Patents Examined by Douglas C. Butler
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Patent number: 6588556Abstract: A pressure medium cylinder with a piston rod (1) extending out on one side has a cylinder floor (3), which closes off the cylinder tube (2) on the piston side with a fastening element (4), and a function block (5), placed upon the former, with function elements (6 to 9). In order to improve the connection between cylinder floor (3) and function block (5), the cylinder floor (3) has at least one cylindrical outer connection area (17) into which the pressure medium lines (19, 20) that lead to the work chambers (11, 18) open to the outside and onto which the function block (5) is placed and attached with a sealed through-hole (21), into which the pressure medium lines of the function elements (5 to 9) open.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Hoerbiger Micro Fluid GmbHInventors: Georg Strobel, Josef Düunzinger
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Patent number: 6585239Abstract: A spring strut comprises a pneumatic spring and an oscillation damper and is fitted between a vehicle body and a wheel of a vehicle. The oscillation damper has a piston rod movable on an axis and a container concentric to the axis. The pneumatic spring has a spring chamber delimited by a rolling bellows which is firmly connected to the receptacle and to the container or a rolling-contact piston fixed to the container. An end wall that is in operative connection with the oscillation damper is acted upon on one side by the pressure in the spring chamber and has an effective area that extends obliquely to the axis of the oscillation damper and exerts a transverse force that is dependent on the pressure in the spring chamber and is perpendicular to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventors: Martin Eichhorn, Bruno Deigner
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Patent number: 6581729Abstract: A compact mechanical shoe actuating mechanism with an improved lever-ratio comprises a space 42 formed by two facing plates 40a and 40b of a strut designed such that an upper side of the space 42 is longitudinally wider than a lower side of the space 42 where the cable end nipple 52 is inserted in and is inclinedly passed through.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.Inventor: Koji Moriwaki
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Patent number: 6582131Abstract: A cylindrical roller cage includes an outer race, and inner race, a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the outer race and the inner race, and at least one cage having a plurality of locating pockets corresponding to the number of rolling elements. The cage is ring-shaped and is arranged in a groove in the outer race or the inner race. The cage is interrupted at least at one circumferential breakpoint to define two ends of the cage at the breakpoint that form a connection having at least two cooperating elements which interact in a complementary manner by way of an undercut as viewed in the circumferential direction. The axial direction of the elements forms an angle of 15° to 75° with the circumferential direction or tangent to the circumference at the breakpoint.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: SKF GmbHInventor: Sonja Rössner
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Patent number: 6581728Abstract: A brake system with an integral proximity sensor for providing an indication of a condition of the brake system. The brake system includes a brake drum, a brake shoe, a brake pad, and a position sensor. The brake pad is connected to a pad mounting surface of the brake shoe. The brake pad and brake shoe are movable from a disengaged position, where the brake pad is spaced apart from the brake drum to an engaged position, where the pad is in forcible engagement with the brake drum. The position sensor is coupled to the brake shoe for sensing the position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor. The position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor provides an indication of one or more conditions of the brake system.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventor: Dennis A. Borugian
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Patent number: 6578832Abstract: An air damper comprises a cylinder having first and second openings at both ends, a piston that moves in the cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the piston and moving in and out at the first opening of the cylinder; and a cap positioned at the second opening of the cylinder. The piston rod has a continuous outer wall and an opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The cross-sectional view of the piston rod taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is an inverse U-shape, an inverse V-shape, a C-shape, or the like. The piston rod has a fixing ring at the leading end. A plane containing the opening is perpendicular to a plane defined by the fixing ring. The piston rod is fixed to a glove box so that the opening faces down.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventor: Kouichi Katoh
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Patent number: 6578932Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic brake apparatus includes a controller and a hydraulic pressure detector which detects a master cylinder hydraulic pressure produced by a master cylinder. The controller compares the master cylinder hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector with a predetermined pressure value, implements operation of the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source when the depressing operation of the brake operating member is judged to be in a stage where the detected master cylinder hydraulic pressure is above the predetermined pressure value, and terminates the operation of the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source when the master cylinder hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector is stabilized at an approximately fixed pressure value after being increased.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasunori Sakata
