Patents Examined by Michael Mansen
  • Patent number: 8459413
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an external pump system which pumps air out of the housing and develop negative pressure therein in response to a loss of lubrication condition. The negative pressure operates as an air lock to minimize or prevent lubricating oil loss from the housing while an internal lubrication system continues to distribute lubricating oil—which although now increasing in temperature—still operates to lubricate the gearbox components. For further ballistic tolerance, the housing is a compound housing that reduces or closes the penetration and further minimizes lubricating oil and negative pressure loss. The housing may be still further hardened by an armor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sirkorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy Gmirya, Mikhail Gelfand
  • Patent number: 8459584
    Abstract: Described is a belt tensioner for a seat belt having a belt retractor, a tensioner pinion (4) non-rotatably connected to the belt retractor, a tube (2) having a pyrotechnical gas generator arranged therein, and a plurality of mass bodies (6) driven by the pressure generated by the gas generator. The mass bodies (6) engage with the tensioner pinion (4) in a force transmitting manner and drive the belt retractor in the winding direction. A first and a second section (2a, 2b) of the tube (2) run parallel to each other. A third section (2c) with a curved course that projects out of the plane (E) connects the first and second sections, thereby creating a space (7) between the first, second and third sections (2a, 2b, 2c), for accommodating at least one of the mass bodies (6a, 6b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Juri Kraus, Kazuhiro Moro
  • Patent number: 8454463
    Abstract: A power transmitting system that is configured to have BAS and IS functionality. The power transmitting system can be operated in a first mode in which an engine provides rotary power for driving an accessory assembly and a motor/generator. The device can be operated in a second mode for starting the engine and driving the accessory in which rotary power is output from the motor/starter in a first rotational direction. The device can also be operated in a third mode in which the motor/generator outputs rotary power in a second, opposite rotational direction for driving the accessory while the engine is not operating. A kit for a power transmitting system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Scott Parsons
  • Patent number: 8454461
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly mounted to a hub has at least eleven sprockets. The hub is able to rotate about a rotation axis and has a plurality of spoke attachment seats and a fastening portion to a frame of the bicycle. On the hub a predetermined axial distance is defined between a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, comprising the points of the spoke attachment seats closest to the freewheel body and a plane, substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and defined in the fastening portion to the frame, comprising the attachment points to the frame closest to the freewheel body. All of the sprockets of the sprocket assembly, when associated with the freewheel body, have an overall axial width that is lower than or equal to the predetermined axial distance. The chain has a maximum thickness between 4.6 mm and 5.8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Valle
  • Patent number: 8453800
    Abstract: An elevator, comprising an elevator car (1), car guide rails (3) on one side of the elevator car (1), an elevator shaft or equivalent (5), at least one stop block (9) attached to the car guide rails (3) or to the elevator shaft or equivalent (5), at least two movable stop blocks (7) attached to the elevator car (1), the latter stop blocks (7) being arranged to be moved transversely relative to the elevator shaft direction into a position aligned with at least one stop block (9) attached to the car guide rails (3) or elevator shaft or equivalent (5) and away from said position aligned with said stop block (9). The aforesaid at least two movable stop blocks (7) attached to the elevator car are connected to each other by a horizontal shaft (10) oriented substantially in a direction parallel with the wall of the elevator car (1) on the side of the car guide rails (3) to synchronize the motion of the movable stop blocks (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Teemu Tolonen
  • Patent number: 8439797
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that prevents belt fluttering motion when the vehicle starts. A throttle opening degree sensor that detects an opening degree of a throttle is connected to and outputs to a controller a signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from a closed state to an open state. When the vehicle starts from a standing state, the controller controls an actuator, according to the signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from the closed state to the open state, to move a movable flange from a normal position in the standing state in a direction to narrow the groove width of a primary sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8439781
