Pair Or Pack Patents (Class 267/162)
  • Patent number: 11313271
    Abstract: A wastegate assembly for controlling flow of exhaust gas includes a valve element having a valve body and a valve shaft. The wastegate assembly further includes a spindle. The wastegate assembly further includes a washer coupled to the valve shaft and spaced from the spindle for securing the spindle to the valve shaft. A plurality of cup springs is disposed between the spindle and the washer. The plurality of cup springs includes at least a first cup spring and a second cup spring, with the first cup spring supported on the spindle head and the second cup spring orientated substantially identical to the first cup spring and disposed directly on the first cup spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Borg Warner Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic William Depaoli, Aaron Date, Michael Daniel Cola, Georg Scholz, Marc Werner, Christian Cossmann, Jakob Penth, Christoph Müller, Ravi Patil
  • Patent number: 11208910
    Abstract: Various implementations include a ring material used for producing a ring molded article. The ring molded article has two convex portions which respectively protrude on opposite sides of the ring molded article in a direction of a center axis thereof and extend in a direction of a circumference of the ring molded article. A straight line passing through centers of gravity of first and second side regions is inclined by an angle relative to the center axis of the ring material, the first and second side regions are obtained by virtually dividing a one half section of the ring material based on a middle of a maximum height of the ring material in the direction of the center axis of the ring material, and a range of the angle is 7 degrees to 40 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Nippon Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jun Ohsone, Masayuki Watanabe, Hideo Takizawa
  • Patent number: 11015669
    Abstract: A linear spring member having an annular region with a first thickness connected in series by cylindrical regions having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness. Outer portions of adjacent annular regions are coupled together by a first cylindrical region and inner portions of adjacent annular regions are coupled together by a second cylindrical region such that the effective spring rate of the bi-directional spring device increases symmetrically as it is displaced in either compression or tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew L. Bullard, Shane E. Wilson, Ricardo A. Aguilera, Ryan Yates
  • Patent number: 10892245
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-fabricated switching device comprising a semiconductor element and a housing comprising a spring system with a ring-shaped washer laterally surrounding the semiconductor element for clamping the semiconductor element between two pole pieces. The washer is deflectable between the pole pieces by a first deflection element, which contacts the washer in a first contact area on a first side, and by a second deflection element, which contacts the washer in a second contact area on a second side. The first contact area is displaced to the second contact area. The first and second deflection element can deflect the washer such that in clamped condition an electrical contact is achievable between the pole pieces and the semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Tobias Wikstroem
  • Patent number: 10808787
    Abstract: Spring systems for subsea applications and equipment projects for the oil and gas industry are preferably manufactured from composite materials and include at least one pair of springs consisting of a first spring component and a second spring component, mounted so as to offer a first central contact region and double curvature and rebound areas forming a coupling. The pair of springs are thus, self-centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES DO BRASIL LTDA
    Inventor: Alejandro Andueza
  • Patent number: 10737706
    Abstract: A railcar end unit is operable to be mounted in a center sill between buff and draft sill stops. The buff and draft end bodies are configured to be shiftably mounted relative to the center sill to engage the respective sill stops and to shift axially relative to one another along a unit axis. The end unit includes a buff spring pack operably mounted between the end bodies and compressible along the unit axis from a neutral condition to a compressed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: O-RIng Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Johnson, Richard Uriah Ralston, Andrew Allen Johnson
  • Patent number: 10677310
    Abstract: A vibration isolator mechanism is provided for limiting transfer of vibrations from a first element to a second element coupled to the first element. The vibration isolator mechanism may include a vibration isolator structured to provide a quasi-zero/negative stiffness response to a force applied to the vibration isolator when the applied force is within a predetermined range. The vibration isolator mechanism may also include a force application mechanism structured to apply a force to the vibration isolator. The vibration isolator mechanism may also include a force adjustment mechanism structured to adjust the force applied to the vibration isolator by the force application mechanism so that the applied force is within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Rajendra Singh, Nicholas P. Mastricola
  • Patent number: 10675935
    Abstract: A suspension spring unit can be positioned between a vehicle body and a wheel support. The suspension spring unit may form a constituent part of the vehicle chassis, configured with spring bodies made from a fiber composite material. At least two ring bodies arranged in series may be made from a fiber composite material and may have a respectively closed contour. The two ring bodies may be connected to one another via at least one connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP FEDERN UND STABILISATOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Marcel Gross, Dieter Lechner, Gerhard Scharr
