Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas A. Meehan
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Patent number: 6629832Abstract: Apparatus for molding an annular article, such as a radiator hose, from an organic material, such as an elastomeric material, the apparatus having a mandrel with an external surface against which an inner surface of the article is molded. The mandrel also has an end extension of reduced radial extent and an end cap is releaseably secured to the extension to provide a generally transversely extending annular surface against which an end of the article is molded. The end cap has a passage extending therethrough at a location adjacent to an adjacent portion of the extension and in a plane extending generally transversely to a longitudinal centerline of the article, and the shank of a generally J-shaped locking member is slidably inserted in the passage. The locking member is resiliently biased towards a position where a portion of the locking member disengageably engages an annular recess in the extension to lock the end cap in position relative to the extension.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Crum Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James E. Crum, V. Lincoln Hall
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Patent number: 6481402Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser (10; 110; 210) in which a rotor (12; 112;212) that is secured to a rotatable camshaft is selectively advanced or retarded in position relative to a surrounding rotatable housing (14; 114, 214), the rotor having at least one outwardly extending vane (20; 120; 220) that is received in an inwardly facing recess (18; 118; 218). Pressurized oil is selectively delivered to one of an advance portion or a retard portion of the recess, and simultaneously withdrawn from the other of the advance portion and the retard portion, by adjusting the axial position of an axially shiftable spool valve (22; 122; 222). The spool valve has a null position, and the relative positions of the rotor and the housing are positively locked in position when the spool valve is in its null position by a locking pin (48; 148; 248). The locking pin is resiliently biased towards a locking position by a spring (52; 152; 252), and is urged away from its locking position by pressurized oil from a source.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Roger T. Simpson, Franklin R. Smith
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Patent number: 6477999Abstract: A camshaft (126) has a vane (160) secured to an end thereof for non-oscillating rotation therewith. The camshaft also carries a sprocket (132) that can rotate with the camshaft but is oscillatable with respect to the camshaft. The vane has opposed lobes (160a, 160b) that are received in opposed recesses (132a, 132b), respectively, of the sprocket. The recesses have greater circumferential extent than the lobes to permit the vane and sprocket to oscillate with respect to one another. The camshaft phase tends to change in reaction to pulses that it experiences during its normal operation, and it is permitted to change only in a given direction, either to advance or retard, by selectively blocking or permitting the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid, preferably engine oil, from the recesses by controlling the position of a spool within a valve body (192) of a control valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: George L. Markley
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Patent number: 6453859Abstract: A variable camshaft timing apparatus (10) includes a pulse actuating circuit (24A,50,44,56,60,24R and 24R,52,46,54,58,24A) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing apparatus in reaction to fluid under pulsation, and includes a pressure actuating circuit (30,34,36,40,44,50,24A,24R,52,46,66,80/180,32 and 30,34,38,42,46,52,24R,24A,50,44,64,80/180,32) for oscillating the variable camshaft timing device in reaction to fluid under pressure. Advance and retard valves (44,46) are interconnected with the pulse and pressure actuating circuits for independently and simultaneously activating the pulse and pressure actuating circuits. Finally, an exhaust valve (80,180, 280) is positioned in fluid communication with the pulse and pressure actuating circuits, such that the variable camshaft timing device may be oscillated using one or both of the pulse actuating and pressure actuating circuits, and may be maintained in position using one or both of the pulse actuating and pressure actuating circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Frank R. Smith, Braman C. Wing, Marty Gardner, Mike Duffield
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Patent number: 6250265Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system comprising a camshaft (36) with a vane (20) secured to the camshaft for rotation with the camshaft but not for oscillation with respect to the camshaft. The vane has a circumferentially extending plurality of lobes (20, 22, 24) projecting radially outwardly therefrom and is surrounded by an annular housing (28) that has a corresponding plurality of recesses (30, 32, 34) each of which receives one of the lobes and has a circumferential extent greater than the circumferential extent of the lobe received therein to permit oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft while the housing rotates with the camshaft and the vane. Oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft is actuated by pressurized engine oil in each of the recesses on opposed sides of the lobe therein, the oil pressure in such recess being preferably derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft as it rotates during its operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
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Patent number: 6247434Abstract: A hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetennined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Roger T. Simpson, Michael Duffield, Marty Gardner
