Patents Examined by Robert A. Hodges
  • Patent number: 9091327
    Abstract: A drive system for a wind turbine includes at least one planetary gear stage, connectable to a rotor shaft of the wind turbine and including a sun gear engaging with multiple planetary gears, a driven hollow shaft connected to the sun gear, a pitch tube having a generator-side end with a centering shoulder, and a face side provided with threaded holes, the pitch tube being arranged concentrically to the annulus gear and extending axially over the entirety of the planetary stage, an adapter element having an opening for receiving a generator add-on component, the adapter element being received on and radially surrounding the generator side end and fixed in position radially and axially in one direction by the centering shoulder, and screw-type connection fittings extending axially through the adapter element and being received in the threaded holes of the pitch tube for securing the adapter element to the pitch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Georg Sprenger
  • Patent number: 9080636
    Abstract: A dual wet clutch in a closed housing. A damper is arranged in the power flow from the housing to the input parts of the wet clutches. The input parts are connected to one another substantially without play. Furthermore, a centrifugal force pendulum is arranged on at least one input part. The arrangement has a particularly short axial structural length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 9068631
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes: a Ravigneaux planetary gear set; first to fifth friction engagement elements; the first friction engagement element, the second friction engagement element, and the fifth friction engagement element being disposed on a front side which is nearer to the driving source than the output member, the third friction engagement element and the fourth friction engagement element being disposed on a rear side which is farther from the driving source than the output member, and a first drum member that includes an inner circumference on which the second friction engagement element is disposed, and an outer circumference on which the fifth friction engagement element is disposed, and that is connected with a front carrier plate located at a front end portion of the common carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Kazuo Oguri, Kenichi Watanabe, Takayoshi Urushibata
  • Patent number: 9068614
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for supplying oil to a brake arranged for braking an output shaft of a planetary gear. The arrangement includes a rotatable impeller for supplying oil to the brake and the impeller is arranged to be rotated by an input shaft of the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Thomas Andersson, Mats Akerblom
  • Patent number: 9062744
    Abstract: A drive module that includes an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission assembly having a two-speed planetary transmission stage. The multi-speed transmission assembly outputs rotary power to a differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 9057409
    Abstract: An actuation system for actuating a clutch piston of a transmission includes an actuator and a lever. A first end of the lever is attached to the actuator. The lever is pivotable about a lever connection location. Movement of the actuator rotates the lever about the lever connection location. A spring assembly is pivotable about a spring connection location, and pivotably connected to the lever at a second end of the lever. When the actuator is disposed in an un-actuated position, the spring assembly is positioned such that a pre-loaded spring force is directed along a zero moment path to generate a zero moment in the lever. When the actuator is disposed in an actuated position, the spring assembly is rotated so that the spring force is directed along a moment generating path in order to generate a moment in the lever to rotate the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Inventors: Li Chen, Jian Yao, Chunhao J. Lee, Chengliang Yin, Chi-Kuan Kao, Farzad Samie, Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 9052001
    Abstract: An epicycloid planet gear cam that converts rotational movement of a driveshaft into linear movement of an output device is disclosed. An epicycloid planet gear is assembled inside a stationary housing with an internal stationary ring gear. A driveshaft eccentric is connected to a driveshaft. The driveshaft eccentric rotates freely in a mounting hole of the epicycloid planet gear. When the driveshaft rotates, the driveshaft eccentric engages the epicycloid planet gear against the stationary ring gear and causes the epicycloid planet gear to rotate. A cam follower pin attached to an output device is held against a cam track of the epicycloid planet gear. As the epicycloid planet gear rotates, the raised cam track height or the slotted cam track distance from the center of the epicycloid planet gear causes the cam follower pin to move up, down, in, or out thereby moving the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: MechatronicsAsia Enterprise
    Inventor: Patrick James McGrath
  • Patent number: 9046137
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system may drive an output member to rotate at a first speed when opposing friction clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second, slower speed when the friction clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. In particular embodiments, the multi-speed clutch system may employ an eddy current drive system that is arranged axially rearward of the friction clutch surfaces while the fan blade device is mounted in a position that is axially forward of the of the friction clutch surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: KIT MASTERS INC.