  • Patent number: 10633040
    Abstract: A thrust ring comprises a body including a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface, defining a central axis, an axial direction, a circumferential direction, a first axial end, a second axial end, and at least one recess on the first axial end, and at least one protrusion extending from the cylindrical inner surface toward the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Patent number: 10502255
    Abstract: A screw assembly includes a longitudinal component (10) having two opposite ends and a threaded part (12; 42; 66) so that it can be connected by screwing to one of two elements (34). An elastically deformable member (18, 20; 48; 82) is adapted to be borne, in the axially compressed state, between one or other of the two opposite ends of the longitudinal component (10) and the other of the two elements. The assembly has a retaining device (30; 54; 84) so as to be able to keep the elastically deformable member (18, 20; 48; 82) in compression and so as to be able to release the elastically deformable member in the compressed state between the other of the two elements (32) and the one or the other of the two opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: CENTRE TECHNIQUE DES INDUSTRIES MECANIQUES
    Inventors: Etienne Yvain, Christophe Delcher
  • Patent number: 10371229
    Abstract: An adjustable vibration isolator for limiting transfer of vibrations from a first element to a second element coupled to the first element. The isolator includes conical disc spring members, each having a first end including a central opening, a central axis, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end includes an outer edge of the spring member. A spacer is coupled to each spring member so as to enable a transfer of forces between the spring member and the spacer. Spring member deflection resistance mechanisms are operable to adjustably resist movement of the outer edges of the spring members in directions radially outwardly during loading of the spring members. Resistance of movement of the outer edges of the spring members enables control of a force required to deflect the spring members, and control of the force-deflection curve of the vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Ryohei Tsuruta, Brian J. Pinkelman, Rajendra Singh, Nicholas P. Mastricola
  • Patent number: 10053073
    Abstract: A driver brake force simulator is provided for a braking system of a vehicle, including at least one spring, and a displaceable piston which delimits a pressure chamber formed in the driver brake force simulator and which is movable from its starting position, against an elastic force of the at least one spring, by a predefined maximum displacement travel in a first direction in such a way that a volume of the pressure chamber which is fillable with brake fluid is increasable. The driver brake force simulator includes at least multiple disk springs as the at least one spring. Moreover, a manufacturing method is provided for a driver brake force simulator for a braking system of a vehicle by supporting a displaceable piston of the driver brake force simulator with the aid of at least one spring. The displaceable piston is supported by at least multiple disk springs as the at least one spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Matthias Mayr
  • Patent number: 9753058
    Abstract: A wiring board for transmission of test signals between test point locations on a circuit board under test and an external analyzer having compliant contacts making electrical contact with a pad positioned on a conductive surface circuit layer having a trace extending to a second pad having a hole for receipt of an interface pin having a swaged head electrically connected to the external analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Xcerra Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Swart, Kenneth R. Snyder, Stephen J. Koolis, Douglas W. Tackett
  • Patent number: 9653331
    Abstract: Improvements in a single and dual stage wafer cushion is disclosed where the wafer cushion can use an edge hinge as a single first stage cushion and a second mid span hinge for the dual stage wafer cushion. This dual stage design gives two distinctly different cushioning forces as opposed to using a single stage design where the force is linear with the amount of compression that is being applied to the outer surfaces of the wafer cushion. The outside edge of the ring provides the greatest expansion such that only the outer edge of the ring makes contact with the outer edge of a wafer. The wafer cushion is a material that flexes and absorbs shocks before the shock is transferred to the wafer stack. The material minimizes debris or contaminants from embedding into the wafer cushion and also prevents sheading of material from the wafer cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Texchem Advanced Products Incorporated SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: James D Pylant, Christopher R Mack, Alan L Waber, David A Miller
  • Patent number: 9499021
    Abstract: An elastic sheet includes: a seating portion by which the coil spring is supported and which has a circular arc shape in a view from the axial direction, one circumferential side of the seating portion being a side of entry of the coil spring; and a pair of sidewall portions extending from respective width-wise opposite ends of the seating portion toward the coil spring side, at least one of the sidewall portions has a wire contact surface that contacts a wire forming the coil spring and an inclined surface inclined so as to approach the spring bearing as the inclined surface extends widthwise outward from the wire contact surface, and a radius of curvature of the wire contact surface at least at a side closest to the inclined surface is smaller than a radius of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gota Nakano, Kazuki Hirawata, Nariaki Sato, Kunio Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 9482307