    Abstract: A tensioner for an endless power transmitting element in a drive system is disclosed that includes an arm rotatable about an axis and having a sleeve that includes a ramp face or contoured face, a damper cup having a protrusion and a plate, a spring case that houses the sleeve of the arm and the damper cup with the damper cup's plate mated with the ramp face or contoured face of the sleeve. During wind-up of the tensioner, a normal force is applied to the damper cup's protrusion that moves the plate along the ramp face or contoured face in a first direction, and in the first direction the ramp face or contoured face pushes the damper cup generally radially outward into the spring case to provide frictional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony E. Lannutti, Joshua J. B. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8439780
    Abstract: A tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected around a first axis and a couple of idle pulleys supported by a rigid element on opposing parts of axis and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of belt drive. The tensioner also includes a mobile element hinged to a second fixed axis carrying the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto Ruffini, Andrea Montani, Gaetano Ferri
  • Patent number: 8434596
    Abstract: A lubrication monitoring device monitors a lubricating condition of a lubricator feeding an oil droplet at a predetermined time interval by means of a discharge nozzle having a nozzle orifice. The lubrication monitoring device comprises: a pair of electrodes disposed in the proximity of the nozzle orifice; a capacitance detecting portion for detecting the variation of capacitance between the pair of electrodes, the capacitance varying in conjunction with the varying amount of oil fed from the nozzle orifice to space between the pair of electrodes; and a determination portion for determining whether the oil droplet is fed at the predetermined time interval or not, the determination made based on the detection result supplied from the capacitance detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Hattori
  • Patent number: 8434742
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas powered self-contained winch comprising an external casing including a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a stabilizing bar. The invention includes a combustion engine; a transmission assembly, a gear assembly and a clutch assembly that connect to a spool capable of winding and unwinding a cable wire. A hand controller can communicate with the clutch assembly through a cable wire sufficient to control the winding and unwinding of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Wizard Products, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Akhavein, Joel Chartier, M. Andrew Morrison
  • Patent number: 8430211
    Abstract: An elevator car assembly includes a car frame, a car connected to the car frame and having a first guide axis between a first side and a second side of the car frame, a plurality of traction members, a first plurality of sheaves rotatably connected to the car frame between the first side and the second side for respectively receiving the plurality of traction members, and a first guide attached to either the car frame or the car below the first plurality of sheaves for movably engaging a first rail. The first guide is aligned with the first guide axis and is configured to be aligned with the first rail. One of the plurality of traction members and the first guide are vertically aligned at the first guide axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Jerome Dif
  • Patent number: 8430350
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor may include a spool for retracting a seat belt, a torsion bar, a pre-tensioner, and a locking device. The torsion bar may disposed inside the spool, wherein one side of the torsion bar is connected to the spool, and configured to absorb energy of movement of an occupant while being deformed under torsion. The pre-tensioner may be positioned at one side of the spool and configured to generate a rotating drive force for rotating the spool in a retracting direction in a condition of rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle. The locking device may be capable of locking another side of the spool such that a rotation of the spool in a withdrawal direction is suppressed at both an operating time of the pre-tensioner and a non-operating time of the pre-tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Yasushi Kanamori, Masahiro Shiotani, Miwa Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8430773
    Abstract: A guide or tensioning rail (1) for a traction drive is provided, with the guide or tensioning rail (1) having at least one bearing lug (4a, 4b) with a sleeve (5). In order to simplify the assembly of the rail (1) during installation of the traction drive, the sleeve (5) on one end has a radially protruding flange (10) having two opposing detent recesses (9), and two corresponding detent protrusions (13) are formed on the bearing lug (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lucian Botez, Jason Eaton, Jeffrey Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8425356
