Miscellaneous Patents (Class 188/382)
  • Patent number: 11479249
    Abstract: The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11400900
    Abstract: An aircraft or other vehicle includes a system and method for selectively allocating which friction brakes of a plurality of friction brakes are utilized in response to a braking demand. Said differently, the present disclosure provides a system and method that includes dynamically switching which friction brakes of a plurality of friction brakes are active (e.g., in use) at a given time in response to a braking demand. This dynamic switching may not only be based on the received braking demand (e.g., from a pilot or auto-braking module), but may also be based on one or more of the following: respective measured brake parameters of the plurality of friction brakes (e.g., temperature, extent-of-wear), aircraft parameters, external parameters, and respective calculated brake conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael J. Menke
  • Patent number: 10286554
    Abstract: This electric apparatus mounting device includes: a robot side contact jig which is provided to an end effector mounted to an arm of a robot and which has a robot side contact; and an electric apparatus side contact jig which is detachably provided to an electric apparatus and which has an electric apparatus side contact electrically connected with the electric apparatus. The robot side contact jig and the electric apparatus side contact jig are configured such that the robot side contact and the electric apparatus side contact are in a connection state in a state that the electric apparatus is held by the end effector. Thus, a work for conveying and mounting an electric apparatus such as a motor to a given position using a robot can be performed without hindrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideshi Yamane, Jun Takebayashi, Shuhei Kuraoka, Hiroyuki Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 9845148
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear longitudinal force control system for an aircraft having landing gears with braking and/or driving wheel(s). The system includes an error-based force controller having feedback for minimising any error between the demanded force and the actual force achieved by the force control system. The feedback may be derived from force sensors on the landing gear for direct measurement of the landing gear longitudinal force. The force control system may include an aircraft level landing gear total force controller and/or a landing gear level force controller for each actuated landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: Airbus Operations Limited, Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gama-Valdez, Louis-Emmanuel Romana, Andrea Damiani
  • Patent number: 9604719
    Abstract: A device for lateral control of an aircraft includes a calculating unit for automatically applying, if conditions for turning of the aircraft are met, a symmetrical braking value at a brake assembly. Subsequently, in the course of the turn, the device automatically distributes this symmetrical braking value in differential braking between a braking device of the left main landing gear and a braking device of the right main landing gear of the aircraft. Distribution of the symmetrical breaking is performed as a function of current directional command orders in such a way as to maintain a constant overall braking level for, at least for directional command orders below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Matthieu Mayolle, Caroline Acanfora, Louis-Emmanuel Romana, Julien Fontan
  • Patent number: 9551393
    Abstract: A rotorcraft vibration isolation system includes a plurality of liquid inertia vibration elimination (LIVE) units mounted on a first rotorcraft surface, an accumulator mounted on a second rotorcraft surface at a location that is remote from locations of the plurality of LIVE units, and a fluid passage to connect the accumulator to the plurality of LIVE units in parallel. The fluid passage has sufficient length to traverse between the location of the accumulator and each location of each LIVE unit. During rotorcraft operation, the second rotorcraft surface experiences lesser periodic vibration than the first rotorcraft surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Frank Bradley Stamps, Taeoh Lee, David E. Heverly, II
  • Patent number: 9365294
    Abstract: A mount system for supporting a transmission in an aircraft can include a first link coupled between a structure of the aircraft and the transmission, the first link having a first axis; a second link coupled between the structure of the aircraft and the transmission, the second link having second axis; a third link coupled between the structure of the aircraft and the transmission, the third link having a third axis; and a fourth link coupled between the structure of the aircraft and the transmission, the fourth link having fourth axis. A forward focal point of the first axis and the second axis has a different waterline component compared to an aft focal point of the third axis and the fourth axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice D. Griffin, Matthew W. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 9327823
    Abstract: A device for reducing structural vibrations of airfoils in an aircraft comprises, in the region of the airfoil tips, at least one force generator acting substantially in the direction of movement of the vibrations. This arrangement has the advantage that such a force generator is considerably less susceptible to wear than conventional aerodynamic flaps and therefore effective vibration damping is possible with a reduced outlay on maintenance and greater efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Storm, Rudolf Maier, Andreas Wildschek
