Variably Preloaded Patents (Class 267/140.2)
  • Patent number: 11572935
    Abstract: A linear drive system has an actuator (10), which can be moved in a translatory manner by an electric drive (12) and which is coupled to a mechanical energy storage (16) in the form of a spring (32). In the event of a loss of energy at the electric drive (12) or in an emergency operation, the actuator (10) travels to a predeterminable position and in so doing exerts an actuating force. One free end of the spring (32) is supported at the free end of the spindle housing (20), and the other free end of the spring (32) is supported at a closing part (36) of the actuator (10) or at the actuator (10) itself and is tensioned in every travel position of the actuator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HYDAC INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Benjamin Krämer, Felix Anton Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11236791
    Abstract: An energy damping and displacement control device is disclosed. The energy damping and displacement control device can include a contact protrusion and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material. The energy damping pad can have a first face oriented along a first plane. The energy damping pad can also have a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion. In a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad can be separated from the contact protrusion. In a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad can be limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ly Dinh Nguyen, Stevie Alejandro
  • Patent number: 11229139
    Abstract: A modular data center includes a container for housing at least one rack containing an information handling system. A frame is disposed within the container. The frame has several upper cross-members and several lower cross-members. A floor is coupled to the lower cross-members and the at least one rack is disposed on an upper surface of the floor. At least one lower bracket extends between the floor and the first rack and is affixed to the floor and a first rack to couple/secure the first rack to the floor. Several first isolators are mounted between the floor and the lower cross-members. The first isolators protect the first rack from mechanical shock and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Anthony P. Middleton
  • Patent number: 10829234
    Abstract: Aircraft isolator devices, systems, and methods for isolating a structural component within an aircraft can include an engine interface, airframe, and one or more (e.g., a plurality of) isolator devices attached to the engine interface and the airframe. In some aspects, the isolator devices have a housing, which has a first surface and a second surface that together at least partially define a perimeter of the housing and is configured for attachment to the airframe; an engine attachment component configured for attachment to the engine interface and disposed at least partially inside of the housing; and a plurality of elastomeric elements disposed on or over each of the first and second surfaces of the housing The plurality of elastomeric elements are spaced apart from the engine attachment component via the housing for improved heat dissipation from the engine, reducing operational temperatures of the elastomeric elements to prolong their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Zameroski
  • Patent number: 10677100
    Abstract: A support system (16) for a structural casing of a turbomachine (10), which comprises: a handling fitting (17) comprising a front edge (19) provided with one or more hole(s) (26) for receiving one or more screw(s) (24) for attachment to a flange (23) formed on the casing (10), a rear edge (20) provided with a cavity (32) for receiving a projecting boss (29) formed on the casing (10); a pair of jaws (31) for gripping the boss (29), that are mounted in the cavity (32); at least one screw (33) for adjusting the position of the jaws (31), mounted on the fitting (17) and engaging with at least one jaw (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Patrick Sultana, Sébastien Jean Laurent Prestel, Olivier Renon, Benoit Argémiro Matthieu Debray, Guillaume Sevi
  • Patent number: 10442532
    Abstract: A swashplate guide for use with a spherical bearing and which connects with an adjacent component includes a hollow cylindrical tube formed from a composite material. An exterior surface of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an engagement surface with the spherical bearing. A flange arranged at an end of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an interface with the adjacent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Orbon, Dean Nguyen, Kevin Laitenberger, Steven M. Capelle
  • Patent number: 10005175
    Abstract: A shock compression tool has a first end assembly defining a main axis and a first engaging surface, a second end assembly the second end assembly defining second and third engaging surfaces. The second end assembly is supported for movement along the main axis relative to the first end assembly. A drive system displaces the second end assembly along the main axis relative to the first end assembly such that a distance between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface may be altered, and a distance between the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface may be altered. The first engaging surface and the second engaging surface define a first reference line. The first engaging surface and the third engaging surface define a second reference line. At least a portion of the first reference line is spaced from at least a portion of the second reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Tiger Tool International Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick Andrew Morris
