Patents Examined by Khoi Q. Ta
  • Patent number: 6158294
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for bicycle including a support shaft with an interior created by a hollow shaft having a long hole drilled thereinto, and fixed grooves formed on its outer surface at regular intervals; a movable casing mounted on the support shaft; a fixation ball attached to the inside of the movable casing to mate with the fixed grooves; a pin inserted into the movable casing to pass through the long hole; a speed-change wire connected to the pin; a coil spring loaded between one side of the movable casing and a clamping bolt; a plurality of rotary balls seated in an outer groove of the movable casing to slightly protrude from the outer groove so that the rotary balls rotate along a thread bottom formed on an inner surface of a revolving body; a plurality of needle bearings provided to an outer surface of the revolving body; a friction band provided to the outside of the needle bearings, and having one side fixed to a rotating axle; and a weight provided to the friction band's other side and expo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Yong Chul Jung
  • Patent number: 6155955
    Abstract: In motor vehicles fitted with overlay steering mechanisms comprising a transmission (2) and a steering transmission (4), substantial amounts of torque flow from the transmission inlet (12) to the steering transmission (4) when cornering. This results in a loss of speed during cornering. According to the method described, the torque flow to the steering transmission (4) is preferably automatically compensated by higher prime mover torque. Driving performance can be enhanced during cornering without needing to design the transmission (2) for higher input torque. The principle disclosed in the invention can be used for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Boss, Johannes Sorg
  • Patent number: 6155946
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device is constructed with a clutch housing which is in a working connection with at least one drive. The hydrodynamic, clutch device has a hydrodynamic circuit formed at least by an impeller wheel and turbine wheel. The speed of the impeller wheel is adjustable corresponding to the speed of the housing, and the drive is connected with the impeller wheel via a transmission for carrying out a change in the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jorg Sudau
  • Patent number: 6155125
    Abstract: A six speed gear assembly is having a mainshaft, countershaft, mainshaft 1st-6th gears, countershaft 1st-6th gears, and 4th/6th gear shift member. A shifting assembly with a shifter cam having uniformly distributed and uniformly shaped detents that are engaged by the shift cam follower. The six speed gear assembly has modes of operation corresponding to six speeds (1st through 6th) and a neutral position. The sixth speed is an overdrive speed (the output from the transmission turns faster than the input to the transmission), while the first through fifth speeds correspond to conventional gear ratios.The six speed gear assembly and the shifting assembly fit within the transmission case of a Big Twin five speed transmission without the need to modify the transmission case. This allows the conversion of a Big Twin five speed transmission into a six speed transmission without removal or replacement of the transmission case and by replacing a minimal number of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Custom Chrome, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Negherbon, Robert Burns Bossler, Jr., Arthur Carl Williams, Daniel Stern
  • Patent number: 6152853
    Abstract: An exhaust brake control system for a vehicle drive train having an internal combustion engine with an exhaust system includes an exhaust brake valve in the exhaust system. Further, a controller controls the exhaust brake valve through a number of position commands from fully open to fully closed. Inputs to the controller affecting its operation include a speed sensor, a drive coupling sensor, a gear selection sensor, an overdrive gear sensor, an engine speed sensor, a throttle sensor, a pressure sensor and a warm-up sensor. A user interface both receives and sends information from and to the controller. The exhaust brake control system not only includes modulation of the exhaust brake, but also provides for control of a torque converter clutch, automatic transmission and overdrive. With throttled engines the intake throttle valve can be opened and the fuel supply disabled. Modulation of the exhaust brake valve is responsive to speed and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Gale C. Banks, III
  • Patent number: 6152852
    Abstract: A lock-up controller is provided for shifting a torque converter of a vehicle from the lock-up state to the unlock state when the accelerator pedal is depressed at a speed larger than a predetermined speed when the vehicle is coasting, The controller is further functioning to prevent the torque converter from shifting to the lock-up state when the torque converter has been shifted to the unlock state and the vehicle speed is within the predetermined re-lock-up prevention speed range so as to avoid frequent lock-up/unlock operation of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakakibara, Akihiro Ueki
  • Patent number: 6152847
    Abstract: A bicycle antitheft device includes an antitheft mechanism switchable between an antitheft state and a release state, wherein the antitheft mechanism includes a first member that moves relative to a second member to move the bicycle forward and backward. A movement controlling mechanism hinders the first member from moving relative to the second member when the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state, and a selection mechanism is provided for selecting one of the antitheft state and the release state. Alternatively, the antitheft mechanism may include a sound generator for generating a sound when the first member moves relative to the second member and the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state. The movement controlling mechanism and the sound generator may be combined into a single antitheft mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Matsuo, Hiroyuki Ookouchi, Hitoshi Kishimoto, Takuro Yamane
