Patents Examined by Bradley King
  • Patent number: 8820494
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus of a vehicle is described in which hydraulic shock absorbers are provided at both left and right sides of a wheel. One hydraulic shock absorber is provided with a compression side damping valve in one oil passage of a piston, is provided with a check valve in another oil passage, and is provided with a volume compensating oil passage of a piston rod communicated with an oil reservoir chamber in a piston rod side oil chamber. The other hydraulic shock absorber is provided with an expansion side damping valve in one oil passage of the piston, is provided with a check valve dosing at the time of expansion and opening at the time of compression in another oil passage, and is provided with a volume compensating oil passage of the piston rod communicated with the oil reservoir chamber in a piston side oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Nagai
  • Patent number: 8813921
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake rotor basically has an outer portion, an inner portion and an intermediate portion. The outer portion is made of a first material. The inner portion is made of the first material. The intermediate portion is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion. The intermediate portion is made of the first material. The intermediate portion is partially laminated by a layer made of a second material. The second material is different from the first material. The layer has a contour tracing a contour of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
  • Patent number: 8807299
    Abstract: A position-sensitive shock absorber is disclosed. The position-sensitive shock absorber includes a choking member positioned within the housing at a specific point along the stroke of the working piston that cooperates with the working piston to increase the resistance to fluid flow when the working piston reaches the specific point along its stroke thereby defining a second damping characteristic of the position-sensitive shock absorber from the specific point along the stroke of the working piston onward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Gagnon, Sebastien Thibault
  • Patent number: 8807545
    Abstract: A partition element partitions a liquid-sealed chamber into a main liquid chamber and a first sub liquid chamber. A first orifice flow passage for connecting both liquid chambers is provided. A second diaphragm is formed in the partition element. The partition element includes a second sub liquid chamber partitioned from the main liquid chamber by the second diaphragm and a second orifice flow passage for connecting the first and second sub liquid chambers to each other. A valve portion brought into contact with a periphery around an opening of the second orifice flow passage is formed on a flexible membrane portion of the second diaphragm into a surrounding wall shape. A through hole is formed outside the valve portion, and a projection compressed by a counter wall is formed on a membrane surface of the flexible membrane portion on a main liquid chamber side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsunori Masuda, Kentaro Yamamoto, Gen Isawa, Katsuhiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8807667
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes a master cylinder forming a braking hydraulic pressure and wheel brakes receiving the braking hydraulic pressure and exerting a braking force. A first hydraulic circuit controls an oil pressure transmission by connecting a first port of the master cylinder and two wheel brakes, and a second hydraulic circuit controls the oil pressure transmission by connecting a second port of the master cylinder and remaining wheel brakes. A hydraulic block communicates main passages of the first and second hydraulic circuits with each other by a communication passage having one side opened. Pumps are mounted on the main passages to discharge oil toward the wheel brake or the master cylinder, and an orifice is mounted on each of the other side of the main passages. A damper assembly is coupled to the communication passage provided between an output port side of the pump and the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Young Park
  • Patent number: 8807543
    Abstract: A bearing body (2) is divided in the radial direction (r) by at least one insert (6) arranged in the bearing body (2) parallel to the bearing axis (12) into at least two spring packets (7, 8) having an outer switching packet (8). Each of the working chambers (4, 4?) is divided into several chamber sections (91-9n) extending in the radial direction (r) and into at least one chamber section (10) extending in the axial direction (a) and connecting the chamber sections (91-9n) with one another. The elastomeric bearing body (2) is segmented in the switching packet (8) in the axial direction (a) by the chamber sections (91-9n) protruding into the elastomeric bearing body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Stefan Loheide, Hubert Siemer, Thomas Conrad
  • Patent number: 8807305
    Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration in a rotary member having a predetermined rotary speed of the present invention has a selectively moveable mass and a positioning mechanism. The mass is in communication with the rotary member having a predetermined position. The positioning mechanism exerts a force on the mass at least when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed. The force exerted by the positioning mechanism orients the mass at the predetermined position when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 8800736