    Abstract: A retainer for keeping an endless drive member of a drive system in a desired position. In one embodiment, the endless drive member is configured as a belt, wherein the retainer keeps the belt in position for engagement with an associated sheave even when the belt is slackened. The retainer may be configured as an elongate member having a first end fixed to a structure and a second unsupported end opposite the first end. The retainer may be positioned near the sheave and may be elastically deflected to permit removal of the belt when desired. In one embodiment, the retainer is configured as a coiled compression spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Tommy Joe Vachal
  • Patent number: 8424647
    Abstract: In an outboard engine, an upstream oil return path is connected to an oil passage upstream of an oil filter to return lubrication oil that is accumulated in the oil passage upstream of the oil filter to an oil pan. A downstream oil return path is connected to an oil passage downstream of the oil filter to return lubrication oil that is accumulated in oil passages and a main gallery downstream of the oil filter to the oil pan. The lubrication oil accumulated in a portion of an oil passage downstream of the oil filter is hindered from flowing to the outside even if the oil filter is removed when the engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyazaki, Toshihiro Nozue
  • Patent number: 8424649
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for lift chain rollers in a multiple lift mast for high-lift fork trucks which mast has a fixed mast, a middle mast, and an inner telescoping mast, each of which has two parallel-distanced mast profiles, wherein at an upper end of each the mast profiles of the middle mast, a lift chain roller is mounted for each of at least one lift chain for lifting the inner mast, wherein the lift chain roller is disposed in front of the inner mast crosswise to a web of the middle mast profile, wherein a separate bearing component for the lift chain roller is placed onto the mast profile or onto a cross-beam joining the tops of the mast profiles from top, and welded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Piotr Mehloch, Bernhard Meussen, Walter Rahlmann
  • Patent number: 8425355
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a primary sheave including a pair of first clamp surfaces, a secondary sheave including a pair of second clamp surfaces, and a belt endlessly wound between both of the primary and secondary sheaves. The belt includes contact surfaces clamped between the first clamp surfaces and between the second clamp surfaces. Powder having infusibility as a friction enhancing material is held on at least one of the first clamp surfaces of the primary sheave, the second clamp surfaces of the secondary sheave, and the contact surfaces of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yousuke Ishida, Masaru Oosuga
  • Patent number: 8424646
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a turbine engine or other application includes a first or primary branch 12 and a second or secondary branch 14, a main pump 16, a lubricant distributor 18 for receiving lubricant from the main pump and distributing the lubricant to the branches, and a auxiliary pump 30 in the second branch downstream of the distributor. The system is operable in a normal mode of operation in which lubricant flows from a lubricant source into the primary and secondary branches 12, 14 and is also operable in a backup mode of operation in which lubricant backflows from the primary branch into the secondary branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Parnin, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 8424648
    Abstract: A tool for use in a lubrication system having an oil-containing sump for supplying lubricating oil to a mechanical device and an oiler device connected to the sump for delivering a supply of oil to the sump, the oiler device comprising a base for supporting an oil reservoir and an adjustable element movably disposed within the base for predetermining a level of oil to be maintained within the sump. The tool has a first portion configured to extend into the base for engagement with the adjustable element and a second portion disposed exteriorly of the base to visually indicate the disposition of the adjustable element relative to the oil-containing sump, preferably in the form of a pointing device, optimally a laser beam generating instrument, for representing the disposition of the adjustable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Trico Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Wilson, Lewis Beck
  • Patent number: 8419575
    Abstract: A tensioner for a chain or similar power transmission medium comprises a spring-biased plunger having annular rack teeth with gradually sloping forward surfaces and steeper rearward surfaces. The teeth are engaged by radially movable balls received in inclined grooves in an axially movable annular ball seat disposed in an annular groove formed in the wall of a plunger-accommodating hole in a tensioner housing. The bottoms of the inclined grooves face a steep rearward surface of a rack tooth, and the annular ball seat is axially movable in the annular groove and biased in the plunger protruding direction by a spring that exerts a biasing force greater than the biasing force exerted on the plunger. The balls and the movable annular ball seat block retraction of the plunger on engine start-up, but permit retraction when excessive force is imparted to the plunger while the plunger is in a protruding condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Yuji Kurematsu, Atsushi Hayami