Patents Examined by Stephen Bowes
  • Patent number: 9651110
    Abstract: A stopper mechanism includes a second cylinder disposed at an end in a first cylinder, a second piston disposed so as to be able to move according to a movement of a piston rod to be fitted into the second cylinder, and an annular piston ring having ends in a circumferential direction by being partially cut off. A circumferential groove is formed on an outer circumferential of the second piston. The circumferential groove includes a bottom surface, a one-side end surface, and an opposite-side end surface. The piston ring is axially movably disposed in the circumferential groove. The piston ring includes axial abutment portions, and radial abutment portions at the both ends of the piston ring. When the piston ring abuts against the one-side end surface of the circumferential groove, a first passage is forced between the one-side end surface and an end surface of the piston ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Takeno, Teruaki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9638280
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The pressure tube is disposed within a reserve tube and a working fluid reservoir is formed between the pressure tube and the reserve tube. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A base valve assembly controls a flow of working fluid between the working fluid reservoir and the lower working chamber. The base valve assembly includes a frequency dependent valve system that provides an increased level of damping for each compression stroke of the piston assembly during low frequency movements of the shock absorber. A lesser level of damping is provided for each compression stroke during high frequency movements of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Jelle Van de Plas, Jan Vochten
  • Patent number: 9638273
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a vehicle comprising a wheel comprising a hollow section and a rim, the rim comprising a first portion comprising an electrically conductive material and a second portion adjacent to the first portion comprising a plurality of a permanent magnets and a stator comprising at least one electromagnetic coil arranged to be located within the hollow section of the wheel, wherein the stator is moveable between a first position in which the at least one electromagnetic coil is inductively coupled to the first portion of the rim when the wheel is rotating relative to the stator, and a second position in which the at least one electromagnetic coil is inductively coupled to the second portion of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Safran Landing Systems UK LTD
    Inventor: Robert Kyle Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9638271
    Abstract: A brake device for a vehicle may include: a driving unit positioned in a drum and supplying rotation power; a nut screw positioned between first and second brake shoes; a first push rod having both sides connected to the first brake shoe and the nut screw, and pressurizing the first brake shoe through the rotation of the nut screw; a fixing protrusion fixed to a case surrounding the nut screw; a rotation connection part coupled to the fixing protrusion to restrict rotation of the rotation connection part; a rotation control part inserted into the rotation connection part so as to be screwed to the rotation connection part; and a second push rod having both sides connected to the second brake shoe and the rotation control part, and moved together with the rotation control part in a longitudinal direction so as to pressurize the second brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Moo Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 9616867
    Abstract: A line-locking brake system consists of a brake pressure generator which, in conjunction with a brake fluid solenoid isolates the front brake circuit from the master cylinder while maintaining a precise brake pressure in the front brake hydraulic system. The brake pressure generator consists of a pressure amplifier having a high pressure chamber located in the flow path from the master cylinder to the front brake cylinders and a low pressure chamber in fluid communication with a regulated gas pressure source. When activated, the brake pressure generator applies a pressure to the front brake circuit that is directly proportional to the pressure of the regulated gas and therefore is precisely controllable irrespective of wear on parts, driver fatigue or other variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Roger Allen Lamb
  • Patent number: 9611910
    Abstract: A brake temperature detection device: acquires a kinetic-energy based temperature rise, which is an increase in an amount of brake heat that occurs when kinetic energy generated in a running vehicle is converted into thermal energy by braking; acquires a braking-energy based temperature rise, which is an increase in an amount of brake heat that is calculated from an amount of work done when a brake's friction material is pressed against a friction target material; determines state of slope of a road surface on which the vehicle is running; and detects a brake temperature in accordance with an increase in an amount of brake heat generated in braking. The brake temperature detection device selects, based on the state of slope, either the kinetic-energy based temperature rise or the braking-energy based temperature rise as the increase in the amount of brake heat generated in braking and achieves brake temperature detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Murata, Masatoshi Hanzawa, Takahiro Shiraki
  • Patent number: 9605463
    Abstract: A snubber apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity. A shaft passes through the inner cavity and rotates about its longitudinal axis. The shaft has one or two ends laterally projecting out of the casing and being connected to a moving part of a tool to dampen given motions thereof. A wiper arm is on the shaft so as to rotate therewith the shaft, with a free end in close proximity to the surface portions of the inner cavity. The free end has an arcuate contour complementarily corresponding to a circumferential surface portion. A dam extends from the circumferential surface portion into close proximity to the wiper arm, to divide the inner cavity in two chambers, with movements of the wiper arm changing the volume of the chambers. A hydraulic circuit controls a flow of fluid between chambers to oppose a force to rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBAL CASTING INC.