    Abstract: Particular embodiments relate generally to vibration isolation systems and tuned mass dampers. In one embodiment, a vibration isolation system may include a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller. The air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base. The control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply and the atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount. The supervisory controller receives a mass relative height signal, a mass relative velocity signal, and a mass relative acceleration feedback signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass or a pressure of the air mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Design, Imaging & Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmad Reza Kashani
  • Patent number: 8800732
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper assembly includes a main body, a shaft assembly and a main piston operatively configured to define an upper portion and a lower portion within the main body. A hydraulic damper spool valve is adapted to provide a single path, variable hydraulic flow restriction between the upper portion and lower portion of the main body. The hydraulic damper spool valve is configured with an array of precisely shaped flow apertures that are proportionally opened and closed by a pair of valve spools in response to the pressure differential across the main piston. The damper's pressure-flow operating characteristic is simply and predictably dictated by the geometric configuration of the shaped flow apertures. The precisely defined open area of the shaped flow apertures provides a mathematically predictable hydraulic flow restriction that operates predominately in a turbulent regime resulting in insensitivity to hydraulic fluid viscosity and consequently temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence J. Holt, Damian O'Flynn, Andrew Tomlin
  • Patent number: 8801113
    Abstract: A brake apparatus including a housing, a piston body disposed within each of a pair of closed-ended bores formed in the housing, a first elastic member that biases the piston body toward a closed end of the respective bores, a fluid passage opened to the closed end of the respective bores, a pressure regulating valve disposed in the fluid passage, and a rotary gear pump disposed in a region between the pressure regulating valve disposed in the fluid passage opened to the closed end of one of the bores and the pressure regulating valve disposed in the fluid passage opened to the closed end of the other of the bores. The fluid passages are formed to be offset from respective central axes of the piston bodies in such a direction that the fluid passages are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Terashima, Koji Numakura, Katsuma Tsuruoka
  • Patent number: 8800978
    Abstract: The system is based on the combination of two parts (1 and 1?) of differing densities with complementary tilted protuberances (2 and 2?), coupled to form a single unit. These protuberances vary in shape, length and thickness so that systems of differing rigidity can be obtained, thus achieving cushioning in virtue of the said protuberances (2 and 2?), enabling the path of the force applied to be defined, thus achieving optimum cushioning force. The system is applicable to both pressure cushioning systems (mattresses, pillows, seats, etc.) and impact cushioning systems (footwear, wheels, helmets, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Taexpa, S.L.
    Inventor: Ramiro Tarazona De La Asuncion
  • Patent number: 8801111
    Abstract: A vehicle air braking system having a source of fluid under pressure (1), an air dryer (A) downstream of the source (1), and an air consumer circuit (2) downstream of the air dryer (A), the system being operable to suspend the source (1) on demand to permit backflow of air under pressure from the air consumer circuit (2) through the air dryer (A) to a drain valve (B), the system including a regeneration valve (D), and a command valve (C) having an inlet connected to the air consumer circuit (2), and a supply outlet operably connected to the drain valve (B), wherein the regeneration valve (D) is operable to permit regeneration backflow in response to connection of the inlet and supply outlets of the command valve (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Wabco Automotive UK Limited
    Inventor: Ian Richard Joseph Bates
  • Patent number: 8794406
    Abstract: Damper which is, in particular, stiff during the inward stroke thereof and can be used, for example, as a railway damper. The piston which divides the cylinder into two chambers is provided with non-return valves which operate in both directions and are configured as characteristic. A sleeve extends from the bottom of the cylinder which is displaceable in the interior of the piston/piston rod and one end of which is connected to a reservoir and the other end of which may be connected to one of the chambers. In addition, a bottom valve is present in the cylinder. The combination of sleeve/bottom valve is fitted in such a manner that when the piston moves inwards in the cylinder, the liquid volume which has to be displaced is moved by additional rod volume which enters the cylinder via the sleeve in the reservoir. During the outward movement, the liquid is replenished from the reservoir via the bottom valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Koni B.V.
