Patents Examined by Richard M. Lorence
  • Patent number: 11692593
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating actuating robots and automatic machines. Specifically, the present invention provides a capstan actuator with composite control coil. Further, the disclosed system may allow for multi-jointed robots, or other multiple degrees of freedom machines, to be constructed in a novel manner that allows for a single prime mover to supply motive power to many other degrees of freedom with very good control fidelity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Peter Dilworth
  • Patent number: 11686356
    Abstract: An electromagnetic dog clutch is disclosed to solve the technical problem in conventional electromagnetic dog clutches that the friction is easy to occur between a bearing seat and an end cap of a movable gear sleeve. The electromagnetic dog clutch comprises a movable gear sleeve (5) and a fixed gear sleeve (12) that mesh with each other for transmission. A first end cap (6) is provided on an outer side of the movable gear sleeve (5), a bearing (1) is provided on an outer circumference of the movable gear sleeve (5), the bearing (1) is embedded in a bearing seat (7), a rear end of the bearing seat (7) is provided with a positioning surface, and a front end of the first end cap (6) is a vertical plane that matches the positioning surface of the bearing seat (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: JING-JIN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ping Yu, Haitao Jin, Zhengqiang Pei, Yuxia Hei
  • Patent number: 11686353
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a clutch, includes: an actuation element designed to be applied with an actuating force and to be shifted in an actuation direction by same; a transfer element designed to carry out a shift in the actuation direction; and a compensation mechanism designed to apply a reinforcing clamping force for the frictionally engaged transfer of the actuating force between the transfer element and the actuation element, when an actuating force is applied to the actuation element. The compensation mechanism has a friction element and a counter surface which are designed to bring about the reinforcing clamping force via a frictional connection when applying the actuating force. The friction element and the counter surface are designed to generate the reinforcing clamping force via a supporting force resulting from a deflection of the actuating force. The reinforcing clamping force has at least the value of the supporting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Geis-Esser, Juergen Schudy, Alexander Koch
  • Patent number: 11679623
    Abstract: A levitating bicycle hub coupling structure using a magnet in the internal contact structure is provided. The levitating bicycle hub coupling structure in which a non-contact type structure in a levitated form is provided to reduce friction enables the position of a hub inner shaft member for transmitting the load of a user to an inner bearing part to be changed to an upper or lower preset position, and fixes the shaft member at a changed position so as to offset the load applied to the shaft member by the repulsive force of the magnets, such that the load is not applied to the bearing parts positioned at both sides of the shaft member or is significantly reduced so as to improve rolling performance, and thus riding of the bicycle becomes smoother and easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Yong-Gak Jin
  • Patent number: 11673425
    Abstract: A bicycle hub includes an axle, a main body, a freehub body, and a clutch, which are engaged with the axle, wherein the clutch includes a first ratchet and a second ratchet. The first ratchet and the second ratchet are respectively engaged with the main body and the freehub body. The first ratchet has a first engaging surface, and the second ratchet has a second engaging surface facing the first engaging surface. The bicycle hub is characterized in that a minimum of number of first ratchet teeth on the first engaging surface is seventy-two, and a number of the second ratchet teeth on the second engaging surface is lesser than the number of first ratchet teeth. With such design, when the first ratchet is meshed with the second ratchet, the freehub body could stably drive the main body, and a total weight of the bicycle hub could be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shang-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 11661978
    Abstract: A pneumatic clutch actuator is described herein. The pneumatic clutch actuator includes a piston housing and a piston slidably received within the piston housing and configured to selectively change a clutch state between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The piston includes a self-adjustment mechanism that is configured to adjust an axial length of the piston. The self-adjustment mechanism includes a position locking assembly that includes a locking member and a positioning member. The locking member includes a plurality of locking flanges spaced along an outer surface of the locking member. The positioning member includes a plurality of positioning slots that are spaced along the positioning member. The position locking assembly is positionable between an unlocked state with the locking member spaced a distance from the positioning member, and a locked state with at least one locking flange inserted into a corresponding positioning slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KA Group AG
    Inventor: Christer Kobbevik Oldeide
  • Patent number: 11661979
    Abstract: A dog clutch with ratcheting one-way clutch includes an axis, a dog clutch ring, a first ring, a second ring, and a plurality of rockers. The dog clutch ring has a plurality of first teeth. The first ring includes a plurality of second teeth, complementary to the first teeth, a first spline for receiving a first shaft, and a plurality of first pockets. The second ring includes a plurality of third teeth, complementary to the first teeth, a second spline for receiving a second shaft, and a plurality of second pockets. The plurality of rockers is disposed in a one of the plurality of first pockets or the plurality of second pockets for selectively engaging with the other one of the plurality of first pockets or the plurality of second pockets to prevent rotation of the first ring relative to the second ring in only one rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jordan Geiser, Carsten Behler