  • Patent number: 9316283
    Abstract: An active vibration damper has a damping device arranged on a vibration-susceptible mechanical structure. A force can be injected directly into the vibration-susceptible mechanical structure with the damping device. A damping force which damps a vibration of the mechanical structure is determined by a control device of the active vibration damper with reference to an absolute movement of the mechanical structure in space. A damping drive of the damping device which is arranged on the mechanical structure is activated by the control device in accordance with the determined damping force such that the determined damping force is injected into the mechanical structure with the damping drive. The control device determines the damping force such that the damping force is proportional at all times to the instantaneous velocity of the mechanical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Uwe Ladra, Elmar Schäfers, Torsten Schür
  • Patent number: 9254914
    Abstract: A restraint system for a transmission in an aircraft can include a first strut having a first fluid chamber, a first piston resiliently coupled to a first housing with a first elastomeric member. The restraint system can include a second strut having second fluid chamber, a second piston resiliently coupled to a second housing with a second elastomeric member. The restraint system can include a fluid line between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The first strut and the second strut collectively provide not only torque restraint, but also torque measurement and fore/aft vibration isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Hendricks, Maurice D. Griffin, Michael R. Smith, Taeoh Lee
  • Patent number: 9169025
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing ice, snow, slush, and frozen contaminants from landing gear, wheel wells, and associated structures while an aircraft is in flight and preventing the accumulation of frozen contaminants during flight in an aircraft equipped with onboard drive means powered to drive at least one landing gear wheel and selectively controllable to move the aircraft on the ground during taxi in winter and other weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventor: Isaiah W. Cox
  • Patent number: 9086112
    Abstract: A platform that includes a vibration sensor located within an inner core of a table. The table may have a first plate that supports a vibration-sensitive payload. The first plate may be separated from a second plate by the inner core. The sensor can be located within the core directly below the device. The sensor can be connected to an electrical connector attached to an external surface of the table. A monitor can be readily plugged into the electrical connector to obtain vibration data from the sensor. The platform may also include a damper located within the inner core to reduce vibration of the table. The damper may be an active device that is connected to control circuits located within, or outside, the inner core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Vyacheslav M. Ryaboy, Warren Booth
  • Publication number: 20140305758
    Abstract: Provided is a chamber case of a brake chamber of a vehicle, which may reduce the weight of a vehicle by applying a plastic resin-based material to the chamber case and also enhance rigidity and durability of the chamber case by forming a reinforcement rib at the chamber case and adjusting a thickness of the chamber case to reinforce weak portions of the chamber case. The chamber case of a brake chamber of a vehicle is configured to surround a power spring and a piston, and a top portion of the chamber case is formed to have a relatively greater thickness than a side portion thereof to reinforce the strength of the chamber case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: G&P AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Han Joo Park
  • Publication number: 20140259470
    Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush is provided with vibration-isolating zones that substantially isolate vibrations in the head and reduce vibrations transmitted to the handle without sacrificing structural integrity around the vibration-isolation zones. Such zones may generally comprise neck material that is reduced in cross-section, thinned, replaced by dampening material, or removed altogether to create transmission-inhibiting voids. The vibration-isolating zones may be further supported by the housing of the vibratory element to maintain the structural integrity around the zones and to thereby alleviating weakness conditions that might subject the toothbrush to fatigue and breakage conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventor: Alan Vincent Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 8584989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing movement of an aircraft on the ground, the aircraft including at least one left main undercarriage and at least one right main undercarriage, each comprising wheels associated with torque application members for applying torque to the wheels in response to a general setpoint, the general setpoint comprising a longitudinal acceleration setpoint and an angular speed setpoint, the method including the successive steps of braking down the general setpoint into general torque setpoints for generating by the torque application members associated with each of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventors: David Lemay, David Frank, Michel Basset, Yann Chamaillard
  • Patent number: 8548720