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Patent number: 6578685Abstract: The hydraulic coupling includes a multi-plate clutch assembly operatively connecting a pair of rotary members, an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly, and a fluid control system operable for controlling actuation of the actuator assembly including a hydraulic pump and a piston mounted in a piston chamber for movement relative to the multi-plate clutch assembly. The fluid control system regulates the fluid pressure supplied to the piston chamber by the hydraulic pump to control the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. The fluid control system includes an electrically-controlled flow control valve operable for regulating the fluid pressure delivered to the piston chamber. Preferably, the flow control valve is a pulse-width modulated PWM) valve having a moveable valve element.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventor: Fred C. Porter
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Patent number: 6578682Abstract: Disclosed is a compact vibration isolation system for mounting an inertial sensor assembly (ISA) to an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) housing. The housing is mounted to a support that is subjected to shock and vibration. The vibration isolator assembly includes a ring shaped elastomeric member laminated between a ring shaped inner member and a ring shaped outer member. The inner member is securely mounted to the ISA, and the outer member is mounted to a support of the IMU housing. Because of the compact size of this system, the IMU housing contains and protects the elastomeric member from potential contamination and damage, as well as eliminates the need for delicate mechanical and electrical interfaces. The elastomeric member of the system isolates the ISA from shock, vibration, and acoustic energy that may otherwise be transmitted from the support to the ISA.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Todd L. Braman, Mark J. Riesgraf, Dale J. Hagenson
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Patent number: 6571921Abstract: A motor-driven disk brake is capable of functioning as a parking brake satisfactorily without degrading the brake operating feeling and impairing the function of operating as a motor-driven brake. A stator and rotor of an electric motor are provided in a caliper body floatably supported on a carrier. The rotation of the rotor is transmitted to a piston after being converted into rectilinear motion through a ball-and-ramp mechanism and an adjusting nut. The piston, together with a claw member, presses brake pads against a disk rotor. A rotation assisting device is provided between the rear end of the rotor and a motor casing. A rotary disk constituting the rotation assisting device is rotated through a wire extending from an external operating member.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Tokico Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Ohtani, Tohma Yamaguchi, Takuya Usui
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Patent number: 6565160Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30′ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30′ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30′ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kip Alan Ewing, Gerard Edward Baker, Bruce Frederick Pease, Jeffrey Dan Rupp
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Patent number: 6564913Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk/hub assembly for vehicle disk brakes comprising a hub and a brake disk, which is arranged thereon in a manner that prevents it from turning. The brake disk is arranged in the axial direction of the hub in such a manner that it can be axially displaced against an elastic pretensioning exerted by a number of spring elements. To this end, each spring element has a retaining section by means of which it is fixed to the hub. Each spring element also comprises at least one spring section, which rests against at least one assigned intermediate element that is essentially arranged between the hub and the brake disk. The inventive design is advantageous by virtue of the fact that the spring elements are not in direct contact with the brake disk thereby effectively preventing the spring elements from becoming thermally overloaded. The functional reliability of the spring elements can thus be maintained over a long period of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbHInventors: Johann Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
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Patent number: 6564912Abstract: A brake disk for disk brakes, in particular of land vehicles, has a friction ring received by a support section, formed, for example, by a portion of a wheel hub. The support section has an out-of-round outer formation on which the friction ring is seated torsionally tight with a centric opening of complementary inner out-of-round formation. The friction ring, and preferably also the support section, is comprised of cast metal and the friction ring is cast onto the prefabricated support section to form a cast connection between the friction ring and the support section. The cast connection between the friction ring and the support section is such that upon an initial heating of the brake disk the cast connection becomes ruptured and the friction ring becomes separated from the support section.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Inventor: B. Hubert Koschinat
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Patent number: 6557672Abstract: The invention is a brake disk. The brake disk has at least one friction ring which can be engaged by a brake shoe on at least one side. The friction ring is divided into at least two ring segments having mutually facing end areas configured to be coupled with one another adjacent a junction and separation area. A separation gap is formed between the mutually facing end areas, which mesh with one another. At least one connection device is positioned in the junction and separation area for coupling the ring segments together.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbHInventor: Xaver Wirth
