Patents Examined by Melody Burch
  • Patent number: 9915313
    Abstract: Twin tube dampers are provided. In one embodiment, a twin tube damper includes a damping assembly, the damping assembly defining a central longitudinal axis and including an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines an inner fluid chamber, the outer tube generally surrounds the inner tube and defines an outer fluid chamber, and the outer fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The twin tube damper further includes a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston disposed within the inner fluid chamber and movable generally along the central longitudinal axis. The twin tube damper further includes a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the damping assembly, the fluid reservoir including a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane generally coaxial with the damping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cane Creek Cycling Components
    Inventors: Joshua Philip Coaplen, James Rathbun
  • Patent number: 9850974
    Abstract: A nonlinear mechanical element including a buckling column and hard stops. In one embodiment when the nonlinear mechanical element is subjected to an increasing compressive load, the buckling column buckles at a critical load, resulting in reduced stiffness past the critical load. One or more lateral hard stops may be provided adjacent to the buckling column to prevent the buckling deformation from exceeding a certain extent, and axial hard stops may be provided to shift the load path away from the buckling column when a certain amount of compressive displacement has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henry, Jie Jiang, Sloan P. Smith, Jacob Mikulsky
  • Patent number: 9845837
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a disc brake, the guide assembly comprising a bore disposed in a disc brake caliper for receiving a guide pin. The bore comprises a first bore portion with a substantially circular cross-sectional profile and a second bore portion with a substantially circular cross-sectional profile arranged sequentially along the length of the bore and tangentially offset such that the bore is defined by the overlap of the first bore portion and second bore portion and has a lens-shaped cross-sectional profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Thomas
  • Patent number: 9827961
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a fault condition in a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle having a first hydraulic brake circuit and a second hydraulic brake circuit. A correlation ratio is determined between a measured pressure and the actual vehicle acceleration. A first wheel velocity differential is determined and a second wheel velocity differential is determined. A weighting value is selected in response to determining whether the correlation ratio is within the predetermined range and whether the first wheel velocity differential and the second wheel velocity differential are opposite signs. The selected weighting value is added to a fault counter. A determination is made whether the fault counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A fault condition is detected in response to the fault counter greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Arnie Spieker, Mark D. Lubbers, Michael O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9802590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for motor vehicle. A piston-cylinder arrangement can be actuated by means of a brake pedal, a controllable pressure source and brake pressure modulation valves. In order to provide a piston-cylinder arrangement which is easy to implement and axially short, the invention proposes that the piston of the piston-cylinder arrangement is directly guided in a housing that accommodates further components of the brake system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventor: Stefan A. Drumm
  • Patent number: 9803711
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disc brake, the disc brake having a brake caliper and a brake actuation mechanism being supported in it, in which the brake actuation mechanism includes an amplification mechanism for introducing a clamping force, an adjustment device for compensation of lining wear with a torque clutch, a thrust element for transmitting the clamping force onto a brake disc and a reset device, which components are arranged around a rod, in which the torque clutch is formed as a roller-ramp-mechanism. A spring force can act onto the torque clutch by means of the reset device thereby forming a torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventors: Stefan Sandberg, Hans Welin
  • Patent number: 9791006
    Abstract: A brake rotor assembly, and method for forming a brake rotor assembly, that includes an integrally formed first disc member coupled to an integrally formed second disc member, wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first disc member and the second disc member is formed from a metal matrix composite and the remainder of the first disc member and second disc member is formed from the support element used in the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GUNITE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Fraley, Matt Kero, Nick Weinberg, Larry Anderson
  • Patent number: 9771150
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Taeoh Lee, David E. Heverly, Jr., Robert J. Pascal
  • Patent number: 9764451
    Abstract: A brake pipe fitting tool includes a first hydraulic pipe wrench, a second hydraulic pipe wrench, a connecting portion and a handle portion. The first hydraulic pipe wrench has a first jaw defining a first hydraulic pipe insertion opening. The second hydraulic pipe wrench has a second jaw defining a second hydraulic pipe insertion opening. The connecting portion connects the first hydraulic pipe wrench to the second hydraulic pipe wrench such that the first hydraulic pipe wrench and the second hydraulic pipe wrench are fixedly and rigidly connected to one another and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The first hydraulic pipe insertion opening and the second hydraulic pipe insertion opening are parallel to one another and aligned with one another. The handle portion is rigidly fixed to one of the first hydraulic pipe wrench, the second hydraulic pipe wrench or the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robson, Scott Warnecke
  • Patent number: 9764724
    Abstract: A valve device for a pneumatically-operated vehicle brake system can adjust the pneumatic brake pressure that can be fed to a brake in a controlled manner. A first variant of the valve device is configured as a modulator for use in an electronically regulated embodiment of the brake system; and a second variant is configured for use in a pneumatically controlled embodiment of the brake system. However, both variants have pneumatic interfaces and mechanical fastening points that are configured substantially identically with respect to one another to facilitate conversion of the brake system from one such embodiment to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd-Joachim Kiel, Hartmut Rosendahl, Gerd Roters, Wolfgang Strache, Otmar Struwe
  • Patent number: 9752640
    Abstract: A cap for mounting on a damper tube of a vibration damper, having an outer shell region that is cylindrical at least in sections and at least one elastic spring tongue. At least one positively locking element is arranged on the spring tongue in order to produce a positively locking connection between the cap and a protective element of the vibration damper. The at least one spring tongue has a region which, in the non-mounted state of the cap, is set back inwardly in the radial direction with respect to the outer shell region. The set-back region has a spreading element, by way of which the spring tongue is spread outwardly in the radial direction during the mounting of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Mrugalla, Markus Schrichten