    Abstract: A system and method for aircraft taxi gate selection based on passenger connecting flight information. In one embodiment, a communication link is established between an aircraft computing system and a ground station system via a communication network provided by the ground station system. Further, aircraft taxi gate selection information and the passenger connecting flight information are substantially simultaneously displayed on a display device to a pilot upon establishing the communication link. Furthermore, the pilot is allowed to select an aircraft taxi gate based on the displayed aircraft taxi gate selection information and passenger connecting flight information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Arbus Engineering Centre India
    Inventor: Vijay Shukla
  • Patent number: 8453811
    Abstract: A spherical braking system mounted on a drive shaft of a vehicle comprising a brake sphere pad positioned just above and below a brake sphere and resting on an at least one segment of a brake housing wherein, the brake housing includes a top segment and bottom segment coupled to mounting dogs by using screws. A hydraulic cap installed on a threaded portion of a hydraulic shaft which is encircled by bushing and coupled near a brake sphere. A plurality of hydraulic lines connected from at least one hydraulic splitter are coupled to the hydraulic cap. When the driver depresses the brake pedal, pistons are forced into fluid chambers in the master cylinder. The resulting hydraulic pressure is transmitted through the hydraulic splitter and hydraulic lines to hydraulic caps which results the vertical movement of the brake pads causes a braking torque to be generated, slowing the rotation of the drive shaft and driven shaft simultaneously, which therefore decreases the speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Lewis Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130094929
    Abstract: A braking apparatus is described which is used to control the motion of a sliding platform of a pickup truck in order that the sliding platform may be stopped anywhere along its travel for convenience. The sliding platform is used to load and unload freight from the pickup truck when in an extended position at the rear of the truck. When the truck is parked on ground which is uneven the sliding platform is provided with energy which must be dissipated when it is moved from one position to another. When the usual braking device is released (usually a pin located appropriately in the tracks of the platform members) the sliding platform is in a “runaway” condition. The brake described here is capable of preventing this condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Jason A. Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20130075210
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptive spring, damping or hinge system having functional characteristics that are adaptable to various operating conditions, with provision being made for at least one adaptive spring system or a damping or hinge system formed of shape memory material to be activatable in such a manner that by subjecting it to heating or to an annealing treatment, the spring, damping or hinge characteristics may be modified in operation condition, and/or that at least one variable actuator element formed of a shape memory material is provided and is capable of changing the spring, damping or hinge characteristics of the adaptive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Sven Langbein, Alexander Czechowicz
  • Patent number: 8292045
    Abstract: In a brake system for a motorcycle in which a pressure-regulating unit is interposed between a wheel brake and fluid pressure generating unit capable of generating a fluid pressure independently of an operation of a brake operating element is controlled by a control unit based on a value detected by an operating amount detector which detects an operating amount of the brake operating element. To prevent adverse influences of not only vibrations from an engine, but also heat from the engine, from being exerted on the pressure-regulating unit, such is floatingly supported by a support supported on a body frame of the motorcycle through an elastic case covering the pressure-regulating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tahara, Masatsugu Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100258397
    Abstract: A rotational resistance applying device in which a hollow roller is provided between a first surface of a clamp piston (pressing member) and a second surface of a sliding disc (a press member), and in which a pressing force applied to the clamp piston acts upon the sliding disc through the hollow roller that press-contacts the first and second surfaces by displacement of the clamp piston. By this, rolling resistance of the hollow roller resiliently deformed by the pressing force causes a rotational resistance to be applied to a main shaft within a range allowing rotation. This makes it possible to prevent pulsation from being generated in the rotation of the main shaft. In addition, even if the pressing force is applied to the clamp piston, the hollow roller rolls, so that wear of the clamp piston and wear of the sliding disc can be restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tatsuda
  • Publication number: 20100116189
