Patents Examined by Douglas C. Butler
  • Patent number: 6808238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating unit for an electrohydraulic braking system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, which is designed as a tandem master cylinder having a first and a second piston biased by each one resetting spring in opposition to the actuating direction. The first pressure chamber of the tandem master cylinder is connected to a hydraulic chamber defined by a simulator element. The simulator element also defines a simulator chamber accommodating a simulator spring and connected to a pressure fluid supply reservoir. A valve device is provided which closes or opens the hydraulic connection between the simulator chamber and the pressure fluid supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Krämer, Jan Hoffmann, Holger Kranlich
  • Patent number: 6805415
    Abstract: When the increasing gradient of the operating power is larger than a predetermined gradient, if a master pressure PM2 corresponding to a second predetermined operating power F2 is larger than a second predetermined fluid pressure Pth2, a servo function failure in the brake operation is determined; if it is smaller than the second predetermined fluid pressure Pth2, fluid leakage failure (S23, S26, S27) is determined. Furthermore, if the master pressure PM0 corresponding to the first predetermined operating power F0 is larger than a first predetermined fluid pressure Pth1, small amount fluid leakage failure is determined; if it is smaller than the first predetermined fluid pressure Pth1, large amount fluid leakage failure (S28, S29, S30) is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Yasuji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6802399
    Abstract: A wheel bearing flange with a periphery having axial extensions for the mounting of a flat annular brake disk thereon. An isolating connecting element between the axial extensions and the brake disk. The axial extensions have radially outwardly directed projections which engage in radially inward recesses with the interior of the brake disk. The connecting element elastically pre-loads the brake disk relative to the axial extensions to elastically compensate for displacements of the brake disk while driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: FAG Kugelfischer AG
    Inventors: Peter Niebling, Kay Schumacher, Heinrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6802398
    Abstract: A manually operated cable release apparatus, suitable for use in an electrically actuated brake, is provided for a locking mechanism having a shaft that is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the shaft, between a first angular position where the locking mechanism is disengaged, and a second angular position where the locking mechanism is engaged. The cable release apparatus includes a lever having one end thereof fixedly attached to the shaft and extending outward from the shaft for applying a force to the lever, for rotating the shaft back and forth through an angular displacement between the first and second angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Patrick A. Mescher, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 6802397
    Abstract: A parking brake assembly which includes a lever (15) for operation of a brake shoe (11, 12) to provide a parking function. The lever (15) has an automatic latching device (21, 22, 23) for automatically latching to the lever (15) an end fitting (20) on an operating cable (19). The automatic latching device (21, 22, 23) comprises a flap (22) mounted on the lever (15) which is deflected aside by the end fitting (20) as the cable (19) is fed in a first direction towards the lever (15) and which latches behind an abutment (20a) on the end fitting (20) to latch the cable (19) to the lever (15) so that subsequent movement of the cable (19) in a second direction opposite to the first direction moves the lever (15) to opoerate the parking function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Products Italia (SV) SPA
    Inventors: Davide Matteis, Vincenzo Giardina
  • Patent number: 6802407
    Abstract: A front suspension device includes an inner tube fixedly connected to the crown portion of the front fork and movably inserted in an outer tube. A valve member is received in the inner tube and connected to a sleeve which extends from the inner tube and an adjusting member is connected to the sleeve and the outer tube. An end cap is fixed to the first end of the inner tube and connected to a hollow tube which is mounted by a ring member engaged with an inner periphery of the inner tube. A spring is mounted to the hollow tube. A core is movably received in the hollow tube and has a first end connected to an adjusting switch. A head is connected to the second end of the core and movably seals paths defined through the ring member. The spring is not compressed when the paths are sealed by the head. When a large pressure is applied to the head, the ring member is moved upward to compress the spring to re-activate the suspension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 6802572
    Abstract: A brake control system for towed vehicles is disclosed which provides for controlled application of hydraulic brakes in a towed vehicle in response to the application of the brakes of the towing vehicle. The system is designed in two preferred embodiments. The first embodiment is a self-contained design adapted for use with rental trailers, for example, where a plurality of towed vehicles will be associated with a particular trailer. The second embodiment is intended for hard wiring in connection with the towed and towing vehicles. In each case, superior performance is obtained because the system operates the brake system of the towed vehicle in a unique manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: N.I.R., Inc.
