Patents Assigned to Litens Automotive
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Patent number: 6726571Abstract: A driveshaft for a snowmobile has an elongated hollow tube having a longitudinal extent. The tube has a series of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending splines. Both ends of the tube each have an insert for journal mounting the tube. At least two sprockets are mounted on the tube in a spaced relation. Each of the sprockets has an inner hub which has an inner circumferential surface contoured to complementarily engage with the tube in a frictional fit.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventors: Larry J. Ferriman, Peter J. Connelly, Terry P. Cleland
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Patent number: 6719356Abstract: A power-operated system for actuating the rear doors or liftgates of motor vehicles includes a strut assembly having two struts, each strut mounted on one side of the door between the door and the vehicle's door frame. One end of each strut is connected to a powered rotating arm. To open the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that they have a substantial mechanical advantage. In this position, the force provided by the struts overcomes the weight bias of the door, thus opening the door. To close the door, the rotating arms change the angular orientation of the struts such that the struts have a decreased mechanical advantage, reducing the force provided by the struts, and therefore causing the door to fall closed under its own weight bias. A control system for controlling the power-operated system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventors: Terry P. Cleland, Larry J. Ferriman, Klaus K. Bytzek, Gary Spicer
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Patent number: 6605013Abstract: A combination comprises a belt trained about a plurality of pulleys and a tensioner assembly including a rotary member rotatively engaged by one side of the belt at an operative position. The rotary member is rotatably mounted on an arm pivoted about a fixed pivotal axis and has a rotational axis parallel with the fixed pivotal axis. The vector force applied by the belt to the periphery of the rotary member at the bisector of the belt wrap angle extends through the rotational axis and is related by at least a small angle to a line passing through the rotational and pivotal axis. The vector force acts in a direction to bias the arm to pivot about the pivotal axis in a direction to move the rotary member into the operative position. The rotary member is initially installed into the operative position by moving the arm in the direction from an installation position.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Donovan R. Chambers, Joseph Atikian
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Patent number: 6588381Abstract: The combination comprises a valve controlled piston and cylinder internal combustion engine and a coolant system. The engine has an output shaft and a camshaft driven by the output shaft. The system includes a coolant flow path which passes through the engine in cylinder cooling relation and thereafter through a cooling zone. The system includes a coolant pump comprising a pump housing within the flow path, an impeller rotating structure, a pump impeller, and a damper assembly. The rotating structure is mounted directly to the camshaft so as to be rotatably driven thereby about an axis concentric to a rotational axis of the camshaft. The damper assembly is disposed within the pump housing and is rotatable to dampen torsional vibrations of the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventor: Jacek S. Komorowski
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Patent number: 6561592Abstract: The present invention relates to a running wheel arrangement having a hub and a running wheel, which is rotatably supported on the hub. Furthermore, the hub includes an internal hub and an external hub which are provided substantially in a manner fixed for co-rotation and which are displaceable against each other in the radial direction. The running wheel further includes a spring which is provided between the internal hub and the external hub.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Litens Automotive GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Guhr
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Patent number: 6506137Abstract: An automotive tension device features a pair of pulleys which are pivotally mounted on the same pivot arm. The pulleys are positioned within the drive system (e.g., a belt drive system) in such a manner that the moments relative to the pivot axis created by the force resultant of the driving member passing around each of the pulleys are oppositely directed. Thus, the pulleys provide rotational support for each other. The tension device and arrangement is positioned within a belt drive system having a combination starter/generator, wherein the crankshaft ordinarily drives the belt but the starter/generator drives the belt on engine startup (an arrangement which creates varying kinematic conditions within the belt).Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Litens Automotive GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Guhr
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Patent number: 6484593Abstract: The present invention relates to a load sensor comprises an annular gauge ring comprising an annular inner ring portion and an annular outer ring portion. The gauge ring has strainable beam members and flexing beam members. The beam members interconnect the ring portions. The flexing beam members are thicker in comparison to the strainable beam members so that the flexible beam members are less subject to elongation and compression due to strain in comparison to the strainable beam members such that the flexing beam members substantially limit the relative movement between the ring portions to the load measuring direction when a load with a force component in the load measuring direction is applied to one of the ring portions by (1) resisting elongation and compression to substantially prevent relative movement between the ring portions in a transverse direction and (2) flexing to allow limited relative movement between the ring portions in the load measuring direction. The strainable beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Jorma J. Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6464604Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning engine driven driving elements, such as belts or chains, is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tensioner is initially installed with the pivot structure spaced past the perpendicular angular position thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tension required to move the pivot structure to the end of its range of angular positions is at least 75% more than at the hot engine angular position thereof. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tensioner has a stop at the maximum travel position thereof and the tension required to move the pivot structure to its maximum travel position is at least 75% more than at the hot engine angular position thereof. In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, the tension required to move the pivot structure to a potential tooth skip angular position is greater than the maximum tension the engine is capable of creating.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Marek Frankowski, Jorma J. Lehtovaara, Jacek Stepniak, Klaus K. Bytzek, Witold Gajewski
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Patent number: 6458055Abstract: A belt tensioner mounted on mounting structure in normal and reverse modes which comprises a hub structure. An arm structure is pivotally mounted on the hub structure for pivotal movements with respect thereto about a pivot axis central to the hub structure between first and second limiting positions. A belt-engaging pulley is rotatably mounted on the arm structure for rotational movement about a rotational axis parallel with the pivotal axis. A spring system is provided for resiliently biasing the arm structure away from the first limiting position and toward the second limiting position. The hub structure includes a central opening extending axially therethrough configured to allow a mounting bolt to extend therethrough and into secured relation to the mounting structure. The hub structure includes a normal mode mounting plate on one axial end thereof which engages the mounting structure when the mounting bolt is secured therein as aforesaid.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventor: Colin Bellamy-Booth
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Patent number: 6422962Abstract: A tensioner for an endless belt comprising a stationary structure on which a pivotal tension arm with an idler pulley is mounted. A spring between the tension arm and the stationary structure acts to bias the pulley against the belt, thereby applying tension. The invention includes a one-way device that is operable in response to the extent of pivotal movement of the tension arm in the forward direction to establish different positions at which pivotal movement in the return direction is limited. A damping system is used to restrict pivotal movement of the tension arm as a result of sudden short-time vibratory movements or dynamic vibrations in cold conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Jorma J. Lehtovaara, K. Mats Lipowski, Marek Frankowski, Jacek Stepniak
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Patent number: 6375588Abstract: A timing belt tensioner for a motor vehicle engine comprising a pivot that is fixed relative to the motor vehicle engine. A tensioner arm is mounted for pivotal movement on the pivot. The tensioner arm has a friction surface disposed in friction sliding relation with an adjacent surface during the pivotal movement. A belt engaging pulley is mounted for rotation on the tensioner arm. A spring coupled with the tensioner arm biases the arm in a direction tending to force the pulley into tensioning engagement with the belt when the tensioner is installed on the motor vehicle engine. The spring biasing the arm into a working position maintains a predetermined range of tension in the belt during dynamic operating equilibrium of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Marek Frankowski, Jacek Stepniak, Jorma J. Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6364795Abstract: A belt tensioner for tensioning a belt for a motor vehicle comprises a pivot shaft, a pivoting structure mounted for pivotal movement on the pivot shaft, and a pulley mounted for rotation on the pivoting structure. A spring biases the pivoting structure in a direction that moves the pulley mounted on the pivoting structure into tensioning engagement with the belt. A bolt is constructed and arranged to mount the belt tensioner on the motor vehicle engine mount. The bolt is constructed and arranged to be tightened to a predetermined extent for installing the tensioner of the motor vehicle, the predetermined extent is the same extent to which the bolt is tightened during normal operation of the tensioner. A clamping structure applies a predetermined clamping force on the pivot shaft after the bolt is tightened to the predetermined extent.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Jacek S. Komorowski, Marek Frankowski
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Publication number: 20020026839Abstract: The present invention relates to a load sensor comprises an annular gauge ring comprising an annular inner ring portion and an annular outer ring portion. The gauge ring has strainable beam members and flexing beam members. The beam members interconnect the ring portions. The flexing beam members are thicker in comparison to the strainable beam members so that the flexible beam members are less subject to elongation and compression due to strain in comparison to the strainable beam members such that the flexing beam members substantially limit the relative movement between the ring portions to the load measuring direction when a load with a force component in the load measuring direction is applied to one of the ring portions by (1) resisting elongation and compression to substantially prevent relative movement between the ring portions in a transverse direction and (2) flexing to allow limited relative movement between the ring portions in the load measuring direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Jorma J. Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6216547Abstract: The present invention relates to a load sensor comprises an annular gauge ring comprising an annular inner ring portion and an annular outer ring portion. The gauge ring has strainable beam members and flexing beam members. The beam members interconnect the ring portions. The flexing beam members are thicker in comparison to the strainable beam members so that the flexible beam members are less subject to elongation and compression due to strain in comparison to the strainable beam members such that the flexing beam members substantially limit the relative movement between the ring portions to the load measuring direction when a load with a force component in the load measuring direction is applied to one of the ring portions by (1) resisting elongation and compression to substantially prevent relative movement between the ring portions in a transverse direction and (2) flexing to allow limited relative movement between the ring portions in the load measuring direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Jorma J. Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6196940Abstract: A belt tensioner for a motor vehicle engine, comprises a spindle portion and an eccentric pivoted structure mounted for pivoted movement on the spindle portion. A rotatable pulley member is mounted for rotation on the eccentric pivoted structure, and a spring is constructed and arranged to bias the eccentric pivoted structure and hence the rotatable pulley member into tensioning engagement with a belt trained about the pulley member. A force applying structure is constructed and arranged to force the spindle portion toward the belt against a counteracting belt load force applied by the belt to the rotatable pulley. Linear guiding structure is constructed and arranged to limit movement of the spindle portion to linear movement toward the belt during application of force by the force applying structure during installation of the belt tensioner.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Litens AutomotiveInventor: Jorma J. Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6165091Abstract: Disclosed is a tensioner for use in an engine. The tensioner comprises a fixed structure that fixes to the engine. A movable structure is mounted for movement relative to the fixed structure in a belt tensioning and opposite directions. A pulley member has a belt engaging surface that engages with the belt. One of the fixed and movable structures has an interior surface defining a fluid chamber containing fluid and the other includes a chamber dividing structure. The chamber dividing structure defines first and second chamber portions on opposing sides thereof. A biasing element biases the movable structure in the tensioning direction to tension the belt. Relative movement of the movable structure in the tensioning direction displaces fluid from the first to the second chamber portion and increases fluid pressure in the first chamber portion and decreases fluid pressure in the second chamber portion, and the reverse occurs during movement of the movable structure in the opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Flaviu V. Dinca, Daryl D. Musselman, Larry J. Ferriman, Klaus K. Bytzek
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Patent number: 6149542Abstract: A belt tensioner for a motor vehicle engine comprises a pivot shaft and an eccentric pivoted structure mounted for pivoted movement on the pivot shaft. The belt tensioner has a rotatable pulley member mounted for rotation on the eccentric pivoted structure. A spring is constructed and arranged to bias the eccentric pivoted structure in a direction tending to force the rotatable pulley member into tensioning engagement with a belt trained about the pulley member. A mounting bolt is constructed and arranged to mount the belt tensioner on the motor vehicle engine, said pivot shaft being movable relative to said mounting bolt and towards said belt during a belt tensioner installation procedure. A linear guiding structure provides surfaces of interengagement between said belt tensioner and said motor vehicle engine to limit movement of the pivot shaft to linear movement toward the belt during the installation procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Jorma J Lehtovaara
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Patent number: 6083130Abstract: A serpentine belt drive system for an automotive vehicle comprising a drive assembly including an internal combustion engine having an output shaft with a driving pulley thereon rotatable about a driving pulley axis. A sequence of driven assemblies each has a driven pulley rotatable about an axis parallel with the driving pulley axis and a serpentine belt mounted in cooperating relation with the driving pulley and with the driven pulleys in a sequence which corresponds with the sequence of the driven assemblies when related to the direction of movement of the belt to cause said driven pulleys to rotate in response to the rotation of the driving pulley. The sequence of driven assemblies includes an alternator assembly including an alternator shaft mounted for rotation about a shaft axis. A hub structure is fixedly carried by the alternator shaft for rotation therewith about the shaft axis. A spring and one-way clutch mechanism couples the alternator pulley with the hub structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Pierre A. Mevissen, Kin Lam, Mats K. Lipowski, Klaus K. Bytzek, Henry W. Thomey
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Patent number: 6044943Abstract: A crankshaft decoupler has a mounting hub, a pulley rotatably mounted on the mounting hub, an annular carrier mounted within said pulley, a biasing device mounted therebetween, and a one way clutch mounted between the annular carrier and the pulley. The biasing device cushions the belt drive from crankshaft impulses and lowers the angular resonant frequency of the belt system. The one way clutch prevents sudden reversal of the belt tension in the drive due to start/stop of the engine or sudden deceleration of the engine and prevents momentary reverse slip belt squeal as a result of the tensioners' inadequate output for the reverse mode. The one way clutch limits the maximum amount of torque which may be transmitted preventing belt slippage during momentary overload.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Klaus Bytzek, K. Mats Lipowski, Jacek S. Komorowski, Henry W. Thomey
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Patent number: 5919107Abstract: A belt tensioner for tensioning a drive belt or timing belt comprises an eccentric adjusting member having an end surface thereof constructed and arranged to be mounted directly in surface-to-surface engagement with respect to a belt tensioner mounting surface for an engine frame. A pivoted structure is mounted on the eccentric adjusting member for pivoted movement between a first position and a second position, and a belt tensioning pulley is mounted for rotational movement on the pivoted structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventor: Jacek Stepniak