Patents Examined by Michael Mansen
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Patent number: 8292034Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Kevin Mount, Richard Walker Nicholson, Duane Howard Anstead, Robert Proctor, Pradeep Hemant Sangli, Prasad Laxman Kane, Mark Leonard Hopper
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Patent number: 8292036Abstract: In an oil suction system for drawing up oil stored in an oil reservoir through a strainer, the oil reservoir is constructed such that, when the liquid surface of the oil is inclined due to movement of the stored oil, the level of the liquid surface close to the suction port varies in accordance with a plurality of directions of inclination of the liquid surface, and the level of the liquid surface close to the suction port is lower in a particular direction as one of the directions of inclination of the liquid surface than those in the other directions of inclination, and an inflow resistance portion is provided at a lowered liquid-level side of the suction port on which the liquid level is lowered when the oil surface is inclined in the particular direction, for increasing the resistance to flow of the oil from the lowered liquid-level side toward the suction port, to be larger than the resistance to flow of the oil from a raised liquid-level side of the suction port on which the liquid level is raised due tType: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naofumi Nishida
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Patent number: 8292040Abstract: A double screw elevator consists of two screws whose helical threads extend in opposite helical directions, and each of the screws is provided with a nut, so that a suspension unit and a carrying unit on the nuts can be driven to move close to or away from each other, thus achieving the function of lifting or lowering the elevator car. The double screw elevator is simply structured, easy to assemble, and the length of a single screw of the elevator is shortened, making it easier to manufacture the screw. Furthermore, the screw driving elevator reduces the occurrence of accident whiling improving the rate of utilization.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.Inventor: Wu-Teng Hsieh
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Patent number: 8292035Abstract: There is provided an oil/air lubrication system capable of surely detecting lubrication oil in oil/air adapted to be fed into a rotary portion of a machine tool. A detection means which is provided to a pipe line in the vicinity of a mixing valve, just downstream of the mixing valve, is adapted to detect a flow of lubrication oil with the use of electromagnetic waves, and accordingly, a flow of air/oil can be accurately detected, irrespective of vibration of the machine tool, influence by the gravity, variation in the flow and a length of the pipe line from the mixing valve to the machine tool, and irrespective of a viscosity of the lubrication oil, and as well, irrespective of the installation of the detecting portion of the detecting means in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Daido Metal Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideyumi Matumura, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Tadao Okazaki
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Patent number: 8292766Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved overrunning pulleys that overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art noted above. Embodiments of the present invention provide pulleys that are “springy” in the torque direction, yet have a lower effective spring constant (e.g., are less stiff) over a greater angular range. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys use a low cost and simple torque transfer geometry. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys afford significant overrun. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are radially small in an overall envelope, in order to allow the alternator to reach its highest possible rotational speed, and thus output, during engine idle. Further, in at least some embodiments, the inventive pulleys are more durable, as they offer the aforementioned dynamics in both directions (torque and counter-torque).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventors: Connard Cali, Carlos Ferreira
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Patent number: 8287409Abstract: A hydraulic control system of continuously variable transmission includes: a first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) that regulates a line pressure (Pl), which is used for hydraulic control as a source pressure, to obtain a first sheave pressure (Pin); a fail-safe valve (19) that selects and outputs any one of the first sheave pressure (Pin) or a fail-safe hydraulic pressure (second sheave pressure Pout) that is applied to a drive pulley (21) at the time of a failure due to an excessive first sheave pressure (Pin) to the drive pulley (21); and a first regulator valve (12) and a second regulator valve (13) that regulate the line pressure (Pl). An output pressure (Psf) of the fail-safe valve (19) is supplied to the first and second regulator valves (12 and 13) in a feedback manner as a drive pulley (21) side hydraulic pressure to thereby regulate the line pressure (Pl).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Ogata, Toshihiro Aoyama
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Patent number: 8286754Abstract: A vertical lift platform assembly 100 has a lift platform 140, which is translatable in a vertical direction between at least a raised position and a lowered position by at least one actuator 200. The lift platform 140 may be surrounded on all sides by vertically extending walls 112 and one or more doors 110 to provide access to the lift platform 140. A control panel 113 enables an operator to control the vertical travel of the lift platform 140.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Lift-U, Division of Hogan Mfg., Inc.Inventor: Alan R. Cohn
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Patent number: 8282520Abstract: In a chain tensioner, an expansible ring is disposed in an internal groove formed in the inner wall of a plunger-accommodating hole near an open end thereof. The ring cooperates with grooves formed on the plunger to exert a ratchet action. The relationship between the angles of the surfaces of the internal groove and the grooves on the plunger allows the plunger to protrude, restricts retraction of the plunger on start-up of a chain transmission, but allows retraction when chain tension becomes excessive. In one embodiment, in which the ring is a C-ring, the tensioner housing can be formed with external threads for mounting in a threaded hole on a timing chain cover or other engine part. In other embodiments, the ring can have externally protruding levers for manipulation of the ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.Inventors: Yuji Kurematsu, Atsushi Hayami
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Patent number: 8281898Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: S. Shane Dexter, Larry Dale Estes, Gabriel Johnston, Durrell Tidwell, Bret R. Hauser, Lauren DeVita
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Patent number: 8281896Abstract: A drain plug housing body coupled to the interior of an oil pan, which receives, via threaded portions, an extended length drain plug. The drain plug housing further comprises a first threaded aperture having a first diameter terminating at the interior of the oil pan and a second threaded aperture having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, with a hollow cavity therein between. The drain plug is a substantially cylindrical bolt of varying diameters having a first male threaded portion and a second male threaded portion on its shaft that are compatible, respectively, with each of the threaded apertures of the drain plug housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Inventor: Raymond Morgan
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Patent number: 8277347Abstract: The present invention is directed to decrease the impact sound of the ratchet mechanism generated at the time of piston retraction. The tensioner includes a piston 3 slidable in the piston bore 2a of the housing 2 and an expandable circlip member 5 engageable with the engagement groove 3a of the piston 3. The piston bore 2a has a guide groove 20 formed therein that has front and rear stop surfaces 20a, 20b adapted to contact the circlip member 5. The engagement groove 3a is formed by a round seat portion S0 that the circlip member 5 is adapted to seat, a piston-retraction restricting portion S0S1 that is formed on the front side of the round scat portion S0 and a piston-advance permitting portion S0S2 that is formed on the front side of the round seat portion S0.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: BorgWarner Morse TEC Japan K.K.Inventors: Simon Barrette, Kazuyuki Miyake
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Patent number: 8276839Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for dispensing and collecting handle or armature cover material or covers for use, by way of example, with door handles, knobs, and the like. In one embodiment, the device is an automated handle cover dispenser that can include a dual use handle cover refill cartridge for both supplying and collecting handle cover material, or alternatively, a plurality of reels or cartridges (e.g., a supply reel and a take-up reel). The material, when supplied, at least partially covers a handle (e.g., door handle) during use by a consumer.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Xela Innovations, LLCInventors: Todd J. Muderlak, Kenneth J. Muderlak
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Patent number: 8277345Abstract: A stepless transmitting and speed-varying structure contains a power mechanism to drive a first transmission shaft by using power. The first transmission shaft is connected with a set of disk members including fixed and movable discs. A transmitting mechanism includes a belt disposed on the disk members, with one end of the belt connected with an intermediate speed-varying stem coaxial with a transmitting member to actuate a second transmission shaft. The second transmission shaft includes a resilient member, with one end of the resilient member coupled with the intermediate speed-varying stem and with another end thereof connected with a fixed member. A speed varying mechanism includes the second transmission shaft connected with a variable speed member, an actuated member, and plural eccentric blocks. The variable speed member couples with a connecting rod, with one end of the connecting rod joined with the movable disc.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Inventor: Chih-Hao Chung
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Patent number: 8272982Abstract: A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system in one aspect comprises an axially movable cam member rotatably supported on a hub that is connected to the alternator shaft and that is journaled within the pulley. The cam member is coupled to the pulley by splines so that it rotates with the pulley while affording axial movement. Springs urge the cam member into engagement with a cam follower on the hub. Upon sudden acceleration or deceleration of the pulley, the cam member rotates angularly relative to the cam follower and moves axially to compress the springs, which exert a restoring force on the cam member and cam follower to eliminate their relative angular rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: CT Drives, LLCInventor: Frank A. Fitz
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Patent number: 8272981Abstract: Pulley assembly for a continuously-variable vehicle transmission, comprising a support element having an axis, a first half-pulley rotationally connected to the support element, a second half-pulley facing the first half-pulley to define a seating adapted to house a drive belt, the second half-pulley being axially and circumferentially mobile in relation to the support element, and cam means functionally inserted between the second half-pulley and the support element to control the position of the second half-pulley. The cam means define a plurality of circumferential cavities carried by a peripheral portion of the second half-pulley, said cavities being defined by the first and second sides which are transverse to axis, and comprise a plurality of cam-followers which are connected to the support element and housed in the corresponding circumferential cavities to cooperate selectively with the first and second sides.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Dayco Europe S.r.L. Con Unico SocioInventors: Alessio Galletti, Paolo Seta
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Patent number: 8272983Abstract: A tensioner for a belt drive comprises a pivot defining an axis, a support hinged to the axis and defining a guiding surface preferably having a circular profile, an elastic element for actuating the support and a crown pulley eccentric with respect to the axis and surrounding the guiding surface. The tensioner further comprises a journal bearing to support the pulley on the guiding surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Dayco Europe S.R.L.Inventors: Adriano Rolando, Gianluca Pane
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Patent number: 8272984Abstract: An endless metal belt including a ring formed by laminating endless metal plates; and multiple elements continuously attached to the ring. Each of the elements has a body, a head connected to the body by a pillar, and slots formed between the body and the head on left and right sides of the pillar, respectively, for receiving the ring. The elements satisfy the equations (h/t)<1 and (S/h)>40, where h is a width of the slots, t is a plate thickness of the elements, and S is an area of the head.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jodosha Kabushiki Kaisha, CVTC Co., LtdInventors: Koji Kato, Masashi Hattori, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Hideharu Ushida, Masaki Saito, Katsumori Fujii, Shinichiro Yajima, Koichi Tanaka, Hirofumi Nozawa, Keisuke Ninomiya, Satoru Ando, Yuji Hattori, Tomohito Suzuki, Miyoshi Kakiuchi, Toshiaki Oomori, Kazuhiro Hanaki, Keiichiro Irie
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Patent number: 8272480Abstract: An oil pan assembly is disclosed that includes an oil filter, and an oil pan receiving the filter. The oil pan includes a reservoir defining a drain aperture for selectively draining fluid out of the oil pan, and a wall defining a filter cavity in fluid communication with a receiving passage and a sending passage of the oil pan. The oil pan further includes a filter cover assembly, including a cover securing the oil filter within the filter cavity, a filter drain tube extending from the cover through the filter cavity and into a drain passage, and a plug disposed on the filter drain tube, the plug selectively sealing the drain passage. The drain passage allows fluid communication between the filter cavity and the reservoir. The filter drain tube is configured to receive filtered oil from the oil filter.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Hans Jensen, Zhouxuan Xia, Ken Belanger
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Patent number: 8272590Abstract: A tape winding apparatus includes: a rotating device configured to rotate a wind-up core for winding a tape into a roll which defines a tape roll; a push roller configured to be pressed against the tape roll, the push roller contacting with and rolling on an outer periphery of the tape roll at a tape feeding position where the tape is fed onto the tape roll; a feeding direction control guide arranged upstream from the push roller as viewed in a running direction of the tape and configured to control a tape-feeding direction of the tape that is fed onto the tape roll; and a movement device configured to move at least one of the push roller and the feeding direction control guide such that the tape-feeding direction conforms with a tangential direction of the tape roll at the tape feeding position.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Takahisa Izumida, Hiroki Ohtsu
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Patent number: 8267819Abstract: A tensioner having a backstop device which allows free rotation of the pivot arm in a first direction but controls rotation of the pivot arm in a second, opposite direction. The backstop device permits a predetermined, limited amount of free rotation in the second direction and thereafter, employs a braking device to prevent rotation in the second direction if the torque that acts on the pivot art is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: Jorma J Lehtovaara, Jacek Stepniak, Marek Frankowski, Mats K Lipowski, Richard A Forrest