Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Davis and Bujold
  • Respiratory therapy system including a nasal cannula assembly
    Patent number: 8225796
    Abstract: A nasal cannula, for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventors: James M. Davenport, James N. Curti, Barry Crandall, Peter W. Salter
  • Method for operating a drivetrain
    Patent number: 8226524
    Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle drivetrain having, along a power flow, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and a drive output. The transmission is associated with a main and auxiliary hydraulic pumps, and an internal or an external starting element. When the engine is at rest and the clutch and starting element are both disengaged, to start with the electric motor, with the brake pedal actuated, the auxiliary hydraulic pump is operated at a first power level to supply the transmission with pressure for maintaining a defined gear. Then, upon recognizing a desire to start, the auxiliary hydraulic pump is changed from a first to a second power level to supply pressure to the transmission to produce starting torque and, only after lapse of a time interval, is the speed of the motor increased to produce the desired starting power or torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Oliver Gloge
  • Parking lock for a transmission
    Patent number: 8225921
    Abstract: A transmission parking lock with a ramp (10) for pressing against an actuating element. The ramp (10) defines an actuation direction (11) in which the actuating element can be moved and the ramp (10) has a ramp gradient in the actuation direction (11). The ramp gradient varies transversely with respect to the actuation direction (11) such that the load between a pawl (1) and of the actuating element can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Reichert
  • Hydraulic radial piston engine
    Patent number: 8225707
    Abstract: To avoid having to strip down a radial piston engine (1) into its individual components when it is disassembled, a rotary cylinder (5) has a collar (19) on which the rotary cylinder is supported against the cam disk (2), the cam disk (2) being rotationally fixed in position to a housing portion (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Eduard Heilig
  • Method for actuating a clutch of a drivetrain
    Patent number: 8219294
    Abstract: A method for actuating a clutch (6) of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle such that, when the motor vehicle is rolling downhill with the accelerator pedal not being actuated and when the motor vehicle is coasting on level ground with the accelerator pedal not being actuated, a clutch position of the clutch (6) is determined as a function of a rotational speed difference between an input speed of a transmission (2) of the drivetrain and an idling speed of a power engine (1) of the drivetrain. The method includes the steps of determining the clutch position from the rotational speed difference between the transmission input speed and the power engine idling speed and correcting the clutch position using at least one parameter that depends on acceleration of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Aerogel with reduced dust, static charge, and having reduced fluidity when in granular form
    Patent number: 8217087
    Abstract: An improved aerogel and a process for production of the same. The improved aerogel which has a significantly reduced dust (e.g., aerogel fines) and static charge, as compared with conventional aerogel products. The aerogel also has a “sticky” or “tacky” nature which can be used to attract any available dust, fines and/or particulate matter and also restrict flowability of aerogel granules, for example, out of a breached container and thereby minimize loss of the aerogel product through any breached opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Keller Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Keller, Walter L. Magee, Jr., William D. Varnell, John W. McKenna, George N. Ghattas, Jonathan A. Beaupre, Janet D. Virr
  • Device for actuating a gearwheel, which is designed as a loose wheel, of a transmission device
    Patent number: 8215197
    Abstract: A device for actuating a gearwheel of a transmission device. The gearwheel rotates on a shaft and can be shifted by way an engagement mechanism that includes at least one actuator that is arranged at least partially inside the shaft. The actuator can be actuated by a pressure medium to fix the gearwheel to the shaft. The actuation force required for engaging or disengaging the gearwheel can come from within the shaft. The actuator is a piston-cylinder unit which is either rotationally fixed to the shaft or rotationally fixed relative the shaft. When the actuator is rotationally fixed relative to the shaft, the active connection between the actuator and the gearwheel, which is to be shifted, includes a drive decoupling unit between the actuator and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mark Mohr, Matthias Reisch
  • Method for blocking inadmissible gear shifts in a transmission and shift assembly for a transmission
    Patent number: 8219292
    Abstract: A method is proposed for blocking inadmissible gearshift processes in a transmission with a plurality of shifting devices which, to carry out a shift process, are moved by actuating devices when a shift command is sent by a control unit (TCU) to the relevant actuating device. The actuating devices are connected for data exchange with one another and with the control unit (TCU) in such manner that the actuating device of the shifting device to be shifted is activated provided that clearance has been given by at least one other actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Fuessl, Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz
  • Bearing assembly for use in earth drilling
    Patent number: 8215841
    Abstract: A bearing assembly has an outer housing, and an inner mandrel extending into outer housing. Radial bearing sleeves are positioned between the inner mandrel and the outer housing at both of ends of the outer housing. A thrust bearing assembly is positioned within the interior cavity of the outer housing, and includes a fixed bearing carrier fixed to the inner mandrel, first and second floating bearings carriers, and first and second pressure responsive fillers. Floating bearing carriers support hard face bearings that engage hard face bearings on the fixed bearing carrier to withstand axial loads. Pressure responsive fillers permit the floating bearing carriers limited angular adjustment in relation to the fixed bearing carrier to maintain their respective at least one hard face bearing in face to face relation notwithstanding deflections within required radial bearing tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Wenzel
  • Shifting device for a manual transmission
    Patent number: 8210067
    Abstract: A shifting device for a manual transmission having a shift rocker formed by two rocker arms connected by a rocker bridge, which is arranged over a shift sleeve via two slide-blocks attached to a holder at the end of each rocker arm, which pivots about a transverse axis defined by bearing points. A carrier element is positioned off-center on the rocker bridge to engage with a shifting pin of a shifting shaft. The rocker arm closer to the carrier element has a lower elastic rigidity than the other rocker arm. To produce different spring rigidities, the rocker arm closer to the carrier element has the geometrical form of a spring element which is elastic in the pivoting direction. The, rocker arm farther away from the carrier element is a bracket with relatively greater elastic rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Uwe Beer
  • Multi-stage gearbox
    Patent number: 8210981
    Abstract: A multi-stage transmission comprises planetary gearsets (P1, P2, P3, P4), shafts and shift elements. The carriers of gearsets (P1, P2) couple via shaft (4) which couples the sun gear of gearset (P3). The ring gear of the gearset (P1) couples the sun gear of gearset (P2) via shaft (8), which couples drive shaft (1) via clutch (18). The sun gear of gearset (P1) couples housing (G) by shaft (3) via brake (03), and shaft (1) via clutch (13). The ring gear of gearset (P2) couples housing (G) by shaft (5) via brake (05). The sun gear of gearset (P4) couples housing (G). Shaft (6) couples shaft (1) via clutch (16) and carrier of gearset (P3). Shaft (9) couples shaft (4) via clutch (49) and the ring gear of gearset (P4). Output shaft (2) couples the ring gear and the carrier respectively of gearsets (P3, P4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gert Bauknecht, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Peter Ziemer, Mark Mohr
  • Sacrificial anode and treatment of concrete
    Patent number: 8211289
    Abstract: A method of protecting steel in concrete is disclosed. A voltage between two connections of a power supply is generated such that current can flow between a negative connection and a positive connection. In a first protection step, one of the connections of the power supply is electrically connected to the steel to be cathodically protected and a sacrificial anode is electrically connected in series with the other connection of the power supply such that the voltage generated by the power supply is added to the voltage generated between the sacrificial anode and the steel to produce a voltage greater than the voltage generated between the sacrificial anode and the steel alone. The power supply may be a cell or battery and may be combined with the sacrificial anode to form a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Gareth Kevin Glass, Adrian Charles Roberts, Nigel Davison
  • Method for actuating an interwheel differential locks
    Patent number: 8210987
    Abstract: A method of actuating an interwheel differential lock of a mobile vehicle. The interwheel differential lock is actuated to engage depending on the speed of the vehicle, the accelerator pedal position and the gradient of the torque at the transmission output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Toilet seat cover having air treatment system
    Patent number: 8209787
    Abstract: A toilet seat cover for a toilet having an internal compartment located within the toilet seat cover and an inlet aperture located in a bottom surface of the toilet seat cover. A filtration component is accommodated within the internal compartment and an air moving device for drawing in air from the toilet into the internal compartment and directing the air through the filtration component such that as the air passes through the filtration component, any noxious air, fumes and toilet odors in the air are removed prior to the treated air being discharge, from a discharge outlet of the toilet seat cover, into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Rosswaag
  • Multi-step-transmission
    Patent number: 8210982
