Patents Examined by Robert J. Oberleitner
  • Patent number: 6296089
    Abstract: A locking device includes a cylinder chamber that is filled with a working medium and is divided by a piston into two working sections. A flow connection between the working sections is controlled by a check valve and a gate valve, which are arranged in parallel. When the check valve opens, dynamic pressure of the working fluid flowing through the check valve from one working section acts on a fluid contact surface of the gate valve and opens the gate valve. After it opens, the gate valve is kept in the open position by a pressure in a bypass past the check valve so that working fluid can thereafter flow through the fluid connection, regardless of the state of the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Koch, Rainer Sauer, Oliver Schüttler
  • Patent number: 6296323
    Abstract: A braking system for a towed vehicle having a hydraulic brake system wherein a continuously variable hydraulic pressure is generated to provide a corresponding and proportional brake force in the towed vehicle. A hydraulic pressure generator having an electric motor with variable electric input is employed to provide a corresponding a proportional hydraulic pressure by a hydraulic pressure generator, wherein the resulting variable hydraulic pressure is employed to provide a proportional braking force in the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ausco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick W. Cords
  • Patent number: 6296327
    Abstract: A brake device for an automotive vehicle includes an arrangement ensuring that, under defined conditions, braking is initiated already prior to brake pedal application. To this end, an accelerator pedal sensor (4) and a shift lever contact switch (5) are provided, and braking is initiated as soon as the accelerator pedal is released at a speed which is higher than a limit speed, and the contact switch on the shift lever is not actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: Steffen Linkenbach
  • Patent number: 6296088
    Abstract: A seismic MR damper for providing controllable damping forces between a first structural member and a second structural member within large structures, such as buildings, bridges, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Patent number: 6296087
    Abstract: A wet disc brake and axle fluid cooling assembly is disclosed which is driven by a vehicle's axle shaft. The system comprises a brake housing, an axle shaft connected to the brake housing wherein the brake fluid can flow between the brake housing and the axle housing, an internal pump connected to the axle housing, and an external cooling tube disposed between the internal pump and the brake housing. An axle shaft is rotatingly disposed within the axle housing. A first spur gear is connected to and rotates with the axle shaft. The internal pump is comprised of an axle straight tee fitting, a pump rod rotatingly connected to the tee fitting, a propeller connected to and rotating with the pump rod that draws the fluid from either the axle housing or the brake housing, and a second spur gear that engages with the first spur gear. The axle shaft drives the pump rod as the shaft rotates, either clockwise or counter-clockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lee A. Bissonnette, Barry S. Groves
  • Patent number: 6296091
    Abstract: A suspension control unit as well as a control valve for such unit are provided which are incorporated in a computerized suspension system which automatically and continuously monitors and control's a vehicle's ride performance. The suspension control unit is composed of an actuator and a fluid control unit. A valve is coupled to the actuator for controlling the fluid pressure within the actuator. The valve has an annular body having a side inlet passage and an outlet opening in communication with the reservoir. A poppet driven by a solenoid is slideably fitted within the body wherein the poppet can slide between a first position blocking flow to the outlet opening and a second position not blocking the flow to the outlet opening. The poppet has a shoulder that is exposed to the inlet. Fluid pressure to the inlet of the valve acts on the differential area of the poppet to produce an poppet retracting force which is opposed by the force of an electrically adjustable solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kenmar Company Trust
    Inventor: James M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6293531
    Abstract: A vibration damping mount capable of reducing vibration and noise, and improving vehicle stability and controllability. Between an inner cylindrical sleeve and outer cylindrical sleeve which are coaxially arranged with each other, a vibration-damping rubber body is disposed and joined thereto. A stopper plate is secured to a lower end of the inner cylindrical sleeve. The vibration-damping rubber body extends from the lower end thereof along a flange which projects outward from a lower end of the outer cylindrical sleeve to define an annular rubber stopper. An end edge of the annular rubber stopper abuts a peripheral part of the stopper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Kato, Tuneichi Furuie, Masanao Gotou, Tatsuo Suzuki, Minoru Toyoda, Tetsuya Tsuiki, Shigeki Takeo
