Patents Examined by Eric M. Williams
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Patent number: 6691846Abstract: The over-running clutch pulley of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member, a hub member located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a spring member, and a stop surface, which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device and an output device. The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section adapted to the engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section defining a sheave clutch surface. Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section defining a hub clutch surface. The stop surface functions to engage the spring member and to transfer some torque from the sheave member to the hub member during the acceleration of the sheave member in the first rotational direction relative the hub member.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Barry C. Titus, Randall King, Jared I. Taketa, Russell E. Monahan
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Patent number: 6691845Abstract: A preferred embodiment compound ball ramp clutch assembly for motor vehicle drive line components includes a force amplifying assembly having two ball ramp operators arranged in tandem. The clutch assembly includes a first ball ramp operator having opposed cam plates with load transferring balls, an electromagnetic coil, a rotor and an armature. When energized, the coil creates drag which causes separation of the plates of the first ball ramp operator which compresses a primary (pilot) clutch pack disposed in mechanical parallel with the cam plates and load transferring balls of a second ball ramp operator. A speed difference and drag across the second ball ramp operator compresses a secondary (main) clutch pack. Significantly increased torque carrying capacity is exhibited by such a compound or a tandem ball ramp clutch assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventor: Dan Joseph Showalter
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Patent number: 6691844Abstract: A drive assembly, especially for agricultural implements with rotatingly driven masses, has a shear pin coupling (1) with a coupling hub (3) and a coupling sleeve (12) rotatable relative to the coupling hub (3). A ratchet gear (20) supported on the coupling hub (3) and rotatable relative to the coupling hub (3) and the coupling sleeve (12). All three components (3, 12, 20) are connected to one another by the head screw (26) constituting the shear pin. A ratchet (not illustrated) may engage a holding face of the ratchet gear (20). This results in the head screw (26) being sheared. As a result, the coupling sleeve (12) is disconnected from the coupling hub (3) in respect of drive.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbHInventor: Wilhelm Schott
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Patent number: 6689006Abstract: A second shift valve for a lock-up clutch is switched in response to supply of an R range pressure and a solenoid pressure from a low-and-reverse solenoid valve to selectively supply an output from a lock-up solenoid valve to a pressure reduction control valve or a lock-up control valve. The pressure reduction control valve regulates a line pressure at a small gain by the output from the lockup solenoid valve via the second shift valve. The first shift valve actuated by the solenoid pressure from the low-and-reverse solenoid valve selectively supplies a high R range pressure from a manual valve or an output from the pressure reduction control valve to the low-and-reverse brake. This enables accurate hydraulic control of the low-and-reverse brake and ensures the required torque capacity with simple arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Jatco LTDInventor: Kenichi Kaizu
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Patent number: 6684725Abstract: A system includes a unit for controlling a transmission line of a motor vehicle with a transmission. The transmission has a plurality of wheel sets for engaging and disengaging transmission gears and a plurality of shift clutches which can be operated by an operating device for engaging and disengaging transmission gears. In the transmission, at least one shift clutch to be shifted is operable while a shifted shift clutch is still engaged. The unit (10) is designed to guide at least during one shifting operation the shift clutch (S1,3, S2,4, S5,6) to be shifted to its synchronizing point when the shifted shift clutch (S1,3, S2,4, S5,6) is still engaged, and to guide an input clutch (11) of the transmission at least before the end of a synchronizing operation of the shift clutch (S1,3, S2,4, S5,6) to be shifted by way of an actuator (12) of the transmission into its opening position.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Helmut Bender
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Patent number: 6681911Abstract: The invention concerns a vibration damping device (2). This includes at least two elements—a primary element (3.1) and a secondary element (3.2), which are limited in movement in relation to each other. The primary element (3.1) and the secondary element (3.2) can be coupled together using a spring coupling. The means to implement spring coupling include at least one spring device (4.1, 4.N). Based on the invention, there is at least one adjustable clutch device (15, 15′), including at least two elements (16, 17; 16′, 17′) rubbing against each other, which bring primary and secondary elements (3.1, 3.2) into friction contact. In addition, there is a power generator or force producing device (39) to produce a controllable friction contact for the elements rubbing against each other (16, 17; 16′, 17′).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Inventors: Juergen Kroll, Norbert Bastel, Michael Schaefer
