Resilient Connection Between Pulley Or Guide-roll Rim And Mount Patents (Class 474/94)
  • Patent number: 11913515
    Abstract: A torsional damper comprises: a hub fixed to a rotating shaft and having an outer peripheral surface on the circumference centered on the rotating shaft; an annular vibrating ring having an inner peripheral surface having a diameter larger than that of the outer peripheral surface of the hub, on the circumference centered on the rotation axis; and a rubber ring, composed of a rubber composition containing EPDM as a main component, provided in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the hub and the inner peripheral surface of the vibrating ring, and has a loss coefficient of 0.18 or more when the surface temperature is 60±5° C., wherein when the rubber ring is subjected to the resonance point tracking method, the maximum surface reaching temperature of the rubber ring at the time of continuous vibration at the resonance point and the vibration ring thickness satisfy a specific relational expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shogo Sobaru
  • Patent number: 11843347
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: FCX Solar LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
  • Patent number: 11814029
    Abstract: A system for sensing the angular position of a caster wheel includes a sensor mounted on a bearing which supports a shaft aligned with the rotational axis of the caster. A target on the shaft is detected by the sensor which generates signals indicative of the presence or absence of the target. The position of the target is coordinated with the position of the caster wheel such that the signals are indicative of the angular position of the caster wheel. The target may be a groove extending partially around the shaft and a remaining ungrooved portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Brown Fay, II
  • Patent number: 11796046
    Abstract: An isolated drive assembly that includes a drive member, which is rotatable about a rotational axis, a drive member hub, which is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, an isolator assembly, which has an elastomeric element that transmits rotary power between the drive member and the drive member hub, and a torque limiter. The torque limiter has first and second sets of engagable limiter elements that limit rotation of the drive member relative to the drive member hub in opposite rotational directions to limit a magnitude of a moment that is transmitted through the elastomeric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Steiger
  • Patent number: 11668386
    Abstract: A pulley structure may be equipped with an outer rotating body, an inner rotating body, and a coil spring provided between the outer rotating body and the inner rotating body. The coil spring is configured so as to undergo torsional deformation in a diameter-expanding or a diameter-contracting direction, thereby engaging the outer rotating body and the inner rotating body and transmitting torque, and to undergo torsional deformation in the direction opposite the direction in which torque is transmitted, thereby entering a disengaged state in which the coil spring slides with the outer rotating body or the inner rotating body, thus interrupting the transmission of torque. The number of windings of the coil spring is in a range between [M-0.125] and M (both inclusive), where M is a natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Shimamura, Katsuya Imai, Ryosuke Dan, Takashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11662009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-component gear (1) with an axis of rotation (X) and a first end face (11) and a second end face (12), having an inner part (20) and an outer part (30) made of a plastic with at least one injection-molding section (32), wherein the outer part (30) is arranged on an outer lateral surface (24) of the inner part (20) in a form-fitting and/or integral manner on the inner part (20), and wherein the outer part (30) on the first and/or the second end face (11, 12) has at least one tab (40) which is free-standing in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation (X) and which protrudes over the relevant end face (11, 12) of the inner part (20). The present invention also relates to a gear (2) and a planetary gearset (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: IMS GEAR SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Adrian Rieple, Stephan Oberle, Sebastian Birk
  • Patent number: 11549558
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a one-way clutch engaged with the shaft, a spring carrier engaged with the one-way clutch, the spring carrier having a spring carrier surface, a torsion spring having a first end laser welded to the pulley and a second end laser welded to the spring carrier, the torsion spring having a volute with a width w, an annular spring support member having a spring support member outside surface, the annular spring support member independently moveable from the spring carrier and independently moveable from the shaft, a gap g between the annular spring support member and the spring carrier, the gap g being less than the width w, the first end comprising a first end coil, the first end coil bearing upon the spring support member outside surface, the first end coil laser welded to the spring support member outside surface, a torsion spring radial contraction limited by engagement with the spring carrier surface, and the gap g and the width w hav