  • Patent number: 6293376
    Abstract: Eddy current braking apparatus includes a linear array of spaced apart permanent magnets arranged for defining a slot therebetween. A diamagnetic or non-magnetic fin is disposed and sized for movement through the slot. A pivotal linkage enables the magnets to move with respect to the fin from a spaced apart first position to a second position in which the fin passes through the slot. A control mechanism selectively moves the magnets between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Magnetar Technologies LTD
    Inventor: Edward M. Pribonic
  • Patent number: 6293632
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved torque actuator control system using data inputs from an operator controlled input transducer relating to the desired torque output of a controlled member and inputs concerning the directly measured speed and torque of the controlled member. The improved torque actuator control circuit uses the inputs to generate an output command to the controlled member that results in the direct application of the desired torque output from the controlled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: John F. Grote, J. Denton Tarbet
  • Patent number: 6293373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining spring for a housing of a spot-type disc brake, especially an integrated disc brake for motor vehicles, in which a brake carrier of the disc brake is integrated in the steering knuckle of the vehicle, the retaining spring including at least one spring ann extending essentially in circumferential direction and clamping the housing and the brake carrier in relation to each other. In order to install the housing retaining spring in a pre-assembled state on the brake housing without further processing and to fix the outer lining in the foreseen position the present invention teaches attaching the housing retaining spring on a part of the disc brake, especially on the outer brake lining in a swiveling manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co, OHG
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Elmar Fuchs, Bernd Langner
  • Patent number: 6290218
    Abstract: A spring-strut supporting bearing has at least one rubber bearing and a first fastening part for connecting it to the vehicle body. A second fastening part fixes a piston-cylinder assembly in position relative to the at least one rubber bearing and the first fastening part, the first fastening part being fixedly connected to the vehicle body via a securing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Boge GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Mayerböck
  • Patent number: 6290028
    Abstract: A bike brake has two stages of braking, including a brake drum, a drum cap, plural brake bands and a stopping structure in the brake drum and the drum cap. The stopping structure has a separator, an interactive device, plural springs, plural stopping devices able to be pushed upward and outward by the springs. In case the stopping structure is rotated to alter its angle, the stopping devices are moved upward and outward by the springs to move the stopping devices outward push the brake bands to contact and rub against the inner wall of the brake drum to perform a first stage of baking. If the stopping structure continues to alter the angle larger and larger, the springs shrink and the stopping devices also move down to rest on the stop plates to perform a second stage of strong braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jen-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 6290309
    Abstract: An electronically controlled brake system includes a brake actuator wherein a valve is electrically controlled to maintain the spring chamber in the non-actuated position during normal operation. However, should there be a failure in the electrical system, then the spring chamber is allowed to set the brake actuator. The “failure” could also include a diagnostic system included in the control which identifies a failure in control operation. In this way, should there be an electrical failure, either in the control or power circuits, the truck is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems
    Inventor: Alan M. Korn
  • Patent number: 6290306
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a vehicle for braking the vehicle by brake pedal actuation and/or automatic braking. A pump is provided which has a suction connection that communicates with a supply container for a pressure fluid and a pressure connection for aspirating pressure fluid from the supply container and pumping the fluid to a connection of a master cylinder. A brake circuit of the vehicle brake system is connected with vehicle wheels associated with wheel brake cylinders and with valve assemblies for brake pressure modulation and is connected to the connection of the master cylinder. A valve pressure is also provided between a pressure chamber that communicates with the connection of the master cylinder and the supply container for pressure fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Friedow
  • Patent number: 6290038
