Patents Examined by Eric M. Williams
  • Patent number: 10206618
    Abstract: A sleep application running on a computing platform such as a server utilizes sleep data from a remote system that monitors a user's sleep behaviors and transforms the data to populate graphs of sleep sessions over various calendar periods (e.g., by week, by month) and render them on a user interface (UI) that is exposed to remote devices such as personal computers (PCs), tablets, multimedia consoles, and smartphones over a network. The sleep sessions are optimized for visibility on the remote devices by dynamically adjusting the range of the time axis of a graph so that a maximum number of sleep sessions over a calendar period may be graphed continuously over the range without breaks (which can impair visibility and reduce comprehension).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Victor Vuong, Sarthak Datt, Katherine W. Osborne, Maria Isabel Ancona, Nazia Zaman
  • Patent number: 7056263
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a controller. The controller communicates with the first and second clutches and commands a gear shift. The controller calculates a torque phase time for the gear shift and determines a desired torque trajectory within said torque phase time. The controller determines on-coming torque values for the second clutch and off-going torque values for the first clutch to achieve the desired torque trajectory within the torque phase time. The controller calculates an on-coming clutch pressure based on the on-coming torque value, and an off-going clutch pressure based on the off-going torque value. The controller delays actuation of the first and second clutches to compensate for hydraulic delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 6886673
    Abstract: In a gear-jumping-proof positive-locking clutch for connecting a vehicle transmission shaft to a transmission component mounted coaxially and rotationally with it, the positive-locking clutch includes an axially displaceable sliding sleeve on which at least one locking roller element may be supported which is displaceable in a radial locking recess with axial displacement of the sliding sleeve due to a radial force component. In a gear-jumping-proof positive-locking clutch which does not cause any transmission noise when disengaged, the positive-locking clutch is free of synchromesh bodies and the locking roller element is axially displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Hans Bürger
  • Patent number: 6851535
    Abstract: A tuning method for the exciting current-transmission torque characteristic of a power transmission apparatus is provided. A yoke (36), which supports an electromagnet (33), is accommodated in a groove (53) and is apart from the groove by a first distance (L2) and a second distance (L4). The exciting current-transmission torque characteristic is tuned by varying the first distance while keeping the second distance fixed. When the first distance is varied, the variation of the magnetoresistance of a magnetic path is relatively small. Therefore, the exciting current-transmission torque characteristic is more accurately tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakaba, Hideyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 6849023
    Abstract: An infinitely-variable transmission comprises a rotational input member, a rotational output member, first and second non-circular driving gears coupled to one of the rotational members, and a plurality of variable velocity-ratio gear assemblies disposed about the one rotational member. Each gear assembly comprises an intermediate shaft including first and second non-circular driven gears respectively meshing with the first and second non-circular driving gears. Each gear assembly also comprises a multi-directional coupling associated with the pair of first driven/driving gears and the pair of second driven/driving gears, and an actuator for coupling the first and second variable-ratio gear pairs to the rotational members. The transmission also includes a phase angle variator associated with the variable-ratio gear pairs for varying the rotational angular displacement between the first gear pairs and the second gear pairs of each gear assembly so as to vary the velocity ratio of the transmission as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ker-Train Holdings Ltd
    Inventor: John Hugh Kerr
  • Patent number: 6843749
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive train assembly for achieving multiple effective ratios from a single ratio transaxle enables application of a fixed ratio transaxle, such as used in electric vehicle drive trains, to a multi-speed requirement, for example, in airport ground support equipment. Multiple configurations are enabled by varying the relative speed of the outputs through the differential of the transaxle, such as bringing one of the outputs to zero, or by using another motor to control the speed of one of the outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William Kelledes, Richard L. Willis
  • Patent number: 6832675
    Abstract: A disk spring assembly including a flat disk between two angled plates is used in an automatic transmission clutch application. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the disk are deflected in opposite directions relative to each other by the angled plates. The maximum deflection of the disk is defined by the angled plates. The stiffness of the disk increases monotonically with the deflection of the disk resulting in smooth clutch application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Kuan Kao, Anthony L. Smith, Andrew Leslie Bartos, Patrick Benedict Usoro
