an engine to a load such as a motor vehicle, comprising:
an upper shaft,
a lower shaft,
at least two power paths which are each capable of interconnecting the upper shaft and the lower shaft, wherein each power path comprises at least two power sub-paths, each of which defines a respective transmission ratio between the upper shaft and the lower shaft,
for each power sub-path, one respective selective gradual activator able during engagement process to match the engine speed and load speed with each other, there being provided an equal number of power sub-paths and of selective gradual activators,
wherein each power sub-path is uninterruptible between the upper shaft and the lower shaft except by disengagement of its respective gradual selective activator.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selective gradual activators are wet multi-disc friction couplings.
3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the selective gradual activators are brakes that selectively connect a reaction member to a housing of the transmission device.
4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each power path is kinematically independent and comprises an output unit permanently connected to the lower shaft.
5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two power paths are approximately identical and are capable of obtaining between their input unit and their output unit identical local gear ratios, but are connected to the upper shaft andor the lower shaft with a different transfer ratio.
6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each power path is capable of a local direct drive gear ratio.
7. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each power path is placed in neutral when all of the selective gradual activators of the power path are in a disengaged state.
8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the power paths comprises at least one planetary gear train.
9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the power paths comprises first and second planetary gear trains, respectively comprising:
first and second planet carriers, in which planet pinions are mounted in pairs in series,
first and second sun gears,
first and second ring gears,
in that:
the two ring gears are attached to an output unit of the power path,
the first planet carrier and the second sun gear are attached to an input unit of the power path,
and in that the selective gradual activators comprise:
a brake for the first sun gear,
a brake for the second planet carrier,
a direct drive clutch.
10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the power paths comprises first and second planetary gear trains, respectively comprising:
first and second planet carriers,
first and second sun gears,
first and second ring gears,
in that:
the first ring gear and the second planet carrier are attached to an output unit of the power path,
the first planet carrier and the second sun gear are attached to an input unit of the power path,
and in that the selective gradual activators comprise:
a brake for the second ring gear,
a brake for the first sun gear
a direct drive clutch.
11. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the input units and output units on each path is located in an intermediate position between the spatial ends of the path.
12. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises controls capable of synchronizing the gradual placing of a selective gradual activator in a neutral state with the gradual placing of another selective gradual activator in an activated state.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A dressing including:
An annular tubular shape made of a moisture-absorbent flexible medical grade polyurethane hydrophilic or similar foam or sponge like material, and
circular in shape varying in outer and inner circumference size, and
made with or without cross-cuts in the center or cuts along the side, and
made with or without x-ray detectable elements, and
varying in length size and or color, and
made with or without a sealant on the outer rim, and
made with or without fragrance, and
made with or anti-bacterial agents.
2. A method for cleaning a stoma or the insertion site of a tube or catheter in a patient effectively with little irritation to the patient preventing blunting and further tissue damage to the skin.
3. A method as in claim 2 for providing a protective seal around the stoma and at the insertion site of tubes and catheters in patients from environmental trauma.
4. A method as in claim 2 for providing absorption of human waste and fluids around and in a stoma and at the insertion site of tubes and catheters in patients.
5. A method as in claim 2 for preventing human fluid, bacteria and or infection from seeping in a stoma and or at the insertion site of tubes and catheters in patients.
6. A method as in claim 2 for prevention of skin and tissue breakdown around the skin of a stoma in a patient by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the stoma.
7. A method as in claim 2 for prevention of skin and tissue breakdown around the insertion site of tubes in a patient by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the tube.
8. A method as in claim 2 for prevention of skin and tissue breakdown around the insertion site of catheters in a patient by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the catheter.
9. A method as in claim 2 for providing cleaning of human waste and fluids around and a stoma of a patient by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the stoma, manipulating the dressing as in claim 1 against the skin of a patient in a circular motion away from the skin of a patient.
10. A method as in claim 2 for providing cleaning of human waste and fluids around, in and at the insertion site of tubes in patients by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the tube, manipulating the foam ring against the skin of a patient at the insertion site of a tube in a circular motion away from the skin of a patient.
11. A method as in claim 2 for providing cleaning of human waste and fluids around, in and at the insertion site of catheters in patients by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the catheter, manipulating the foam ring against the skin of a patient at the insertion site of a catheter in a circular motion away from the skin of a patient.
12. A method as in claim 2 for providing wound care around an appendage such as a toe or finger by placing the invention as in claim 1 around the appendage.
13. A method as in claim 2 for providing cushioning and support around an appendage such as a toe or finger by placing the invention as in claim 1 around an appendage.
14. A method for cleaning a laparoscopic camera lens intra-abdominally during laparoscopic and or robotic surgery by placing or gluing the dressing as in claim 1 around prior art and then into the abdominal cavity of a patient manipulating the dressing in claim 1 against a laparoscopic camera lens cleaning and defogging the laparoscopic camera lens.
15. A method as in claim 14 for cleaning a laparoscopic camera lens intra-abdominally during laparoscopic and or robotic surgery by using prior art to grasp the invention at its center placing the invention into the abdominal cavity of a patient then manipulating the invention against a laparoscopic camera lens cleaning and defogging the laparoscopic camera lens removing the invention or leaving in the abdominal cavity against an organ of the body for further use.