  • Patent number: 9855814
    Abstract: An active suspension system is configured in a strut arrangement. The active suspension system comprises a hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic pump/electric motor assembly, wherein the actuator movement is preferably in lockstep with the hydraulic motor-pump and electric motor-generator combination. Torque in the electric motor is instantaneously controlled by a controller to create an immediate force change on the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is configured so that it can be used as a strut whereby the actuator has sufficient structural rigidity to carry the applied suspension loads while capable of supplying damper forces in at least three quadrants of the force velocity graph of the suspension actuator operation. Embodiments disclosed include low cost active suspension systems for a MacPherson strut application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive Tucker, Zackary Martin Anderson, David Michael Lewis, Ross J. Wendell, Alexander Apostolos Alexandridis
  • Patent number: 9394656
    Abstract: A passive method for protecting taut cables from vibrations comprising the perpendicularly attachment of a device comprising a unilateral spring or a shape memory alloy wire to a taut cable at an attachment position wherein the device (especially the unilateral spring of the shape memory alloy wire of the device) acts on the taut cable only when the vibrating taut cable exceeds a switch position (SP); a device for protecting a taut cable from vibrations, as well as the use of such a device in a construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE EUROPEAN UNION, REPRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
    Inventors: Daniel Tirelli, Armelle Anthoine
  • Patent number: 8998188
    Abstract: Elastomer components (104), which are to have an elastomer volume with a sufficiently large prestress, as is required, for example, for use in wind energy plants. The elastomer components (104) are substantially based on the incorporation and integration of separating elements (105) into the elastomer body of the component, the elements are disposed either individually or in structures. The body may be compressed by pressure supplied into the region, between the separating elements and the surrounding elastomer material, or directly into the separating elements, such that elastomer components are prestressed in a dynamically adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Patent number: 8991799
    Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly (10) has a front plate (12) and a rear plate (14) separated by spacers (16). The plates and the spacers each have holes (18A, 18B), the upper holes (18A) in the front plate preferably being threaded. Fasteners, such as but not limited to threaded rods (22A, 22B) and locknuts (24A, 24B), hold the spacers in position between the front plate and the rear plate. The threaded rods (22A) are screwed into the threaded holes in the front plate but do not protrude from the front face of the front plate. The threaded rods (22A) are secured by locknuts 24A on one end and the threaded rods (22B) are secured by locknuts 24B on both ends. The rear plate also has a pair of engagement plates (20) which position the assembly on the catwalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: J. Thomas Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150014904
    Abstract: A passive method for protecting taut cables from vibrations comprising the perpendicularly attachment of a device comprising a unilateral spring or a shape memory alloy wire to a taut cable at an attachment position wherein the device (especially the unilateral spring of the shape memory alloy wire of the device) acts on the taut cable only when the vibrating taut cable exceeds a switch position (SP); a device for protecting a taut cable from vibrations, as well as the use of such a device in a construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Tirelli, Armelle Anthoine
  • Patent number: 8931766
    Abstract: A damper assembly including a cover having at least one aperture therein, a flange operatively connected to the cover, and a spring having at least one leg engaged with a radially outer surface of the flange, the spring having at least one post engaged in the aperture of the cover, wherein engaging the post in the aperture preloads the spring against the radially outer surface of the flange for exerting a force on the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Craig Kneidel
  • Publication number: 20140361473
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable pedal feeling adjustment device. A pedal simulator includes a simulator block formed with an oil hole at an upper portion thereof which is connected to a master cylinder to receive hydraulic pressure caused by pedal effort of a driver and a bore which communicates with the oil hole, a first reaction unit and a second reaction unit arranged in series in the bore and configured to be pressurized sequentially by pedal effort, and a damping housing configured to support the second reaction unit and installed to a lower portion of the bore while being restricted in rotation. An actuator includes a spindle screw-coupled to the damping housing and a motor connected to the spindle to supply rotational force to the spindle. The damping housing is moved linearly and changed in position by forward and backward rotation of the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Dong Yo RYU, Jong-Gu Son