    Inventors: Isidore I. Lamke, Robert D. Plummer, Michael E. Dinan, Eugene P. Reinhold
  • Patent number: 6802401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling an electrically actuated parking brake. Especially, a tip switch is provided which is movable to adopt a tensioning position, a release position, and a neutral position. For example, when the tip switch is moved by the driver to adopt the tensioning position, the control unit increases a nominal value of the actuating force of the parking brake. By actuating the tip switch, the driver is thus able to determine which actuating force is used to actuate the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Böhm, Joachim Nell
  • Patent number: 6799754
    Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate including two tracks, a control track and an isolation track. The control track is spirally formed within the orifice plate, which has an exit and entrance on either side of the plate. The control track provides damping to control damping from engine bounce; whereas, the isolation track controllably provides dynamic rate dip. The isolation track is formed between an alignment plate and rotatable track member, each having an exit and entrance, respectively. The rotatable track member and the alignment plate are sealingly engaged and affixed to a decoupler and an annular area disposed about the orifice plate of the powertrain mount. The exit of the alignment plate is adjacent the decoupler. The rotatable track member forms a cavity with the molded body of the powertrain mount, with the entrance exposed to fluid within the cavity for controlling and minimizing vibrations within the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Bodie, Mark W. Long, Sanjiv G. Tewani
  • Patent number: 6796404
    Abstract: A driving axle assembly includes an anti-lock braking system sensor, a carrier having an opening, a differential assembly including a housing rotatably mounted to the carrier and a cover pan mounted to the carrier to enclose the opening. The cover pan includes a boss having a generally planar mounting surface with an aperture therethrough. The anti-lock braking system sensor is disposed within the aperture and coupled to the cover pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Dick, Jr., Joseph M. Endreszl
  • Patent number: 6786476
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an airspring having an airsleeve comprising an elastomeric liner; a reinforcing layer overlaying the liner; and a colorable elastomeric cover overlaying the reinforcing layer; the cover comprising: 100 parts by weight of elastomer comprising from about 30 to about 50 parts by weight of natural rubber, from about 10 to about 30 parts by weight of polybutadiene, and from about 30 to about 50 parts by weight of ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM); from about 20 to about 60 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of silica; and from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of an organosilane polysulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Randal Howard Kerstetter, III, Terry Frank Allen, Samson Samuel Apticar
  • Patent number: 6786560
    Abstract: An air supply system for a large vehicle air brake system includes an air compressor for supplying compressed air. The compressed or pressurized air is routed to an air dryer which includes a desiccant bed through which the compressed air flows for drying. The air dryer is located between a wet tank and a dry tank for the air supply system and air moves from the dryer to the wet tank. From the wet tank the air passes through a conduit through the air dryer to the dry tank. The air dryer is mounted on tracks allowing it to withdrawn from between the air tanks for replacement or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen P. Heath
  • Patent number: 6783138
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving an air valve between a position in which air is admitted to an air bag mounted in a vehicle and another position in which air is released from the air bag. The actuator assembly has a U-shaped rail that is attached to a cross member of the vehicle. The rail has a channel. A linear actuator is attached to the rail. The actuator has a moveable shaft. An actuator arm is attached to the rail and has a first end attached to the actuator. The actuator operates to linearly move the arm. A ball bearing is movably retained within the channel. The ball bearing has a stud extending from the ball bearing through the actuator arm and is attached to the actuator shaft. A mounting plate has an end attached to the air valve and another end attached to a second end of the actuator arm. The actuator operates to move the air valve so as to adjust the ride firmness of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: John Reiner, Ronald Bontrager, Mahlon Bontrager
  • Patent number: 6782977
    Abstract: An anchor having first and second rails to align first and second friction members with a rotor. The first and second friction members are moved into engagement with the rotor to effect a brake application. The anchor has projections that extend from the first and second rails and are aligned with the rotor. The thickness of a friction member is reduced by wear through the engagement with the rotor. Each friction member is attached to a carrier by a first inwardly projecting lip on a first end and a second inwardly projecting lip on a second end that has a length that corresponds to an initial thickness of a friction pad plus one-half the width of a projection. During a brake application the lips either engage projections on the first rail or projections on the second rail such that braking forces are communicated into the anchor without the introduction of a moment that could effect the uniform application of force from the friction member on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: John Edmund Mackiewicz