  • Patent number: 6827188
    Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly including a first housing shell having a braking surface, an input shaft coupled to the first housing shell for rotation relative to the first housing shell, at least two input disks coupled to the input shaft for co-rotation with the shaft, the input disks being movable along the shaft, a braking disk having a first friction surface and a second friction surface, the braking disk being movable along the shaft, a biasing member biasing the braking disk against the braking surface of the first housing shell to resist rotation of the braking disk relative to the first housing shell, a second housing shell coupled to the input shaft for rotation relative to the input shaft and the first housing shell, the second housing shell having a third friction surface, and an actuator assembly operable to disengage the braking disk from the braking surface and operable to drivingly engage the first, second, and third friction surfaces with the input disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Arthur G. Patridge
  • Patent number: 6824486
    Abstract: An oil film is formed between side faces of a pump gear and side faces of a pump casing to thereby reduce wear and reduce sliding resistance. To form the oil film predetermined numbers of recesses are provided in both side faces of a drive gear and in both side faces of a driven gear of the gear pump. The recesses serve to hold oil. The oil held in the recesses oozes out to between the opposing and contacting side faces to thereby form the oil films therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Maeno, Akira Matsuo, Yoshinori Shibayama, Osamu Takeuchi, Kazutoshio Nozaki, Toshiki Kanada
  • Patent number: 6820515
    Abstract: A handling mechanism of a gearshift which enables the gearshift to shift into reverse, neutral, first-speed, second-speed, third-speed, and fourth-speed, and fifth-speed in sequential order includes a gearshift coupled to a shift fork of a transmission-handling mechanism of a manual transmission; a moving mechanism for the gearshift allowing it to move in an H-shaped configuration and an operation mechanism which enables a vehicle operator to shift the gears. The gearshift handling mechanism also includes an operation lever moves in a single plane, an auto-return mechanism which causes the operation lever to return to its initial position, and a rotation mechanism for engaging the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Shinji Ikeya
  • Patent number: 6814196
    Abstract: A friction clutch, particularly for a motor vehicle, including a clutch disk which can be coupled in frictional engagement with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and which is connected by a hub to a transmission input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and can revolve with the latter around a common axis of rotation. The clutch further includes an actuation system for engaging or disengaging the frictional engagement of the clutch disk which is arranged concentric to the transmission input shaft, and a transmission brake for reducing the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft during determined shifting processes of the transmission. The transmission brake can be controlled independent from the actuation system of the friction clutch, and all component parts of the transmission brake are integrated in the actuation system of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Herbert Voit
  • Patent number: 6811015
    Abstract: A system for a motor vehicle has a motor vehicle gearbox by means of which a reversal of the direction of travel can be initiated, a vehicle brake unit which is separate from the motor vehicle gearbox, and a control unit. When there is a reversal of the direction of travel from at least one first direction into a second direction when there is still a positive vehicle velocity in the first direction, the control unit generates a braking torque which reduces the vehicle velocity, by means of an actuation unit and by means of the vehicle brake unit. The actual direction of travel of the motor vehicle is determined here by means of a sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Frank Tietze
  • Patent number: 6811511
    Abstract: In a gearwheel pairing, in which one of a pair of gearwheels has, at least at one side thereof a lid-shaped stop structure for engaging the other gearwheel for retaining it in engagement with the other gear wheel. The arrangement is expediently used in a differential transmission in particular a crown-wheel differential transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Dirk Zeise
  • Patent number: 6811510
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor and gear reduction set mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the external surface of the ring gear and the hydraulic motor port block. The motor assembly may also include pressure relief valves or neutral valves in the motor port block and a brake assembly mounted in the port block or on the motor housing to provide braking for the output axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Raymond Hauser, Matthew C. Roney
  • Patent number: 6790159