    Inventor: Craig M. Swanson
  • Patent number: 9046161
    Abstract: A starting apparatus including an input member coupled to a motor; a damper mechanism having an input element, an elastic body and an output element; a lock-up clutch mechanism for performing lockup where the input member is coupled to an input shaft of a transmission via the damper mechanism and for canceling lockup, and a dynamic damper including an elastic body and a mass body engaged with the elastic body. The mass body of the dynamic damper is an elastic body support member that is supported rotatably around an axis of the starting apparatus and that supports the elastic body of the damper mechanism. With this arrangement, the dynamic damper is easily adjustable while reducing the overall size of the starting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Kazuto Maruyama, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Patent number: 9039555
    Abstract: A dual electric driving device, comprising: a main driving motor including a driving rotary shaft, with a shifting transmission gear being mounted on the front end of the driving rotary shaft; an outputting module being correspondingly mounted on the shifting transmission gear, the outputting module including a shifting driving shaft being rotatable by a driving force of the shifting transmission gear; a clutching and speed reducing driving device being correspondingly sleeved onto the back end of the driving rotary shaft of the main driving motor and coaxially rotatable by being engaged with the driving rotary shaft in one single direction; and an accessory driving motor including a driving shaft, the driving shaft being correspondingly mounted through the clutching and speed reducing driving device, and further being able to push the driving rotary shaft in one single direction to rotate by driving the clutching and speed reducing driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Yung-Sung Huang
  • Patent number: 9027725
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a driving device for a belt axle of a winch, which addresses the problems existing in conventional winches, for example the driving devices being out of work attributing to wearing of the unidirectional teeth on the fixed base and rotary body of the winch. The rotary cylinder of the driving device of the invention is provided with insertion holes into which a crow bar can be inserted. The fixed base is fixedly connected with the belt axle of the winch. The rotary cylinder is covered on the fixed base and fixed thereto in the axial direction. A unidirectional mechanism is located between the rotary cylinder and the belt axle to be engaged by unidirectional teeth. As the shift element and shift plates can be conveniently removed, the worn shift plates or shift element can be conveniently replaced after being used for a long period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Zhejiang Topsun Logistic Control Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhaoyin Xiao
  • Patent number: 9010514
    Abstract: The clutch release bearing device comprising a bearing 12 provided with a non-rotating ring 18, a rotating ring 20 and at least one row of rolling elements 22 arranged between the rings, and a wear ring 44 arranged on the rotating ring and capable of coming into contact with a clutch mechanism diaphragm, the wear ring 44 comprising at least one ball joint 84 bearing against a guide portion 42; 92 of the rotating ring and of which the axis 90 may be angularly tilted relative to the axis 14 of the bearing. The wear ring 44 is provided with a guide portion 80 comprising an internal surface in contact with an external bearing surface of the rotating ring, the ball joint 84 and joining portions 86; 94 capable of permitting angular tilting of the ball joint relative to the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Benoit Arnault
  • Patent number: 9011290
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train during a starting process. The drive-train has a drive mechanism which can couple a continuously-variable power-branched transmission in which a plurality of transmission ratios can be engaged. The transmission ratios can be varied continuously by adjusting a variator, the transmission driving a drive output. A force flow between the drive mechanism and the drive output can be produced by a frictional shifting element by appropriately adjusting the transmission capacity of the shifting element. When a start command is issued, a starting transmission ratio is engaged in the area of the transmission device. During the engagement of the starting transmission ratio the transmission capacity of the frictional shifting element is adjusted to values greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schinacher, Marcus Hiemer, Timo Maise, Jan-Frederik Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8338016
    Abstract: A battery pack to be mounted in a vehicle incorporates a battery stack and a cooling fan. An air intake is formed in a side face located in the vicinity of the cooling fan. In consideration of passengers entering and exiting the vehicle, the air intake is formed as well in a plane generated as a result of removal of a corner. A louver for preventing intrusion of extraneous matter is disposed at the front of the air intake. A decrease in the amount of cooling air induced by the louver is lessened by means of forming the air intake in the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toyohiko Eto, Masahiro Misu
