Patents Examined by Anna Momper
  • Patent number: 8991565
    Abstract: Disc brake piston cap (3) interposed between the caliper (1) and the piston (2) to protect the piston (2). The cap (3) has a bulge (351) on the inner fold (35) which is engaged in the groove (22) of the piston (2), and has an overmolded insert (31) fixed to the annular groove (11) of the caliper. The folded cap (3), with the overmolded insert (31), intermediate folds (33, 34) and an outer fold (32), comprises longitudinal ribs (352) on the face of the inner fold (35) to stiffen this fold and allow air to pass from the inside to the outside around the bulge (351) of the inner fold (35), housed in the groove (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Chassis Brakes International B.V.
    Inventors: Pascal Champion, Philippe Barret, François Daguzan, Thierry Bindner
  • Patent number: 8991569
    Abstract: Designs and methods are provided for a hydraulic strut and control system suitable for energy attenuation applications such as vehicle seating system. In one exemplary embodiment the hydraulic strut includes a main cylinder having a first closed end, a second end with an opening. A main piston slidably disposed in the main cylinder divides it into a first fluid chamber between the main piston and the first end of the main cylinder, and a second fluid chamber between the main piston and the second end of the main cylinder. At least one fixed orifice through the piston provides fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers. An integral flow control valve is adapted to vary the flow area of the at least one orifice through the piston. The flow control valve is operatively connected to a high speed actuator responsive to an electrical control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Armorworks Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Ken-An Lou, Richard E. Zimmermann, Ernest J Racette
  • Patent number: 8985562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diameter-variable cylindrical air pressure spring. The current air pressure spring has the shortcomings of complex structure, insufficient deformation stroke and poor ventilation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Xilinmen Furniture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayu Chen
  • Patent number: 8985284
    Abstract: There is provided a disk brake that can hold a required thrust force and maintain a stop state of a vehicle without increasing complexity in the disk brake even if the disk brake is operated in a high temperature state of a brake pad and then a temperature of the brake pad is reduced. In the disk brake 1, an electric motor 8 is driven to thrust a piston 6, the piston 6 presses the brake pad 5 against a disk rotor 2, and the piston 6 is held in the pressed position, the electric motor 8 is re-driven after a predetermined time from a start of holding of the piston 6, and a driving condition of the electric motor 8 after re-driving is determined based on a change in value of a current supplied to the electric motor 8 by the re-driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ito, Kenichiro Matsubara, Hirotaka Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8985288
    Abstract: A valve for a magnetorheological fluid is formed with a duct through which the magnetorheological fluid can flow and which can be exposed to a variable magnetic field such that the flow resistance of the duct can be set using the magnetic field in the duct. The magnetic field can be lastingly generated using a magnet device that is made at least in part of magnetically hard material. The magnetization of the magnet device can be lastingly modified by a magnetic pulse of a magnetic field generation device in order to lastingly change the magnetic field in the duct and thus the flow resistance of the duct. A valve of the invention requires energy only to change settings while a specific setting can be lastingly maintained without supplying energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Inventus Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Juergen Poesel, Gernot Elsensohn
  • Patent number: 8979079
    Abstract: A progressive spring coil comprises a first spring portion comprising a top end and a bottom end and having a first spring rate, wherein the first spring rate is substantially linear or substantially nonlinear; a second spring portion comprising a top end and a bottom end and having a second spring rate, wherein the second spring rate is substantially linear or substantially nonlinear; and a third spring portion disposed between the first spring portion and the second spring portion, wherein the third spring portion has a third spring rate, wherein the third spring rate is substantially linear or substantially nonlinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, David Brooks, Michael Golin, Rahul Kirtikar
  • Patent number: 8978847
    Abstract: A vehicle damper comprises a damping medium-filled damper body in which an element divides the damper body into two chambers. A microprocessor control unit is coupled to one or more valve and connecting arrangements that comprise at least one valve and a number of flow ducts. Respective valves and flow ducts of the valve and connecting arrangement are coupled both to respective damper chambers and a pressurizing element common to both of the chambers so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times. The valve and connecting arrangements comprise a continuously electrically controlled main valve, a non-return valve and one or more bleed valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ohlinis Racing AB