  • Publication number: 20140339747
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CVG MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raju Bethina, Anurag Sharda, Andrew Schultz
  • Patent number: 8864114
    Abstract: A valve member formed of an elastomeric membrane for opening and closing a second orifice flow passage is mounted on a partition element such that the valve member is arranged orthogonal to the flow direction of the second orifice flow passage. A valve portion for closing openings of the second orifice flow passage due to flexural deformation of a flexible membrane portion caused by liquid flow in the second orifice flow passage is arranged on the flexible membrane, and communication holes for bring the second orifice flow passage into communication are formed in the flexible membrane portion. A cylindrical buffer portion projecting from the flexible membrane portion for surrounding the openings when the flexible membrane portion is deformed by flexure is provided to the valve portion, and a projection height of the cylindrical buffer portion is set larger than a wall thickness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsunori Masuda, Kentaro Yamamoto, Takahiro Ohguchi, Gen Isawa, Katsuhiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8857585
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to tunable damper embodiments and methods of using the same for damping resonant and non-resonant vibrations present within an object that the tunable damper is secured to. In some cases, the tunable damper may be tuned before, during or after being secured to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventor: Vyacheslav M. Ryaboy
  • Publication number: 20140265072
    Abstract: An electronically controlled damping structure in fitness equipment may include a base, an adjusting unit and a driving component. A passive component of the adjusting unit can move in a receiving space of the base by the driving component to adjust the distance between the passive component and a top unit to further adjust the resilient coefficient of a buffer unit. So, when the user is exercising on the fitness equipment, he/she does not have to adjust the damping manually to increase the practicability of the fitness equipment, and it is more convenient for the user to adjust the damping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FAMOSA CORP.
    Inventor: Ciber Chiu
  • Patent number: 8794402
    Abstract: A weight compensating shock isolator assembly includes at least one spring with preload to return the isolator to an initial position, the at least one spring exerting a spring force that changes during the isolator stroke. The isolator includes a hydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic fluid and a piston that moves relative to the hydraulic cylinder, wherein hydraulic fluid is forced through or around a piston head during relative movement thereof with respect to the hydraulic cylinder to create a resisting force that is stroke and velocity dependent, with the damping constant C changing with stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Shubin Ruan, Jeffrey T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8794608
    Abstract: To provide a vibration isolation apparatus which prevents a vibration isolation leg from being pushed by a resin material injected in a resin molding process and to prevent generation of resin burrs. Because a rubber notch is formed in a first molding product, when the first molding product is placed in a resin mold in an insert molding process, the pressure of the flowing resin material injected in the resin mold through the injection gate can be relieved and thus first wall covering rubber parts may be less pushed by the resin material. This reduces positional deviation of a vibration isolation leg and sealing errors caused by deformation of the first wall covering rubber parts, and thus generation of resin burrs can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Kato
  • Publication number: 20140196999
    Abstract: A temperature-compensating damping element, which is suitable for the temperature-independent reduction of vibrations, which has a fixed, non-elastic outer part and a fixed, non-elastic inner part, which is either inserted fully or partly into a mating cut-out or opening of the outer part. The outer and inner parts have contact surfaces which are connected to one another by an elastic layer which comprises an elastomer material and which is, or can be, pre-tensioned with respect to a desired frequency by a tensioning element. The elastic layer which is responsible for the vibration damping is directly connected at one or more points to an additional elastic volume. The additional elastic volume is a multiple of the volume of the elastic layer, and has the effect that the excitation frequency of the damping element changes in the case of a temperature change within a temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ESM ENERGIE-UND SCHWINGUNGSTECHNIK MITSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Mitsch, Mathias Dorsam
  • Patent number: 8708114