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Patent number: 6554111Abstract: A method of employing a hydraulic unit of a brake system containing brake lines extending between a master cylinder and wheel brakes and valves which are actuatable by exertion of magnetic force and which have removable electrical coils and when unactuated assume their blocking position, including the steps of removing coils from the valves; connecting the hydraulic unit, toward the master cylinder or the wheel brakes, to an air source of adequately high pressure; switching the valves to their open position by the exertion of magnetic force of a permanent magnet; positively displacing the pressure medium contained in the hydraulic unit from the air source by air and caught.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ernst-Dieter Schaefer, Hans-Heinz Kauschke, Timo Zundel
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Patent number: 6554374Abstract: A motor vehicle tandem brake power booster with two booster units each including a vacuum chamber and a working chamber each arranged in a partition divided housing. The pressure difference between the pressure in the vacuum chamber and the pressure that can be influenced by a switching device in the corresponding working chamber in each booster unit acts on a piston separating the vacuum chamber from the working chamber. The forces, which are proportional to the pressure difference and act on the pistons are bundled via mechanical intermediate members by at least one transmission element each with the forces applied by the driver of the vehicle to a corresponding brake pedal.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventor: Metin Ersoy
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Patent number: 6554737Abstract: Within the scope of the method for controlling the engine rotational speed via the torque converter lock-up clutch during the starting and stopping phases of a motor vehicle having a continuously variable transmission combined with other elements of the drive train, the closing and opening of the torque converter lock-up clutch are used as implicit function so as to ensure optimum comfort via the most asymptotic adjustment possible of the rotational speeds gradients of engine and turbine during starting and by a soft, defined separation of the speed characteristic curves of the engine and turbine during stopping. When the vehicle is standing still the forward clutch is moved into standstill disengaged mode so that the torque converter lock-up clutch can be fully closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: ZF Batavia L.L.C.Inventors: Ralf Vorndran, Wolfgang Danz, Andreas Piepenbrink, Andreas Schwenger
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Patent number: 6554375Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake pressure control device, more particularly, for anti-lock pressure control and for automatic brake intervention for the purpose of traction slip control and/or driving dynamics control in automotive vehicle brake systems, including accommodating bores for pressure modulation valves arranged in a housing, pressure sensor connecting ports which lead into the housing and into which there are inserted pressure sensors that sense the pressure in a housing-side pressure fluid conduit respectively connected to a brake pressure generator. The pressure sensor connecting port either opens into the pressure fluid conduit between two accommodating bores that are directed into the housing, or is part of the pressure modulation valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHGInventors: Dieter Dinkel, Axel Hinz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz
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Patent number: 6553855Abstract: A drive system comprises a track table comprising a flat portion, perpendicular side portions extending in parallel to each other along both lateral side edges of the flat portion and at least one partition section formed to the flat portion at a portion between the perpendicular side portions so as to extend in parallel to thereto, the movable tables fitted into a space between one of the perpendicular side portions and the partition section, the movable tables each having lateral side surfaces to which loaded ball rolling surfaces constituting ball circulation passages are formed so as to correspond to the ball rolling surfaces of the track table, a number of balls disposed and arranged in the ball circulation passages so as to circulate therein in accordance with relative movement between the track table and movable table, and a driving unit for driving the track table and the movable table relatively.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Hidekazu Michioka, Hiroshi Takamatsu
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Patent number: RE38163Abstract: An improved brake equalizer apparatus for equalizing fluid pressure and damping shock waves or pressure surges in fluid lines of a fluid pressure-actuated system, such as a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus has a shorter reaction time than a conventional brake equalizer, and can be manufactured with smaller overall length and weight. An important feature of the apparatus which results in reduced brake equalizer reaction time is an improved brake equalizer piston. The piston of the invention is shorter than a conventional brake equalizer piston (the ratio of the inventive piston's length to the length of the shock absorber which it abuts is substantially less than 0.5, and is preferably equal to about 0.23). The piston of the invention is also lighter than a conventional brake equalizer piston, and is preferably made of a hard, non-compressible, self-lubricating material.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Inventor: Theodore P. Spero