Patents Examined by Scott Lund
  • Patent number: 5921887
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for automatic transmission, which has a plurality of friction elements for selectively transmitting rotational force of a torque convertor to gear elements therein, controls engagement of the plurality of friction elements in proportion to forward and reverse speeds by operation of a plurality of valves for regulating, controlling and distributing hydraulic fluid supplied by an oil pump. The hydraulic control system includes a manual valve moving based on operation of a shift select lever by a user to select an operation range. The manual valve controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to at least one of the plurality of valves such that the hydraulic fluid generated by the oil pump is used as lubricating fluid for the torque convertor when the shift select lever is in a park operation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Changeuk Zhang
  • Patent number: 5911292
    Abstract: A braking and/or clutch arrangement has a cooling system which is sealed off with respect to excess pressure. Liquid coolant is fed under pressure to friction elements and first comes in contact with the surface areas of the friction elements whose relative speed is the highest. The operating device required for operating the friction elements is connected with the clutch half which in the operation is subjected to lower rotational accelerations to reduce heat formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Volker Schade, Hans Bassler
  • Patent number: 5911648
    Abstract: A method of controlling and regulating an automatic transmission with overlapping gearshifts. The change from the control mode to the regulating mode for the disengaging clutch (11) is made here when a defective engagement of the engaging clutch (12) is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Gerd Frotscher, Thomas Schober, Martin Vohmann
  • Patent number: 5910061
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline clutch using a ball ramp actuator including a ball ramp mechanism supplying a clamping force on a clutch disc in response to an electromagnetic field where the clutch clamping force is maintained and increased with clutch slip using a planetary gearset having an annulus connected to rotate with a clutch ring and a sun gear connected to rotate with the transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Organek, David M. Preston
  • Patent number: 5909787
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic clutch comprising a field member with an exciting coil member disposed therein; a shaft extending through the field member and the exciting coil member; a rotor member fixedly disposed on the shaft at a position opposing to the filed member; a drive mechanism rotatably provided on the shaft; a contact member provided on the drive mechanism on the side facing the rotor member; an elastic member disposed on the drive mechanism for biasing the contact member to the drive mechanism. The contact member is positioned to form a clearance of a first dimension G1 along the shaft between the surfaces of the contact member and the rotor member and the first dimension G1 is set to be smaller than a limit dimension G3. A deformation of the elastic member by the limit dimension along the axial direction results in the elastic limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kubo
  • Patent number: 5906132
    Abstract: Motor vehicle gearbox, comprising an input shaft (2) and two countershafts (3, 4) having six pairs of interengaging gears (7-11, 15, 16, 17-20) for first to sixth gear. The disengageable gear (17) for the first gear speed engages a disengageable gear (23) on the fourth shaft (5) for reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Grzegorz Janiszewski
  • Patent number: 5904232
    Abstract: A clutch assembly enabling a free turn of an outer handle of a door with respect to a latch assembly of a lock is able to allow the outer handle to rotate to open a door when the door is unlocked and to rotate freely when the door is locked, so that internal mechanism will not be damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 5901824
    Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer (10) with friction rings (22, 36 and 24, 38), jaw members (30, 26, 28), three circumferentially spaced pins (40) including blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw members, pre-energizer assemblies (42) to ensure initial engagement of the friction rings and blocker shoulders in response to initial engaging movement of a shift flange (32), and self-energizing cams (32f, 32g, 20e, 20f) producing an additive axial force (F.sub.a) in response to either of the cams (32f, 32g) moving a link (48) radially inward against either of the cams (20e, 20f). The synchronizer may include springs (50) to limit the additive axial force (F.sub.a) and curved ramps (20e', 20f') to vary the additive axial force (F.sub.a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Nellums
  • Patent number: 5901823
    Abstract: A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer (10) with friction rings (22, 36 and 24, 38), jaw members (30, 26, 28), three circumferentially spaced pins (40)including blocker shoulders for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw members, pre-energizer assemblies (42) to ensure initial engagement of the friction rings and blocker shoulders in response to initial engaging movement of a shift flange (32), and self-energizing cams (32f, 32g, 20e, 20f) producing an additive axial force (F.sub.a) in response to either of the cams (32f, 32g) moving a rigid link (48) radially inward against either of the cams (20e, 20f). In a modified embodiment the links (48) are replaced by spring capsules (60) which limit the maximum additive force (F.sub.a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Nellums
  • Patent number: 5902205
    Abstract: A transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a planetary gear assembly which integrates a gear reduction unit and an interaxle differential into a common assembly. A synchronized range clutch is operably associated with the input to the planetary gear assembly and can be selectively shifted on-the-fly for establishing high-range and low-range speed ratios. A biasing clutch is operably associated with the output of the planetary gear assembly to automatically limit speed differentiation and bias the torque distribution between the outputs of the planetary gear assembly in response to excessive wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5887692
    Abstract: A slave cylinder particularly suited for use in a hydraulic clutch release system for a motor vehicle. The cylinder includes a spring boot which serves as both a dust boot and a preload spring device. In one embodiment of the invention, the cylinder is an external slave cylinder and the spring boot extends from a rear end of the cylinder body to a rear end of the pushrod and acts to apply a preload force through the pushrod and through the release lever to the release bearing while simultaneously precluding the entry of dust and other contaminants into the interface between the piston and the cylinder bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Automotive Products (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Zelikov, James V. Ludwig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5882274