    Abstract: A solenoid driving device with excellent electric power efficiency which drives and controls an actuator including a solenoid and an active vibration damping support device with excellent electric power efficiency which includes the solenoid driving device are disclosed. The solenoid driving device includes a booster circuit 120 which boosts a battery voltage, and driving circuits 121A, 121B which an actuator with the electric power supplied and boosted by the booster circuit 120. ACM_ECU200A including a micro computer 200b calculates the magnitude of the vibration of the engine, an engine vibration cycle and a phase lag to obtain the drive frequency fDV of the actuator in the vibration state estimating unit 234 and the phase detecting unit 235. A booster circuit controlling unit 237 of the micro computer 200b determines the target voltage V based on the drive frequency fDV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotomi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8632062
    Abstract: An elastomeric high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing for rotary wing aircraft and method of making is provided. The elastomeric HCL bearing is mold bonded using structural adhesives with a given elastomeric subassembly tensile strength between a first metal first laminate end structural bond shim and a second metal distal laminate end structural bond shim. The structural adhesive has a limited elongation and a first end tensile strength ?elastomeric subassembly tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Frank O. James
  • Patent number: 8573569
    Abstract: An active vibration damper including: an inner shaft member provided to a movable member; an outer tube member provided to a stator; a pair of leaf springs elastically connecting axially both sides of the inner shaft member and the outer tube member so as to make a linear actuator operatable by itself; an elastic connecting rubber connecting the inner shaft member and the outer tube member; a mass body holding portion provided to the inner shaft member for holding an additional mass body that is disposed further outwardly than the elastic connecting rubber; and a housing having a structure dividable in an axial direction in which respective openings are secured to each other with an annular seal being interposed therebetween at an outer peripheral side of the elastic connecting rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Atsushi Muramatsu, Tetsuyoshi Shibata, Hironori Koyama
  • Publication number: 20130277500
    Abstract: A shock-resistant device includes snubbers that may be selectively extended to selectively create a stiff attachment between a vibration-isolated component of the device, and another part of the device. The snubbers may be electromechanical or hydraulically driven. The device may be a sensor system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, with the snubbers extendible to create a stiff attachment between an inner gimbal and an outer shell of the sensor system, for example prior to landing the unmanned aerial vehicle on an aircraft carrier, or prior to transportation or storage of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The snubbers may be able to be manually actuated, even when the unmanned aerial vehicle has no power available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Kirk A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130277523
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for gimbaled mounting of satellite dishes. The gimbaled mount for satellite systems overcomes some of the most common negative events affecting satellite communications. The system is a cost effective solution that amortizes the cost of the additional equipment to well over the customary three to five years for satellite use and extends its working life expectancy to 20 years or more. Utilization of stainless steel rather than normal steel or lighter duty aluminum further extends the mounting systems longevity. The inclusion of an environmental feedback system for both snow and ice damage, wind damage, and earthquake damage increases the projected useful life of the mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Calvin H. Woosnam
  • Publication number: 20130256959
    Abstract: A vibration bearing for a vehicle exhaust system includes an elastic damping element and a pretension device which compresses the elastic damping element radially and axially. A first coupling region is formed on the elastic damping element, and a second coupling region is formed on the pretension device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Bernd HELFERICH
  • Patent number: 8508924
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a first cover, a second cover and a connecting mechanism connecting the first cover with the second cover. The connecting mechanism includes a fixing base fixed on the first cover, a turning base fixed on the second cover, a first linking board rotatably connected to the fixing base and the turning base, a second linking board rotatably connected to the fixing base and the turning base. The fixing base, the first linking board, the turning base and the second linking board collectively form a four-bar linkage mechanism. The connecting mechanism further includes an arc spring urged between the second linking board and the fixing base to supply an elastic force to the four-bar linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jing-Zhen Guo, Ren-Xiu Yang, Chao-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8474845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension having a shock absorber (1) with a piston rod (2) and a spring element (7), the spring element (7) being mounted between a lower spring retaining plate (4) and an upper spring retaining plate (6) and the head of the shock absorber (1) being fastened to a vehicle body (8). An intermediate element system (9, 11, 12; 9, 26) is arranged and embodied