    Abstract: A crankshaft may comprise a plurality of main journals axially-aligned along a longitudinal axis, a plurality of crankpin journals radially-offset from the longitudinal axis, a first web, of a plurality of webs, coupled to a first main journal of the plurality of main journals and a first crankpin journal of the plurality of crankpin journals, wherein the first crankpin journal is coupled adjacent a first end of the first web, and a first counterweight coupled adjacent a second end of the first web, wherein a configuration of the first counterweight relative to the second end of the first web and the plurality of crankpin journals is spatially tuned and harmonically tuned to at least one harmonic mode of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jay D. Britton
  • Patent number: 9464565
    Abstract: A wastegate valve includes, a valving element 13 that opens and closes an exhaust gas bypass path, a valve stem 17 that extends from the valving element, an operating lever 15 having an insertion hole 29 where the valve stem is inserted with play, a support plate 31 provided on an open end of the valve stem, and a spring member 19 provided between the support plate and the operating lever 15. The spring member has a large-diameter part and at least two small-diameter parts, the large-diameter part and the at least two small-diameter parts being arranged concentrically with an axial center of the valve stem, and the at least two small-diameter parts constitute a first contact part 35 in contact with an operating lever side and a second contact part 37 in contact with a support plate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Yasuaki Jinnai
  • Patent number: 9400027
    Abstract: An elliptical coned disc spring can be accommodated in a rectangular installation space, can yield non-linear load characteristics, and can reduce stress differences between a bending part at a long radial part side and a bending part at a short radial part side. An elliptical coned disc spring has a body in which an outer circumference is an ellipse in a disc shape. A hole is formed at the center of the body. The hole may have various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, etc. The body has a long radial part 111 and a short radial part. A plate width of the long radial part is set to be greater than a plate width of the short radial part (that is, a>b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Imaizumi, Norihiro Tajima
  • Patent number: 8919751
    Abstract: A hysteresis assembly, including: first, second, and third plates; at least one fastener connecting the first and third plates; and, at least one resilient element. The resilient element is: disposed between the first and second plates; disposed about the fastener; and arranged to urge the second plate into frictional contact with the third plate. A damper assembly, including: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange axially disposed between the cover plates; at least one first resilient element engaged with the cover plates and the flange and arranged to transmit the torque to the flange; at least one fastener connecting the cover plates and passing through the flange; and at least one second resilient element. The resilient element is: disposed between the first cover plate and the flange; disposed about the fastener; and arranged to urge the flange into frictional contact with the second cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Craig Kneidel
  • Publication number: 20140252705
    Abstract: A coned-disc spring device, spring assembly, methods of making the same, and methods of assembling a spring system are disclosed. Such a device includes a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening, wherein the diameter of the second opening is larger than the diameter of the first opening. The device also includes a lip portion at the second end of the device adjacent to and at least partially encircling the second opening and protruding substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the second opening such that when a portion of a second spring member having a first groove portion is received within the second opening, the first lip portion is received within the first groove portion to optimally align the second spring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Mark W. Campbell, Kelly L. Falls, Donald E. Paul
  • Patent number: 8662264
    Abstract: A catch device, for example in a safety device of an elevator mechanism, includes at least one first force store element and one second force store element having different force storage rates, and a displacement limit for the first force store element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Benoit Legeret
  • Patent number: 8500108
    Abstract: Disc springs that are resistant to premature failure caused by friction wear, disc spring assemblies and disc spring stacks including the disc springs, and methods of making and using said assemblies and stacks are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 8446073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector with a holding body and a nozzle body which are joined together and which accommodate a coupler module which has a coupler body enclosed by a spring sleeve. The spring sleeve is open in a circumferential direction at a seam thereof which extends in the longitudinal direction. Either the wall thickness of the spring sleeve varies in the longitudinal direction, or a width of at least one hole geometry in the sheathing of the spring sleeve varies in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Uhlmann, Jean-Luc Loutrage
  • Patent number: 8366082