  • Patent number: 11661980
    Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: an outer race; an inner race; and a rocker assembly. The outer race includes: a first outer race plate defining a first rocker pocket; and a second outer race plate non-rotatably connected to the first outer race plate and defining a second rocker pocket. The inner race is axially disposed between the first and second outer race plates. The rocker assembly is at least partly disposed in the first and second rocker pockets and includes a rocker arranged to contact the inner race, a spring guide including a spring arm, and a spring wrapped around the spring arm and urging the rocker in a pivot direction. The one-way clutch includes: a first annular thrust washer axially disposed between the first outer race plate and the inner race; or a friction-reducing coating adhered to the first outer race plate and facing the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Burke, Michael Hodge, Carsten Behler
  • Patent number: 11655861
    Abstract: Friction clutch pressure plate device 11 which is provided between spring device 12 and clutch disc unit 4 of friction clutch 1 comprises primary pressure plate 19, secondary pressure plate 22 which is capable of approaching and receding from primary pressure plate 19, and a plurality of weight plates 23 which are slidably arranged between mutually opposed side faces 19a, 22a of primary pressure plate 19 and secondary pressure plate 22. Primary pressure plate 19 comprises first outer circumferential wall 25 having inclined inner wall face 24, secondary pressure plate 22 comprises second outer circumferential wall 28 having perpendicular inner wall face 27, and weight plate 23 comprises tip portion engaging surface that engages with perpendicular inner wall face 27 and a tip portion inclined surface 32 that engages with inclined inner wall face 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: T.P.P. Co.
    Inventor: Takeshi Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 11649868
    Abstract: A transmission unit for a motor vehicle transmission includes a drive gear (6) which is arranged rotatably on an intermediate shaft (5) and which can be fixed to the intermediate shaft (5) for the transmission of drive power via clutch means. On one side flank (9) of the drive gear, a first gear portion (10) is provided which can be connected to a corresponding shaft-side second gear portion (11) via an internally toothed sliding sleeve (12). On the opposite side flank (13) of the drive gear, a parking lock gear portion (14) is provided for engaging a pawl (15) to block the transmission unit when the vehicle is at a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erik Orel, Luboslav Slezák
  • Patent number: 11629768
    Abstract: The reverse input cutoff clutch includes: a pressed member having a pressed surface around the inner peripheral surface; an input member coaxially arranged with the pressed surface and having an input-side engaging portion arranged on the radially inner side of the pressed surface; an output member coaxially arranged with the pressed surface and having an output-side engaging portion arranged further on the radially inner side than the input-side engaging portion; and an engaging element arranged so as to be movable in a first direction as a direction toward or away from the pressed surface on the radially inner side of the pressed surface. The engaging element has a main engaging element body having a pressing surface and a pivot-support shaft, and a link member. The link member has a first end portion pivotally linked to the pivot-support shaft, and a second end portion pivotally linked to the input-side engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Nagao Dohi, Yuya Daikoku, Tomoyuki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11624409
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electromagnetic pulse disconnect assembly. In one example, an electromagnetic disconnect assembly includes an electromagnetic coil assembly including an electromagnetic coil, an armature cam including an annular ring and a plurality of bidirectional cam ramps extending in an axial direction from the annular ring, where the annular ring is adapted to have face-sharing contact with the electromagnetic coil assembly when the electromagnetic coil is energized and be spaced apart from the electromagnetic coil assembly when the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, and a cam follower a plurality of radially extending guides arranged around a circumference of the cam follower and spaced apart from one another via a plurality of elongate apertures, each of the plurality of elongate apertures adapted to receive one of the plurality of bidirectional ramps of the armature cam. The assembly may further include a latching system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Warn Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Yoder, Evan Placek, Adam Reiner, Christopher James Boudreau, Adrian Simula, Blake Randall
  • Patent number: 11624410
    Abstract: A viscous clutch head may be replaced by selecting a viscous clutch head and a mount adapter. The viscous clutch head and the mount adapter may be selected from a group of universal modular fan drives and from a group of mount adapters. The mount adapter of a threaded type or a flange and bolt type may be selected. Depending on the viscous clutch head to be replaced, a fan adapter and/or a pilot adapter may also be selected from a group of fan adapters and from a group of pilot adapters. Accordingly, a range of models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced by using a limited number of parts. These parts may be stored on a tool cart. As different models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced using a limited number of parts, the in-stock inventory of replacement parts may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Kit Masters Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Swanson, Dale Scherman
