Patents Examined by Rodney H. Bonck
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Patent number: 8857590Abstract: A diecast pocket plate or coupling member including a pocket with a machined surface layer or portion, a method for making the coupling member and an overrunning clutch assembly including the coupling member are provided. The member is formed as a unitary diecasting from a die-casting material in a die-casting process. The diecast member includes a coupling face having at least one pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and retain a locking member that moves in the pocket during an overrun condition of the assembly. The pocket is defined by a plurality of surface portions including an angled, slightly positive surface portion which is machined vertical or slightly negative to improve performance of the assembly during the overrun condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: David W. Shaw, Stephen M. Ruth, Jeffrey J. Prout
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Patent number: 8857594Abstract: A friction drive clutch includes a hub, a thrust plate that rotates with and is axially slidable on the hub, a first housing rotatable with respect to the hub and including at least two first ramped members each having a sloped face, a second housing rotatable with respect to the thrust plate and axially movable together with the thrust plate, the second housing including at least two second ramped members each having a sloped face, a third housing rotatable with respect to the hub, and a spring assembly biasing the thrust plate and second housing axially toward the first housing, wherein when the second housing is rotated in one direction, the sloped faces of the first and second members slide over each other to urge the second housing and thrust plate axially in opposition to the spring assembly to bring the thrust plate into frictional engagement with the third housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: The Hilliard CorporationInventors: Robert A. Schlaufman, Brenton H. Barron
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Patent number: 8851257Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid accumulator chamber (1) of a fluid clutch device having an inner boundary wall (2) which runs around a central axis of rotation (M), having an outer boundary wall (3) which runs around axis of rotation (M), and having at least one filling opening (4) arranged in the outer boundary wall (3), wherein the outer boundary wall (3) has, at the location of the filling opening (4), a maximum spacing (R1) to the central axis (M), which spacing decreases continuously to a point (P) of minimum spacing (R3) to the central axis (M).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Andreas Rothoff, Frank M. Haase
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Patent number: 8851261Abstract: Providing a hydraulic control device for a friction clutch for a vehicle, which permits the vehicular friction clutch to have an improved response of its releasing action.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Atsuhisa Mizuta, Masanobu Yamada
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Patent number: 8851262Abstract: A coupling device actuated by centrifugal force has a holder and at least one flyweight supported on the holder so as to be moveable in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation about which the coupling device is rotatable. The flyweight is movable between an inner radial position and an outer radial position. At least one spring acting on the flyweight is provided that forces the flyweight into the inner radial position. At least one securing element secures at least one component of the coupling device in an axial direction of the axis of rotation. The securing element is monolithically formed on the flyweight.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Lukas Zürcher
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Patent number: 8851260Abstract: The invention relates to a positively engaging shifting element which can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated, comprising a hydraulically or pneumatically actuatable piston (I) having a piston compartment (2) containing a hydraulic medium or pressure medium, a jaw (3) having a dog-type gearing (4) and a mating jaw (5) with which the dog-type gearing (4) meshes when engaged. The engaging speed of the jaw (3) can be increased by decoupling the jaw (3) from the hydraulic or pneumatic volume flow when the jaws (3) and (5) are in a tooth butt position in relation to each other and by pretensioning the jaw (3) by means of a mechanical device (6) that is actively connected to the piston (I). The gap between the jaws, i.e. the window into which the jaw (3) can be engaged is maintained as narrow as possible in order for a tooth butt position of the jaws (3) and (5) in relation to each other being highly probable when the shift element is applied.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Mark Mohr, Manuel Götz
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Patent number: 8844693Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a ratcheting reverse strut or radial ratchet for use in the assembly are provided. The size and shape of the strut or ratchet and corresponding notches (i.e. geometry) of a notch plate of the assembly are specifically configured so that the strut or ratchet “ratchets” during the overrun condition. The strut or ratchet will not engage the notch plate until relative notch plate speed drops below a predetermined speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Brice A. Pawley