  • Patent number: 6152275
    Abstract: There are disclosed a method of and an apparatus for regulating the operation of a friction clutch or another torque transmission system in the power train of a motor vehicle. The regulation is such that the operator of the vehicle is informed of a prevailing or impending condition which entails or is about to entail damage to the system or to the entire power train. Such situation can arise in response to excessive and/or prolonged slip of abutting friction surfaces in a friction clutch, overheating of one or more parts of the system for any other reason(s), as a result of improper selection of the transmission speed for starting of the vehicle and/or due to excessive wear upon the friction linings and/or other parts. The remedial undertaking can include such regulation of the system that the ride become uncomfortable to the occupant(s) of the vehicle and/or automatic elimination of the cause(s) of unsatisfactory torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fischer, Thomas Jager, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6148683
    Abstract: A worm/worm gear transmission, particularly for use in a helicopter, and which includes an enveloping-type worm gear (3) having less than 24 teeth which are generated by an enveloping thread (1). The angle of one revolution of the thread has more than 15 degree. Different profiles of the worm gear are generated by a modified worm thread (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6145409
    Abstract: A hybrid gearbox for land vehicles and automotive machines is designed such that the starting up and maneuvering operations of the vehicles are powered by a hydromotor and their normal travel is powered by a direct coupling with an internal combustion engine. In its normal operation, the internal combustion engine drives a neutrally positioned axial piston pump as well as the driven shaft. When operated under load, the driven shaft is decoupled from the internal combustion engine, and the latter drives the variable axial piston pump which in turn delivers pressure to the hydromotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Neunkirchener Maschinen - und Achsenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ernst Auer
  • Patent number: 6146020
    Abstract: A circular seal assembly is provided for a roll in a rolling mill. The roll has a neck with a tapered section leading from a roll end face to a reduced diameter section rotatably supported in a non-rotating bearing chock. The chock is spaced axially from the roll end face to define a circular gap therebetween, and the seal assembly is adapted to span the gap. The seal assembly comprises a rigid circular seal end plate adapted to be fixed to the chock at a location cooperating with associated resilient seal components to subdivide the gap into an inboard chamber adjacent the roll end face and an outboard chamber adjacent the chock. A vent connection is provided in an upper quadrant of the seal end plate between the inboard and outboard chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Morgan Construction Company
    Inventor: Charles L. Innis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6146306
    Abstract: An automobile transmission system, comprising a planet gear interposed between the output gear and the speed differentiator of a conventional transmission device, a gliding hood is provided additionally on the outer casing of said speed differentiator, by the dynamic steering capability of the planet gear, power transmitting on the output gear assembly may be delivered by the planet gear active in direct or reverse rotation, moreover, by the displacement of the gliding hood on the outer casing of the speed differentiator the power being transmitted by the planet gear in direct or reverse rotation may be delivered way to the speed differentiator, eventually as output by way of the output shaft on the output end on both sides of the speed differentiator, thus controlling the vehicle to move forwards or backwards, with the input gear and the output gear devoted solely to take charge of speed regulation without regard to direction of vehicle movement, forwards or backwards, thus making possible structural simplif
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Sheng-Tsai Tseng
  • Patent number: 6145398
    Abstract: An electronically controlled shift system is provided for a synchronized manual transmission of a motor vehicle. The shift system provides greater control of gear engagement by determining an optimum shift force at shift time, by adjusting this shift force based upon engine temperature, and by applying variable shift forces to complete a gear shift. In particular, the electronically controlled shift system comprises a manually operated shift lever for selecting a gear, a transmission control module connected to the shift lever for receiving an electrical input signal indicative of a selected gear and a dual motion actuator receiving actuation signals from the transmission control module for actuating a shift rail of the transmission to engage the selected gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Bansbach, Randy W. Adler, Robert S. Zucker, Sankar K. Mohan, Christopher W. Phelan
  • Patent number: 6145399
    Abstract: Non-synchronized, manually shiftable transmissions of modern vehicle types are actuated by means of an automated transmission control, and the driver can optionally select any gear by means of an actuator which is electrically connected to the transmission control device. In general terms, the method of this invention includes the operator generating a signal indicating a desire to shift the transmission. The transmission then automatically begins implementing the shift. If the currently engaged gear is not disengaged within a preselected time period, because the system cannot achieve a break torque condition, for example, the system signals the driver to manually operate the clutch. A visual and audible signal preferably are provided to the driver. Once the driver manually operates the clutch, the system is able to complete the desired shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Gerhard Bockmann, Andreas Bohm
  • Patent number: 6146308
    Abstract: In a neutral N control for substantially equalizing axial forces to act on two pulleys, a belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) self-converges into the gear neutral point (GN) at which the output shaft RPM takes the value 0. When the convergence is made to the GN point to establish a no-load state, the CVT establishes a force F.sub.A to converge into a pulley ratio of 1.0, in which it is stabilized by itself. A converging force F.sub.N to the GN point and the force F.sub.A toward the pulley ratio of 1.0 are repeated in a vortex shape in the load state and in the no-load state to establish a creep force. This creep force can be modified by generating a force F.sub.O against the force F.sub.A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Shoichi Miyagawa, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Shiro Sakakibara, Takeshi Inuzuka, Masashi Hattori, Hirofumi Nozawa
  • Patent number: 6146303
    Abstract: The objective of the invention is a drive unit for a hoist, in particular for a hoist consisting of a motor 3, a gear 1, a brake 2, and a brake housing 8 serving as support, onto which the facing of the motor and/or the gear is flanged. The drive unit has a shaft 6, which simultaneously serves as a motor shaft and as a gear shaft, and the brake body 2 within the brake housing 8 is fastened to the shaft. Preferably, the motor 3 and/or the gear 1 are flanged, unsupported, to both sides of the brake housing 8. The construction according to the invention significantly shortens the total length of the drive unit. Furthermore, the installation and assembly costs in money, time, and materials are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Wittur AG
    Inventors: Horst Wittur, Hubert Fisher
  • Patent number: 6142675
    Abstract: A roller includes a rolling bearing having inner and outer rings, a roller shell formed of injection molding material and molded in a form-fitting manner onto the outer ring of the roller bearing, and a spindle disposed in the bore of the inner ring with a space being provided between the surface of the bore and the spindle. The spindle includes at least one form-fitting element. An injection molding material forms a filler in the space between the spindle and the bore surface, whereby the outside contour of the spindle is constructed as am outer shaping surface for the form tool. A method of producing a roller involves placing a rolling bearing having inner and outer rings into a form tool, placing a spindle in the form tool so that the spindle extends into the bore in the inner ring and is held in place in the form tool, closing the form tool, and injecting molding material into the form tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Brandenstein, Josef Stork
  • Patent number: 6142904
    Abstract: An apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, more particularly, an apparatus for changing direction of driving force for bicycles, which can travel bicycles forward by pedaling rearward as well as by pedaling forward, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: World Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-Soo Yoo
  • Patent number: 6139468
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system having gearing that establishes multiple forward driving ratios and a reverse ratio as well as a neutral mode, an electrohydraulic control valve circuit for controlling the application and release of clutch and brake elements for the transmission gearing, a driver-controlled range selector for transmitting operator commands to shift control logic, and a failure mode management circuit that monitors the shift control logic and the response of the transmission system to operator commands, as well as the transmission range selector signals delivered to the shift control logic whereby multiple control redundancies in the electronic range control system ensure that system failures and component failures develop an error signal to alert the driver of possible malfunctions during the range selection period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Eldon Lamar Goates, Charles Edward Marshall
  • Patent number: 6139463
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a reduction planetary gear, two clutches transmitting a decelerated rotation transmitted from the reduction planetary gear, and a planetary gear set comprising two elements to which the decelerated rotation is inputted through the two clutches. The reduction planetary gear and the two clutches are arranged in one side of the planetary gear set. The second clutch is closer to the planetary gear set than the clutch. The input side member of the first clutch is connected to an output element of the reduction planetary gear and the input side member of the second clutch. The output side member of the first clutch is extended through the radial inner space of the second clutch and connected to one of the two elements of the planetary gear set. Thus, no member is arranged in the radial outer side of the both clutches, and the both clutches are radially enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin AW Ltd., Co.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida