Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Davis and Bujold
  • Patent number: 7846061
    Abstract: A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having in the force flow direction and in the following order an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and an axle gearset, or an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission input shaft, a transmission and an axle gearset. The electric motor is used for pre-lubricating and warming the transmission such that, with the vehicle clutch disengaged, the lubricant pump of the transmission is driven by the electric motor so bearings are supplied with lubricant before the engine is started, and the heat, produced by splashing the lubricant, additionally warms the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mario Steinborn, Ulrich Reith
  • Patent number: 7847705
    Abstract: An in-vehicle image display apparatus for use in a vehicle is provided which includes: a state detecting device that detects a state of surroundings of the vehicle; a display device that is provided at least in an entire front window section of the vehicle and capable of displaying information over the entire window section; an image generating device that generates image data for displaying an image of the surroundings of the vehicle on the display device based on detection results from the state detecting device; and a display control device that makes the display device display an image represented by the image data generated by the image generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ADC Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Kido
  • Patent number: 7845119
    Abstract: A constructional unit comprising: a support frame which is O-shaped in plan bounding an open central region, the support frame including first and second members which are each U-shaped in plan, each member being in the form of a base frame from which extend two side arms; the first and second members having their side arms telescopically engaged to define sides to the open central region of the O-shaped support frame; the telescopic engagement providing for—the spacing of the first base frame from the second base frame to be adjustable over a range of distance; and the temporary securing of the first member to the second member at a predetermined spacing; the base frame of the first member being adapted for location at a first level at a first working location; the second member being adapted, at a position remote from the first member, for location at a second level at a second working location by way of at least one leg pivotably attached at or near one end of the, or each, leg to the base frame of the sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Patent number: 7846863
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a substrate having a through hole serving as a passage for exhaust gas; and a catalyst coating layer formed on an internal surface of the through hole. The catalyst coating layer contains: a component (i): a precious metal; and a component (ii): at least one of a Zr oxide, a Ce oxide and a ZrCe mixed oxide. On an upstream portion of the passage, an oxide equivalent weight of Zr is within a range of 51-100 wt % of an oxide equivalent weight of Zr and Ce contained in the component (ii). On a downstream portion of the passage, the component (ii) includes at least one of a Ce oxide and a ZrCe mixed oxide in which an oxide equivalent weight of Ce is within a range of 58-100 wt % of an oxide equivalent weight of Zr and Ce contained in the ZrCe mixed oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Taki, Akimasa Hirai, Hiromasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7841442
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission that is operated in an open loop by way of an adjustable hydraulic motor (5), which is adjusted for the purpose of acceleration or deceleration with the aid of an electronic control unit (8) such that a desired vehicle speed corresponds to a measured vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Torsten Berg, Jürgen Legner, Jörg Geis
  • Patent number: 7842643
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst exhibiting high catalytic performance and restraining an amount of noble metals used is provided. An exhaust gas purifying catalyst has a catalyst substrate and a catalyst coating layer formed on the catalyst substrate. The catalyst coating layer has a layered structure including an inside layer containing (a-1) Pd, (a-2) Pt, and (a-3) an inorganic oxide, and an outside layer containing (b-1) a noble metal and (b-2) an inorganic oxide. A part of (a-3) the inorganic oxide carries Pd and Pt so that a weight ratio Pd/Pt is within a range of 8 to 12, whereas the other part of (a-3) the inorganic oxide carries Pd and Pt so that a weight ratio Pd/Pt is within a range of 4 to 6 or within a range of 18 to 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yabuzaki, Kenichi Taki, Akimasa Hirai
  • Patent number: 7841774
    Abstract: A sealed bearing includes a first race having a circumferential outer surface with a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a reduced diameter. A second race is provided having an circumferential outer surface with a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a reduced diameter. Rolling elements are positioned between the first race and the second race. A race retention sleeve is provided which engages the second portion of the first race and the second portion of the second race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: QA Bearing Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Thompson
  • Patent number: 7841456
    Abstract: The invention concerns an adjustable hysteresis driver, with a rotor component (5) on the input side that can be driven and/or a stator component (7?, 7?), with an armature component (8) on the output side in fixed connection with a shaft (4), with a hysteresis component (9) connected to the armature component (8), the stator component (7?, 7?) comprising an electromagnet (7a) or permanent magnet (18) by means of which a magnetic flux can be induced in the rotor component (5) and/or the stator component (7?, 7?), and in which the torque that can be transmitted can be adjusted by electromagnetic or electro-mechanical means. The purpose of the invention is to propose a hysteresis driver with improved adjustability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: 2F Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Pescheck, Stefan Unseld, Konrad Thoma
  • Patent number: 7841312
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a camshaft includes a brake system and a superposition gear system connected on a drive output side to the camshaft and on the drive input side to the crankshaft, such that to adjust the camshaft the superposition gear system dissipates part of the energy from the drive side into the brake system. The brake system is a frictional brake system, such that the necessary braking force is produced by a friction lining that operates in a slipping condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Frank Richter
  • Patent number: 7836992