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for decreasing frictional effects in stacks of Belleville springs and limiting deflection of the springs. In one embodiment, carriers for springs overlap and minimize the effects of lateral forces that are developed as springs in a stack are loaded. Carriers may be used on mandrel guides, in cylindrical guides or without a guide. In other embodiments, maximum load and defection of springs may be provided by the spring carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Patent number: 8172052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid recovery shock absorber system with hydraulic end stop, comprising a stem (3) and a body (1), in which a piston (8, 9, 10, 11) runs which is fixed to a tube (71) and which defines at least one upper chamber (S) and one lower chamber (I) in the body (1). A body (32, 32a) in the stem (3) comprises a housing (321), in which a piston (33, 33a) runs which is connected to a rod (7) which slides in the tube (71). A clamp (31), for fixing the shock absorber system to the vehicle, tensioning means (35, 37, 39), exerting a force which tends to displace the piston (33, 33a), sliding in the stem body (32, 32a), driving the displacement of the rod (7) which results in the opening or closing of a section of an oil passage in the lower chamber (I) towards the upper chamber (S) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Amortisseur Donerre
    Inventor: Pierre De Frenne
  • Publication number: 20120104671
    Abstract: There is disclosed a spring pack for use with an injection mold to ensure an effective sealing force is applied to the injection mold. The spring pack includes a plurality of coned disk springs mounted in a housing, each cone disk spring having a concave side, a convex side, a central opening, and a maximal deflection distance. The coned disk springs are coaxially mounted about a central pin. The coned disks are mounted in series such that the spring pack has an effective deflection distance equal to the sum total of the maximal deflection distances of the conical springs. The housing and the coned disk springs are configured such that the sealing force applied to the spring pack is transmitted through the spring pack entirely by the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Rui Novo
  • Publication number: 20110249352
    Abstract: A spring plate includes a plate body having a through hole defined at the center thereof, and a terminal perpendicularly extending from the plate body. The plate body includes an outer closed-loop frame, an inner closed-loop frame, and spring parts interconnected between the outer closed-loop frame and the inner closed-loop frame. The terminal has an end portion distal from the plate body with at least one of a through hole and a recess therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: PING-HAN KU, CHI-WEI CHIU
  • Patent number: 7954618
    Abstract: A starting clutch, particularly for racing and sports vehicles, has clutch plates, of which at least one is non-rotatably coupled with a clutch cage of the starting clutch and at least one is non-rotatably coupled with a clutch hub of the starting clutch. A set of springs composed of at least two diaphragm-spring-type spring elements presses the clutch plates together when the starting clutch is closed and permits a torque transfer from the clutch cage to the clutch hub and vice-versa. Viewed from the clutch plates, the first or second spring element has at least a first elevation on its side facing the respective second or first spring element, which elevation presses against the respective second or first spring element when the starting clutch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventor: Klaus Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110049777
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for decreasing frictional effects in stacks of Belleville springs and limiting deflection of the springs. In one embodiment, carriers for springs overlap and minimize the effects of lateral forces that are developed as springs in a stack are loaded. Carriers may be used on mandrel guides, in cylindrical guides or without a guide. In other embodiments, maximum load and defection of springs may be provided by the spring carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110037210
    Abstract: Disc springs that are resistant to premature failure caused by friction wear, disc spring assemblies and disc spring stacks comprising said disc springs, and methods of making and using said assemblies and stacks are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: John E. RODE
  • Patent number: 7854425
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for decreasing frictional effects in stacks of Belleville springs and limiting deflection of the springs. In one embodiment, carriers for springs overlap and minimize the effects of lateral forces that are developed as springs in a stack are loaded. Carriers may be used on mandrel guides, in cylindrical guides or without a guide. In other embodiments, maximum load and defection of springs may be provided by the spring carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Patent number: 7793923
    Abstract: A wave coil spring includes: a spring main body which has a spiral structure of a wave-shaped spring material, the spring main body bearing an axial compressive load in such a state that surfaces of the spring main body which face each other are brought into contact with each other at a plurality of contact portions, the plurality of contact portions including: a first contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the coil main body is wound spirally; and a second contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the spring main body is unwound spirally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090200720
    Abstract: An axial ondular washer made from a circularly annular, flat spring material having an ondular line with maxima and minima with respect to a centre plane, wherein these maxima and minima are defined as lying on different sides of the centre plane and in each case being tangent on a plane of a first or second abutment (1, 2), which plane extends parallel to the centre plane, is to be improved with regard to its initial compression behaviour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Lothar Brückner
