Patents Examined by Melody Burch
  • Patent number: 9656650
    Abstract: A brake ECU brings master cut valves into an open state and brings holding valves into a closed state, thereby controlling a master cylinder and wheel cylinders to communicate to each other when a magnitude of a hydraulic pressure detected by an accumulator pressure sensor has decreased to a value less than a predetermined value set in advance. On the other hand, the ECU maintains holding valves in an open state, and controls an accumulator and the wheel cylinders to communicate to each other via linear control valves. Then, the ECU determines in which brake system a failure occurs out of a brake system for a front right wheel, a brake system for a front left wheel, and brake systems for rear right and left wheels based on changes in hydraulic pressure detected by a sensor, a master cylinder pressure sensor, and a control pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamasaki, Masayasu Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 9656641
    Abstract: An electric brake system architecture for an aircraft with two or more electrical braking subsystems including brake system controls configured to communicate pilot pedal commands to electric brake actuator controllers that apply or release brakes in wheel groups. The system allows independent brake activation of wheel groups through a plurality of brake system controls and electric brake actuator controllers. The electric braking system further includes remote data consolidators to collect and transmit wheel data to brake system controls through a digital data communication bus. The system reduces aircraft weight, prevents inadvertent braking, and prevents error propagation between subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: T. Todd Griffith, David T. Yamamoto, Erik L. Godo, Tu-Luc H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9644702
    Abstract: A damper includes a pressure-sensitive damping control circuit that selectively permits fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber. A piston varies a volume of the first chamber. A blow-off piston is movable between a closed position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein fluid flow through the control circuit is permitted. The damper also includes a first source of pressure. A fluid pressure created by compression of the damper applies an opening force to the blow-off piston moving the blow-off piston in a direction toward the open position against a resistance force provided by the first source of pressure. The resistance force exceeds the opening force until the pressure created by forces tending to insert the piston rod into the first fluid chamber exceeds the pressure in the first source of pressure by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin F. Janes
  • Patent number: 9643815
    Abstract: A brake device having a block member, a first and second brake member movable relative to each other, and at least one adjustment member positioned between the block member and the first brake member to adjust the distance there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Wei Wei
  • Patent number: 9638277
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake rotor is provided that has a center rotational axis, and basically includes an outer portion and a cooling fin. The outer portion includes a first braking part defining a first braking surface and a second braking part defining a second braking surface. The first and second braking surfaces face in opposite axial directions. The cooling fin includes an inner portion radially offset from the first and second braking surfaces. The cooling fin further includes an attachment portion extending outwardly from the inner portion and sandwiched between the first and second braking parts. The first and second braking parts are separate and distinct individual parts from each other and from the cooling fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
  • Patent number: 9630469
    Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially form a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first, second and third damper elements that are telescopically interconnected with one another. The first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to the first and second end members. The second damper element can be operatively supported between the first and third damper elements. First and second biasing elements can be operatively interconnected between the second damper element and one of the first and third damper elements. A method of assembling a gas spring and gas damper assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9631691
    Abstract: An embodiment vibration dampening device includes a stack of permanent magnets having a plurality of cross-sectional areas, wherein the permanent magnets are electrically coupled in series with each other. The device further includes an insulating sheath disposed around the stack of permanent magnets, and a visco-elastic polymer disposed within the sheath and around the stack of permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNETIC INNOVATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Ricky David Schultz
  • Patent number: 9630605
    Abstract: An electric brake device includes: a motor cylinder device that generates a hydraulic pressure in accordance with a brake operation of a driver with an electric motor; a rotational angle sensor that detects a rotor rotational angle ? of the electric motor; and a motor control section that controls an output torque of the electric motor corresponding to the rotor rotational angle ? and controls the electric motor by advancing a detection value of the rotational angle sensor. The current phase setup section sets a current phase to an advanced side as an electrical advance control. The current phase setup section inhibits the advancing the detection value when the electric motor performs reversed rotation, or sets the current phase to a retarded side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimada, Kazuharu Kidera, Soichiro Ueura
  • Patent number: 9618075
    Abstract: A shock strut includes a first cylinder defining a first volume. The shock strut includes a first piston head moveably positioned within the first volume and defining a first fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber within the first volume. The shock strut includes a second cylinder defining a second volume. The shock strut includes a second piston head moveably positioned within the second volume and defining a second fluid chamber and a fourth fluid chamber within the second volume. The fourth fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the third fluid chamber. The shock strut also includes a bleed port. The shock strut also includes a tube extending from the fourth fluid chamber through the second piston head and the second fluid chamber to the bleed port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, Charles J. Spink
  • Patent number: 9616869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic braking system for a land vehicle, having at least one wheel brake; a master brake cylinder, which is designed to displace hydraulic fluid into the at least one wheel brake upon actuation of the braking system by the driver; a pump, which is designed to displace hydraulic fluid into the at least one wheel brake; a plurality of valve arrangements; a control unit, which is designed to actuate the pump and the plurality of valve arrangements; and a temporary store, which is connected hydraulically to the at least one wheel brake and to an input of the pump. The temporary store comprises a restoring element and is designed to accommodate a hydraulic fluid reserve volume during a rest state of the braking system, and to make the accommodated hydraulic fluid reserve volume available to the pump for displacement into the at least one wheel brake during an actuation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Marx