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Patent number: 5950533Abstract: A web with an embossed surface with a plurality of lows separated by a plurality of highs is provided with a shadow effect by passing the web between a pair of counterrotating rollers, a backup roller for supporting the web on its reverse surface and an ink application roller for applying ink to selected portions of the embossed surface of the web. The ink application roller is formed of a hard elastomeric material and its outer surface is engraved to have a plurality of highs corresponding to and engaging the lows of the embossed surface of the web and a plurality of lows corresponding to and overlying the highs on the embossed surface of the web.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: GenCorp Inc.Inventors: Joseph S. Kildune, Hubert Perkins
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Patent number: 5704868Abstract: A transfer case having a housing (10) which rotatably receives an input shaft (12). The input shaft is coaxial with an output shaft (14), a free end (14a) of which extends beyond the housing. A planetary sun gear differential (36) is contained within the housing, and the differential transmits torque both to the output shaft and to a sleeve (28) which coaxially surrounds a portion of the drive shaft that is within the housing. The sleeve, in turn, transmits torque to an intermediate shaft (42), which is spaced from and extends generally parallel to the sleeve, through a sprocket and chain drive (52, 54, 56), all portions of which are within the housing. The intermediate shaft terminates in front of and externally to the housing within a housing extension (48), which is removably secured to the housing by bolts (50). Torque from the intermediate shaft is transmitted to a forward output shaft (38) through a constant velocity universal joint (40), all portions of which are contained within the housing extension.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Lindsey, Lance M. Tobey, Craig B. Fowler
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Patent number: 5653407Abstract: A satellite stabilized about a roll axis, a yaw axis and a pitch axis, for travel on an orbit with geocentric pointing towards a heavenly body, embodying a body and a solar generator adapted to collect solar radiation, characterized in that the generator includes a single wing supported in a medium portion by an arm extending at least approximately along the yaw axis away from the heavenly body, the arm being connected to the body by a single rotation mechanism with a single rotation axis substantially parallel to the yaw axis, the wing having a constant inclination .alpha. to the yaw axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1994Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et AerospatialeInventors: Philippe Bertheux, Jerome Jarlier, Guy Darmon, Sylvain Le Muet
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Patent number: 5636906Abstract: A composite vehicle wheel having a disk, a rim circumscribing the disk, and an ornamental metal-plated plastic overlay attached to the outboard surface of the disk. The overlay has a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces which form interior and exterior surfaces of the overlay. The interior surface mates with at least a portion of the outboard surface of the wheel while the exterior surface has a metal layer plated thereon. The overlay is formed from a relatively thin plastic panel such that the exterior surface uniformly and closely conforms to the outboard surface of the wheel and the metal layer is substantially flush with the adjacent portions of the outboard surface to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect to the wheel. The integrity of the metal layer is such that the overlay successfully meets corrosion resistance requirements for automobile manufacturers' original equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.Inventor: Lee A. Chase
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Patent number: 5625240Abstract: Device for positioning a rotating body movable about an axis in relation to a stator body including a magnetic bearing and a locking/releasing device. The locking/releasing device embodies a plurality of clamps with pads adapted to radially grip a shaft of the rotating body. The clamps are articulated on the stator body about axial pins spaced from the rotational axis and evenly distributed in an angular manner about the rotational axis, and can be pivotally moved about the axis, by a moving control part between a released configuration in which the gripping pads are at a maximum distance from the axis and a locked configuration in which the pads are at a minimum distance from the axis suitable for inducing radial clamping of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1994Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale IndustrielleInventor: Christophe Bernus
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Patent number: 5623861Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder, especially for a spot-welding machine, has a sleeve valve mounted on the piston rod. The sleeve valve provides a venting valve for dumping pressure from a return chamber at the end of the forward stroke, and a progressive restrictor to close off a forward chamber and provide cushioning at the end of the return stroke.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Savair, Inc.Inventors: Allan Ward, David J. Trimmer
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Patent number: 5621965Abstract: In very high speed adiabatic face milling machines whose operation provides a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions, it is essential that appropriate fixturing is utilized to position and support the workpiece in order to induce added rigidity to the workpiece while reliably clamping and dampening each workpiece to enable machining to withstand small flatness tolerances. Accordingly, primary rests are spaced apart relative to one another to ensure that a stable platform is provided for each workpiece. Force inducement devices are strategically positioned along peripheral edges of the workpiece to selectively deflect the workpiece and thereby significantly add rigidity to the workpiece to better withstand the cutting forces associated with the milling operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Inventor: Manuel C. Turchan