    Abstract: A sailboat includes a canting ballast system configured to rotate with respect to a hull. The sailboat includes the hull having a port side and a starboard side, and an external surface. An arcuate member is coupled to the starboard and port sides extending above the hull. The canting ballast system includes at least one rotatable member coupled to the external surface and to the arcuate member. The system further includes a first strut having a first end and a second end, and a second strut having a first end and a second end wherein the first ends are coupled to the rotatable member. The system also includes at least one ballast. The second ends are coupled to the ballast such that an angle is defined between the first and second struts. The sailboat also includes a drive system coupled to the canting ballast system wherein the at least one drive system is configured to rotate the canting ballast system with respect to the hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Christian H. JENSEN
  • Patent number: 7475762
    Abstract: A steel member (10) having wear and corrosion resistance through a combination of coatings is disclosed, the steel member (10) being a hardened and tempered steel member having a high tensile strength, at least one selected portion (18) of the steel member (10) coated by thermal spraying with a tungsten carbide-cobalt composition (22) to provide wear and corrosion resistance, the tungsten carbide-cobalt composition (22) being approximately 78-90% tungsten carbide and approximately 10-19% cobalt, and a sacrificial ceramic-metallic coating (24) on the steel member (10) to provide corrosion resistance for the steel member (10). A method of coating a steel member (10) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Kaczynski, Jimmy C. Chan, Martin S. Day
  • Patent number: 7407045
    Abstract: A wheel bearing having fixed part accommodating the brake caliper. The fixed part of the wheel bearing is connected to the wheel carrier by connecting elements. At least one projection is integrated with the fixed part, the wheel carrier or the connecting element. The projection transmits to the wheel carrier at least the torque acting in the fixed part during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Fag Kugelfischer AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Hofmann, Jens Heim, Peter Niebling, Horst Masuch
  • Publication number: 20080006498
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, with a flywheel (18) which rotates counter to the direction of rotation of an associated vehicle wheel (10). The flywheel (18) produces a gyroscopic force which is counter the gyroscopic force produced by the rotating wheel (10) and thus reduces or cancels the gyroscopic force of the wheel (10). This can assist changes in tilting of the vehicle and thus in cornering. In the preferred embodiment, the flywheel (18) is a vehicle disc brake (18), which is preferably driven by a planetary gear assembly (54, 60, 62).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: H-Technologie Limited
    Inventor: Gregory C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7131517
    Abstract: A bi-directional safety mechanism used in an elevator safety device and which produces a gradual catch on a guide rail. The bi-directional safety device has a roller and two hinged rectangular frames, each having a friction element. One hinged rectangular frame is disposed above the roller and the other hinged rectangular frame is disposed below the roller with both hinged rectangular frames on the same side of the guide rail. In addition, a set of fixed brakes are disposed on the other side of the guide rail and opposite to the hinged rectangular frames, preventing this system from marking the guide rail during the braking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dynatech Dynamics & Technology, S.L.
    Inventor: Francisco de Asis Mateo Mur
  • Patent number: 7070031
    Abstract: An improved crash attenuator that uses a cable and shock arresting cylinder arrangement to control the rate at which a vehicle impacting the crash attenuator is decelerated to a safe stop is disclosed. The crash attenuator is comprised of a front section and a plurality of mobile sections with overlapping angular corrugated side panels. When the crash attenuator is impacted by a vehicle, the front section and mobile sections telescope down in response, and thus, are effectively longitudinally collapsed. For this purpose, the sections are slidably mounted on at least one guiderail that is attached to the ground. Positioned preferably between two guiderails is the cable and cylinder arrangement that exerts a force on the front section to resist the backward movement of the front section when struck by an impacting vehicle using a varying restraining force to control the rate at which an impacting vehicle is decelerated to safely stop the vehicle. The side panels can also be used in a guardrail configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: SCI Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Smith, Randy L Warner, Kelly R. Strong
  • Patent number: 6907970
    Abstract: In an abnormality detecting device and method for a vehicular hydraulic pressure control circuit, which determines an abnormality that has occurred in a hydraulic pressure control circuit including an electromagnetic control valve which generates hydraulic pressure corresponding to a signal supplied from an electronic control unit, and a hydraulic switch which is turned ON when the hydraulic pressure generated by the electromagnetic control valve is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, a power supply of the electronic control unit is kept ON for a predetermined time after an ignition switch is turned from ON to OFF, and an abnormality that has occurred in the hydraulic pressure control circuit is detected within the predetermined time. Thus, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality that has occurred in the vehicular hydraulic pressure control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Sugimura
  • Publication number: 20040108178