  • Patent number: 6779923
    Abstract: In a roller retainer assembly, a roller retainer 15 is thinned to retain individual one of plural rollers 7 circulating in a roller circulation path inclusive of linear and curved races and to hold opposite side surfaces of the roller 7 and front and rear surfaces thereof in the roller moving direction. A combination of linear and curve guide portions 16a and 16b different in inclination angle and a combination of linear and curve guide portion 17a and 17b different in inclination angle are formed respectively in opposite end surfaces of the roller retainer 15 in a retainer moving direction. In a linear race, the linear guide portions 16a and 17a come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively. In a curved race, the curve guide portions 16b and 17b come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomozumi Murata
  • Patent number: 6776268
    Abstract: A unitized railcar brake equipment can have a relatively small, integrated air supply and can be controlled electronically. The equipment can have a brake cylinder portion and a control valve portion. The brake cylinder portion can have a brake cylinder housing a piston head with a rod end of the piston connected to a railcar brake member. A pair of air chambers communicate on opposite sides of the piston head and an air reservoir can be integral with the brake cylinder housing. Selective coupling of the air chambers and the air reservoir to each other, a source of pressure, or to the atmosphere can be controlled by appropriate valves to control the pressure in the brake cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 6776265
    Abstract: A device can indicate the total load of a brake disk made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material. In order to create such a device, which can be used for brake disks and other friction elements made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material, an indicator element can be provided in the brake disk starting from the friction surface. The oxidation stability of this indicator element is reduced with respect to the material of the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Martin
  • Patent number: 6776402
    Abstract: A mount for an upper portion of a vehicle damper suspension includes an elastic member interconnecting a bracket fixed to a vehicle body and a bracket fixed to a damper rod protruding from a damper case and formed into a tubular shape to surround an outer periphery of an upper portion of the bracket, a first liquid chamber defined in part by the elastic member, and a second liquid chamber defined in part by a diaphragm communicate with each other through a communication passage. The elastic member is shear-deformed vertically with the vertical movement of the damper rod. Thus, it is possible to reduce the vertical dimension of a damper mount, while ensuring a large amount of change in the volume of the first liquid chamber, as compared with a conventional damper mount in which the block-shaped elastic member provided at the upper portion of the damper case is deformed under compression or tension, to thereby change the volume of the first liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hokushin Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyamoto, Masashi Furuya
  • Patent number: 6773078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake pressure control device, more particularly, for anti-lock pressure control and for automatic brake intervention for the purpose of traction slip control and/or driving dynamics control in automotive vehicle brake systems, including accommodating bores for pressure modulation valves arranged in a housing, pressure sensor connecting ports which lead into the housing and into which there are inserted pressure sensors that sense the pressure in a housing-side pressure fluid conduit respectively connected to a brake pressure generator. The pressure sensor connecting port either opens into the pressure fluid conduit between two accommodating bores that are directed into the housing, or is part of the pressure modulation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Dieter Dinkel, Axel Hinz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz
  • Patent number: 6769520
    Abstract: A damper including a shaft member 2 having wings 4a, 4b which are formed on the outer periphery of a shaft 3, a cylindrical casing 1 relative-rotatably incorporating the shaft member, and oil chambers A to D which are provided between the outer periphery of the shaft member and the inner periphery of the casing. Protrusions are provided on the inner periphery of the casing so as to be slidable on the outer periphery of the shaft. Communicating paths 5a, 5b pass through the shaft to enable communication between a pair of adjacent oil chambers. At least one of openings of the communicating path is closed by the protrusion 8a, 8b of the casing within a relative-rotating range of the shaft member 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Tok Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinpei Namiki, Kenji Takahashi