  • Patent number: 9604606
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pneumatic braking system of a utility vehicle that includes a service brake and an electric parking brake, an electronic control unit being provided for controlling the electric parking brake. The parking brake assists a brake intervention of the utility vehicle when there is a circuit failure of the service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 9598862
    Abstract: A resetting semi-passive stiffness damper (RSPSD) for use in damping movement. Embodiments of such a RSPSD include, for example, a pistoned cylinder connected to a grooved rack, and a spring-loaded lever arranged between the rack and a slotted channel above the rack. One end of the lever is allowed to move pivotably and vertically within the channel as the other end moves with the rack. A sensor is provided and communicates with a bypass valve on the cylinder. A change in the direction of movement of the rack forces the lever further into the slotted channel where it eventually triggers the sensor, which then sends a signal to open the bypass valve. As the rack continues to move, the lever eventually reverses direction, and is forced back down the slotted channel by a return spring. Upon leaving the sensing range of the sensor, the valve is signaled to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9592712
    Abstract: A suspension apparatus includes: a cylinder connected to one of a sprung member and an unsprung member, an interior space of the cylinder being partitioned into a piston upper chamber and a piston lower chamber; a piston connected to the other of the sprung member and the unsprung member; an expansion side friction member configured to damp a movement of the piston, a force of the expansion side friction member for damping the movement of a piston being increased by exerting a pressure of the piston upper chamber on the expansion side friction member; and a contraction side friction member configured to damp the movement of the piston, a force of the contraction side friction member for damping the movement of the piston being increased by exerting a pressure of the piston lower chamber on the contraction side friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Tabata
  • Patent number: 9592716
    Abstract: A pressure damping device includes: a cylinder; a piston provided movably in the cylinder in an axial direction of the cylinder, and formed to have a plurality of channels for liquid; a moving and partitioning member located between the piston and the cylinder, and provided movably from one end to the other end in the axial direction of a movable region provided in the piston, and configured to partition a space in the cylinder into a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber for storing the liquid; a first opening and closing member configured to open and close an opening in at least a part of the plurality of channels of the piston and open the opening; and a second opening and closing member configured to open and close an opening in at least a part of the plurality of channels and open the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Endo, Nobuo Mori
  • Patent number: 9587700
    Abstract: A roll-off piston is made of plastic for an air spring rolling-lobe flexible member. The roll-off piston and the air spring rolling-lobe flexible member are arranged between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass. The roll-off piston includes a first piston part; a second piston part connected to the first piston part; and, the first and second piston parts being made of a layered composite material of alternating layers of plastic and elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ContiTech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Stahmer, Siegfried Reck
  • Patent number: 9580055
    Abstract: A parking brake apparatus may include: a motor unit; a driving unit operated by the motor unit; a nut screw rotated by the driving unit; a bolt screw coupled to the nut screw so as to pass through the nut screw, and moved in a longitudinal direction inside the nut screw in connection with the rotation of the nut screw; a cable having one side connected to the bolt screw; a hook part connected to the other side of the cable; and a boot part having an internal space in which the cable and the hook part are moved in the longitudinal direction, and including a stopper arranged on a moving path of the hook part so as to restrict the movement of the hook part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Choong Sik Shin
  • Patent number: 9573577
    Abstract: A parking brake system for a vehicle includes an at least partially bistable valve unit to generate a control pressure for controlling at least one function of the parking brake system, and a relay valve which receives the control pressure from the valve unit and either pressurizes or bleeds at least one spring-loaded cylinder according to the control pressure. The valve unit is integrated into a first module integrated into a compressed air supply unit, and the relay valve is arranged in a second module which is arranged at a distance from the first module and the compressed air production system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Herges, Peter Szell
  • Patent number: 9573569
    Abstract: A regenerative brake device for a vehicle includes a manual brake configured to apply a brake to a wheel of the vehicle by a manual operation of a brake lever; a motor configured to be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, the motor being driven by a power from a battery, and also alternatively acting as a regenerative brake that charges the battery with an electromotive force of the motor; a brake sensor that detects a manual brake application point at which the manual brake is actuated from an operation amount of the brake lever; and a power control unit that performs regenerative power control for charging the battery with the electromotive force of the motor based on an output signal from the brake sensor so that the regenerative brake is generated in accordance with the operation amount of the brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Hosaka, Kazuo Asanuma, Toshiyuki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 9566971
    Abstract: In a hydraulic brake system including a cylinder device that includes a front chamber and a rear chamber located on front and rear sides of a pressurizing piston, respectively, presence or absence of liquid leakage from a brake line is detected based on a hydraulic pressure in the rear chamber. Where a state in which a subtraction value obtained by subtracting an actual rear hydraulic pressure from a target rear hydraulic pressure is larger than a first malfunction determination threshold value has continued for a time not shorter than a first malfunction determination time, and then an increase of the actual rear hydraulic pressure at a rate not lower than a set rate has caused the subtraction value to become smaller than a return determination threshold value, it is determined that the pressurizing piston has been bottomed due to liquid leakage from the front chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Okano, Yusuke Kamiya, Kiyoyuki Uchida, Akira Sakai, Hiroshi Ueno, Masaaki Uechi
  • Patent number: 9556921
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Howard, Hao Wang, Sheel Agarwal, John D. Rensel