    Abstract: A drivetrain for an all-wheel drive motor vehicle which includes a longitudinally arranged central transmission, a transfer box, a Cardan shaft and two drive axles arranged normal to the direction of travel. The transfer box includes a central differential, an input and two output shafts. The input shaft of the central transmission communicates with an engine crankshaft. The transfer box input shaft is connected to an output shaft and an input element of the central differential. The first output shaft of the transfer box is connected to a first output element of the central differential and the first drive axle. The second output shaft of the transfer box is actively connected to a second output element of the central differential and to the second drive axle. The two output shafts of the transfer box are coaxially arranged at an angle to the output shaft of the central transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Dirk Habeck
  • Patent number: 7837453
    Abstract: A device (1) for driving an oil pump (2) for a transmission of a motor vehicle, having a pump housing (4), a transmission housing (3), a pump shaft (8), and a gear shaft (13), which is in rotationally fixed connection with the pump shaft (8). The gear shaft has a gear wheel (14) and is mounted in the transmission housing as part of a gear stage. It is proposed that the gear shaft (13) is bearing-mounted on both sides of the gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Lothar Barthel, Tobias Karstens
  • Patent number: 7836988
    Abstract: A method for operating a parallel hybrid drive train of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric engine and an output. The electric engine being located in the power drive between the output and the internal combustion engine. A second shifting element is located between the internal combustion engine and the electric engine and a first shifting element between the electric engine and the output. Output torque driving the output can be adjusted according to the transmitting capacities of the first and second shifting elements and according to the input torque of the electric engine and/or internal combustion engine. These adjustments are corrected according to standards derived from divergences found in parameters during operation of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Gromus, Stefan Blattner, Bernd Allgaier, Stefan Kilian, Peter Schiele, Friedrich Tenbrock, Gerd Frotscher
  • Patent number: 7832399
    Abstract: A medication inhaler having an inhaler body with a medication container chamber for receiving a medication container and at least one air passage connecting the medication container chamber with external air and a mouthpiece axially engageable with the inhaler body and having a mouthpiece chamber for communication with a patient's respiratory system and a hollow medication delivery needle communicating with the mouthpiece chamber. The medication delivery needle extends toward the medication container chamber and has at least one opening for passing exterior air and medication from an interior space of a medication container in the medication container chamber through the needle and to mouthpiece chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: One Dose, LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Ganem, Jake Ganem, Scott Ganem
  • Patent number: 7833127
    Abstract: A method for controlling or regulating a clutch torque of a startup clutch of a motor vehicle, which first of all reliably prevents an unintentional rolling of the motor vehicle down a gradient and second enables a comfortable maneuvering mode, which requires no separate actuation of an operating element for activating a maneuvering mode, and also enables a precisely dosed speed definition during maneuvering on gradients, wherein the adjusted speed is substantially independent from the gradient of the ground and the motor vehicle load. A startup and maneuvering control device is provided according to the invention, which reads in driving resistance data, determines therefrom a driving resistance value, and determines a base value of the clutch torque of the automated startup clutch in dependence thereof, which is adjusted in dependence upon the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 7832400
    Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising a hollow main body having opposed first and second openings formed therein and the main body defining an internal chamber. A partition divides the internal chamber into first and second flow compartments. A flow passageway of a first nasal prong communicates with the first compartment and a flow passageway of the first mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a first flow passageway which communicates with both a first nostril and a mouth of the patient. A flow passageway of a second nasal prong communicates with the second compartment and a flow passageway of the second mouth piece communicates with the first compartment to define a second flow passageway which communicates with both a second nostril and the mouth of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventors: James N. Curti, Peter W. Salter
  • Patent number: 7832919
    Abstract: A gear for driving a drum of a ready-mix concrete truck comprises a driving motor (5) which drives an inner spider gear (7) of a planetary gear. An outer spider gear (16) forms the driven part and a bearing (11), by which the drum of the concrete truck is mounted, is disposed between a planetary gear (23) and the driving motor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eduard Heilig
  • Patent number: 7831659
    Abstract: A data providing system of the present invention is provided with an image acquiring device, an area extracting device, a data storing device, and a data providing device. For each image data acquired by the image acquiring device, a storage destination specifying area is extracted by the area extracting device, storage destination is specified by a storage destination specifying device, and the image data is stored at the storage destination by the data storing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Endo
  • Patent number: 7827884
    Abstract: An opening location marker for pop-top cans in combination with an improved opener for both pop-top cans and bottles is formed to include an elongated lever body. A lifting element is positioned on the lever body and is sized shaped to fit underneath the lift tab on a pop-top can. A dent making element comprising an elongated fulcrum element is further formed on the lever body in physical association with the lift element but spaced away from the lift element so as to form a channel between the lift element and the fulcrum element. The channel is sized and shaped such that the lift tab of the pop-top can be sheaved in the channel between the lift element and the fulcrum element for manipulation of the lift tab to open the pop-top can. The opener further includes an edge gripper located on the lever body in physical association with the elongated fulcrum element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Gene Lawson
  • Patent number: 7831365
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a ratio of a continuously variable automatic transmission where a nominal ratio is determined according to an accelerator pedal signal value. The nominal ratio is determined according to a modified accelerator pedal signal. When the periodic curve of the accelerator pedal signal has a relative extreme value to the modified accelerator pedal signal, a starting value is assigned which is equal to this extreme value. Until the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is again equal to the value of the unmodified accelerator pedal signal, the value of the modified accelerator pedal signal is determined by a transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Herbster, Peter Spörl, Oliver Iden
  • Patent number: D628679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tour & Andersson AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Holmgren