  • Patent number: 8338059
    Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly comprising: electrodes consisting of a anode comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst material-containing active layer, and an cathode comprising a diffusion layer and a catalyst material-containing active layer; and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode and comprising a catalyst material-containing active layer at one or both sides, the electrodes being hot-pressed, to the electrolyte membrane, wherein in coating the active layer on the gas diffusion layer, the viscosity of the active layer is in a range of 100 to 10,000 cPs, as well as a production method thereof. The inventive membrane-electrode assembly has a low interfacial resistance between the membrane and the electrodes, as well as high catalyst availability and excellent power density, and can be mass-produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, Hyuk Nyun Kim, Go Young Moon, Ha Chull Chung, Kyoung Il Park, Seong Min Song
  • Patent number: 8334079
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell has anode, cathode and electrolyte layers each formed essentially of a multi-oxide ceramic material and having a far-from-equilibrium, metastable structure selected from the group consisting of nanocrystalline, nanocomposite and amorphous. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material, and is impervious and serves as a fast oxygen ion conductor. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material and a dopant dispersed therein in an amount substantially greater than its equilibrium solubility in the ceramic matrix. The anode layer includes a continuous surface area metallic phase in which electron conduction is provided by the metallic phase and the multi-oxide ceramic matrix provides ionic conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: NanoCell Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Strutt, Bernard H. Kear
  • Patent number: 8309252
    Abstract: Silicon oxide based composite anode active materials including amorphous silicon oxides are provided. In one embodiment, the amorphous silicon oxide is represented by SiOx (where 0<x<2), has a binding energy of about 103 to about 106 eV, a silicon peak with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) ranging from about 1.6 to about 2.4 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and an atomic percentage of silicon greater than or equal to about 10 as calculated from an area of the silicon peak. The anode active material is a composite anode active material obtained by sintering hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ). Anodes and lithium batteries including the anode active material exhibit improved charge and discharge characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-su Kim, Sang-kook Mah
  • Patent number: 8278003
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode to which an aqueous methanol solution is supplied as the fuel, a cathode to which oxidizing gas is supplied, an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, a first separator disposed on the surface of the anode on the side opposite to the electrolyte membrane side and a second separator disposed on the surface of the cathode on the side opposite to the electrolyte membrane side, wherein the first and second separators are respectively made of a membrane containing a copolymer of a first vinyl monomer having a cyclic functional group bonded with a carbonyl group, a second vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group and a third vinyl monomer having an aromatic group, and a carbon powder dispersed in the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arimura
  • Patent number: 8277991
    Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?). A passive hydrogen bleed line (202) permits passage of a smallest amount of hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) necessary to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state. A diffusion media (204) may be secured in fluid communication with the bleed line (202) to maintain a constant, slow rate of diffusion of the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) despite varying pressure differentials between the shutdown fuel cell (12?) and ambient atmosphere adjacent the cell (12?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Reiser, Tommy Skiba, Timothy W. Patterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8268485
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has a positive electrode containing lithium cobalt oxide as a positive active material, a negative electrode containing a graphite material and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing ethylene carbonate as a solvent and which is charged with an end-of-charge voltage of at least 4.3 V. Characteristically, the battery uses, as the positive active material, lithium cobalt oxide obtained by firing a mixture of a lithium salt, tricobalt tetraoxide (Co3O4) and a zirconium compound and having particle surfaces onto which the zirconium compound adheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Akira Kinoshita, Shingo Tode, Ikuro Nakane, Shin Fujitani