    Inventors: Paul de Kock, Antonius Arnoldus Franciscus van Dongen, Samuel Jager
  • Patent number: 8794405
    Abstract: Oil grooves of a shutter and oil holes of a stepped rod constitute first orifices as variable orifices whose opening areas are variable according to the rotational position of the shutter. The oil grooves of the shutter and oil holes of the stepped rod constitute third orifices as variable orifices. Cut portions of inner disk valves constitute second orifices. The opening areas of the variable orifices are changed by rotating the shutter, thereby controlling damping force characteristics in a low piston speed region and the relief pressures of pressure control valves independently of each other, and thus increasing the degree of freedom for adjusting the damping force characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8794397
    Abstract: A pad (20) for disc brakes comprises a plate (22) acting as the support for a friction material layer (24). The plate (22) extends past the friction material layer (24) at least at a radially outer portion (E) of the pad. At least one load (30a, 30b) is applied to the plate (22) and fixed thereto by means of clinching. This load changes the mass of at least one portion of the plate such as to obtain an inertia of the pad which substantially avoids the vibrations of the pad during the braking action which are suitable to cause noisiness of the disc brake. The load (30a, 30b) comprises at least one projection (32) suitable to be clinched to fix the load to the plate. The projection (32) is inserted within a hole (34) of the plate and clinched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Cristian Crippa, Antonio Tupputi
  • Patent number: 8794606
    Abstract: A liquid sealed vibration isolating device has an elastically movable diaphragm capable of preventing elastic deformation of a relief valve to realize high damping while preventing a cavitation phenomenon. The relief valve is provided in the elastic movable diaphragm arranged in a partition member in order to open and close a leak passage so as to prevent occurrence of the cavitation phenomenon. The relief valve is integrally formed with a fixing portion of the elastic movable diaphragm. There is provided an upwardly open concavity that the relief valve faces. The relief valve is made thicker and provided with an opening and closing adjustment groove at a basal portion of its inclined wall. The opening and closing adjustment groove is formed with a locally thin bending portion functioning as a starting point of bending in an opening and closing operation of the relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kubo, Hiroshi Yanagase, Jun Saito, Masatomo Nishizaka
  • Patent number: 8794716
    Abstract: Brake fluid pressure control apparatus includes: fluid pressure passage from a fluid pressure source to a wheel brake; pressure regulating valve arranged on the passage; pump for feeding pressurized brake fluid to the passage between the valve and the wheel brake; motor for driving the pump; and controller which controls an electric current applied to the valve in accordance with target fluid pressure for the wheel brake to control fluid pressure supplied to the wheel brake. The controller includes: means for converting the target fluid pressure into fluid volume and calculating required flow rate from this fluid volume; means for calculating required rotation speed of the motor from the required flow rate and on the basis of efficiency of the pump; and means for increasing the electric current applied to the valve for a predetermined value when the required rotation speed exceeds actual rotation speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nomura, Ryoji Mori
  • Patent number: 8789665
    Abstract: A brake pad assembly is provided, including a friction lining providing a wear surface for contacting a brake rotor and a back plate coupled to the friction lining. The back plate is made of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix composite. In one example, a majority of the carbon fibers of the back plate are oriented in a x-y in-plane direction resulting in a structure where the thermal conductivity is at least 2 times greater in the x-y in-plane direction versus a z through-plane direction. In another example, the back plate is provided as at least one sheet of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix composite. A method of manufacturing the brake pad assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Carlisle Brake & Friction, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Frank Gilboy, Richard A. Wolf, Aaron M. Morey
  • Patent number: 8783670
    Abstract: A compressible spring for at least absorbing and dissipating energy includes a plurality of elastomeric pads disposed coaxially and in series with each other and a plurality of separator plates, with each plate being disposed between a pair of the adjacent pads. A plurality of first prongs are formed integrally with or secured to a first surface of each separator plate for attaching the plate to one pad and a plurality of second prongs are formed integrally with or secured to a second surface for attaching the plate to an opposed pad. An axial aperture is also formed through each plate with prongs positioned in an alternating manner on a peripheral edge of the axial aperture. Projections may be also provided on each surface of the plate and adapted with an axial aperture that continues through the plate for additional attachment of the plate to the pair of pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow
  • Patent number: 8783420
    Abstract: A luggage brake device includes a wheel and a control unit. The wheel includes positioning teeth, an engaging member, engaging teeth, a link axle, a link plate, a control wire. The control unit is disposed on a luggage body. The control unit includes a knob, a press button, a gear, a release block and a driving block connected with the control wire. Through the knob, the press button and the driving block of the control unit, the control wire is activated to link the engaging member with the engaging teeth to engage with the positioning teeth of the wheel so that the wheel is positioned. The present invention can be operated conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Wei Hung Lai