    Inventor: Ishii Atsushi
  • Patent number: 8973721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking apparatus, in particular for implements of motor-driven tool units comprising an arm having at least one bearing disposed therein for rotatable mounting of an axle and comprising a flange fastened on the rotatably mounted axle, wherein the axle and/or the flange are drivable by means of a drive motor, wherein a first friction element is firmly connected on the arm and a second friction element is connected to the axle and/or to the flange, wherein the first and the second friction element come into frictional contact with one another or not depending on the action of centrifugal force on at least one flyweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dolmar GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Wenckel, Carsten Ziegs
  • Patent number: 8967347
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a hydraulic brake system includes a hollow casing and a retractable unit. The hollow casing has a rotatable ring to control the retractable unit. One end of the hollow casing is connected to a hydraulic hose, and another end is connected to a hydraulic cylinder. The adjustment device is assembled between a hydraulic hose and a hydraulic cylinder. When a user rotates the rotatable ring, the retractable unit is adjusted so as to control a sensitivity of a hydraulic brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8967599
    Abstract: A torque arm for an automobile is configured so that the axis of a first bush and the axis of a second bush are arranged so as to intersect each other. The torque arm includes a first outer tube, a second outer tube, and an outer-tube connection section which are each divided into halves. A rubber introduction opening connecting to a second space is formed in the introduction portion of the second outer tube. A rubber material poured toward the upper flat section of an upper outer-tube connection section, which is one of the halves of the outer-tube connection section, is led to the rubber introduction opening while being guided by the upper flat section. The led rubber material is filled into the second space after passing through the rubber introduction opening, and a second rubber elastic body is formed by the rubber material filled into the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenzo Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 8967734
    Abstract: An electronically controlled brake system for trailer tractors. The system having a device for braking the tractor and trailer, and for steer-by-braking the tractor only, tractor brakes, and further devices for braking the trailer only. The further devices include a normally-ON valve allowing simultaneous braking of the tractor and trailer. The valve is switched to OFF when the steer-by-braking function is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore Frediani, Enrico Sedoni, Francesco Canuto
  • Patent number: 8967337
    Abstract: A device for preventing the hook, or a similar attachment element, mounted at the free extremity of a winch cable to contact the winch or associated related structures is disclosed. The device is mounted to the winch cable, typically near or adjacent to the hook and comprises a resilient member or cushion configured to resiliently absorb over-tension in the cable and/or hook when the cable is wound on the shaft of the winch. The device therefore generally prevents damaging contacts between the hook and the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kimpex Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Senecal
  • Patent number: 8960384
    Abstract: Method for making a ceramic matrix material for brake friction components, in particular disc brakes, including the following operational phases: a) prepare a mixture of at least one siliconic type ceramic precursor, particles of hard materials suitable as abrasives, particles of substances suitable as lubricants and particles of metal materials; b) hot-press the mixture to obtain a green body; c) submit the green body to a process of pyrolysis in order to achieve ceramisation of the preceramic binder, thus obtaining a ceramic matrix material. The mixture includes a catalyst suitable for favoring reticulation of the ceramic precursor during the hot-pressing phase and the pyrolysis process is carried out at temperatures below 800° C., more precisely between 400° C. and 600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Turani, Konstantin Vikulov, Massimiliano Valle, Marco Orlandi
  • Patent number: 8955650
    Abstract: A brake actuator has a motor that provides input rotation in first and second directions. A reducer couples to the motor and reduces the input rotation into an output rotation to be applied to a brake screw of a progressive cavity pump drive. A sensor measures rotational speed of the drive shaft. In manual operation, an operator can view an indication of the rotational speed and can manually operate the motor accordingly to control rotation of the shaft. In automated operation, a controller automatically controls the motor based on the rotational speed measured by the sensor. The controller can also use a torque sensor to detect the torque applied to the brake screw, a displacement sensor to detect displacement of the brake screw, and/or a current sensor to detect the current consumption of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Industria E Comercio Ltda