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Ward, Xiaohua Joe Chen, Charles M. Sendegeya, Alexander Serkh, Yahya Hodjat, Essie Rahdar, Wanzhi Han
  • Patent number: 11512768
    Abstract: A belt pulley structure of an engine is provided to prevent abnormal noise from generating between a belt pulley and a torsional vibration damper. The belt pulley structure includes a stepped portion that is formed in a shape that blocks a cavity in a radial direction thereof. The cavity is formed at a portion where a belt pulley and a torsional vibration damper face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sun Young Song, Jung Hwan Moon
  • Patent number: 11353058
    Abstract: A pulley structure includes a cylindrical outer rotation body, an inner rotation body, and a pair of bearings which is disposed between the outer rotation body and the inner rotation body. Of the pair of bearings, one bearing is a sliding bearing, and the other bearing is a rolling bearing. The sliding bearing is made of a thermoplastic resin and is formed into an ended ring shape. A thickness of the sliding bearing at each of both circumferential end portions is smaller than a reference dimension of a thickness of the sliding bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Morimoto, Hayato Shimamura, Katsuya Imai, Ryosuke Dan
  • Patent number: 11130254
    Abstract: A sprocket arrangement (5) for a handheld power tool such as a saw, comprising a drive unit configured to rotate a drive shaft and cutting tool configured to be driven by the drive shaft (21) via the sprocket arrangement. The sprocket arrangement (5) comprises a gear (1) and at least one flexible element (6a, 6b) arranged such that the drive shaft (21) in the handheld power tool is resiliently connected to the cutting tool in the handheld power tool. A handheld power tool comprising a drive unit, a drive shaft, driving means, and a sprocket arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Patrik Melin, Albin Hagberg, Göran Landén
  • Patent number: 10927939
    Abstract: A damped primary drive sprocket system is provided that may be directly driven by a motorcycle engine and may be arranged in a primary drive connecting the motorcycle engine to a motorcycle transmission. The damped primary drive sprocket system may include damper segments such as discrete isolator bushings arranged in leading and trailing slot chambers, on opposite sides of a lug within a slot of a coupling system that connects a hub to a sprocket within the damped primary drive sprocket system. The slot chambers may be circular in cross-sectional perimeter shape so and the isolator bushings may be cylindrical and fit snugly in the slot chambers in a manner that damps slight rotational clocking movements of the hub and sprocket with respect to each other during firing pulses of the motorcycle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Dark Horse Products, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Hoban, John E. Dahmer, John J. Prettie
  • Patent number: 10697531
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for a belt drive of an internal combustion engine includes a belt pulley, a hub and a decoupling device. The decoupling device connects the belt pulley and the hub to each other, and has at least two spring members. The spring members can be connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Wick, Peter Wohlschlegel, Peter Fassbinder
  • Patent number: 10611439
    Abstract: Hydraulic pump-accessory assemblies are provided for engines. The assemblies may include: an accessory pulley or gear configured to engage a drive belt or chain of an engine; and a hydraulic pump operatively engaging the pulley or gear to be driven by the engine. Engines are provided that can include: a crankshaft pulley or gear operably engaging a belt or chain to convey power to one or more accessories; an accessory pulley or gear operably engaged by the belt or chain; and a hydraulic pump operatively engaging the accessory pulley or gear to receive power from the belt or chain. Methods for modifying an engine are also provided. The methods can include operatively engaging a hydraulic motor to the pulley or gear of an accessory configured to be operably engaged with a belt or chain of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Richard L. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10415649
    Abstract: A decoupler having an input member, an output member and a combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator that couples the input and output members. The combination one-way clutch and torsional isolator includes a single helical coil spring. The decoupler being designed to provide torsional damping through a range of torque transmitted through the decoupler, the range including a maximum rate torque for the decoupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Warren J. Williams, John R. Antchak
  • Patent number: 10393190