between the upper spring retaining plate (6) and the vehicle body (8) in such a manner that a compensating moment (23) is generated during final installation of the shock absorber (1) on the vehicle body (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Souschek, Wolfgang David, Michael Johannes Frantzen, Edmund Halfmann, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Patent number: 8474802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration isolator comprising a canister which ends are closed by end caps and a shaft able to move inside the canister, wherein the shaft comprises a piston-like shaped part for separating the canister in two parts: the first part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the first end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a compression movement of the shaft on a first nominal stroke; the second part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the second end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a tension movement of the shaft on a second nominal stroke; the tangential stiffness of the vibration isolator being, on at least one part of the first nominal stroke of the shaft, at least twice as lower as its tangential stiffness on the entire second nominal stroke of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Barry Wright Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffroy Nicq
  • Patent number: 8403309
    Abstract: A vibration isolating apparatus is provided in which a vehicle collision is detected as soon as a predetermined load or greater is applied to a torque rod, a rod portion of the vibration isolating apparatus for supporting an engine is broken, and the engine can be fallen down (moved) in a predetermined direction, whereby a passenger can be assured of safety at the time of the vehicle collision. A vibration isolating apparatus includes a pair of rings, a rod portion connecting the pair of rings, the pair of rings and the rod portion being integrally formed from a resin or metal material, and inner cylinders which are inserted into the pair of rings, respectively, through rubber elastic bodies, wherein the rod portion is formed in an asymmetrical shape with respect to the pair of rings to provide rigidity difference, and the rod portion at the side having low rigidity is broken when a predetermined load or greater is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Kamei
  • Publication number: 20130001841
    Abstract: A system and method to control vibrations exerted on a non-vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable variable stiffness support securely attached to both the non-vibrating structure and a vibrating structure. A driver operably associated with the variable stiffness support is configured to selectively adjust the variable stiffness support. A control system in data communication with both a sensor system and the driver includes an algorithm to determine whether adjustment of the variable stiffness support is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal, David E. Heverly, Taeoh Lee
  • Patent number: 8272786
    Abstract: An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8240645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing, in particular a chassis bearing for the rear axle of a motor vehicle, with an outer bearing sleeve, an inner bearing sleeve, at least one elastomer body arranged between the outer and inner bearing sleeves and two chambers which are arranged laterally opposite each other on the outer bearing sleeve. The chambers each have an adjusting element. The adjusting elements are displaceable. When subjected to pressure, the adjusting elements are displaced inwardly against the inner bearing sleeve. The adjusting elements can be clamped in their axial position by clamping rings which can be reduced in size radially, for example by means of air pressure. The inner bearing sleeve is thereby fixed and the rigidity of the bearing increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ContiTech Vibration Control GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Eberhard, Meinert Holst
  • Publication number: 20120187614
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CVG MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raju Bethina, Anurag Sharda, Andrew Schultz
  • Patent number: 8152147
    Abstract: A torsion spring assembly includes a torsion spring body and a fixed base. The torsion spring body has a first coil part and a second coil part. The first coil part connects to the second coil part. The fixed base has a first fixed arm and a second fixed arm. The first coil part is wound around the first fixed arm and the second coil part is wound around the second fixed arm. The winding direction of the first coil part is perpendicular to the winding direction of the second coil part. A portable electronic device with the torsion spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Yang
  • Publication number: 20120038092
    Abstract: A damper assembly including a cover having at least one aperture therein, a flange operatively connected to the cover, and a spring having at least one leg engaged with a radially outer surface of the flange, the spring having at least one post engaged in the aperture of the cover, wherein engaging the post in the aperture preloads the spring against the radially outer surface of the flange for exerting a force on the damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Craig Kneidel