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Patent number: 6681913Abstract: A device for coupling an input shaft and an output shaft is provided. The device preferably includes a carrier coupled to the input shaft, a hydraulic pump coupled to the carrier and the output shaft, a hydraulic conduit coupled to the hydraulic pump, a piston coupled to the hydraulic conduit, a clutch coupled to the piston, and a control valve coupled to the hydraulic conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Hyeongcheol Lee
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Patent number: 6681910Abstract: A drive which operates on both sides for use in adjusting devices, such as motor vehicle seats, includes a drive lever, a drive wheel, and coupling elements. The pivotally mounted drive lever is for, starting from an initial position, effecting a turning movement in one direction or the other as desired. The drive wheel is turned when the drive lever is moved out of the initial position. The coupling elements are arranged on the drive lever and have coupling areas for transmitting a turning movement onto the drive wheel. In order to transmit a turning movement, the coupling element can be coupled to the drive wheel via at least one positive locking element and by at least one elastic element.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co.KG CoburgInventors: Peter Schumann, Georg Scheck
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Patent number: 6679363Abstract: A ratcheting tool, such as a screwdriver, having a handle with gear and two pawls movable into selective driving engagement with the gear by movement of an actuator on the handle. A spring is anchored on the handle and extends into contact with the two pawls for urging the pawls into engagemnt with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Pilling Weck IncorporatedInventor: Kevin K. Marchant
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Patent number: 6679132Abstract: A transmission includes a first shaft, a first rotational member coaxial with the first shaft for unitarily rotating with the first shaft, a first gear positioned to rotate relative to the first shaft, a first clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the first rotational member and the first gear, a second rotational member coaxially positioned with respect to the first shaft for unitarily rotating with the second rotational member, a second gear coaxially positioned with respect to the first shaft for rotating relative to the first shaft, a second clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the second rotational member and the second gear, and a gear member engaged with the first gear and the second gear. The first gear is positioned between the first rotational member and the second rotational member. The transmission is constructed so that the axial length of the gear member is shortened.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoaki Taniguchi, Toshio Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6679134Abstract: A transmission system is comprised of a twin-clutch transmission which comprises a first clutch for selecting a first gear-ratio group and a second clutch for selecting a second gear-ratio group. A control unit for controlling the twin-clutch transmission is arranged to calculate an estimated engine revolution speed produced in the event that one of two gear ratios adjacent to the present gear ratio is selected by executing one of upshift and downshift, and to disengage one of the first and second clutches which is engaged to select the gear-ratio group including the other of the two gear ratios adjacent to the present gear ratio when the estimated engine revolution speed is out of a normal operation speed range.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hidetoshi Shigyo
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Patent number: 6672444Abstract: A pressure plate assembly for a friction clutch includes a housing for mounting to a centrifugal mass; a pressure plate, which is mounted in the housing with freedom to move in the same direction as that in which a rotational axis (A) extends; a stored-energy element; and a wear-compensating device, acting in the path of force transmission between the stored-energy element and the pressure plate, where the wear-compensating device has at least one adjusting element able to move in an adjusting direction to compensate for wear. A clearance-producing arrangement includes a gripping element provided on the pressure plate, which, when wear occurs, comes to rest or can be brought to rest against a blocking element, which is fixed or can be fixed in place relative to the housing arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventors: Reinhold Weidinger, Erwin Ziegler, Frank Hirschmann
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Patent number: 6663536Abstract: A control system for variable torque distribution for a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a system for brake control that is possible because of wheel-selective brake intervention wherein a non-variable longitudinal lock with specified torque distribution ratio is provided. If no slip is present, a symmetrical braking intervention is made at the wheels of the axle whose torque transmission percentage will be reduced in comparison to the other axle by changing the torque distribution ratio between the wheels of the rear axle and the wheels of the front axle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Kurt Meier