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler includes a hub, a pulley, a torsion spring, a first spring driver fixed to the pulley, and having a first stop feature for the spring; a second spring driver mounted about the hub and not fixed to the pulley, and having a second stop feature for the spring, a driving clutch shaft mounted connected to the second spring driver, a driven clutch shaft mounted concentrically with the driving clutch shaft and drivingly connected to the hub, a one-way wrap spring clutch mounted about the hub and disposed to interconnect the driving and driven clutch shafts, and configured to transfer torque in a first direction between the driving and driven clutch shafts, and an axial biasing member acting between one of (i) the pulley and the driving clutch shaft and (ii) the hub and driven clutch shaft, to urge the driving and driven clutch shafts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Warren J. Williams
  • Patent number: 10145444
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a damper cover for an engine crankshaft damper. In one example, a damper cover may include a frame and an inset, with extensions of the frame adapted to couple to slots of an engine crankshaft damper, and with portions of the inset positioned between each extension and each corresponding slot. As one example, the frame may be comprised of metal and the inset may be comprised of a damping material such as foam or rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shashin Shah, Shaji Mathews, Chuck Raymond Kvasnicka, Nathaniel David Hansen, Tom Xu
  • Patent number: 10078308
    Abstract: Timepiece wheel with play take-up, including a toothing, each tooth of which includes first and second half-teeth each including a part of the tooth profile, and movable with respect to each other against elastic return means, the wheel including, axially stacked, a first and a second half-wheel respectively carrying the first and second half-teeth and having limited rotational mobility with respect to each other, about the axis of this toothing, and against the elastic return means, the toothing of each half-wheel overhanging the other half-wheel, each half-wheel including hollows inside each of which is movable an opposite half-tooth, between two successive half-teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventor: Julien Feyer
  • Patent number: 9879752
    Abstract: A device that will allow a go kart to smoothly accelerate and decelerate particularly during racing the go cart. This device once assembled will allow the gradual absorption of shock on the drive chain as it rotates around thereby, rotating the axle of the go kart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: David Hicken
  • Patent number: 9850997
    Abstract: A filtering pulley for an accessory drive of an internal combustion engine, having a hub suitable for connection to an engine accessory, an annular crown provided with a profile configured to cooperate with a drive belt, a coil spring able to transmit torque between the crown and the hub, a first carrier constrained to a first end of the spring and a second carrier constrained to a second end of the spring. The annular crown is externally coaxial to the hub and supported in a rotationally free manner on the hub, and each of the carriers is rotationally coupled to both the hub and the crown with a limited possibility of relative rotation with respect to each of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.R.L
    Inventors: Gianluca Cariccia, Federico Domenico Licata
  • Patent number: 9702412
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a clutched device that includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, and a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch is engageable with the clutch input member and the clutch output member and has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. One of the radially outer and inner surfaces is engageable with a clutch engagement surface on one of the clutch input member and the clutch output member. The clutch engagement surface has a surface finish that includes a plurality of peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks engage the wrap spring clutch and each have a selected width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 9581233
    Abstract: Torsional vibration dampers having isolator members (crankshaft damper-isolators) are disclosed that include a hub defining an annular receptacle, a pulley body having a belt engaging surface, a damper assembly disposed between an outermost radial surface of the hub and the pulley body, an isolator member seated in the annular receptacle of the hub, and a slide bearing disposed between an outer radial surface of the hub and the sleeve of the pulley body. The isolator member is engaged with both the hub and the pulley body for rotation therewith when the hub and pulley body rotate at the same speed and when the hub rotates relative to the pulley body. The isolator member may be an elastomeric isolator or a torsion spring isolator. The slide bearing axially retains the pulley body to the hub and allows the pulley body to rotate relative to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Suhale Manzoor
  • Patent number: 9200681