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission includes a hub axle, a drive member rotatably mounted around the hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted around the hub axle, and a gear mechanism coupled between the drive member and the hub body for communicating rotational force from the drive member to the hub body through multiple transmission paths. A clutch is rotatably mounted around the hub axle, wherein the clutch is movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the hub axle for selecting a rotational force transmission path through the gear mechanism. A clutch operator for operating the clutch includes a first guide surface formed along the hub axle and a first shift key that operates the clutch when the first shift key is moved along the first guide surface. The clutch includes a first cam face that is inclined relative to the axis of the hub axle for contacting the first shift key and for converting rotational force of the clutch into axial displacement of the clutch to ensure operation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiko Shoge
  • Patent number: 5881854
    Abstract: The mechanism is to apply drive in both directions of rotation to a ring having an inside set of teeth, the drive being applied by means of a pivoting handle. The ring cooperates with two locking pawls mounted on a stationary cheekplate and with a toothed slug pivotally mounted on a cam and forming two drive pawls, the cam being pivoted by the handle, but with a certain amount of diametral clearance. When the handle is pivoted, the drive pawl corresponding to the pivot direction engages the toothed ring while the other drive pawl is held in a retracted position by a stationary slideway, and the locking pawl corresponding to the pivot direction of the handle is moved into a retracted position by the cam while the other locking pawl engages the toothed ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Rougnon-Glasson
  • Patent number: 5876299
    Abstract: Disclosed is an infinitely variable speed transmission, including: a speed changing mechanism for primarily changing power from an engine into a necessary speed ratio, including: a sun gear disposed on an input shaft for transmitting power generated from the engine; a plurality of planet rollers which are disposed around the sun gear at a predetermined distance from each other, each planet roller having a truncated cone-shape and being revolvable around the sun gear and rotatable about its axis; a carrier for connecting the planet rollers with each other; a movable ring disposed to be circumscribed on outer tangential line of the planet rollers and movable by moving member along a longitudinal direction of the planet rollers to change a rotational speed of the planet rollers by varying an operating diameter so that an output speed outputted through the carriers connecting the planet roller with each other can be varied; and a second speed changing mechanism for changing the output speed from the speed changin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Man Shik Kim, Jeong Cheol Kim, Tae Kwan Eum, Young Deok Choi, Kyeong Hwan Kim, In Wook Yeo, Jeong Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 5875682
    Abstract: Fore and aft movement of a lever pivots first and second shafts of a cross shaped member while left and right movement of the lever causes a yoke of the lever to pivot on third and fourth shafts of the cross shaped member. The pivotal movement of the first shaft causes a pair of end portions of a torsion spring to generate forces on a force sensor resulting in the output of electrical signals proportional to the fore and aft movement of the lever. Similarly, left and right pivotal movement of the yoke causes a pair of end portions of another torsion spring to generate forces on another force sensor resulting in the output of electrical signals proportional to the left and right movement of the lever. Selectively energizing a coil device fixed relative to a mounting base pulls a washer anchored to the second shaft into mechanical engagement with the coil device to hold the lever at a fore or aft operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5873281
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling downshifting of an automated mechanical transmission system which senses unsuccessful attempts to engage a predetermined downshift target gear ratio (GR.sub.T) due to engine speed remaining less than the synchronous engine speed (ES=OS*GR.sub.T) for engaging said target gear ratio and, in response to sensing such conditions, automatically initiates a degraded mode of operation wherein an achievable degraded mode target gear ratio (GR.sub.DMT <ES.sub.MAX .div.OS), synchronizable at achieved maximum engine speed (ES.sub.MAX), is identified and caused to be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Stasik, Michael Douglas Whitehead
  • Patent number: 5873280
    Abstract: A module wiper device having a sufficient strength even in a small-size structure and having a lightweight and low-cost structure is provided. Even when a plurality of pivot holders are connected by a frame and a small-size bracket is fixed close to one of the pivot holders, by the bracket and the pivot holder close to the bracket being connected by a connecting member, a space portion surrounded by the bracket, the pivot holder close to the bracket and the connecting member forms a virtual bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 5863276
    Abstract: A control system having an improved responsiveness to a third-to-first speed skip shift by controlling a hydraulic pressure for disengaging a front clutch. The system employs a sensor for sensing the revolution per minute of an engine wherein an electrical signal is variable according to the rotational speed of the engine, a sensor for sensing the revolution per minute of an output shaft wherein an electrical signal is variable according to the rotational speed of the output shaft, and a sensor for sensing the opening of a throttle valve wherein the opening of the throttle valve is variable according to the operation of an accelerator pedal and for outputting a corresponding electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hee-Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 5857386
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10 and 110) comprising a flexible motion transmitting core element for transmitting motion and a conduit for movably supporting said core element along a longitudinal axis. An adjustment means allows a change in the length of one of the core element and the conduit along the longitudinal axis thereof. The assembly is characterized by the adjustment means including a support member (26, 126) and a rotary member (30) supported by the support member (26, 126) at a support axis for rotation about the support axis in response to the change in the length to thereby minimize the longitudinal length of the adjustment means. A spring (32) interacts between the support member (26, 126) and the rotary member (30) for resisting the rotation of the rotary member (30) relative to the support member (26, 126). A cam element (34) coacts with a cam surface (36) in the rotary member (30) for rotating the rotary member (30) in response to the change in the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: David L. Ruhlman
  • Patent number: 5852949
    Abstract: The linear traversing apparatus includes a lead screw formed from a plurality of lead screw segments which are supported at regular intervals, that is, at the intersection of adjacent lead screw segments, along a span by fixed hollow cylindrical splice points. The lead screw segments include external threading which engages the internal threading of a C-shaped spanning nut. The C-shaped spanning nut has a circumferential portion removed so that the spanning nut can clear the fixed hollow cylindrical splice points and associated support structure as the spanning nut traverses the lead screw in response to the rotation of the lead screw and the inhibition of rotation of the spanning nut. The rotation of the spanning nut is inhibited typically by mechanical communication with an instrument or other device which is engaged by a rail or slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Thermo Fibertek Inc.
    Inventor: Peter T Cartensen