Patents Examined by Jack Lavinder
  • Vehicle suspension and bearing therefor
    Patent number: 6637559
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension and bearing therefor providing improved slidability of members and torque resistance. The bearing includes a first member with at least one guide track, a second member with rolling element openings and a collar positioned within the second member to rotatably receive rolling elements positioned within the rolling element openings and guided by the at least one guide track. Another embodiment includes rolling element holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Howard Hoose
  • Magnetorheological steering damper
    Patent number: 6637558
    Abstract: A damper for dampening vibrations of a rotatable steering shaft of a motor vehicle comprises a rotor and means for rotating the rotor at a rate proportional to and greater than rotation of the steering shaft. Magnetorheological fluid is disposed at least partially around the rotor, and has a viscosity variable to vary a load on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Oliver, William C. Kruckemeyer, Eric L. Jensen, Ronald G. Smith
  • Vehicle suspension system
    Patent number: 6637561
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a dynamic absorber mass having a mass smaller than the sprung mass of the vehicle and a spring system supporting the dynamic absorber mass for out-of-phase coaxial motion with the vehicle and tuned to the ride frequency of the vehicle for damping ride frequency perturbations from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David C. Collins, Robin Hossfield, Joaquim A. Bento
  • Double triad elastomer mount
    Patent number: 6637735
    Abstract: A shock isolator for a housing in an offset compressive axis with the shock isolator including either an elastomer triad or a hollow elastomer tetrahedron with each having support surfaces thereon that are laterally offset from each other to prevent direct axial compression with each of the shock isolators providing shock and vibration attenuation not normally obtainable in a direct axially compression condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Trevor J. McCollough, Richard L. Cellini
  • Magnetorheological strut piston with compression bypass
    Patent number: 6637557
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension strut configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable strut including a tube. A piston is slidably carried in the tube on a piston rod. A coil is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway in the piston. The control valve is positioned at the distal end of the rod upstream of the first flow passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Oliver, William C. Kruckemeyer, Todd A. Bishop, Eric L. Jensen
  • Interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment
    Patent number: 6637533
    Abstract: An interactive transporting system for moving people around in an environment, comprising: at least one transporting device (10); an interface device (16) provided on the transporting device (10) and arranged for allowing a user to communicate to the system his personal needs regarding his interaction with the environment; and a driver device designed to drive the transporting device (10) along an optimal path defined according to the needs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Fabrizio Bertone
  • Variable vibratory mechanism
    Patent number: 6637280
    Abstract: A vibratory mechanism is provided with first and second motors connected to first and second eccentric weights. One of the first and second motors is operable to change a phase difference between the first and second eccentric weights to change a vibration amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
    Inventor: Dean R. Potts
  • Spot-type disc brake with a retaining device for a brake pad
    Patent number: 6634469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spot-type disc brake for automotive vehicles and an associated brake pad with a retaining device for the brake pad (1) on an actuating means (2), with the brake pad (1) being additionally clamped to a pad mounting support. These two functions are assumed by two separate spring means (4, 13) according to the present invention. A first spring means (4) clamps the brake pad (1) axially with respect to the actuating means (2), especially a brake piston, and a second spring means (13) ensures the radially rattle-free clamping engagement of the brake pad (1) with respect to an associated pad mounting support. Both spring means (4, 13) are active irrespective of each other so that undesirable transverse forces on the actuating means (2), i.e., vertically to the axial direction (3), are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Teves, AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Karl Störzel, Holger Krug, Rudolf Platzer
  • Vehicle braking system with proportional poppet valve pressure control strategy
    Patent number: 6634722
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic brake system where brake pressure is controlled by the combined action of an apply valve and a dump valve by the implementation of a method of controlling the voltage applied to the apply and dump valve. The EHB pressure control system receives a desired wheel pressure command and, with a caliper pressure feedback signal, implements an algorithm to compute one voltage command for the apply valve and another for the dump valve. The solenoids of the proportional apply and dump poppet valves are operated to control flow in or out of the brakes and modulate wheel pressure as required. The algorithm is used to control the electromagnetic poppet valves in all states of flow through the valve. The algorithm is a function of the existing pressure within the system and whether there is bulk or leakage flow through the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Yuhong Zheng, Danny R. Milot
  • Hydraulic tension stop for vibration dampers
    Patent number: 6634471
    Abstract: Hydraulic tension stop for vibration dampers, shock absorbers, or similar piston-cylinder assemblies, where each assembly has a fluid-filled working space, the boundaries of which are formed axially by a piston rod guide and the piston and radially by the cylinder and the piston rod which carries the piston, part of this working space also belonging to the tension stop. A stop ring is mounted on the piston rod, which ring cooperates with a slotted, outwardly tensioned damping ring, so that the tension damping can be varied as a function of the stroke. When the stop ring reaches a predetermined position, the damping ring seats in a rest-position channel in a slide face permanently attached to the cylinder, the channel having a conical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Steffen Obst
  • Brake pad
    Patent number: 6634470
    Abstract: A brake pad, preferably used disc bakes, comprises a profiled metal back plate, to which at least one friction lining is attached, characterized in that a material with lower heat conductivity, relative to the friction lining, is provided in at least some profile sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Friction Products GmbH, Zweigniederlassung Technik Zentrum
    Inventors: Robert A. Emmet, Wilfried Strauss
  • Roller skates having improved appearance and function as walking shoes
    Patent number: 6634656
    Abstract: Roller skates (10) having an improved appearance and function as walking shoes by providing at least one skate wheel (210) that can be pivoted by at least 60 degrees up inside the sole (100) of the skate to facilitate walking, and/or providing a skate with user replaceable, friction operated side brakes (410). Preferred skates have multiple such pivoting wheels coupled by a common, pivoting support arm (230), and provide a mechanism that positions the wheels substantially coplanar with the sole of the skate while in the walking position, and substantially perpendicular to the sole of the skate while in the skating position. It is also preferred that the skate wheels pivot about an axis passing through a portion of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard Gervasoni
  • Vehicle clutch control device
    Patent number: 6634983
    Abstract: A vehicle clutch control system that can prevent an engine (222) from racing when a friction clutch (304) is disengaged and engaged. When a driver stamps an accelerator pedal (206) over a predetermined depth at the time of completion of transmission gear speed change, clutch engagement is prohibited if a clutch rotation speed is slower than a prescribed speed, or an accelerator is maintained to a 0% opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishimura
  • Bearing and interface assembly comprising at least one elastic deformation zone and a braking assembly comprising it
    Patent number: 6634208
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an assembly comprising a bearing (1) and a mechanical interface (5) associated, by means of association means (7), with the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1), this interface (5) being intended to be interposed between the fixed raceway (2) of the bearing (1) and the fixed structure, the said interface (5) comprising: first means (8) of fixing to the fixed structure; second means (9) of fixing a device (10) intended to apply a force to the rotating member (6); and at least one elastic deformation zone (29-33) able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said assembly, at least one sensor (38) able to measure the said forces being functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone (29-33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: S.N.R. Roulements
    Inventors: Arnaud Salou, Christophe Nicot, Olivier Blanchin
  • Controlled-type liquid-filled vibration isolator
    Patent number: 6631894
    Abstract: In a vibration isolator, stable liquid filling and assembling is obtained by reducing the effect of press-fitting a switching admission pipe. The vibration isolator including a partition having a partition main member and a partition plate member, a main liquid chamber, a first sub liquid chamber, a second sub liquid chamber and a switch chamber, orifices, and a switching admission pipe press-fit in a passage provided in the partition main member. A seal surface in contact with a seal rubber layer on an inner periphery of a cylindrical barrel is formed at around an opening end of a passage in an outer peripheral surface of the partition main member and a pressure-receiving surface broader than the other portion in the outer peripheral surface is provided on a side opposite to the seal surface sandwiching a device axis thereby effecting dispersal of external force during the press-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Takashima, Tsutomu Hashimoto
  • Torque tube and conical back plate for aircraft brake systems
    Patent number: 6631793
    Abstract: A torque tube and conical back plate for aircraft brakes including a torque tube having a truncated back plate of thin metal construction extending from the outboard end thereof. The conical back plate is characterized by inner and outer reinforcing rings, such rings providing a compressive force at opposite ends of the truncated cone of the back plate, thus allowing the back plate to resist bending and deflection. In accordance with the invention, the cross sectional centers of mass of the inner and outer reinforcing rings are shifted outboard from a projection of the center plane of the conical back plate, such positioning enhancing the stiffening and reinforcing capabilities of the reinforcing rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Evrard
  • Brake disc wear indicator
    Patent number: 6631791
    Abstract: A brake disc wear indicator comprising a brake disc rotor having two opposed braking surfaces for engaging opposed brake friction pads, and at least one hole provided in the rotor at a location behind a braking surface and at a predetermined depth and distance from the braking surface such that the hole is originally invisible by the presence of brake rotor material but becomes visible when brake rotor material is worn away to the extent that the hole becomes exposed and visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
    Inventors: Roland S. Moore, Paul E. Jamieson
  • Protection device to prevent train incursions into a forbidden area
    Patent number: 6631873
    Abstract: A protection device for a train is disclosed. The protection device works in conjunction with a remote controlled braking system on the train. The remote controlled braking system includes a transmitter in the locomotive of the train and a receiver located elsewhere on the train, typically on the last car. In an emergency situation the transmitter sends to the receiver over an RF communication link a brake command. When the receiver senses the brake command, it implements it by applying the brakes of the train from the car in which the receiver is placed. When the protection device senses that the train is about to enter a forbidden area, such as failing to obey a stop signal, it sends a brake command over the RF communication link to cause the application of the brakes by the receiver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Glen T. Fisher
  • Low friction slip assembly
    Patent number: 6631792
    Abstract: An improved slip assembly having a base and at least two opposing slip frames positioned on the base with each of the slip frames including a planar slip surface. Additionally, a die is carrier positioned within each of the slip frames and each of the die carriers also includes a planar surface which engages the slip surfaces of the slip frames. The improved slip assembly also includes a low friction slip assembly having a base and at least two opposing slip frames positioned on the base. Each of the slip frames will include a slip surface having an effective coefficient of friction less than about 0.07 and die carriers will be position within each of the slip frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Buck
  • Coupling structure for bearing and bushing
    Patent number: 6632022
    Abstract: A coupling structure for bearing and bushing. The structure includes a ball bearing, a washer and an oil-retained bearing housed sequentially in a housing chamber of a bushing. The housing chamber has one end formed a lip opening for anchoring the bearings and the washer such that the bearings and the washer are allowed to attain precise positioning and concentricity, with reduced vibration, and prevent lubrication oil of the oil-retained bearing from flowing to the ball bearing to effectively minimize noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Bill Lee