    Abstract: A friction clutch includes a clutch boss and a pressure member that change in a relative position in a rotation direction. The clutch boss and the pressure member respectively include cam surfaces that come into contact with each other when the relative position of the clutch boss and the pressure member changes. A first damper member configured to damp a collision between the cam surfaces is provided in the friction clutch. Generation of noise due to the collision between the cam surfaces when the relative position of the clutch boss and the pressure member rapidly changes in the rotation direction is significantly reduced or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 9182028
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an automobile auxiliary apparatus, such as an alternator, that dampens torsional impacts and reduces the stress on the auxiliary apparatus, the belt drive system and other apparatuses, by use of both wear-prone damping elements and a one-way overrunning clutch mechanism allowing for the free run of the pulley shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John G. Agnitch, Nelson Meza
  • Patent number: 9175763
    Abstract: A belt pulley is provided for a crankshaft in a vehicle. The belt pulley can be mounted on an end of the crankshaft projecting from an engine block. The belt pulley includes, but is not limited to a drive disc, which can be fixed on the end of the crankshaft projecting from the engine block in a rotationally fixed manner, vibration damper which includes, but is not limited to a bulge that is elastically connected to the drive disc and an end body, which includes, but is not limited to a hollow space. A sound-damping component is arranged in the hollow space and the hollow space is covered by means of a cover disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Tobias Wolf
  • Patent number: 9175667
    Abstract: A fastening system used for the joint between a rotary shaft and a wind turbines pitch system which includes a front flange and a rear flange, which are joined together and supported on the hollow rotary shaft, and which are coupled to the pitch system having the bearings for the shaft and the star-shaped part. A fastening method couples the rear flange to the hollow shaft with a tapered collar and also to the front flange through spacer bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
    Inventors: Daniel Artal Lorente, Fernando De Las Cuevas Jimenez, Fermin Lazcoz Santesteban, Pedro Munarriz Andres
  • Publication number: 20150141182
    Abstract: An assembly comprising: a powder metal outer part (22) having a radially inward facing cylindrical surface (54) with a plurality of facets (52) formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal outer part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal outer part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal outer part; a powder metal inner part (20) having a radially outward facing cylindrical surface with a plurality of facets formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal inner part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal inner part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal inner part; and an intermediate component (26) disposed between the cylindrical surfaces of the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part that connects the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Joel H. Mandel, Donald P. Cooper, John P. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9033832
    Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a torsion spring engaged with the pulley, a wrap spring frictionally engageable with the shaft, the torsion spring and wrap spring connected in series such that each is torsionally loaded in a winding direction, the wrap spring comprising a variable cross-section having a first cross sectional dimension and a second cross sectional dimension, and the wrap spring temporarily releasable from the shaft in an overtorque condition by contact with the pulley urging the wrap spring in an unwinding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Robert Deady, Dean Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150105196
    Abstract: A damper pulley may include a damper hub part coupled to a crank shaft rotated upon receiving rotary driving force of an engine such that the damper hub part is integrally rotated with the crank shaft and a damper pulley part coupled to the damper hub part such that the damper pulley part is integrally rotated with the damper hub part. A power transmission unit is connected to the damper pulley part. The damper hub part may be made of a material comprising forged aluminum and the damper pulley part may be made of a material comprising a metal. The damper pulley has a reduced overall weight, and vibrations and impact can be reduced to enhance ride comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Kwon LEE
  • Patent number: 8985293
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a decoupler assembly for between an endless drive element and a shaft. The endless drive element may be, for example, an accessory drive belt from a vehicular engine. The shaft may be, for example, the input shaft of a belt-driven accessory, such as an alternator or a compressor. The decoupler assembly includes a hub that mounts to the shaft, a pulley that is rotatable with respect to the hub, a dampening spring and a clutch member. A part of the pulley is supported on a pulley support surface on the hub. There is a gap between the pulley and the pulley support surface. The gap has lubricant therein to facilitate sliding between the pulley and the pulley support surface. By eliminating the use of a polymeric bushing between pulley and the hub, there are several advantages that are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Patrick Marion, Lucas Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150072813