    Inventors: Jorge Robles Villa, Eduardo Perdomini Lara
  • Patent number: 8950735
    Abstract: Shock absorbers for integration into protective structures generally take the form of hollow, compressible cells. The cell enclosure may be configured to provide for two or more compression stages. For example, in various embodiments, the cell enclosure includes one or more corrugations descending from the top wall, which, upon contact with the bottom wall, contribute to impact absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Xenith, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Reynolds, Kyle Lamson
  • Patent number: 8950556
    Abstract: A brake hub assembly for coupling to the axle of a vehicle, the brake hub assembly including a hub defining a central axis, a wheel flange plate removeably coupled to the hub, and a brake disk removeably coupled to the hub. Where when the hub is coupled to the axle, at least one of the wheel flange and the brake disk is removable from the hub without removing the hub from the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Gunite Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Root
  • Patent number: 8950738
    Abstract: To provide a vibration-damping support device that requires a smaller space for its own installation. A vibration-damping support device is provided with a rubber mount, a support member supporting the rubber mount thereon, and stoppers. The rubber mount is to be attached to a mounting platform for an object which is installed in a hydraulic excavator and is to be damped, for example, an engine that vibrates in vertical and horizontal directions, and has an elastic member of a rubber or like member for absorbing vibrations of the engine. The support member can be, for example, a support bracket to be fixedly secured on an unillustrated revolving frame. The stoppers are arranged integrally with the support bracket, and prevent an excessive deformation of the elastic member of the rubber mount under vibrations of the engine. The stopper is arranged on an upper side of the support bracket, while the stopper is arranged on a lower side of the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8950558
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing bounding a primary chamber and a compensation chamber, the primary chamber including a first gas compartment and a control compartment that are separated by an expansion piston, the compensation chamber including a second gas compartment and an overflow compartment that are separated by a compensation piston. A piston rod has a first end slidably disposed within the control compartment. A first fluid path is in fluid communication with the overflow compartment so that when the expansion piston is in the first position, the expansion piston blocks fluid communication between the control compartment and the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path and when the expansion piston is in the second position, the hydraulic fluid can freely flow from the control compartment to the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy A. Turner, Barna B. Madau
  • Patent number: 8950739
    Abstract: The first corner portion elastically deforms in application of load such that the angle of the first corner portion changes depending on the pressing force from the first member. In this case, the first corner portion can move toward the outside of the inner periphery portion of the main body portion while the angle changes. The second corner portion has the same function as that of the first corner portion, and it can move toward the outside of the outer periphery portion of the main body portion while the angle changes depending on the pressing force from the second member in the elastic deformation of the second corner portion. As a result, the spring can prevent generation of hysteresis in load characteristics without increasing the number of parts, and enables height adjustment of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Tajima, Jun Tominaga, Hidemasa Ito
  • Patent number: 8944526
    Abstract: Upon occurrence of a change in the load versus fluid loss property, the braking force for the given brake pedal operation amount is changed so that the vehicle operator is enabled to perceive the change in the load versus fluid loss property. In a vehicle brake system comprising a motor actuated cylinder, wheel cylinders, a stroke sensor for detecting a brake pedal operation amount, a target value setting circuit for setting a target stoke of the motor actuated cylinder, and a fluid pressure compensating circuit for correcting the target stoke upon detection of a deviation between a brake fluid pressure reference value corresponding to the brake pedal operation amount and an actual brake fluid pressure in a direction to reduce the deviation, a stroke limiting circuit restricts a compensation value produced by the fluid pressure compensation circuit according to the brake pedal operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nishioka, Satoshi Matsushita, Hidetoshi Kobori, Kunimichi Hatano, Naoto Ohkubo