  • Publication number: 20090033010
    Abstract: The invention relates to mounting of a stack of Belleville springs about a shaft. The individual springs of the stack are first positioned over the shaft. A jig is then placed over the shaft and the springs and has at least one axially extending pressure bar that is radially inwardly biased to urge the inner circumferences of all the springs into contact with axially aligned points on the surface of the shaft. The springs are then compressed using a compression element while they are still urged by the pressure bar against the shaft. Finally, to retain the springs on the shaft and maintain the springs in compression, a split retaining clip is pressed onto to the shaft until it engages in a groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA, LLC
    Inventors: Eugenio SERENI, Johannes DIELS, Arie NIEMANTSVERDRIET, Matteo VENTURELLI
  • Patent number: 7334784
    Abstract: Axial corrugated spring comprising an annular spring band 11 which describes a corrugation line oscillating about a radial reference plane around the circumference, wherein the corrugation line has maxima 12, 13, 17 of different height and minima 14, 15, 16 of different height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Vladimir Kobelev, Bernfried Hesselmann, Andreas Rinsdorf
  • Patent number: 7243900
    Abstract: A ball valve for refrigerating system includes a valve body, a valve seat that fits into the valve body by a screw thread, a valve ball accommodated within the valve body, two plastic sealing elements on both sides of the valve ball, a valve rod connected to the valve ball, and a valve cap on said valve rod. One of the two sealing elements is a first sealing element which is provided with a suitable spring assembly on its periphery. The spring assembly includes at least two springs with ladder-shaped longitudinal sections that are reverse-superimposed. The inside of first sealing element fits well with the surface of said valve ball, while its outside functions as a supporting surface and an acting surface for said spring assembly. The resulting configuration provides a ball valve with a desirable sealing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xizhong Wang
  • Patent number: 7210181
    Abstract: An improved spring construction for mattresses, box springs, furniture and other applications is provided. The application of such springs in mattresses, box springs, furniture and other applications is also provided. In one aspect of the invention, the spring construction is a spring including a series of spring segments, each having a flattened, irregular configuration where the spring varies in compression strength and deflection from a top portion thereof to a bottom portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventor: Elvin C. Price
  • Patent number: 7155903
    Abstract: A collar member including a main body part having a bolt hole for inserting a bolt and a flange part projecting horizontally to outside from the upper end of the main body part, a fitting member being a member for fitting with a vibration and heat insulating board main body part, having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the collar member by specified dimension, and disposed at the outside of the collar member, and a spring member disposed in a specified dimension between the collar member and fitting member for coupling the collar member and fitting member at least on three positions. As a result, mounting on the vibration source is stable, the heat insulation effect and vibration control effect are high, and the cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Ishiwa
  • Patent number: 7134648
    Abstract: An interlocking disc spring assembly includes a plurality of alternating interlocking first conically-shaped disc springs and second conically-shaped disc springs. The first disc spring includes a first radial inner portion and a first radial outer portion. The first radial inner portion defines a first opening therethrough and includes an upwardly-extending portion spaced from the first opening. The first radial outer portion includes a downwardly-depending portion. The second disc spring has a second radial inner portion and a second radial outer portion. The second radial inner portion defines a second opening therethrough and includes a downwardly-depending portion. The second radial outer portion of the second disc spring is receivable within the downwardly-depending portion of the first radial outer portion of the first disc spring when the first disc spring is stacked on the second disc spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 7070336
    Abstract: A conic bearing positioning member for a spindle motor includes a small diameter portion abutting against an inner race of a ball bearing of the spindle motor, a large diameter portion abutting against a rotor of the spindle motor, and at least one resilient connecting portion extending between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion for biasing the ball bearing and the rotor away from each other, assuring a gap between the ball bearing and the rotor. The conic bearing positioning member may be a helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Yin-Rong Horng, Ching-Sheng Hong
  • Patent number: 6758465
    Abstract: A compression wave spring assembly including a base and a compression spring with three wave regions that are formed from a continuous elongate flat wire strip. The first wave region begins at one end of the spring with a terminal wave. The waves of the first wave region have a constant amplitude. The second wave region is positioned adjacent to the first wave region. The wave amplitude of the second wave region varies from the first wave amplitude to zero. The third wave region begins where the second wave amplitude reaches zero. The third wave region includes a zero amplitude thereby forming a flat circular shim end. The base assembly includes a recess that receives and supports the terminal wave at the non-shimmed end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Smalley Steel Ring Company