    Abstract: A crank pulley decoupling device includes: a crank pulley connected to one end of a crankshaft and configured to transmit a rotational force; a first spring configured to be inserted into the crank pulley and to have one end provided in the crank pulley and the other end provided in the crank shaft; and a second spring configured to be inserted into the crank pulley and to be provided on an outer circumferential surface of the crankshaft. Spring design and design change are freely done by utilizing space in the crank pulley while the first and second springs are spaced apart so that impact therebetween is reduced, thereby improving durability and preventing decrease in efficiency due to friction and thus improving the product value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ki Bong YOON
  • Patent number: 8951153
    Abstract: The present power transmission mechanism comprises: a first rotation member mounted integrally rotatably on the rotation shaft of a drive apparatus; a second rotation member rotatable integrally with or relative to the first rotation member; an elastic member interposed between the first and second rotation members which, when the first and second rotation members rotate relative to each other, absorbs a rotation difference between them; and, a switching portion which includes a mass member mounted on one of the first and second rotation members and rotatable integrally therewith, and an energizing member for energizing the mass member in a direction where it can be contacted with the other of the first and second rotation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Ishida, Hayato Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20150024885
    Abstract: A combustion engine component comprises an assembly of a belt pulley for driving auxiliary engine equipment and a torsional vibration damper. The assembly is adapted to be fixed on an engine crankshaft, wherein the belt pulley is of a so called decoupling type, arranged to be able to change its rotational angle relative to the crankshaft and the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper is partially positioned in a corresponding annular recess in the belt pulley, creating an annular cavity in the recess between the torsional vibration damper and the belt pulley. An annular seal ring is positioned in the annular cavity and is arranged to close off at least a part of the annular cavity from the air surrounding the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Christer ODENMARCK, Christopher CULLEY, Hayder AL-KATTAN, Andreas STUFFER, Alexander ROSE, Dimitri SIEBER, Christian FECHLER
  • Patent number: 8931610
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a pulley, a shaft, the pulley journalled to the shaft on a low friction bushing, a spring carrier, the pulley journalled to the spring carrier on a low friction bushing, the spring carrier journalled to the shaft on a low friction bushing, a torsion spring coupled between the pulley and the spring carrier, a one way clutch spring frictionally engaged with the shaft, the one way clutch spring coupled to the spring carrier, the one way clutch spring is disposed radially inward of the torsion spring, and the pulley temporarily engagable with an end of the one way clutch spring whereby the frictional engagement of the one way clutch spring with the shaft is temporarily diminished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 8920271
    Abstract: A drive sprocket for machines such as a motorcycle includes cushioning elements to reduce spikes in stress levels between the machine's power transmission and a driven member, such as the wheel of motorcycle. The sprocket has an inner plate which is located coaxially within the outer ring. The inner plate is formed with outwardly projecting lugs that are arranged to mesh with the inwardly projecting lugs of outer ring. The outwardly projecting lugs comprise six wide lugs and six narrow lugs disposed alternately around the outside of the inner ring. The outer edges of outwardly projecting lugs are formed with a bearing slot. In the case of the six wide lugs, their bearing slots cooperate with bearing slots on the inside wall of the outer ring to provide a ball bearing race for bearings. The sides of the lugs are also formed with cushion slots to engage cushioning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Ryan Burke
  • Patent number: 8888619
    Abstract: A method for producing an over-running decoupler that is configured to transmit rotary power between a rotary member and a hub. The over-running decoupler includes a one-way clutch having a clutch spring, a carrier that is coupled to the clutch spring and at least one spring that resiliently couples the carrier to the hub. The method includes: establishing a desired fatigue life of the at least one spring; establishing a design deflection of the at least one spring during resonance, wherein deflection of the at least one spring at the design deflection during resonance does not reduce a fatigue life of the at least one spring below the desired fatigue life; and preventing resonance in the over-running decoupler by controlling a maximum deflection of the at least one spring such that the maximum deflection is less than or equal to the design deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 8888622