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Patent number: 8839925Abstract: In a fluid transmitting device with a lock-up clutch, each second transmitting claw is formed of: a base portion having a long side arranged in a peripheral direction of a turbine impeller and a short side arranged axially of the turbine impeller; and a claw portion protruding from an intermediate portion of one of long-side portions of the base portion and being inserted between adjacent damper springs, and each short-side portion of the base portion is fixed to the turbine impeller through a weld. A long-side portion of the base portion not welded to the turbine impeller includes a cutout, facilitating bend of the long-side portion when transmitting torque through the second transmitting claw, at opposite sides of the claw portion. This improves engine output performance by relaxing stress concentration at spots where the second claws are welded to a turbine impeller without increasing the thicknesses of the claws.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoto Uchi, Yoshinori Sugimoto, Kengo Suzuki
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Patent number: 8839926Abstract: An actuator decoupler for selectively coupling and decoupling a driving part and a driven part of an actuation system is disclosed. The driving part can be coupled to the actuator decoupler, and the actuator decoupler can be coupled to the driven part via at least one coupling pin. In a selectively coupled state, the driven part can be at least one of rotationally and longitudinally fixed to the actuator decoupler and, thereby, the driving part. The actuator decoupler can be decoupled from the driven part through the use of a preloaded energy mechanism configured to disengage the at least one coupling pin from the driven part. Thereby, the actuator may be responsive to a jam in the actuation system to selectively decouple the driven part from the actuator decoupler and the driving part so that the driven part has freedom to translate at least one of rotationally and longitudinally.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Suyu Hou, George Ghanime, David J. Wagner, Michael Colan Moscinski, Robert Zirin, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam
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Patent number: 8833535Abstract: A constant-force device includes a first ratchet wheel mounted rotatably on a shaft and having first sawtoothed projections, a second ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft so as not to rotate relative to the shaft but to move along the shaft and having second sawtoothed projections opposed to the first sawtoothed projections, an intermediate ratchet wheel mounted on the shaft so as not only to rotate relative to the shaft but also to move along the shaft between the first ratchet wheel and the second ratchet wheel and having a pair of intermediate sawtoothed projections meshing with the first and second sawtoothed projections respectively, a biasing member configured to bias the second ratchet wheel towards the first ratchet wheel, and a lock mechanism configured to set the first and intermediate ratchet wheels in a connected or unconnected state.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Osamu Saito, Yoshiaki Shiraishi
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Patent number: 8813930Abstract: A one-way clutch includes multiple rollers, a first collar and a second collar that are concentric and rotate relatively to each other, and a circular holding frame. The first collar has multiple cavities each having an inclined bottom surface. The circular holding frame has multiple slots corresponding to the rollers and exposing the cavities. The second collar is rotated to drive the circular holding frame rotating through friction force so that each roller is pushed to contact a higher portion of the inclined bottom surface and also the second collar drives the first collar rotating via pushing of the rollers. When rotational speed of the first collar is greater than that of the second collar, each roller enters a lower portion of the inclined bottom surface and separates from the second collar without transmitting torsional force between the second collar and first collar.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Needle Roller Bearing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Li-Yu Hsueh
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Patent number: 8794412Abstract: A hydraulic clutch including a clutch drum with an outer cylinder fitted with a plurality of clutch plates and a side wall; a clutch piston that defines together with the clutch drum an engagement oil chamber, and moves in an axial direction to press the clutch plates by hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement oil chamber; and a cancel plate that defines together with the clutch piston a cancel oil chamber that cancels centrifugal hydraulic pressure. The side wall of the clutch drum is formed with a first oil passage that radially extends and is in communication with the engagement oil chamber, and a second oil passage that radially extends and is in communication with the cancel oil chamber. One of the first and second oil passages is at least partially included in a range of an axial width of the other of the first and second oil passages.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Hiroshi Katou, Takuya Ishii, Norihiro Tokunaga, Kenta Tamabayashi
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Patent number: 8113330Abstract: A friction disk for a wet-running clutch for a motor vehicle includes a lining carrier ring, provided with connecting areas for connecting the friction disk to a drive side or to a takeoff side of a clutch, and a plurality of friction lining elements, carried on at least one side of the lining carrier ring, Fluid flow channels are provided between the friction lining elements which are directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, wherein at least some of the fluid flow channels have different channel widths.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Jörg Sudau, Rüdiger Lotze, Arthur Schröder, Gregor Sueck
