Patents Examined by Vishal Sahni
  • Patent number: 9784332
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel gas permeable internal floating piston specifically designed for installation in the multiple stage air shock whereby the multiple stage air shock is covered in prior patent applications. The multiple stage air shock includes a mixture of oil and gas whereby the mixture provides the shock with emulsion dampening properties. The gas permeable internal floating piston operates by separating the oil from the gas thereby improving the dampening properties of the shock. The permeability of the internal floating piston is based on a membrane that allows the gas but not the oil to pass through the structure of the internal floating piston. The mechanism of the permeability is governed by the creation of a pressure differential across the structure of the internal floating piston, the creation effected with a spring. The membrane features a slow rate of permeation thereby ensuring that the internal floating piston moves in conjunction with the shaft during the operation of the shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bandy
  • Patent number: 9784329
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a brake drum comprising: a brake drum body, which comprises a mounting portion for connecting a wheel, a braking portion for engagement with a brake shoe, and a transitional connecting portion disposed between the mounting portion and the braking portion; a hoop device is tightly mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the brake portion. The hoop device adopts a plurality of split-type hoop ferrules, or one unibody hollowed-out hoop case. The hoop device tightly mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the brake portion can not only effectively restrain the radial expansion deformation, thereby improving the fatigue resistance of the brake drum body, but also applies a clasp force to the brake drum body, thereby avoiding the danger of burst and flying out of the brake drum body, which greatly improves service life and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SHANDONG HAOXIN MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guangming Pu, Jixian Lv
  • Patent number: 9776603
    Abstract: A brake system includes a brake disc, rotary movable around a disc axis, and a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism includes a brake pad, movable in a first direction, a cylinder having a piston movable in a second direction, a lever rotary movable around a lever axis, the lever being connected to the piston, a cam element, arranged to convert a rotary motion of the lever around the lever axis, into a translation motion in the first direction, and a rod, expanding between the brake pad and the cam element. The lever, the cam element and the rod are housed in a housing. Considering a plane including the disc axis and the first direction, the lever axis is inclined relative to the plane, at an angle different from 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Sébastien Carle, Nicolas Dessaintjean
  • Patent number: 9771987
    Abstract: A disk brake includes a caliper, and a driving unit disposed in a housing attached to the caliper. An attachment portion used to attach the housing to the caliper and a connector used to supply power to the electric motor are protrudingly provided at the housing. The attachment portion is formed in such a manner that a distance between a center of the disk rotor and a portion of the attachment portion located farthest away from the center of the disk rotor in a radial direction is longer than a distance between the center of the disk rotor and a portion of the connector located farthest away from the center of the disk rotor in the radial direction, and a width of the connector in an axial direction of the disk rotor falls within a range of a width of the attachment portion in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Yamasaki, Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9765839
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises an input region to be driven in rotation around an axis of rotation and an output region and a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path, both of which proceed from the input region, and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques conducted via the torque transmission paths, which coupling arrangement communicates with the output region, a phase shifter arrangement for the first torque transmission path for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities conducted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities conducted via the second torque transmission path, and a pendulum mass in the phase shifter arrangement and/or in the coupling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lorenz, Ingrid Hoffelner
  • Patent number: 9758142
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic brake system provided with a high pressure accumulator that reduces a pressure pulsation of brake oil being discharged through operation of a pump. The high pressure accumulator includes a damping member that is provided in a bore communicating with an inlet port and an outlet port of the high pressure accumulator respectively allowing brake oil to be introduced and discharged therethrough, and is provided with a bypass flow passage connecting the inlet port to the outlet port, and a reinforcing member installed at the damping member to improve durability of the damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoon-Ho Doh
  • Patent number: 9759285
    Abstract: A vibration damping device includes a first cylindrical attachment member (11) which is connected to one of a vibration generating portion and a vibration receiving portion, a second attachment member (12) which is connected to the other thereof, an elastic body (13) which connects both attachment members (11 and 12), and a partition member (17) which divides a liquid chamber (14), in which a liquid (L) is sealed and which is positioned within the first attachment member (11), into a primary liquid chamber (15) having the elastic body (13) as a portion of a wall surface, and into a secondary liquid chamber (16). Limiting passages (21 and 22) which communicate with the primary liquid chamber (15) and the secondary liquid chamber (16) are formed in the partition member (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Ueki, Masakazu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9759279
    Abstract: The floating brake drum and hat assembly includes a brake drum (12) having a braking surface (14) and an attachment flange (16), a hat (18) having an outer diameter (20) and a brake drum mounting flange (22) for mounting to the attachment flange (16) of the brake drum, and means for coupling (24) the attachment flange of the brake drum to the brake drum mounting flange of the hat, the means for coupling structured and arranged to allow radial thermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the attachment flange of the brake drum and/or at least a portion of the brake drum mounting flange of the hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: PERFORMANCE FRICTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald L. Burgoon, Darin Cate, Richard Johns, Konan Perez, Mark Wagner
  • Patent number: 9752635