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley journalled to the shaft, a clutch carrier journalled to the shaft through a one-way clutch, a torsion spring engaged between the pulley and the clutch carrier, the torsion spring loadable in an unwinding direction, the torsion spring and the pulley having a predetermined clearance between a torsion spring outside diameter surface and a pulley inside diameter surface, and whereby the torsion spring outside diameter surface and a pulley inside diameter surface come into a progressive frictional engagement by torque load dependent radial expansion of the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaohua Joe Chen, John T. Harvey, Rudy Pupulin, Keming Liu, Alexander Serkh, Imtiaz Ali, Dean Schneider, Peter Ward
  • Publication number: 20140329629
    Abstract: A harmonic damper for use in vehicular accessory drive systems. The harmonic damper includes a one-piece inertia ring manufactured from a sheet metal blank using a cold forming process to define a series of interconnected folded ring sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Dejan Vukojicic
  • Publication number: 20140274508
    Abstract: An efficiency boost of power transmission to the front end accessory drive (“FEAD”) system is provided by a crankshaft damper having a hub, an inertia member operably attached to the hub by an elastomeric member, and a one-way clutch operably attached to the inertia member and to drive a belt-engaging surface. The one-way clutch is operably associated with the crankshaft damper for increasing the average RPM input to the FEAD system relative to the average crankshaft input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Robert James Crist
  • Patent number: 8834308
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus is disclosed. The transporting apparatus comprises a mounting plate; a assistant wheel assembly attached to the mounting plate, the assistant wheel assembly comprising an inner wheel, an outer wheel, and an elastic member; the elastic member is between the inner wheel and the outer wheel; a driving wheel movably attached to the mounting plate; a driving member secured to the driving wheel; and a belt connecting the outer wheel and the driving member; wherein the elastic member is generally deformed at a location where the belt warps on the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 8820503
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a pulley, a shaft, the pulley journalled to the shaft on a low friction bushing, a spring carrier disposed within the pulley, a torsion spring coupled between the pulley and the spring carrier, a wrap spring one way clutch wrapped about the shaft and having a frictional engagement therewith, the wrap spring one way clutch coupled to the spring carrier, the wrap spring one way clutch is disposed radially inward of the torsion spring, and the pulley temporarily engagable with an end of the wrap spring one way clutch in an unwinding direction whereby a temporary contact between the wrap spring one way clutch end and the pulley will temporarily diminish the frictional engagement of the wrap spring one way clutch with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Schneider, Alexander Serkh, Peter Ward
  • Patent number: 8813928
    Abstract: An alternator isolating decoupler comprising an alternator shaft, a one-way clutch engaged with the alternator shaft, a first wrap spring releasably engaged with the one-way clutch, a second wrap spring releasably engaged with the one-way clutch, the second wrap spring arranged in parallel with the first wrap spring, the first wrap spring and the second wrap spring in nested relation, the first wrap spring and the second wrap spring each having an end releasably engagable with an end cap, the end cap fixedly connected to an outer housing, the first wrap spring and the second wrap spring each engaged in series with a torsion spring, the torsion spring engaged with the outer housing, and the outer housing engaged with an alternator rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Schneider, Peter Ward, Alexander Serkh, Imitiz Ali, John Harvey
  • Publication number: 20140228158
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an automobile auxiliary apparatus, such as an alternator, that dampens torsional impacts and reduces the stress on the auxiliary apparatus, the belt drive system and other apparatuses, by use of both wear-prone damping elements and a one-way overrunning clutch mechanism allowing for the free run of the pulley shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John G. AGNITCH, Nelson MEZA
  • Patent number: 8789648