    Abstract: A cover for a vehicle parking brake control valve button including an elastomeric body and a plurality of elastic ridges. The body of the cover includes a rim and a recess designed to fit the contour of the control valve button. The ridges are designed to provide enough rigidity to support pressure applied thereto, and enough elasticity to absorb energy created by the actuation of the button. The absorption of the energy dampens the stinging sensation typically felt by the operator when actuating the parking brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: John J. Kemer, Andrew Marsh
  • Patent number: 6691836
    Abstract: A brake auxiliary device is proposed, including a resilient mechanism having an upper support member mounted on a bottom surface of a vehicle, and a lower support member properly spaced apart from the upper support member at a position above a wheel shaft of the vehicle; a transmission mechanism positioned between the upper and lower support members of the resilient mechanism, and rotatably abutting against the lower support member; and a drive mechanism coupled to the transmission mechanism, for outputting power to operationally drive the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is adapted to operate to induce displacement of the lower support member with respect to the upper support member, and to generate up and down movement for the vehicle, so as to raise vertical upright pressure applied from wheels of the vehicle to the ground, and thereby increase friction between the wheels and the ground in favor of braking implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Chiang-Shui Su
  • Patent number: 6655504
    Abstract: A braking unit is provided. In one embodiment, the braking unit comprises a base member, a guide member, a flexible rod, an actuator adapted to induce deformation of the rod, and a brake pad. One end of the flexible rod is fixedly attached to the base member while another end is slideably disposed within a passageway defined by the guide member. The brake pad is positioned adjacent the flexible rod such that deformation of the rod causes lateral movement of the brake pad. The braking unit can be incorporated into disc and drum-type braking assemblies and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Zachary Glovatsky, Robert Edward Belke, Jay DeAvis Baker, Joseph Mario Giachino, Lakhi Nandlal Goenka, Myron Lemecha
  • Publication number: 20030192758
    Abstract: It is constructed so as to detect a joint movement position of a robot arm by a position detector and a joint movement speed is calculated from change amounts of the joint movement position and elapsed time and is compared with an allowable movement speed and unlocking and locking of a brake are controlled so that the joint movement speed of an arm at the time of brake unlocking becomes within a constant value even when a shape, an attitude and a load condition of the robot arm vary. Therefore, movement work of the arm by the brake unlocking can be performed alone and a robot with high safety can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Kenji Murata
  • Publication number: 20020074195
    Abstract: In a kitchen appliance (1) having firstly a container (3) and having secondly a cover (11) for the container (3) and having thirdly a tool drive means (10) which is accommodated in the container (3) and which is rotatably supported in the container (3) with the aid of bearing means (9, 21) which allow a pivotal movement, which tool drive means is passed through an opening (15) in the cover (11) and is disposed in the opening (15) so as to be clear of the cover (11) in order to allow a pivotal movement of the tool drive means (10), and having fourthly a drive arrangement (28) placed on the cover (11) coupled to the tool drive means (10) so as to be in driving engagement therewith, the tool drive means (10) is, in the fifth place, provided with a brake means (30), whose braking function is disabled when the drive arrangement (28) is coupled to the tool drive means (10) and which in response to a disengagement of the drive arrangement (28) from the tool drive means (10) performs its braking function as a result
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Heimo Obersteiner
  • Patent number: 6401881
    Abstract: A double action brake shoe comprising a shoe, a lining and an oscillator material as main components which function respectively as a reinforcing body of the brake shoe, a brake material and as a generator of certain vibration frequency when the shoe is applied to a hub. The lining is attached on the surface of the brake shoe and oscillator material is inserted between the shoe and the lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Heru Prasanta Wijaya
  • Patent number: 6378669
    Abstract: A vehicular brake apparatus includes a disc brake mechanism that brakes rotation of a wheel by pressing a friction member against a brake disc. The vehicular brake apparatus has a wall thickness detector that detects a state of wall thickness of the brake disc, and a controller that controls a state of contact between the brake disc and the friction member. Based on the state of wall thickness of the brake disc detected by the wall thickness detector, the controller controls the state of contact between the brake disc and the friction member so that the friction member contacts a relatively great wall thickness portion of the brake disc more strongly than the friction member contacts a relatively small wall thickness portion of the brake disc. The brake apparatus is able to eliminate the wall thickness variation of the brake disc or suppress occurrence of a wall thickness variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Kurasako, Masayuki Soga