    Inventors: Mark Greenhill, Michael Greenhill
  • Publication number: 20040113340
    Abstract: A sonic drilling head includes a spindle which is both rotated and vibrated at sonic frequency to effect ground penetration of members such as drill rods, etc. Two pairs of rotating eccentric masses are mounted in a sine generator housing. The pairs of masses have intersecting axis. A spiral bevel gear and drive shaft rotate the first pair of masses which engage the second pair of masses so that the pairs of masses are driven in opposite directions. Rotation is imparted to the spindle through a geared bearing isolated by a pack of precision disc springs, which also cooperate with a second set of precision disc springs to isolate the vibrations of the rotating eccentric masses from an outer housing of the sonic drill head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: James Lange, Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 6669184
    Abstract: A compression spring comprising a plurality of composite wave rings stacked and attached to one another in crest to crest configuration. Each of the wave rings has a plurality of alternating peaks and troughs wherein one peak and one adjacent trough define a wave having a wave height measured axially from the peak to the trough and the wave heights vary such that the compression spring provides a varying spring rate as the compression spring is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Haimian Cai, Gary Walter Leevy, Lakshmana Gummadi
  • Publication number: 20030222385
    Abstract: A compression spring comprising a plurality of composite wave rings stacked and attached to one another in crest to crest configuration. Each of the wave rings has a plurality of alternating peaks and troughs wherein one peak and one adjacent trough define a wave having a wave height measured axially from the peak to the trough and the wave heights vary such that the compression spring provides a varying spring rate as the compression spring is compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Haimian Cai, Gary Walter Leevy, Lakshmana Gummadi
  • Patent number: 6647858
    Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Fulks, Michael C. Pfeil
  • Patent number: 6485007
    Abstract: A diaphragm bellows device comprises a diaphragm bellows with a plurality of successive diaphragms which are welded together alternately at the outer and inner edges, wherein the length of the diaphragm bellows can be adjusted between an expanded state and a contracted state, and a plurality of sleeve parts which surround the successive diaphragms and which, together, enclose the successive diaphragms also in the expanded state of the diaphragm bellows over its entire longitudinal extension and overlap to a greater or lesser extent in axial direction of the diaphragm bellows depending on the adjusted length of the diaphragm bellows, wherein at least one of the sleeve parts is held on the welded outer edges of two adjoining diaphragms by a snap connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Duelli
  • Patent number: 6394435
    Abstract: A shock isolator having a spring members such as a belleville washer for supporting a static weight with the belleville washer toggleable between a support condition and a nonsupport condition with the belleville washer having a collapse force that is sufficiently high so that the belleville washer can support a static load without collapsing in order to normally maintain an elastomer damping material in a condition free or substantially free of static forces. When a dynamic force exceeds the collapse force of the belleville washer the belleville washer toggles to a collapsed condition leaving the elastomer to tensionally respond to both the static and the dynamic forces by expansion and contraction of the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corportion
    Inventor: Robert James Monson
  • Patent number: 6254071
    Abstract: A round wire wave spring is formed from a single turn of round wire with a plurality of distinct waves defined therein, each of the waves having respective crest and trough portions that bear against opposing parallel surfaces of two work elements. The round wire wave spring may fit in a simple to form semi-circular groove, that is slightly greater in diameter than the free diameter of the round wire wave spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Smalley Steel Ring Company
    Inventor: Michael Greenhill
  • Patent number: 6250618
    Abstract: A curved wave shim is formed from a flat elongated wire strip which follows a sinusoidal wave path that includes a series of waves spaced about the curved wave shim path, each wave having a shoulder portion which bears against generally parallel surfaces of the working elements positioned on a shaft or in a cylinder bore. The shim fits in a rectangular groove formed either on a shaft or in a cylinder bore, the axial height of the groove being slightly greater than the distance between successive wave crests and troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Smalley Steel Ring Company
    Inventor: Michael Greenhill
  • Patent number: 6068250
    Abstract: A circular multi-wave composite compression spring (10) is formed from a carbon fiber (58) reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring (10) is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers (58) encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests (14) and troughs (16) of the waves in adjacent turns (12) of the spring (10) contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis (30) of the spring (10). The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring (10) under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring (10) offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Proteus Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Hawkins, Michael Hawkins