Patents Examined by James Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9108602
    Abstract: A system and procedures for setting a parking brake for an aircraft having an electric brake system are disclosed. Electric activation of a parking brake as described herein mimics the sequence of events that is performed to engage the parking brake of legacy hydraulic brake systems. The electric activation process obtains brake pedal deflection data and parking brake lever status data, and determines whether to set the parking brake mechanism based upon the received data. Once the electric brake actuators are set, the electric brake system engages a friction brake to hold the brake actuators in place without having to physically lock or latch the brake pedals in a depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: T. Todd Griffith, Neil T. Rapues, Tanong Nalamliang, Mark R. McConoughey
  • Patent number: 9103394
    Abstract: A brake drum is disclosed which is configured for providing an external visual indication of braking surface diameter safe operating limits while installed on a vehicle and includes one or more indentations in its outer surface overlaying the area defined by the interior braking surface where the depth of an indentation is at least co-level with a prescribed safe operating diameter of the braking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WEBB WHEEL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Byron E. Cornett
  • Patent number: 9103401
    Abstract: A damper includes a piston rod, a damping piston, at least one cylinder containing a damping liquid, a fixed partition member for partitioning the interior of the damper into two liquid chambers, a pressure source, and a valve in communication with the pressure source which reacts as a function of the pressure. The valve can also be in communication with additional forces, such as mechanical spring forces, which can be adjustable. The valve can include a pressure intensifier. The valve generates fluid flow resistance during flow of liquid in a first direction through the partition member. The fluid flow resistance in the first direction varies according to the amount of force communicated to the valve by the pressure source and any additional forces. The partition member can include means for providing low-resistance return flow of liquid in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fox
  • Patent number: 9079762
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device includes a frame, a moveable member movably connected to the frame such that the moveable member is capable of movement relative to the frame and drive system for use in moving the moveable member relative to the frame. A braking system is provided that inhibits movement of the moveable member relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Weir, Robert J. Dunki-Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9074653
    Abstract: A vehicle engine mount system comprises a housing and an inertia track assembly that forms a first fluid chamber with an upper compliant member and a second fluid chamber with the second end of the housing. The inertia track assembly has first and second passageways therethrough for conducting fluid between the first and second fluid chambers. The first passageway has a substantially greater flow resistance than the second. First and second switches are coupled to the first and second passageways, respectively, for selectively enabling the first and second switches to control fluid displacement between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Gannon, Derek K. Hogland, Sam M. Jomaa, Dennis J. Kinchen, Ping Lee, Kenneth L. Oblizajek, David J. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 9068610
    Abstract: A brake caliper assembly having a spacer tape and a method of manufacture. The brake caliper assembly may include a carrier, a housing assembly disposed on the carrier, and a spacer tape. The spacer tape may engage the carrier and the housing assembly. The spacer tape may have a perforation that severs to permit movement of the housing assembly with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Philpott
  • Patent number: 9068579
    Abstract: A rear brake system has a rod extending from a master cylinder that inputs the operational force of a brake pedal to the master cylinder, a coil spring coaxially arranged with the rod and providing reaction force to return the brake pedal to the state before operating the brake pedal, a reaction adjustment mechanism provided on the rod and configured so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rod. According to the position of the reaction adjustment mechanism in the axial direction of the rod, shrinkage of the coil spring in the axial direction of the rod can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Yoshizawa, Yohei Makuta
  • Patent number: 9061667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic piston pump, particularly for a slip-controllable vehicle braking system. A piston pump according to the invention includes a hydraulically permanently permeable stopper, the throughflow of which is carried out as a function of the pressure in an outflow channel of the piston pump. A pressure medium flow only takes place if the pressure level in the outflow channel has exceeded a threshold value. The latter takes place, for example, if the kinematic viscosity of the flowing pressure medium decreases due to low ambient temperatures, or if a throughflow of the outflow channel is obstructed. By means of the proposed solution, excess pressure increases in the interior of the piston pump can be avoided, and the resulting loads for the pressurized pump components and the drive can be reduced. Otherwise, the operating behavior of the piston pump according to the invention corresponds to that of a known piston pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schuller, Juergen Reiner
  • Patent number: 9062734
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first and a second passage configured to flow a working fluid out of one chamber by movement of a piston, a first damping force generation mechanism installed at the first passage and configured to generate a damping force, a housing having at least a partial passage of the second passage formed therein, a free piston movably installed in the housing and configured to partition the second passage into an upstream side and a downstream side, and a spring member disposed in the housing and configured to hole the free piston at a neutral position, wherein a second damping force generation mechanism including a friction member installed at an inner side of the cylinder with respect to the sealing member and constituted by an annular elastic rubber section in sliding contact with the piston rod and an annular base section to which the elastic rubber section is fixed and a communication passage configured to reduce a pressure difference between both sides in an axial direction of the fri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio Yamashita, Atsushi Maeda
  • Patent number: 9051632