  • Patent number: 9752291
    Abstract: A protector allows for the engagement and protection of a segment of an upright from an impact force by an external object and for absorbing and damping the resulting impact force. The protector comprises a protector body and a shim. The protector body allows engagement and positioning of the protector on at least a segment of the upright. The protector body is also partially constructed of an energy absorbing and damping material and having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface is positionable to receive the impact force from the external object. The inner surface is positionable to abut the upright, when the protector is in engagement with the upright. The shim is least partially embedded in the protector body and provides increased structural support for the protector body. The shim also has a stiffness different than the stiffness of the protector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Michael, James A. Courtwright
  • Patent number: 9732812
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake has a piston which acts upon a friction element and is displaceable by a rotationally drivable spindle/nut arrangement into an actuating position. A spindle of the spindle/nut arrangement is secured against rotation and movable by the spindle nut either into abutment against the piston or away from the piston. The spindle nut comprises a first part, which at least close to one end thereof is configured for screw-type engagement with the spindle, and a second part, configured for rotationally driving the first part and connected to the first part by a rotationally fixed connection. The first part at an other end thereof is provided with a support surface for the rotatable, axial mounting of the spindle/nut arrangement and the second part at the other end extends into the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Giering, Ralf Erben
  • Patent number: 9726251
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes first and second mounting members; an elastic body connecting the mounting members; a partition member partitioning a liquid chamber in the first mounting member into a primary liquid chamber using the elastic body as a part of a wall surface thereof and a secondary liquid chamber; and a movable member housed in a housing chamber provided within the partition member, the movable member being deformable or displaceable in an axial direction of the first mounting member. The partition member includes communicating holes that extend from a portion of the partition member which is exposed to the primary liquid chamber or the secondary liquid chamber toward an inside of the partition member and are opened toward the movable member. The partition member is equipped with partition plate parts dividing the housing chamber from the primary liquid chamber and dividing the housing chamber from the secondary liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu Nagasawa, Akira Ueki, Shuhei Ono, Yasuyuki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9719569
    Abstract: A brake is provided. The brake may include a rotor having a plurality of magnets and a plurality of ferromagnetic poles radially disposed thereabout, and a stator having a plurality of shunts and a plurality of teeth radially disposed thereabout. At least one of the plurality of shunts and the plurality of teeth may be configured to selectively move between an engagement state and a free engagement state. The teeth may be configured to generate magnetic flux with the ferromagnetic poles so as to generate a braking torque during the engagement state. The shunts may be configured to redirect the magnetic flux therethrough and reduce the braking torque between the teeth and the ferromagnetic poles during the free engagement state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Kyle W. Rogers, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 9714680
    Abstract: An assembling device for a bush may include: a bush unit mounted on a part; a connection unit of which the inside is locked and fixed to the bush unit; and a support unit coupled to the connection unit, and supporting the bush unit so as to prevent separation of the bush unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Cha
  • Patent number: 9713959
    Abstract: Motor vehicle having a hybrid drive which includes at least one wheel which can be driven by an electric machine, wherein a recuperation device is provided which permits recuperation of energy in a recuperation phase during a braking process, wherein a brake system is provided with a pedal, at least one master brake cylinder and at least one wheel brake which fluidically activates the wheel brake on the basis of a movement of the pedal by a brake pressure, wherein a pressure-reducing valve device is provided which reduces the brake pressure in the recuperation phase, and wherein a compensator is provided for compensating a hydraulic effect of the pressure-reducing valve device, wherein in the effective range of the pressure-reducing valve device two master brake cylinders are provided whose pistons are rigidly coupled to one another via a connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Poppe
  • Patent number: 9677632
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanically actuatable brake (2), comprising an electrically actuatable actuator (30) for applying the brake (2) in an application direction (42), which actuator (30) converts a rotary motion of a spindle (20) into a translational motion of an application element (26), in particular a piston, wherein the spindle (20) is driven by an electric motor (8), wherein a mechanical store for storing energy by twisting is provided, the first end of which store is coupled to the spindle (20) and the second end to a bracing element (80), wherein the store takes up energy during rotation of the spindle (20) in the application direction (42), by which energy the spindle (20) is rotated back against the application direction (42) in the currentless state of the electric motor (8), whereby the brake (2) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Theo Baukholt, Hendrik Powileit, Markus Schommer
  • Patent number: 9673690
    Abstract: An electromagnetic retarder rotor (1) for a vehicle, includes: an armature (2) having an inner surface (4); an end (5) having an inner surface that faces the inner surface (4) of the armature (2) and is at a distance therefrom, the end (5) being secured to the armature (2); a ring (13) for coaxial attachment to the armature (2); and an arm (15) defined between an upper edge and a lower edge and having a first end portion secured to the inner surface (7) of the end (5), on the lower edge, and a second end portion secured to the attachment ring (13), the upper edge of the arm (15) being at a distance from the inner surface of the armature (2) over the entire radial dimension of the arm (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: TELMA
    Inventors: Rafik Lounis, Nicolas Quennet
  • Patent number: 9663123
    Abstract: A rail brake includes a rigid enclosure which mounts under a crane so as to dispose the base end of the enclosure over and adjacent a rail. A spring carriage is mounted for vertical translation within the enclosure. Springs are mounted between the spring carriage and the top of the enclosure so that the springs are compressed when the spring carriage is elevated. A brake shoe is mounted under the carriage. Actuators are mounted between the spring carriage and the base end of the enclosure. Extension of the actuators compress the springs and elevate the brake shoe from the rail. Retraction allows the springs to drive the brake shoe against the rail. Elevation of the brake shoe aligns a pair of spline joints between the sides of the brake shoe and corresponding channel walls underneath the enclosure. Removable elongate keys provide the locking splines in the pair of spline joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Hillmar Industries Limited
    Inventor: Ian W. Bourhill