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Patent number: 8020681Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a one-way clutch, including inner and outer races and a clutch element. The outer race is arranged for rotational connection to a torque transmitting element and rotates independently of the inner race for relative rotation in a first direction. The clutch element is connected to the outer race and includes at least one engagement element radially disposed between the races. The element is biased radially inward and arranged to rotationally lock the races in response to rotation in a second direction. The present invention also broadly comprises a one-way clutch with inner and outer races, at least one engagement element, and at least one elastically deformable element. One of the races is arranged for connection to a torque transmitting element. The engagement element is radially disposed between the races and is radially asymmetrical. The deformable element biases the engagement element in a rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Michael Davis
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Patent number: 8016091Abstract: A piston plate stop for a torque converter including: a flexible connection element with a first end and a second end, the first end arranged to connect to a piston plate for the torque converter, the second end arranged to rotationally connect to a cover for the torque converter and a stop disposed on the flexible connection element. The stop is arranged to restrict axial movement of the piston plate. In some aspects, the flexible connection element is arranged to rotationally connect the cover and the piston plate. A torque converter including a piston plate; a cover; and at least one flexible connection element rotationally connecting the piston plate and the cover. The flexible connection element has a tab that is positioned to limit axial displacement of the piston plate away from the cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Heck, Jonathan G. Jameson, Brian Zaugg, Patrick Lindemann, David C. Avins
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Patent number: 8006819Abstract: An overrunning accessory decoupler with a locking mechanism provides the desired overrunning accessory decoupler functionality and also permits torque to be transferred from the accessory to which the decoupler is installed to the drive of the engine when desired. In one embodiment, the decoupler includes a locking mechanism that is controlled by centrifugal forces developed in the decoupler to lock the decoupler to permit the accessory to transfer torque to the drive to start or boost the engine. In another embodiment, the decoupler locking mechanism includes an electromagnet that can be energized to lock and/or unlock the decoupler.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Litens Automotive PartnershipInventors: James W. Dell, Hubertus G. Mevissen, John R. Antchak
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Patent number: 8002098Abstract: A torque responsive release clutch intended for a power nutrunner and comprises a driving clutch half (11) and a driven clutch half (10) coupled to each other for torque transfer by means of axially directed teeth (16, 17), wherein one of the clutch halves is axially movable between an engagement position and a release position against the action of a bias spring (13). Each one of the teeth (16) of one of the clutch halves (10) has a substantially prismatic shape and extends axially from a base portion (19) to a top portion (20) and comprises two surfaces (22, 23) which form between them a ridge (25). The base portion (19) of the tooth (16) has a radial extent from an inner diameter (d1 to an outer diameter (d2), and the ridge (25) extends from the inner diameter (d1 at the base portion (19) to the outer diameter (d2) at the top portion (20).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools ABInventor: Erik Roland Rahm
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Patent number: 8002099Abstract: A clutch operation mechanism wherein when a clutch is disengaged and engaged by manual operation or by operation of an actuator the one operation does not affect the other operation. The clutch operation mechanism includes a lever side lost mechanism which is disposed between a clutch lever and a turn-operating force transmitting member for interrupting, from the clutch lever side, an operated-force applied from the turn-operating force transmitting member by driving the electric motor when the clutch lever is not operated. A motor side lost mechanism is disposed between the electric motor and the turn-operating force transmitting member and interrupts, from the side of the electric motor, the operated-force applied from the turn-operating force transmitting member by operating the clutch lever when the electric motor is not operated.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda, Katsumi Sahoda
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Patent number: 7992694Abstract: A method and a sealing system for sealing the space between a piston and the hub of a torque converter lockup clutch is provided. According to the method and the sealing system, the seal is pretensioned with its cylindrical surface facing the piston bore. In an embodiment of the invention, the first seal is fastened by a second seal. The invention allows minimization of oil leakage flow and at the same time to linearize its dependency on the differential pressure. Spontaneous sealing may be reduced, thereby directly correlating the contact pressure of the piston—and thus the torque of the torque converter lockup clutch—with differential pressure and eventually allowing for smoother travel.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thorsten Krause, Dominique Engelmann
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Patent number: RE43501Abstract: An electric control device for a motor-driven derailleur for bicycles includes a supporting body fixed to a handlebar of a bicycle, a supporting body, a pair of electric switches to control the gear change carried by the supporting body, and a gear change lever that can be manually operated to control a first of said switches. The gear change lever comprises a first part connected to the supporting body so as to consent shift of the gear change lever between a position at rest and an operating position, and a second part hinged to the first part.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Pra′