    Abstract: Disclosed are a belt type driveline and a rack assist type electric power steering apparatus including the belt type driveline, which improve power transmission efficiency and increases durability by preventing spinning with no traction of a ball nut and a nut pulley due to a slip between the ball nut and the nut pulley in an operation of a belt by a motor, and provide a user with convenient steering by minimizing vibration and noise transferred through a rack bar, the ball nut, the nut pulley, etc., when the rack bar slides while the nut pulley and the ball nut rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Je Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8789670
    Abstract: A decoupler having a hub, a drive member and an isolator. The drive member is disposed about the hub for rotation about a rotational axis and includes an inner clutch surface. The isolator couples the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier, a plurality of arcuate springs, and a wrap spring. The carrier is received between the hub and the drive member and includes a carrier member, which defines a pair of apertures, and a pair of reaction blocks that are mounted in the apertures. The arcuate springs are mounted in the carrier member and are disposed between the hub and an associated one of the reaction blocks. The wrap spring has an end and a plurality of helical coils that are engaged to the inner clutch surface of the drive member. The end has an end face that is abutted against one of the reaction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, James W. Dell, Harvey J. Dix, Scott Parsons
  • Patent number: 8764593
    Abstract: A sound-damping unit for a sprocket has a mounting foot for connection to a sprocket and an elastic body placed on the mounting foot that is suitable for cushioning a chain running onto the sprocket. The elastic body is provided with a protective cap or protective layer. A sprocket according to the invention includes a circular sprocket disc having a number of teeth and tooth gaps in the circumferential direction. The sprocket is equipped with at least one sound-damping unit that is configured to reduce the noise upon a chain running onto said sprocket. The sound-damping unit is at least one sound damping unit as above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ketten-Wulf Betriebs-GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Grobbel
  • Patent number: 8740735
    Abstract: A damper pulley assembly has a hub; a seismic mass connected to the hub to define a dynamic torsional vibration damper; a pulley connected to the hub; elastic means for connecting the pulley in torque-transmitting mode to the hub; and one-way stop means for arresting the pulley in a first stop position with respect to the hub or the seismic mass in a first direction, when the elastic means reach a predetermined torsional load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.r.l.
    Inventors: Adriano Rolando, Hervé Riu
  • Patent number: 8715121
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Conntechnical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Connard Cali, Carlos Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8678157
    Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a shaft, a pulley rotationally engaged with the shaft, a coil spring engaged between the pulley and a spring carrier, the spring carrier moveable relative to the shaft and pulley, a one-way clutch mounted to the shaft, a first torsion spring and a second torsion spring engaged between the spring carrier and the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring having a releasable frictional engagement with the one-way clutch, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring comprising adjacent parallel strands and having substantially equal diameters, the first torsion spring and the second torsion spring each being engagable with the pulley, the first torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley, and the second torsion spring releasing a frictional engagement with the one-way clutch upon an engagement with the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Ward, Alexander Serkh, Imtiaz Ali, Dean Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140073466
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pulley device (1) including a pulley (5), a torque transmission means (6) intended to be mounted between the pulley (5) and a transmission shaft (3) of a turning machine, and torque limitation means (16) intended to be mounted between the pulley (5) and the transmission shaft (3). The pulley device also includes at least one bearing (7) intended to be mounted on a non-rotating housing (2) of the turning machine and provided with an inner race (8) with a bore (8b), through which the inner race (8) is intended to be mounted on the housing (2), an outer race (9) and at least one row of rolling elements (10). According to the invention, the pulley device (1) provides axial retention means (17) arranged exclusively radially between the bore (8b) of the inner race (8) and the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, Charles Chambonneau, Samuel Viault
  • Publication number: 20140066240
    Abstract: A polygon compensation coupling system for reducing a polygon effect in a chain driven system is disclosed. The polygon compensation coupling system may include a chain sprocket and a main drive in engagement with the chain sprocket, such that the engagement defines a compensation curve to reduce the polygon effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Walter Srb-Gaffron, Alexander Turek