    Abstract: A brake system is disclosed, which comprises a parking brake system and an inboard brake pad. The parking brake system includes a first actuator assembly, a second actuator assembly, a motor, and a clutch. The clutch selectively communicates power from the motor to the first actuator assembly so that a first end of the inboard brake pad is moved relative to a brake rotor. The clutch selectively communicates the power from the motor to the second actuator assembly so that a second end of the inboard brake pad is moved relative to the brake rotor. The clutch selectively communicates the power from the motor to both the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly so that both the first and the second ends of the inboard brake pad are moved relative to the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Aurelian Bahmata, Galus Chelaidite
  • Patent number: 9744954
    Abstract: A brake actuation system of a hydraulic brake system, for actuating at least one front axle brake circuit having at least one front wheel brake, and for actuating at least one rear axle brake circuit having at least one rear wheel brake, the brake actuation system including at least one hand brake module which, when actuated, can activate both brake circuits. In order to provide an improved brake actuation system with a plurality of actuation capabilities, which system can also be utilized in light motorcycles and scooters without the restrictions of existing brake actuation systems, while simultaneously offering a simple concept and a reduced cost and weight, the hand brake module is hydraulically coupled into a combined hand brake module, the combined hand brake module being designed to simultaneously generate brake pressure in both brake circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves Ag & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Beer, Bianca Stauzebach, Patrick Schlitt, Johannes Both
  • Patent number: 9739330
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube which defines a fluid chamber, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly is disposed within the fluid chamber and divides the fluid chamber into upper and lower working chambers. A reserve tube surrounds the pressure tube to define a reservoir chamber between the reserve tube and the pressure tube. The pressure tube is disposed between a rod guide assembly and a lower mount. A structural integrity of the pressure tube is greater than a structural integrity of the reserve tube, and the pressure tube further operates as a principal load bearing component for the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Koenraad Reybrouck, Thomas P. Mallin, Piotr Grzanka, Jacek Cylok, Frederik Balcaen
  • Patent number: 9739331
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Becker
  • Patent number: 9738131
    Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keeler, Jeff R. Zawacki, Andrew J. Westnedge, Jason M. Ramus, Jacob Andreasen, Nicholas J. Giamati
  • Patent number: 9739332
    Abstract: A damping force controlling shock absorber includes: retainers respectively connected to top and bottom surfaces of the piston, a connection passage communicating with a main passage being formed to vertically penetrate the retainers; housings respectively disposed on corresponding opposite surfaces of the retainers to form pilot chambers on mutual corresponding surfaces of the housings, a pilot passage being formed to vertically penetrate the housings so as to communicate the pilot chambers with the outside; pilot valves that are in close contact with the connection passage between the retainers and the housings to generate a main damping force; and a spool guide that penetrate and connects to the retainers, the housings, and the pilot valves and guides the spool in a state of surrounding the outside of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eun Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 9739324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake lining assembly, particularly for drum brakes, comprising a brake shoe having an outer contour, a brake lining having an inner contour, and an intermediate layer having an outer contact region and an inner contact region. The intermediate layer is arranged between the brake shoe and the brake lining, and the intermediate layer is formed, as viewed radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake shoe, in such a manner that the inner contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the outer contour of the brake shoe in a circumferential direction of the brake shoe. The outer contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the inner contour of the brake lining along the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Drewes, Kai Kühr
  • Patent number: 9739329
    Abstract: A lockable piston-cylinder unit having a cylinder that is closed at both ends and filled with pressurized fluid and in which a piston that is sealed relative to the inner wall of the cylinder is displaceably guided. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod is arranged at the piston and is guided out of the cylinder 1 through one of the working chambers and through a guiding and sealing unit which closes the one end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Pooschen
  • Patent number: 9732823
    Abstract: An electromagnetic damper is attached to a vehicle and causes oscillation damping force using a motor driven with energy from a power source. The electromagnetic damper includes an electrical circuit that causes a coil of the motor to be short-circuited in a state where the energy from the power source to the motor is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takafumi Kato
  • Patent number: 9726247
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressing cable dynamics in a device towed in water. The apparatus includes at least one section for suppression of motion, wherein the at least one section includes an axial motion suppression section; and the axial motion suppression section comprising equipment for the attenuation of axial vibrations in an electro-mechanical cable. The equipment is configured to produce a digressive stiffness curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SERCEL, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Cerniway, Phillip West, Michael Maples
  • Patent number: 9725131
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake rotor basically has a base rotor plate and a first thermally sprayed layer. The base rotor plate includes an outer portion having first and second base surfaces facing in opposite axial directions. The first thermally sprayed layer is laminated on the first base surface of the outer portion of the base rotor plate to form a first outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
  • Patent number: 9726254
    Abstract: A tuned mass vibration damper included at least one damper mass and at least one guide component part to movably guide the at least one damper mass. The damper mass has a retaining component part which is at least partially arranged in a receiving recess of the damper mass. The retaining component part has at least one retaining structure and the at least one guide component part has at least one mating retaining structure to limit a movement of the at least one damper mass relative to the at least one guide component part in that the retaining structure and the mating retaining structure come in contact with one another. The at least one damper mass drives the retaining component part during a movement of the damper mass along a circumferential direction and to allow a relative movement of the retaining component part (350) with respect to the damper mass which results in a change in a radial distance of the retaining structure from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kyrill Siemens, Michael Wirachowski