    Abstract: A brake is disclosed which includes a disc plate is made of a first material, and an insert aperture is formed through the central portion of the disc plate. Coupling depressions are formed around the inner edge of the insert aperture, and a rivet aperture is formed in each of protrusion portions provided between the coupling depressions. A hat part is made of a second material and is inserted into the insert aperture. Coupling protrusions are provided around the outer edge of the hat part. A rivet aperture is formed in each of the coupling protrusions. Straps are disposed such that each strap passes over both the corresponding rivet aperture of the disc plate and the corresponding rivet aperture of the hat part. The rivets are inserted into the corresponding straps and the corresponding rivet apertures to fix the straps, the disc plate and the hat part together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yoon Cheol Kim, Jae Young Lee, Seong Jin Kim, Jai Min Han
  • Patent number: 9050957
    Abstract: The operation of an air compressor is controlled to control engine performance to thereby improve the performance of the vehicle. A compressor (4) driven by an engine (3) of a vehicle and supplying compressed air to loads (51-54) is controlled by an ECU (2). A loaded state and an unloaded state of the compressor (4) are switched between each other according to the requirements from the loads (51-54). When the vehicle requires braking force, the compressor (4) is set to the loaded state irrespective of the requirements from the loads (51-54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Nabtesco Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Minato, Hiroki Hasebe
  • Patent number: 9046147
    Abstract: In a liquid-filled vibration isolating device according to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one of a membrane support (11) and a membrane retainer (12) has a through hole (14) partitioned into a plurality of windows by one or more beams (15) each having a curved or deflected shape in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of a partition member (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 9039102
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful emergency braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A system is disclosed that allows emergency braking without the need for a manually operated emergency brake. For example, a system is provided comprising a potentiometer in mechanical communication with a brake pedal, a first electronic switch in electrical communication with the potentiometer, a second electronic switch indicating a displacement of the brake pedal, wherein a brake control valve opens in response to the first electronic switch, and wherein a shutoff valve opens in response to the second electronic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric D. Cahill, Paul R. Burte
  • Patent number: 9038997
    Abstract: An example mount assembly includes a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element and a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Michael Bradshaw, Chris Dowson
  • Patent number: 9027717
    Abstract: A cam assisted centrifugal brake or clutch system provides increased mechanical advantage to improve the output torque relative to prior art devices such as leading brake shoes. The brake or clutch engagement is cammed radially outwardly to engage a brake housing in one direction and guided to a disengaged position in the other direction. Centrifugal forces retain the brake in the disengaged position. Embodiments of the present invention are applied as a backspin braking system that is incorporated into a drive head for a progressing cavity pump drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oil Lift Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Vern A Hult
  • Patent number: 9022188
    Abstract: A dust seal structure for a shock absorber includes a cylindrical base shell, in which a piston valve and a piston rod are embedded, a cap member covering one end of the base shell, an oil seal sealing the base shell, and a dust sealing member blocking dusts from being introduced at one side of the oil seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Yoon Hyun Lee, Ki Haeng Cho
  • Patent number: 9010741
    Abstract: The suspension bump stop device comprises a rolling bearing (44) that forms an axial bump stop, equipped with an upper ring (46), with a lower ring (48) and with a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the rings, the upper and lower rings being supported respectively by an upper cup (40) and a lower cup (42), the lower cup forming a bearing means for a suspension spring (18), at least one sealing lip being provided on one of the cups so that it bears against a bearing surface portion of the other cup. The bearing surface portion is substantially cylindrical, the sealing lip being directed downwards away from the rolling bearing and bearing with radial interference against the said surface portion, the said substantially cylindrical surface portion being connected towards the top to a shoulder against which the lip can bear if the two cups become radially eccentric relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Yves-André Liverato, Cédric Brulard, Guy Heck
  • Patent number: 9004616
    Abstract: A brake control system for motor vehicles includes a stability system for stabilizing the vehicle from the standpoint of driving dynamics during braking, a triggering unit for the automatic output of a braking demand as a function of the traffic situation, a braking unit which converts the braking demand into a braking action, and a control unit for modifying the braking demand prior to its implementation as a function of the state of the stability system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Heinebrodt, Martin Randler
  • Patent number: 8997945
    Abstract: This invention relates to a brake caliper adapted for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly and method and apparatus for producing the same. The method for producing the brake caliper comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mold member having at least two mold sections; (b) providing a core member having at least a first male extension which is adapted to form an integrally cast locating recess in the brake caliper which is used as a locating surface for subsequent machining of the brake caliper; (c) disposing the core member in the mold member in a predetermined position; (d) supplying a suitable material to the mold member so as to form a brake caliper within the mold; (e) removing the brake caliper from the mold, wherein the brake caliper includes an integrally cast locating recess formed therein by the first male extension of the core member; and (f) machining the brake caliper using at least the integrally cast locating recess formed therein as a locating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Morais, Harry Miller
  • Patent number: 8991558
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lubrication system having a reservoir having a body. A follower is moveably disposed in the body. The system further comprises an alarm system having an electrical switch operably associated with the follower. The alarm generates a signal when the follower is at a predetermined location in the body. The alarm system may generate a signal when the follower is at a lower location in the body such as when the reservoir has an amount of lubricant representing a predetermined amount of usage time remaining. The alarm system may also generate a signal when the follower is at an upper location in the body such as when the reservoir is filled with lubricant wherein the signal acts to automatically interrupt the fill of lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Metco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Murphy, Sr.