    Abstract: Elastomer dampers (20) and (120) for damping movement between two relatively moveable members, such as shimmy motion between components in an aircraft landing gear assembly (10). Each damper includes a housing (24) having an internal cavity (36) with a cylindrical interior surface (34) and an opening (41), and a member assembly (28, 128) moveable relative to the housing (24) having an elongated shaft (30) received through the opening (41) with a piston head assembly (32) mounted thereon. The piston head assembly (32, 132) has a annular support element (46, 146) received over the shaft (30) with a sleeve-like elastomer member (48, 148) received over it. The elastomer member (48, 148) engages the interior surface (34) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the elastomer element (48, 148) in the range of between about 5% and 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Jensen, Scott K. Miller
  • Patent number: 6290029
    Abstract: A novel compact adjustable wheel chock assembly for retainment of multi-size wheels (11) comprising of a one-piece flat rigid base plate (12) having a front-right surface (13), a front-left surface (14), a rear-right surface (15), a rear-left surface (16), a front-right wheel chock (17), mounted on the front-right surface (13) having a sideways adjustment device (19), a rear-right wheel chock (18) located on the rear-right surface (15), having a forward-backward adjustment device (20), a front-left wheel chock (21), mounted on the front-left surface (14), having a sideways adjustment device (23), a rear-left wheel chock (22) located on the rear-left surface (16), having a forward-backward adjustment device (24), an attachment hole (25) located on the front-right surface (13) and an attachment hole (26) located on the front-left surface (14) both having a mechanical device to attach the one-piece flat rigid base plate (12) to a supporting substructure surface, a tie-down strap (27) having a mechanical device t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Tyler Wilson Gubler, Kirkman Z. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6290310
    Abstract: To apply hydraulic pressure to a wheel brake upon failure of a stroke simulator, a brake pressure control device for automotive vehicles is designed so that when a power pressure source is in the normal condition, fluid communication between the master cylinder and the wheel brake is interrupted and fluid communication between the master cylinder and the stroke simulator is established, thus causing the output hydraulic pressure of the power pressure source to be adjusted in response to a detection output of a master cylinder hydraulic pressure sensor, thereby applying the resulting hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake. In addition, the brake pressure control device is provided with a stroke sensor which detects a stroke of a brake pedal. When the stroke of the brake pedal exceeds a predetermined stroke, a simulator cut-off valve is closed to interrupt fluid communication between the master cylinder and the stroke simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihito Kusano
  • Patent number: 6290035
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a base valve assembly which includes a compression valve assembly and an acceleration valve assembly. The compression valve assembly controls a fluid path through the base assembly to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement. The acceleration valve assembly controls a second fluid path through the base assembly to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specified amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Karl C. Kazmirski, Charles E. Tyrrell, David Steed, Rich Huger, Dale Hoppert, Wayne Johnson, Timothy E. Bombrys
  • Patent number: 6290311
    Abstract: In a brake system of a four-wheel vehicle having a powered fluid pressure source, fluid flow control circuit including control valves, and an automatic controller for selectively operating the powered fluid pressure source and the control valves so as to supply a controlled fluid pressure based upon the powered fluid pressure source to a selected one or more of the wheel cylinders for an execution of a behavior control of the vehicle according to running conditions of the vehicle, the automatic controller also executes a brake control of supplying a controlled fluid pressure based upon the powered fluid pressure source to at least one of the wheel cylinders according to a depression of a brake pedal by a driver during the execution of the behavior control, the at least one wheel cylinder being one or more of the wheel cylinders not selected for the behavior control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryochi Watanabe, Shirou Monzaki, Hiroaki Endo
  • Patent number: 6290307
    Abstract: A braking system (10) with a master cylinder (12) which comprises at least one cylinder/piston arrangement (14, 16) which can be actuated by a brake pedal (18) for supplying hydraulic fluid to at least one brake circuit (22, 24) is characterized by a controllable pressure source (54, 78, 90, 92) which, under the control of an electronic control unit ECU subjects the piston (16) of the cylinder/piston arrangement (14, 16) in the sense of supplying hydraulic fluid to the brake circuit (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Gregor Poertzgen, Kurt Mohr