  • Publication number: 20120025577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle vibration apparatus with a horizontal spring device for the horizontal springing of a seat element and/or a driver's cab with respect to a base element, wherein the horizontal spring device is arranged between the seat element or the driver's cab respectively and the base element, and comprises at least one spring element, the longitudinal axis of which extends substantially parallel to a surface of the base element, and at least one adjustment element, which reacts automatically to inclinations of the seat element with respect to a horizontal plane and which first increases the spring pre-stressing of the spring element in order subsequently to position the horizontal spring device in the centre of the spring path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Jens KOLB
  • Publication number: 20110277576
    Abstract: A overload protection mechanism protects a driven load, such as a driven lever. An overload lever is pivotally coupled to a first part of the driven load. The overload lever has a first end that receives an applied force and an opposing second end. A zero length spring mechanism is coupled to a second part of the driven load spaced apart from the first part and to the second end of the overload lever. The zero length spring mechanism urges the second end of the overload lever toward the second part of the driven load with a force that is substantially proportional to the distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load. A stop mechanism is coupled to the zero length spring mechanism to maintain a minimum distance between the second end of the overload lever and the second part of the driven load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20110148016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping and dissipation device (10) which can be used for limiting disturbances transmitted between two bodies, generated by forcing elements of a dynamic, seismic nature and by wave-motion in structures in general, which comprises two end elements (18, 14, 32) each destined for being respectively connected to one of the two bodies, the device (10) also comprising at least one disk (11) made of an elastomeric material and at least one elastic element (12) with a variable load, coaxially arranged along an axis A, the elastic element (12) with a variable load having an initial pre-compression degree and is characterized in that at least one of the end elements (18) is connected to the device (10) through a sliding coupling with a sliding direction within a plane tilted with respect to the axis (A), preferably by at least 60°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SAIPEM S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Minola
  • Publication number: 20110018181
    Abstract: Elastomer components (104), which are to have an elastomer volume with a sufficiently large prestress, as is required, for example, for use in wind energy plants. The elastomer components (104) are substantially based on the incorporation and integration of separating elements (105) into the elastomer body of the component, the elements are disposed either individually or in structures. The body may be compressed by pressure supplied into the region, between the separating elements and the surrounding elastomer material, or directly into the separating elements, such that elastomer components are prestressed in a dynamically adjustable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Publication number: 20100302724
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing device is provided. The shock-absorbing device that absorbs shock to an object includes a shock-absorbing member that surrounds the object and is elastically deformable and a switching mechanism that switches the shock-absorbing member to a flat state where a gap between the shock-absorbing member and the object is small and the shock-absorbing member is flat, or a bent state where the shock-absorbing member is bent toward the outside of the object so that the gap increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takaya NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20100283193
    Abstract: A clamp of an anti-vibration spring includes a pipe body and a sheathing element fixed to an end the pipe body. Another end of the pipe body is fixed to a covering element. The sheathing element is passed through the external periphery of the pipe body. The pipe body includes a screw rod screwed at the moving element, and an end of the screw rod is protruded from an end of the covering element and fixed at a driving element. A connecting element between the sheathing element and the moving element positions the sheathing element and the moving element. Each sheathing element has a connecting portion including a transversal slot, two clamping disc, and an insert portion on the clamping disc connected to the transversal slot and fixed by a positioning element. By turning the driving element, the anti-vibration spring is compressed or released between the two clamping discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Chia Hao HUANG
  • Patent number: 7635117
    Abstract: A bush bearing with a radial stiffness that changes in the circumferential direction. The bearing has at least one radial web with a high radial stiffness in a first radial major load-bearing direction, and at least one pocket with a significantly smaller radial stiffness than in the region of the radial web in a second radial direction which is preferably perpendicular to the first radial direction. To achieve a large force-displacement ratio and simultaneously a soft torsion characteristic, the inner element of the bearing of the invention is formed in two parts. It consists of a metal inner sleeve and a preferably also metal bearing core received in the inner sleeve. An elastomer or a rubber contour is vulcanized on the inner surface of the inner sleeve or the outer surface of the bearing core. The inner core is oversized with respect to the inner diameter of the elastomer contour. The bearing core is pressed into the inner sleeve, but does not adhere to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Karl Heuer, Karl-Walter Palluck, Wolfgang Schnaars, Andreas Vossel