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Patent number: 5620285Abstract: A very high speed adiabatic face milling machine whose configuration and operation provide a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions. The milling machine preferably operates at speeds of approximately 15,000 sfm and at efficiencies of approximately 7 cubic inches per minute per horsepower. The preferred milling operation is conducted without the use of cooling liquids, instead employing a chip removal system which enables the milling machine to operate truly adiabatically such that no heat is transferred to the workpiece or the cutter. The efficiency of the chip removal system is such that chip recutting is nearly eliminated and tool life is improved. The milling machine also includes an improved cutter structure, fixturing, and transfer devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Inventor: Manuel C. Turchan
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Patent number: 5619887Abstract: A dry tuned damper (10) for mounting on an outboard end of a camshaft (C), the damper (10) having an annular housing (12) defined by inner and outer annular walls (14, 16) and an end wall (18) extending transversely therebetween, with a partition (20) extending diametrically between the inner and outer walls (14, 16) to divide the housing (12) into an opposed pair of compartments (22, 24). Shoes (26, 28) are positioned in the compartments (22, 24) and are biased outwardly against the outer wall (16) by a multitude of compression spring assemblies (30) each of which comprises a concentric pair of inner and outer springs (34, 36) trapped between the partition (20) and one of the shoes (26, 28) and slidably and retained by a pin (32) that extends through the partition (20) between the compartments (22, 24) and concentrically through the opposed pair of inner springs (34).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
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Patent number: 5615407Abstract: For exchange of information between an earth-station and a satellite in geostationary orbit, information signals addressed to the satellite are transmitted from the earth-station, and information signals from the satellite are received at the earth-station. Signals addressed to the satellite and the signals from the satellite have a common first carrier frequency. Signals addressed to the satellite are transmitted to an intermediate satellite with an angular offset from the satellite in geostationary orbit. The intermediate satellite retransmits signals laterally to the geostationary orbit satellite on a second carrier frequency different from the first carrier frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1994Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale IndustrielleInventor: Gerard Barkats
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Patent number: 5613308Abstract: A door brake assembly (20) to control the closing of a dipper door (11) on a shovel dipper (10) has a torsion bar (39) connected to the dipper door (11) by links (15, 32). A lever (48) on the other end of the torsion bar (39) selectively engages spaced snubbers (57, 58) to provide a braking (or damping) action to the dipper door (11) in the last portion of its travel to the open or closed position. The torsion bar (39) is mounted in journals (23, 24, 43, 44) on a base (22) mounted on the dipper (10). Usually, each dipper door (11) is provided with a pair of the brake assemblies (20) mounted in mirror image.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Marlene J. LittleInventor: Alexander R. Little
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Patent number: 5613688Abstract: An arrow having a shaft that has a forward end, an oppositely disposed rearward end, a central axis and a plurality of axially elongated vanes mounted to the shaft contiguous the oppositely disposed rearward end thereof. Each vane of the plurality of axially elongated vanes has a planar portion tangentially attached to the shaft and an extended fin portion projecting from the planar portion in a direction away from the central axis of the shaft. The undersurface of the extended fin portion defines an air channel for channelling air flow along the undersurface of the extended fin portion to generate a rotating moment about the central axis of the shaft to provide increased rotation and increased stability to the shaft and improve flight accuracy of the arrow.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Inventor: Richard F. Carella
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Patent number: 5610751Abstract: An optical scanning device, for reflecting a light beam produced by a laser light source, having an entrance window; a rotatable scan optic having a reflective surface and a spherical exit window; the reflective surface of the rotatable scan optic positioned adjacent the entrance window and central to the spherical exit window such that the light beam successively encounters the entrance window, the reflective surface of the rotatable scan optic, and the spherical exit window surrounding the reflective surface of the rotatable scan optic, the light beam encountering and passing through the spherical exit window after being reflected away from the rotatable scan optic; the reflective surface of the rotatable scan optic circumscribed by a chamber defined by the entrance window, the rotatable scan optic device, and the spherical exit window.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Speedring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael N. Sweeney, Brian L. Tiffany, Thomas J. Vettese, Mark S. Maiberger, John M. Rodgers
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Patent number: 5610717Abstract: An interferometer delay line includes an optical payload displaced along a guide track under the control of a control device including at least one sensing device which senses the position of the payload along the guide track and a drive device acting on the payload. The sensing device includes a linear succession of fixed optical read heads parallel to the guide track and a graduated rule carried by the optical payload in any position on the latter facing at least one of the optical read heads. The sensing device also includes a synchronizing/switching unit causing a counter to count pulses from the heads in succession, the pulses representing distance increments.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale IndustrielleInventors: Jean-Marc Leblanc, Michel Sghedoni