    Abstract: A method of controlling the torque transferred across the engaged clutch of a vehicle having a dual clutch transmission to provide predetermined engine acceleration for each gear based on the engine throttle position and subsequent changes of clutch speed that are in response to operatively varying the torque transferred across the engaged clutch as the engine accelerates to a predetermine speed based on the throttle position. The method includes the steps of determining the engine throttle position, determining the currently engaged gear of the transmission, and sensing the speed of the driven member of the engaged clutch. Then, a target engine speed is determined based on the engine throttle position, the currently engaged gear, and the clutch speed. The torque transferred across the engaged clutch is then continuously varied to cause the engine to accelerate toward the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Buchanan, Russell Lemon, Melissa Koenig
  • Patent number: 6789655
    Abstract: A damper mechanism is provided to suppress the enlargement of a prescribed angle in a damper mechanism. A clutch disk assembly 1 has an input rotary member 2, a spline hub 3, a damper section 4, a large friction mechanism 13, a friction suppressing mechanism, and an elastic member 104. The spline hub 3 is arranged to rotate relative to the input rotary member 2. The damper section 4 couples the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub 3 together rotationally. The large friction mechanism 13 can generate friction when the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub rotate relative to each other. The friction suppressing mechanism is a rotational gap &thgr;ACp for preventing the large friction mechanism operating within a prescribed angular range. The elastic member 104 softens the impact between the members that touch against each other at the end of the prescribed angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Michitomo Masaki, Tatsuyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 6786316
    Abstract: A clutch pulley for selectively engaging a belt of a first device and a shaft of a second device, including a sheave member, an electromagnetic coil, a flex plate, and a ring member. The sheave member includes a sheave belt surface adapted to engage the belt and a sheave clutch surface. The electromagnetic coil is adapted to selectively create an electromagnetic flux. The flex plate includes a flex inner section concentrically coupled over the shaft, a flex outer section adapted to selectively move between two axial positions relative to the flex inner section based upon the presence of the electromagnetic flux, and a flex spoke section connecting the flex inner section and the flex outer section. The ring member is connected to the flex outer section and includes a ring clutch surface adapted to selectively engage the sheave clutch surface based upon the axial position of the flex outer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Jacobson, Russell Monahan
  • Patent number: 6780132
    Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft that is connected to the powertrain of the vehicle and is adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline, and a transfer clutch is adapted to transfer drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. A ball screw assembly is adapted to actuate the transfer clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Cook, Richard Michael Krzesicki
  • Patent number: 6776275
    Abstract: Drive system for an all-wheel driven motor vehicle having a first and a second driven axle (3, 9), which drive system has a differential-speed-dependent clutch (6) for driving the second driven axle, and an at least partially lockable differential (8) between the wheels of the second driven axle (9). The differential-speed-dependent clutch (6) comprises a pump (10) which, when a differential speed occurs, produces a pressure which leads to the transmission of a torque to the second driven axle (9). In order to ensure that the differential lock responds in a manner coordinated neatly in terms of time and taking account of the driving state, a connecting line (18) leads from the delivery side (11 or 12) of the pump (10) to an actuating member (27) of the lockable differential (8), with the result that, when a differential speed occurs, the pressure produced by the pump (10; 67) makes it possible to at least partially lock the differential (8) by means of a positive locking clutch (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Steyr Powertrain AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Gratzer
  • Patent number: 6761659
    Abstract: In a power transmission, which adjusts and transmits the rotational output of an engine by the engagement control of a starting clutch 5, the rotational speed Ne and the suction negative pressure Pb of the engine are measured while the starting clutch is being actuated from a disengaged condition to an engaged condition with the engine being operated under a constant operational condition. An engagement-control value is calculated for the starting clutch when there is a change in the rotational speed and the suction negative pressure being measured, and the engagement-control value calculated is stored as an initial control value for starting an engaging action of the starting clutch. This initial control value is used for controlling the engagement of the starting clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Eguchi, Masaaki Yamaguchi, Ukyo Ogata