  • Patent number: 6328142
    Abstract: An eddy-current apparatus including a movable magnet support tube (25) disposed internally of a brake drum (8), and supporting an array of magnets (15) operable to generate a braking force in the brake drum (8). An outer guide tube (22) covers the magnet support tube (25) and consists of alternating magnetic first sections (41) and non-magnetic or weak magnetic second sections (41a). The outer guide tube (22) is formed of magnetic stainless steel, and the second sections (41a) are formed by being rapidly cooled from a high temperature state (partial solution state) into a non-magnetic or weak magnetic austenite phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 6178369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a control system for generating defined actuating forces in a brake which is electrically operable by way of an actuator, wherein there is a first static relation between the brake's actuating travel and the actuating force. The process and the control system permit determining the actuating forces which develop during operation without additional sensors. To achieve this object, according to the present invention, a second relation which corresponds to the operation of the brake is determined from the first relation and an information which represents the variations of the first relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: J{umlaut over (u)}rgen Böhm
  • Patent number: 6155390
    Abstract: An incremental braking method and system in which a braked member which is in motion, e.g., a brake drum, is engaged by a series of flexible stops on a braking member, e.g., a brake shoe, to brake the braked member. A rigid stop on the braked member sweeps past the flexible stops on the braking member to cause vibrations. The vibrations are damped as the flexible stops engage the braked member, thereby inhibiting the motion of the braked member. The flexible stops are of unequal lengths and are provided on springs which allow them to retract into the braking member. In this way, the stops incrementally engage the braked member for smoother and more efficient braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Russell Ozechowski
    Inventor: Russell Ozechowski
  • Patent number: 6006874
    Abstract: A mechanical stop for a moving body that minimizes bounce of the moving body after the body has hit the stop. The mechanical stop includes a flat plate having a plurality of generally triangular sectors defined by radial slits. The slits or triangular sectors prevent excessively large diaphragm stresses in the material of the plate and also reflect the flexural waves in the plate in such a way that the waves have difficulty returning to the contact area where the moving body has hit the stop and are maximally dissipated by internal friction of the plate. The mechanical stop may include a lever between the moving body and the flat plate to change the effective mass of the moving body, a spring to mediate the impact of the moving body, a relatively rigid support for the lever to minimize moments produced in a base for the flat plate, and straight line plate supports for some or all of the sectors of the flat plate to provide desirable reflections for the flexural waves in the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5931269
    Abstract: A drive key (10) for an aircraft wheel comprises a hardened and tempered steel member (10) having improved wear and corrosion resistance. The steel member (10) is coated selectively with a tungsten carbide-cobalt coating (22) to provide wear resistance at side portions (18) where the drive key (10) is engaged by portions of an aircraft brake, and the entire steel member (10) including the tungsten carbide-cobalt coating can be plated with electroless nickel to provide improved corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Detwiler, Frederick D. McGuire, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5845975
    Abstract: In an aircraft braking system comprising a plurality of carbon brakes a brake control system is provided whereby the number and/or proportion of brakes that may be disabled at each stage of a flight spectrum (i.e. taxi-out, take-off, in-flight, landing, taxi-in or stationary on the ground) and also the number and/or proportion applicable during each stage is further adjusted in response to the specific conditions applicable to the aircraft status at any given time thereby to ensure that the overall safety of the aircraft is not hazarded. The operation of the brake control system may be controlled at least in part by an on-board brake control implementation device actuated by a remote, land-based signal. The brake control system providing for use of less than the total number of available brakes during the landing stage of the flight spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited
    Inventor: Trevor Charles Wells
  • Patent number: 5727664
    Abstract: A locking device for a roller blind gimbal includes a drive worm gear meshed with a crown gear to which a roller blind is coupled, and a pair of pinion gears meshed to the crown gear for co-rotation therewith, the pinion gears having locking openings in their hubs engageable by a locking element that is spring biased towards the locking openings when they are aligned in a locking position. The locking position of the openings is periodically reached by rotation of the crown gear and pinion gears in a blind raising direction. Release of the locking element is obtained by rotating a driving worm gear in a blind lowering direction to release the engagement between the locking element and the hub openings in the pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Forjas del Vinalopo. S.L.