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Patent number: 6659250Abstract: A method of returning an electromechanical axial setting device, particularly suited for friction couplings. The axial setting device includes two setting rings centered on a common axis, one of which is axially held, with the other one being axially displaceably mounted, and one of which is rotationally fixedly held in a housing so as to be prevented from rotating, with the other one being rotatingly drivable. On their respective end faces facing one another, the two setting rings each include an identical multitude of circumferentially extending grooves. Each of the grooves, in a plan view of the end faces, define a depth which rises in the circumferential direction. Pairs of grooves in the setting rings each accommodate a ball. The rotatingly drivable setting ring is connected to an electric motor in respect of drive. The axially displaceable setting ring is loaded by pressure springs towards the axially held setting ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbHInventors: Frank Nestler, Derek Wilson
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Patent number: 6659253Abstract: A method for operating a clutch (10), whose clutch slip (s) is adjusted to a setpoint value (s0) with the aid of a manipulated variable, should allow a clutch to be controlled in a particularly reliable and stable manner. To this end, the present invention provides for a slip value only being permitted to be a setpoint value (s0), when the derivative of the friction coefficient/slip characteristic at this slip value exceeds a specifiable limiting value. In particular, the setpoint value (s0) is selected as a function of a number of operating parameters, inside a range of permissible setpoint values (s0); the slip value, at which the derivative of the friction coefficient/slip characteristic falls below a specifiable limiting value, being selected as an upper limit (G) of the range of permissible setpoint values (s0).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Peter Dominke, Karl-Heinz Senger, Peter Baeuerle
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Patent number: 6655518Abstract: On a housing for a pressure plate assembly of a friction clutch, at least one mass part is provided, especially a motion stop for a clearance-producing arrangement of the pressure plate assembly provided for detecting wear. An imbalance-compensating formation is provided on the housing, which compensates essentially completely for at least the one imbalance introduced by the at least one motion stop.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventors: Frank Hirschmann, Hubert Tremer
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Patent number: 6651794Abstract: A power combining device is provide for use in a work system to combine mechanical power and hydraulic power. The power combining device includes a first rotatable input/output member connected to a power source, a second rotatable input/output member connected to a working member. A valving plate, a drive sleeve and a camplate are drivingly connected to the first rotatable input/output member. A rotating barrel having a plurality of piston disposed therein to define pressure chambers is drivingly connected to the second rotatable input/output member and operative in cooperation with the valving plate to control pressurized fluid within the pressurized chambers. The subject power combining device is compact and cost effective to produce.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: David P. Smith
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Patent number: 6644454Abstract: An executed time of a backward slipping moderation control is counted by a timer, and after a predetermined period of time is elapsed, the control is terminated. Upon the termination of the control, a control of operation of a brake actuator is executed so that a wheel cylinder pressure is decreased with a gentle slope in comparison with a normal operation of the brake actuator for terminating the control. Where the backward slipping moderation control is executed by controlling a brake fluid pressure of the brake actuator, an acceleration &agr; of a vehicle is estimated. If the acceleration is larger than a predetermined value, a target pressure P is increased, thus generating a relatively large braking force.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushki KaishaInventors: Noritaka Yamada, Akira Nagae, Toshinobu Ota, Yasuhito Ishida
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Patent number: 6644450Abstract: A safety clutch for an electric hand-held tool and including a rotor (8), an anchor disc (9) frictionally engageable with the rotor (8) for transmitting a torque there-between, a stationary axial stop (13) for limiting the air gap (s) between the rotor and the anchor disc and engageable by the anchor disc under an axial reserved pre-stress applied to the anchor disc (g); and a stationary electromagnetic coil (11) provided on a side of the rotor (8) remote from the anchor disc (9) and coaxial with the rotor (8) for generating a rotationally symmetrical magnetic flux (&phgr;) for attracting of the anchor disc (g) to magnetic poles (12a, 12b) associated with the rotor (8).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ferdinand Kristen, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius, Peter Hellmann
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Patent number: 6640950Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission is provided. A command is received to engage a clutch having a chamber. A control valve is opened to allow pressurized fluid to flow from a fluid supply line into the clutch chamber. The pressure of the fluid within the fluid supply line is monitored as fluid flows through the control valve to enter the clutch chamber. A rate of change in the volume of fluid entering the chamber is determined based on the sensed pressure of the fluid within the fluid supply line. A fill point of the clutch chamber is detected when the rate of change in the volume of fluid entering the chamber is less than a volume differential threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith F. Harvey, Javad Hosseini, Ken Liesener, Brad McCunn, Gregory Menke