  • Publication number: 20090278292
    Abstract: A multi-axis spring damping element includes two spring damping cushion members received between caps on a bolt shaft, and an axial adjustment mechanism at a free end of the bolt shaft. The other end of the bolt shaft is connected to a support structure, and a load to be supported in a vibration-damped manner is carried by intermediate caps between the two spring damping cushion members. A plurality of such spring damping elements forms a spring damping system, for example for supporting a payload-carrying pallet on a load platform of a spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ingo Retat, Kiyoumars Abdoly, Horst Koehler, Wolfgang Tritsch
  • Publication number: 20080203634
    Abstract: A hydraulic engine bearing for motor vehicles has a fluid-filled working chamber (4) surrounded by a rubber-elastic circumferential wall (3). A compensating chamber (7) is provided which is in connection with the working chamber (4) via an overflow duct (6) in a baffle plate (7) between the working chamber (4) and the compensating chamber (7). Another compensating chamber (10) is connected to the working chamber (4) via a bypass duct (9). The additional compensating chamber (10) is formed from an elastic bellows (11), which is surrounded on its outside by a fixed wall (12) and wherein an intermediate space (13) is arranged between the bellows (11) and the wall (12). The intermediate space can be filled with a compressible medium, preferably air, and the medium can be emptied by means of a switching device, wherein the switching device is formed from at least one non-return valve (14) and at least one on-off valve (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Heinrich Meyer, Peter Binner, Marc Stira
  • Patent number: 7338037
    Abstract: A rubber bearing with a bearing body implemented as an elastomer spring, wherein the spring travel of the bearing body is limited in at least one damping direction by path delimiters. The path delimiter(s) are formed by at least two corresponding stop elements, whereby the spring travel of the elastomer bearing body in the respective direction is determined by the spacing or gap between the stop faces of the stop elements which form the path delimiter. The rubber bearing is constructed so that it can adapt to changing preloads. The path delimiter is designed so that the position of one of its stop elements can be changed, the spacing between the stop face of this stop element and that of the corresponding stop element can be changed, and the new position of the corresponding stop element can be fixed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hubert Siemer, Frank Duisen, Frank Tepe
  • Publication number: 20070290423
    Abstract: A telescopic pneumatic device includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder disposed in the outer cylinder and having a cylinder wall defining a gas chamber, a piston mounted in the gas chamber, a piston rod connected to the piston, two flow passages formed in the cylinder wall, and a control valve operable to allow or interrupt fluid communication between a gas-controlling chamber section and a piston-receiving chamber section of the gas chamber. The inner cylinder is made of a rigid plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: FU LUONG HI-TECH CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 7290759
    Abstract: A vibration isolation platform utilizes a plurality of viscoelastic polymer blocks sandwiched between rigid plinths or boards and stacked on top of one another to provide vibration damping additively per layer of the sandwich. Smaller viscoelastic blocks are positioned between the edges of the plinths and the sidewalls of a framework in which the sandwich is mounted to compensate for lack of shear stress in the larger blocks. The platform is pre-loaded to optimum isolation and locked down at the required compression. Optimum isolation is achieved for any electronic component positioned on the platform up to the design weight limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joe Lavrencik
  • Publication number: 20070210496
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a working cylinder, a damping piston mounted for movement in the cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston. An outer tube surrounding the working cylinder defines a compensating space, and a piston rod guide fitted to the working cylinder and the outer tube closes off an end of the compensating space, the piston rod guide having a bore communicating with the compensating space. An envelope body of variable shape, located in the compensating space, is filled with gas through a connecting element having a cylindrical portion fitted in the bore. The connecting element also has a lobe which is received through an elongate aperture in a retaining plate fitted over the bore when the connecting element is in a selected orientation, the lobe being axially retained under the plate by rotating the connecting element from the selected orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck