Patents Examined by Matthew C. Graham
  • Patent number: 6913328
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling brake actuation energy in electronically controlled brake systems of tractor and trailer vehicle combinations. The temperatures of the brakes of the tractor and trailer vehicle parts are determined and compared with one another and with a preset temperature limit value. If the determined temperatures differ by at least a preset value and the temperatures of the brakes of at least one vehicle part reach the temperature limit, less brake actuation energy is provided to the brakes of the vehicle part having the higher temperatures, while more brake actuation energy is provided to the brakes of the vehicle part having the lower temperatures, and coupling force control is deactivated or programmed to adjust a coupling force which is not zero but the magnitude of which depends on the temperature induced changes of the brake actuation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Horst Eckert, Arnd Gaulke
  • Patent number: 6910556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk/hub combination and to intermediate elements for a brake disk/hub combination which are based on the following constructive design: the brake disk is provided with support elements on its inner periphery, the brake disk hub is provided with cams on its outer periphery and intermediate elements are radially distributed in the peripheral direction between the brake disk hub and the brake disk. The intermediate elements project into intermediate spaces that extend between the cams and the support elements. The intermediate elements are substantially configured as strips, L- or T-shaped elements and are axially secured against being displaced by at least one retainer ring and/or one rim section of the brake disk hub. Optionally or alternatively the sections of the intermediate elements that project into the intermediate spaces are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 6910989
    Abstract: Within the framework of the method for increasing brake efficiency of a vehicle with a hydrodynamic retarder, the rotational speed of the motor is increased by command for downshifting, in such a manner, that the increased cooling fluid circulation flow, due to the higher rotational speed of the motor speed, the necessary retarder braking power is made available, whereby a downshift command is issued, if this is necessary due to the actual retarder braking power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Reisch, Peter Schmidtner
  • Patent number: 6907969
    Abstract: A damper main body of a dynamic damper comprises a long flat mounting plate portion, a rod-like central supporting metal member which is erected vertically in the center of a top face of the mounting plate portion, constituting a supporting member together with the mounting plate portion, cylindrical rubber bushings placed on the central supporting metal member in succession from its bottom side, a coil member, a magnet portion, a yoke and a cylindrical case mounted over the yoke. Grommets, which are cylindrical supporting portions made of rubber elastic bodies, are inserted into mounting holes in side plate portions of the mounting plate portion. The damper main body is fixed on a mating plate member through the compressed grommets such that it is floated over the mating plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ichikawa, Atsushi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6902042
    Abstract: An automatic application hand brake mechanism is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The mechanism comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet engageable with at least one gear of the hand brake assembly for operating the gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of the at least one brake member. The apparatus also includes an application cylinder and a drive arm extending from an end thereof having a first portion which is connected to the operating member. The drive arm is capable of reciprocating with respect to the application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to the operating member to cause an automatic application of the at least one brake member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Ring, Scott Natschke, Robert Herron
  • Patent number: 6899652
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided with a housing end wall that is formed with a bearing mounting hole, through which one end portion of a primary shaft penetrates, a rolling bearing that rotatably supports, in a state that it is fitted in the bearing mounting hole, the one end portion of the primary shaft having a primary pulley, a flange that projects from the inside circumferential surface of the bearing mounting hole on the housing inward side, a bearing retainer that is provided on the outside surface of the end wall and cooperates with the flange to pinch the bearing, and a cover that is connected to the housing and covers the one end portion of the primary shaft and the bearing retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Hiroshima, Minoru Sawayama, Takao Kimura
  • Patent number: 6898994
    Abstract: A ballscrew and ball nut assembly with complimentary threads providing a ball raceway having a ball re-circulation path within the screwshaft of the ballscrew provided on the peripheral surface of a screwshaft insert and including end passages which communicate with the raceway and a non-helical mid-passage connecting said end passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Company, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Frederick Walton
  • Patent number: 6896106
    Abstract: A method of accommodating wear in an electrically operated brake assembly includes setting a home position when a brake shoe engages a brake drum. A stepper motor drives the brake shoes into engagement with the drum. Upon engagement of the brake shoes with the drum, the stepper motor slips. Slipping of a stepper motor indicates that a home position has been reached. Upon release of the brake, the brake shoe is moved away from the drum a fixed distance. The fixed distance is an optimal distance between the friction member and the rotating member such that regardless of wear, the distance relationship between the brake shoe and drum is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Kramer
  • Patent number: 6893010
    Abstract: A sleeve (1), particularly a rod sleeve, at least consisting of a core comprising a core hub (2) that has two faces (3), and comprising a core pin (4), which extends in the direction of longitudinal axis Y and which projects over both faces of the core hub while forming two connecting journals (5). The inventive sleeve also consists of an outer sleeve (6) and of an elastic layer (7) located between the core hub (2) and the outer sleeve (6). The core hub (2) and the core pin (4) form a one-piece core system that is provided, however, in two parts with regard to the normal X to the longitudinal axis Y, whereby both core halves (A1, A2) are assembled with interference fit by means of an insertion-slot system (8). The core hub (2) between its two faces (3) undergoes a tapering with an angle change?, whereby the respective contact surfaces (9, 10) of the core hub and of the outer sleeve (6) extend in a manner that essentially corresponds to the elastic layer (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Phoenix AG
    Inventors: Michael Groth, Rüdiger Meyer
  • Patent number: 6892863
    Abstract: A bicycle brake pad assembly having a plurality of pad portions, the assembly configured to provide replacement and interchangeability of each of the pads. Each pad is of a separate multi-rubber or elastomer compound or composition, with each composition pre-selected to effect a separate braking result for each of the pad portions. A pad may be selected to provide stopping power while a different pad combination selected to improve wet and dry braking, to stop squealing and grabbing, or a combination of compounds may be utilized for different braking characteristics such as for racing conditions, or the like. The pad portions are configured, arranged and dimensioned so that each (and all) pad portions have a braking surface in contact with the rim generally simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Richard C. Everett
  • Patent number: 6889800
    Abstract: An actuating unit for an electromechanically operable disc brake for automotive vehicles including a driving unit or an electric motor, an actuating element secured against rotation and causing one of two friction linings that are arranged slidably in a brake caliper to move into engagement with a brake disc, as well as a reducing gear interposed between the electric motor and the actuating element. To ensure the testability of the reducing gear, the present invention includes an anti-rotation mechanism of the actuating element be arranged in a gearbox casing accommodating the reducing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Jürgen Völkel
  • Patent number: 6889578
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism, such as a mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Spaziani, John Murray, Irving Laskin, Macram Bishai, Eric Beishline, John Holloway, Bill Farmer
  • Patent number: 6886668
    Abstract: Antioxidant coating compositions containing 10-75 wt % H2O, 20-65 wt % H3PO4, 0.1-20 wt % alkali metal mono-, di-, or tri-basic phosphate, 0-2 wt % hydrated boron oxide, 0-18 wt % KH2PO4, 3-10 wt % of a transition metal oxide, and 0-20 wt % hydrated manganese phosphate, 0-25 wt % Al(H2PO4)3, and 0-10 wt % Zn3(PO4)2, provided that at least one of Al(H2PO4)3, Zn3(PO4)2, and hydrated manganese phosphate is present. Also, brake discs made from carbon composite articles having their surface treated with certain antioxidant coatings. During a manufacturing process, carbon matrix 15 of brake disc 11 is covered on its outer and inner edges with antioxidant layers 19 and portions of the working surface of brake disc 11 may also be covered with antioxidant layers 13, potentially decreasing the fitness of the brake disc for service. In accordance with this invention, brake disc 12 is manufactured from brake disc 11 by the removal from its working surface of antioxidant layers 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel G. Koucouthakis, Michelle L. Shreve, Ken A. Thompson, Michael N. Spross, Laurie A. Booker, Terence B. Walker
  • Patent number: 6886671
    Abstract: A double liner gas cylinder with a straight-walled internal gas cylinder, housed inside a longer tube with an extend area housing outer bushing held in position by an outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Gain Gas Technique, S.L.
    Inventor: Javier Barandiaran Salaberria
  • Patent number: 6886819
    Abstract: Magnetorheological devices, including damping devices, rotary devices, and haptic systems constructed with said devices are disclosed. The devices contain dry magnetically-responsive particles, or MR fluids containing the magnetically responsive particles. The magnetically soft particles characterized by a single process yield population of atomized particles having a cumulative 10%, 50% and 90% by volume, fraction within specified size, i.e., D10 of from 2 up to and including a D10 of 5 ?m, a D50 8 ?m up to and including a D50 of 15 ?m, a D90 of 25 ?m up to and including a D90 of 40 ?m, and characterized by a least squares regression of log normal particles size against cumulative volume % fraction of greater than or equal to 0.77.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: K. Andrew Kintz, Teresa L. Forehand
  • Patent number: 6886670
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow through a passage defined by a valve body or a piston includes a valve disc which abuts the valve body or the piston. The valve body or the piston defines a first supporting member for the valve disc, a second supporting member for the valve disc located radially inward from the first supporting member and a third supporting member for the valve disc located between the first and second supporting members. This valve disc abuts the first and second supporting members and a clearance is defined between the valve disc and the third supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David Holiviers, Dirk De Gronckel, Johan Vangrieken
  • Patent number: 6880682
    Abstract: A wheel support for providing a connection, rotatable about an axis (S), between a wheel of a vehicle which can be braked by a disk brake and the stub axle (6) of the vehicle comprises a bell (24) suitable for supporting a braking band (25) and a connection flange (14) for the connection of the vehicle wheel. The bell (24) and the connection flange (14) are formed integrally, constituting a single body (2) which can be connected rotatably and releasably to the stub axle (6) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Gotti, Giovanni Mario Tironi
  • Patent number: 6880681
    Abstract: A brake drum includes a ring-shaped drum body (13), and a friction member (16) secured to the inner circumferential surface (18) of the drum body. Because the drum body is formed of a lightweight Al alloy and the friction member is formed of an Al-base composite material, the brake drum can be reduced in weight as a whole. Further, because the friction member, having projecting portions (17a) formed on its outer periphery (17), is cast-enveloped by molten metal of the Al alloy, the friction member and the drum body can be firmly fastened together. Thus, even when a great braking force is applied to the drum brake, the friction member can be prevented from being undesirably detached from the drum body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Koizumi, Takaharu Echigo, Hiroto Shoji, Yasuhiro Nakao, Kunitoshi Sugaya
  • Patent number: 6880899
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an ABS control system, a braking control of a right and left rear wheels can be independently carried out when a lateral acceleration exceeds a lateral acceleration value set beforehand. When the ABS control is operated at one of the right and left rear wheels, the control system executes a stepwise pressure increase control which provides a stepwise pressure increase for the other rear wheel up to a braking pressure to be reached at a start of the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Soejima, Tohru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6874602
    Abstract: A braking apparatus used to brake a vehicle having brakes actuated by a power boost in response to the movement of a brake pedal has a vacuum source adapted to be operably connectable to a vacuum conduit network, the vacuum conduit network being adapted to be operably connectable to a vacuum control valve, the vacuum conduit network further being adapted to be operably connectable to the power boost of the vehicle. The braking apparatus also includes a vacuum actuated servo mechanism adapted to be operably connectable to receive vacuum from the vacuum control means as directed by an electronic controller, the vacuum then being capable of actuating the vacuum actuated servo mechanism to move between a resting position and a braking position. The braking apparatus further includes a connection cable adapted to be mechanically connectable to both the vacuum actuated servo mechanism and the brake pedal of the vehicle such that the vacuum actuated servo mechanism and the brake pedal move responsively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: John C. Greaves, Jr.