  • Patent number: 11618350
    Abstract: A lifter device includes a pinion gear and a rotation control device that is configured to control rotation of the pinion gear. The rotation control device includes a rotation shaft, a support member, a rotation driving mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The rotation drive mechanism includes a feed gear, and a plurality of feed pawls. The lock mechanism is configured to release locking of the rotation shaft until any one of the feed pawls meshes with the feed gear when an operation handle is operated. A plurality of the feed pawls are provided with respect to either operation direction on a seat lifting side or lowering side of the operation handle, and one of the feed pawls meshes with the feed gear when at least one of the others of the feed pawls does not mesh with the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11619273
    Abstract: Disclosed is a viscous coupling that has a housing that carries ribs that are arranged concentrically about a central axis. A rotor is provided that can rotate relative to the housing about the central axis in a predetermined direction. The rotor also carries ribs, and the ribs of the housing and the rotor are arranged in a working chamber surrounded by the housing. Also provided is a fluid reservoir. A fluid discharge line leads from the working chamber to the fluid reservoir. A wiper is moveably arranged between the housing and the rotor and scrapes fluid from the rotor and feeds it to the fluid discharge line. A stop is provided for the wiper and is arranged next to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Moser, Frank Gerber
  • Patent number: 11614167
    Abstract: A parking lock has a parking lock housing (20), a locking pawl (12) which has a ratchet (16) that can be locked in a parking lock wheel (56) and a pawl profile (44) arranged on the rear side of the ratchet (16), an actuating unit (24) which acts upon the pawl profile (44) when the parking lock (10) is engaged and thereby rotates the locking pawl (12) about a rotational axis (14) relative to the parking lock housing (20), and a supporting element (18), on which the actuating unit (24) is supported in the engaged state (P) and in the disengaged state (nP) of the parking lock (10) at different positions. The supporting element (18) is connected to the parking lock housing (20) so as to have play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kraemer, Matthias Feuerbach, Markus Rost, Tobias Heumann, Christoph Thuerauf
  • Patent number: 11592068
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a clutch assembly that includes a first clutch element coupled to an input shaft and including a first clutch element friction surface; a second clutch element coupled to an output shaft, and a brake clutch coupled to a stationary component. The second clutch element includes a first friction surface configured to engage the first clutch element friction surface and a second friction surface opposite the first friction surface. The second clutch element is configured to move relative to the first clutch element to engage and disengage the first friction surface and the first clutch element friction surface. The brake clutch includes a brake clutch friction surface configured to engage the second friction surface of the second clutch element when the first clutch element and the second clutch element are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Sauer
  • Patent number: 11585406
    Abstract: A damper device includes rotating elements including an input element and an output element, first elastic bodies that each transmit torque between the input element and the output element, a plurality of second elastic bodies that act in parallel with the plurality of first elastic bodies when torque transmitted between the input element and the output element is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a rotary inertia mass damper. The rotary inertia mass damper includes a sun gear, a carrier that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears, and a ring gear that meshes with the plurality of pinion gears and that serves as a mass body. The plurality of second elastic bodies are located at a different position than the plurality of first elastic bodies in a radial direction of the rotating elements and are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Yoshikawa, Tomonori Kinoshita, Tetsuro Taniguchi, Akiyoshi Kato, Yoichi Oi
  • Patent number: 11578779
    Abstract: Intermediate plate apparatus and related damper assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle torque converter includes a clutch and a torsional vibration damper configured to receive a torque from the clutch when the clutch is engaged and dampen a torsional vibration in the torque. The torsional vibration damper includes a driven plate, a retainer plate, a first spring member, a second spring member, and an intermediate plate positioned radially outward relative to the driven plate and the retainer plate. The intermediate plate includes a body that defines an annular cavity though which the first and second spring members extend. The body is configured to engage inner and outer radial portions of the respective first and second spring members to maintain bend radii of the respective first and second spring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Antoine Cantenot, Sungchul Lee
  • Patent number: 11566707
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle parking device and a vehicle transmission. The vehicle parking device includes an actuator configured to rotate a worm gear mounted at an end thereof, a loading unit including a rack gear engaged with the worm gear and linearly moving according to a movement of the rack gear, a parking sprag in contact with the loading unit and rotating by a linear movement of the loading unit, and a parking gear provided in a drive shaft that transmits a driving force and selectively engaged according to a rotation of the parking sprag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NEOOTO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hyun Jo, Sun Hyun Kim