    Inventor: Francisco Guillen Chico
  • Patent number: 5553687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling and adjusting a drum brake of the type of those which comprise: a backplate (2); two shoes (3, 4); return springs (5, 6) urging these shoes towards one another; a wheel cylinder (7) secured to the backplate; an anchoring unit (8) secured to the backplate; and a strut (9) of adjustable length limiting the degree to which the shoes are brought together. This method includes a first step consisting in preassembling and adjusting a subassembly of the brake comprising the two shoes, the strut, and the return springs, and a removable wedge can be located between the shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Aftermarket Europe
    Inventor: Christian Rioult
  • Patent number: 5520270
    Abstract: Vibrations of pipes or other components installed in a container such as a tank intended for holding liquids, are damped by surface area damping bodies, e.g. plates with through-holes that are immersed in the liquid in the container. These plates are rigidly connected to the pipes or components to be damped. The vibration damping plates are constructed of metal, for example, and the through-holes reduce the mass and advantageously affect the damping effect. The materials for making the perforated damping plates are selected to be compatible with the content of the containers, such as a fuel in a tank in a spacecraft. The surface area ratio of all cross-sectional areas of the through-holes to the total plate surface area is optimized to achieve a maximum damping effect. These perforated plates are secured to pipes, braces, filters, ducts, or other internal components of fuel tanks of land vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Ernst Hornung, Huba Oery, Herbert Wenz
  • Patent number: 5501303
    Abstract: A brake system is provided that applies braking forces on surfaces in both the translational and rotational directions using a single acting self-contained actuator that travels with the translational mechanism. The brake engages a mechanical lock and creates a frictional force on the translational structure preventing translation while simultaneously creating a frictional torque that prevents rotation of the vertical support. The system may include serrations on the braking surfaces to provide increased braking forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Johnny W. Allred, Vincent J. Fleck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5499698
    Abstract: A small and portable gaping tool in a first embodiment generally comprising a pivotal or hinge connection between two elongated arm members allowing distal ends of the arms to be pivoted toward and away from one another. A connected spring member biases the distal ends of the arms toward one another. The distal end of each arm includes a pivotally supported shim plate extending perpendicular to the arm. With the arms manually pulled into an open or spread position, the shim plates are located one on each oppositely disposed side of a bicycle wheel, wherein the spring member drawing the arms inward secures the tool in place with clamping frictional pressure. The pivotal aspect of the pivotally attached shim plates allow the shims to adjust to varying slopes of different bike wheel sides so as to lay flat thereagainst. The shims are about three millimeters in thickness for example, and are used to shim out the rearward or toe end of bicycle caliper brake pads in adjusting the pads for proper toe-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Mark W. Irvine
  • Patent number: 5373923
    Abstract: A rotary motor with a counterbalanced torque arm adapted to be mounted within an auger housing. The torque arm is mounted on the stationary cylinder block of the motor which extends radially outwardly from the access of the cowling and is attached to the auger housing. The torque arm includes a pair of diametrically opposed torque arm members which support pairs of cylinders. The cylinders engage the housing and are interconnected such that diametrically opposed pairs of cylinders are in fluid communication. Accordingly, rotational torques exerted on the torque arm by the cylinder block, for auger screw rotation both in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, are born equally by the opposing torque arm members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Larry E. Koenig
  • Patent number: 5348124
    Abstract: A method of and system for active vibration control in an elongate member such as a pipe (2), wherein an actuator which comprises at least one constrictive element (3) capable of changing its length is attached between flanges (1) spaced along the member and is controlled to produce deformations of the member which inhibit the transmission of unwanted vibration from the member to one side of the attached actuator to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Active Noise and Vibration Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark F. L. Harper
  • Patent number: 5232073
    Abstract: A composite structure of elastic and viscoelastic components in which dynamic loads are effectively damped by transmission through the viscoelastic components. The structure includes a continuous sandwich comprised either of a single elastic layer enclosed by two viscoelastic layers or of a single viscoelastic layer enclosed by two elastic layers such that the sandwich has little stiffness in any intended direction of loading, and two segmented elastic layers having stiffness in a desired loading direction. The segmented layers have alternating segments and gaps and are disposed one on each side of the viscoelastic layer in such a manner that the gaps of one segmented layer overlap the segments of the other segmented layer. Dynamic loads in the loading direction are transmitted back and forth from one segmented layer to the other, through the continuous sandwich layer containing the viscoelastic material, which thereby provides a high degree of damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Allen J. Bronowicki, Abner Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5217282
    Abstract: A device for controlling the braking of a wheel train is disclosed and includes an actuating mechanism for alternating actuating symmetrically disposed groups of wheel brakes, temperature sensors disposed or at least one wheel brake in each of the groups of wheel brakes with the control mechanism actuating the coolest group of wheel brakes several times when the temperature difference between the groups of wheel brakes reaches a threshold temperature difference and for actuating the groups of wheel brakes cyclically so long as the threshold temperature difference is not reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Jean Guichard