    Inventor: Michel Pilon
  • Patent number: 9604720
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide emergency differential braking for effecting braked steering of an aircraft. A brake input device is provided that not only allows for emergency and parking brake functions, but also enables differential braking. The brake input device (e.g., a parking and/or emergency brake lever, pedal, handle, etc.) can be used in a brake system including a brake system control unit (BSCU), one or more electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) and a brake assembly including one or more electrical actuators. Each EMAC is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators so as to provide electrical power for driving the actuators. Each EMAC is also communicatively coupled to the BSCU so as to receive braking data therefrom. In an emergency, the input device sends braking signals directly to the brake actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D Cahill
  • Patent number: 9593731
    Abstract: An inexpensive ring spring having high strength and a method for producing the same, are provided. The ring spring can be obtained, for example, by raw material preparation, bending formation, welding, and disk formation performed in this order. The ring spring is formed to have no edge by welding two edge parts of the raw material, and has a welded metal part that is formed at the interface of the two edge parts of the raw material, and a welded heat-affected zone that is formed around the welded metal part and heated by welding, and exhibits tensile strength of 1000 MPa or more. Since the ring spring has sufficient tensile strength as a disk spring and a wave spring, quenching and tempering are not necessary. Furthermore, since the product can be prevented from being deformed due to quenching and tempering, dimensional accuracy of the product can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noritoshi Takamura, Fumio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9587704
    Abstract: A system for managing noise and vibration in a vehicle includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A compliant member is attached to the housing and further defines the internal cavity. A magnet is operatively fixed to the housing in the cavity and has a magnetic field. A coil is positioned in the cavity and is configured so that there is relative movement between the coil and the magnet in the magnetic field in response to movement of the compliant member relative to the housing. A resistor is in electrical communication with the coil to form an electrical circuit. Relative movement of the coil in the magnetic field induces a current in the circuit that creates an opposing magnetic field, thereby reducing transmitted dynamic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ping Lee, Sam M. Jomaa
  • Patent number: 9573578
    Abstract: There is provided a brake system for vehicles, the brake system including: a slave cylinder S/C to generate a hydraulic pressure by an electric motor according to a braking operation by a driver; and a controller to decrease an operation amount of the slave cylinder S/C when an operation amount of the electric motor is maintained, then increase an operation amount of the slave cylinder S/C when a change occurs in an operation amount of the electric motor subsequently. The controller determines whether or not the phase currents Iu, Iv, Iw of the electric motor are in two-phase continuously energized state and the state remains for a certain time or longer. When the determination conditions are satisfied, the controller performs commutation control to generate commutation in the electric motor by reducing a target hydraulic pressure of the slave cylinder S/C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimada, Soichiro Ueura, Kazuharu Kidera
  • Patent number: 9566957
    Abstract: A brake hub assembly for coupling to a wheel rim includes a hub body and a brake disk coupled to the hub body. The hub body and brake disk are shaped to allow maximum airflow through the brake disk during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GUNITE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Root
  • Patent number: 9555788
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a first and a second set of two separate hydraulic braking circuits. Each of the two braking circuits of each of the first and second set includes a valve assembly for modulating a braking pressure in the two separate hydraulic braking circuits. A valve unit is arranged downstream of a brake booster and is switchable in response to a malfunction of one or both of the two braking circuits of the first set from a first position in which it connects the valve assembly of the two separate hydraulic braking circuits of the first set to the brake booster, into a second position in which it connects the valve assembly of the two separate hydraulic braking circuits of the second set to the brake booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Tobias Brok, Martin Stemmer
  • Patent number: 9551389
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake caliper is basically provided with a first side caliper part, a second side caliper part, a layer of bonding material, a mating recess and a mating protrusion. The first side caliper part includes a first bonding surface. The second side caliper part includes a second bonding surface. The layer of bonding material is disposed between the first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating recess is disposed on one of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating protrusion is disposed on the other of the first and second side caliper parts and mated with the mating recess. The first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts are fixedly bonded together by the layer of bonding material with a brake disc slot being defined between the first and second side caliper parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Hirotomi, Osamu Kariyama, Takahiro Yamashita, Masahito Nakakura, Tetsu Nonoshita
  • Patent number: 9551396
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration damping device having a novel structure and that can have a greatly increased load strength resistance without a concomitant increase in the number of components or size at a stopper mechanism. The structure is such that first and second stopper portions having a hanging plate part and a dip part are provided to a pair of opposing sides of a stopper plate of a vibration damping device, whereas a pair of side plate portions extending between the first and second stopper portions are provided to the other pair of opposing sides of the stopper plate, and openings at both sides of the first and second stopper portions are closed by the pair of side plate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriaki Yoshii, Hiroki Mizukawa, Yorishige Shimizu, Hiroyuki Ichikawa, Katsuhiko Katagiri, Shinji Komura
  • Patent number: 9527361
    Abstract: A chamber cluster (1) for a co-axial damper unit, used in a suspension module, that is driven by the motion of a torsion bar (2), that transmits the rotational motion through gears (3), (4), (5) to a wing (6), enclosed within. The rotary motion of the wing (6), in a viscous medium in a volumous space (19), sealed by seals (10), (11), achieves damping by enclosing the wing (6), inside a W-shaped flexible component (7), and by the use of a two-phase viscous fluid, that is subject to a viscosity variation, by means of electromagnetic control through a device (15). Several chamber cluster (1) units connected via a bulkhead (20), create an assembly forming the co-axial damper unit, thus a cluster (1) of cluster units (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6), for use in a suspension module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Dimitrios Hatzikakidis
  • Patent number: 9518630
    Abstract: An air spring comprising a pressurized first chamber including a gas, a first piston adjacent the first chamber and configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, pressurized second chamber adjacent the first piston and opposite the first chamber, the air spring configured such that the first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring and the first piston moves away from the first chamber during extension of the air spring, wherein as said first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring, said first piston pushes at least a portion of said gas within said first chamber in a direction opposite said first piston, a second piston configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, a pressurized third chamber adjacent the second piston and opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 9506523
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is disclosed. The torsional vibration damper comprises a first member having a radially outer surface that comprises a central concave section axially between convex sections and a second member having a radially inner surface that comprises a central convex section axially between concave sections and that opposes said radially outer surface. The radially outer surface and said radially inner surface are separated by a radial gap that defines a cross-sectional profile having an axial center and axial ends, and wherein said radial gap increases in thickness from said axial center to each said axial end of said cross-sectional profile. Alternatively, the first member may include a central convex section axially between concave sections and the second member may include a central concave section between convex section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Suhale Manzoor, William J. Piepsney
  • Patent number: 9505362
    Abstract: Provided is a shock-absorbing member that does not increase the cost of automobile and that can increase the absorbed energy per unit weight of the shock-absorbing member. A shock-absorbing member 1 includes a tubular main body portion 3, a bent portion 5 that is formed continuous with the main body portion 3, and a flange 7 provided at the proximal end of the main body portion 3 via the bent portion 5. The main body portion 3 is caused to undergo eversion deformation by a shock power acting on the distal end of the main body portion 3 so that shock energy is absorbed. The main body portion 3 has regular polygonal cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and has a tapered shape that an area of the cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction decreases toward the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Kondo
  • Patent number: 9488245
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydraulic bearing which includes two connecting pieces, an annular rubber-elastic spring, a hydraulic chamber unit made of a working chamber and a compensating chamber and a partition unit having a connecting channel between the working chamber and the compensating chamber. The partition unit is configured as a disc and is disposed within the vertical elevation of the annular rubber-elastic spring and one of the connecting pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ContiTech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Gedenk