    Abstract: A multi-step transmission including four gear sets, shafts, and shifting elements. The sun gear of gearset (P4) couples shaft (3) which communicates, via brake (03), with the housing. The carrier of gearset (P4) couples the output shaft, which couples the ring gear of gearset (P2). The ring gear of gearset (P4) couples shaft (7), which couples the carrier of gearset (P2) and, via clutch (17), communicates with the drive shaft, which communicates, via clutch (18), with the ring gear of gearset (P1) coupled to shaft (8), and, via clutch (15), communicates with shaft (5). Shaft (5) couples the sun gear of gearset (P3), and, via brake (05), communicates with the housing. The carrier of gearset (P1) couples the shaft (6), the ring gear of gearset (P3) and the sun gear of gearset (P2). The carrier of gearset (P3) couples the shaft (4), which, via brake (4), communicates with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Peter Tiesler, Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt
  • Hydraulically prestressed elastomer spring element and the use thereof in wind turbine bearings
    Patent number: 8210507
    Abstract: The invention relates to spring elements and bearings which contain these spring elements, the spring stiffness of the bearings and spring elements being individually adjustable by deformable elastomer bodies or elastomer layers by prestressing. The deformation of the elastomer layers and hence of the spring elements is achieved by an appropriately designed hydraulic device. The leak-tightness of the spring elements and bearing elements according to the invention is achieved through special hydraulically prestressed sealing elements, use of a pressure membrane and special structural features of the elastomer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Multi step transmission
    Patent number: 8210983
    Abstract: A multi step transmission, of a planetary design, which has an external housing and includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. First, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are each accommodated within the transmission housing along with third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth shafts, and at least six shift elements. The at least six shift elements comprises first and second brakes and first, second, third and fourth clutches, whose selected engagement produces different transmission ratios between the drive shaft and the output shaft such that nine separate forward gears and one reverse gear can be achieved. For each of the forward and reverse gears, only three of the six shift elements are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christian Sibla, Stefan Beck, Josef Haupt, Gert Bauknecht, Peter Ziemer
  • Arrangement of a planetary gearset
    Patent number: 8206258
    Abstract: An arrangement for planetary gearsets comprises at least simple radially inner and radially outer planetary gearsets each comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier that carries planetary gears. The two gearsets are coaxially aligned and one of the gearsets is radially nested inside the sun gear of the other gearset. The ring gear of the radially inner gearset and the sun gear of the radially outer planetary gearset are at least coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed and are connected to a common carrier by driving teeth. To achieve a simple and inexpensive production, the ring gear of the radially inner gearset and the sun gear of the radially outer gearset are first produced as separate components with different heat treatments and then the ring and the sun gear are connected together by one of a friction force locking, a form interlocking and/or positive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Independent wheel suspension
    Patent number: 8205896
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension with a rotating steering knuckle which supports itself on a spring carrier is connected with the vehicle frame via a damper. The steering knuckle is connected with the spring carrier via a kingpin, and the wheel suspension has upper and lower transverse links which are positioned at the upper or lower ends of the kingpin. The steering knuckle and the transverse links are pivotally positioned relative to the kingpin and the spring carrier is connected with the kingpin in a rotationally fixed manner. The kingpin connects the spring carrier, the steering knuckle, and the upper end lower transverse links and is a two-piece part which comprises upper and lower parts. Axially, radially and rotationally fixing the upper and the lower parts and the spring carrier is achieved by a combination of the upper and the lower parts with the spring carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Gell, Ulrich Solka, Hans Wimmer
  • Multi-speed transmission
    Patent number: 8206257
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission having four gearsets, eight shafts and six shifting elements. The sun gear of gearset (P2) couples, via shaft (5) and brake (05), the housing (G), and, via clutch (15) the drive shaft. The carriers of gearsets (P2, P3) communicate, via shaft (4) and brake (04), with housing (G), and the sun gear of gearset (P3) communicates, via shaft (8) and clutch (18), with the drive shaft. The ring gears of gearsets (P2, P3) communicate, via shaft (6), with the ring gear of gearset (P4) and the sun gear of gearset (P1). The ring gear of gearset (P4) and the sun gear of gearset (P1) are connected with one another. The sun gear of gearset (P4) communicates, via shaft (3) and brake (03), with housing (G). The carriers of gearsets (P1, P4) communicate, via shaft (7) and clutch (17), with the drive shaft and the output shaft couples the ring gear of gearset (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Peter Tiesler, Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt