Patents Examined by Terry Chau
  • Patent number: 8784258
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprises: an epicyclic gearing assembly comprising first, second, third, and fourth rotating members with linearly related speeds; a double pinion planetary gear set with grounded carrier and input driven sun gear; two brakes; four clutches; and specified interconnections. The brakes and clutches are operated in combinations of two to produce eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Edward Hoffman, David Allen Janson
  • Patent number: 8776971
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter. The stator has a segment radially disposed between stator blades and a stator axis. The one-way clutch has a plate connected to a hub. The segment forms a portion of the clutch and the stator is axially displaceable to control operation of the clutch. A displacement element urges the stator in a first axial direction. The stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, in response to pressure from fluid in the torque converter. In some aspects, the displacement element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring and a wave spring. In some aspects, the one-way clutch is arranged to disengage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the first direction and to engage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Michael Vansickle, Christian Huegel, Yannick Strub, J. Kevin Brown, Peter Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8777788
    Abstract: A bicycle component positioning device includes a fixed member, an operating member and a positioning mechanism. The operating member has an input portion and an output portion. The positioning mechanism is operatively disposed between the operating member and the fixed member. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning member that is movable between a first position in which the positioning member is engaged with the fixed member and a second position in which the positioning member is disengaged from the fixed member. The positioning member is held in engagement with the fixed member in the first position by the input portion when the input portion is in an operating position. The positioning member is movable from the first position to the second position upon movement of the input portion from at least one of the operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kawakami, Atsushi Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8776952
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment in which a working fluid is utilized needing a heat exchange system to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid at selectively variable rates in airstreams. The system comprises a plurality of heat exchangers including a first heat exchanger in the plurality of heat exchangers that is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during at least some such uses of the equipment. Also, a second heat exchanger is mounted with respect to the equipment so as to selectively permit corresponding portions of the airstreams to pass through the core thereof during such uses of the equipment. A core actuator is mounted with respect to the second heat exchanger to selectively increase or reduce the passing of those corresponding portions of the airstreams through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Mikhail B. Gorbounov
  • Patent number: 8746431
    Abstract: A flanged coupling member is provided with a shaft portion to which a drive force is input, and a flange portion formed in one end of the shaft portion. The flanged coupling member is coupled to a front housing member with a bolt in which a shaft portion thereof is coaxially arranged in a front housing member and a flange portion contacts an outer surface in an axial direction of a bottom portion of the front housing member. The flange portion is provided with a tubular engagement portion that extends in an axial direction from an outer peripheral edge thereof. The engagement portion is arranged on an outer circumference of the front housing member on the basis of the fastening, and the engagement portion and the front housing member are engaged via a spline. The flanged coupling member is fastened to the front housing member at the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8733523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power assist element (11) for arranging in a synchronization hub (2) of a gear-synchronization device (1), with a basic body (17), which has a height (18), a longitudinal extension (19) and a width extension (20), wherein the longitudinal extension is arranged in the installed state in the circumferential direction of the synchronization hub (2), and which in the direction of the longitudinal extension (19) has two opposite distal end sections (21), on which respectively a functional face (22) is formed, which in the installed state cooperate with the synchronization hub (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Pamminger, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 8720648
    Abstract: A device and method are described for extending the life of check valves. An improved check valve having a double poppet and tapered guides is more robust, and a check valve protection device between the check valve and the environment into which fluid is injected protects the valve from a contaminating or corrosive environment. The check valve and check valve protection device are small and light weight to prevent vibration-induced failures. The check valve protection device preferably has an interior volume that fills quickly by relatively few cycles of the lubricant pump to reduce delay of lubricant to the injection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Coltec Industrial Products, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis Roys
  • Patent number: 8715119
    Abstract: An adjustable chain drive system is adapted for uses such as moving product through a conveyor system, and can be configured using a chain, belt or similar structure. Two driven sprockets are movable on a slide, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. In one example, such adjustment allows conveyor belts to be separated by a desired distance. A drive sprocket and endless chain is used in the drive system. In one configuration, the endless chain includes an adjustable chain segment separating the first and second driven sprockets. To compensate for movement of the first and/or second driven sprockets and change in length of the adjustable chain segment between them, lengths of first and/or second secondary adjustable chain segments adjacent to the adjustable chain segment are varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: R.A. Pearson Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Johnson, Richard A. McQuary, Jacob M. Culley, Casey L. McGourin
  • Patent number: 8714330
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch apparatus includes: a rotational shaft rotatable for an input and output of a rotational driving force; a rotor integrally rotated with the rotational shaft about an axis and provided with a plurality of magnetic poles each having a first polarity and a second polarity being different from the first polarity, the first and second polarities of the magnetic poles being arranged alternately along a circumferential direction of the rotor; an armature supported to be rotatable relative to the rotor; a rotational member rotated for the one of the input and output of the rotational driving force relative to the armature; an exciting coil stored in the rotor and generating magnetic flux so that the rotor electromagnetically attracts the armature; and a magnetic flux detecting element arranged to face the magnetic poles along a direction of the axis so as to detect magnetic flux of the magnetic poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Toyama, Takeshi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 8672111
    Abstract: A viscous coupling includes a case body for forming a working chamber which contains the viscous fluid, a shaft inserted into the case body in such a manner that the shaft is relatively rotatable with respect to the case body, a plurality of inner plates coupled to the shaft, and a plurality of outer plates, coupled to the case body, which are arranged in the working chamber in such a manner as to be spaced apart from the inner plates with a pitch in an axial direction of the shaft. The pitch between each of the inner plates and each of the outer plates is adjustable by deforming either of the inner plates and the outer plates in response to the rotation speed of the shaft or the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Wada
  • Patent number: 8646360
    Abstract: In a flexspline of a wave gear device, an annular flange thereof is constructed from a first annular part bent at a right angle from an outer peripheral edge of a diaphragm, and a second annular part caused to inwardly protrude at a uniform width from a leading end of the first annular part. It is possible for the annular flange to be disposed within the region where the diaphragm is formed, as viewed in the direction of an axis of the device. An outer diameter can be reduced to a greater extent than with a “silk hat”-shaped flexspline; and when a hollow wave gear device is manufactured, a hollow diameter can be more readily increased than in a case where a cup-shaped flexspline is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Kanai
  • Patent number: 8640845
    Abstract: A clutch driving device includes a pair of first and second roller wing arms horizontally moving to both sides by moving body moving forward/backward on an axial center line of an actuator and a roller inclined cam surface defining a move path of a pivot is formed such that first and second roller wing arms horizontally move to both sides from the axial center line of actuator, on the surface of a lever generating a stroke at a release bearing. Therefore, the lever can be lifted above a clutch engagement gap where a sufficient stroke is generated at the release bearing engaging a clutch, such that it is possible to achieve sufficient performance even if the output of actuator is reduced by the amount of energy consumption which is relative reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Yop Kim, Sung Yong Cho, Hyun Duk Chang
  • Patent number: 8602194
    Abstract: A sub-assembly for a brake transmission shift interlock system. The sub-assembly includes an inhibitor for preventing shifting of a vehicle transmission from a park position in the absence of application of a brake by a vehicle occupant, and a solenoid having a movable armature. A linkage couples the inhibitor to the armature such that movement of the armature produces a movement of the inhibitor. The linkage also couples the inhibitor to the armature so as to permit movement of at least a portion of the inhibitor independent of the armature. A brake transmission shift interlock assembly and a switch assembly incorporating the sub-assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 8596442
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission employing a parking-lock mechanism accommodated in a transmission casing for mechanically locking and unlocking a transmission output shaft of a speed-change system, the transmission casing includes a first casing and a second casing integrally connected to each other. A shift-lever-operated manual shaft and a cam-equipped parking rod are installed on the first casing, whereas a support actuator having a guide face for the cam and a pivotable parking pawl operated by the cam for meshed-engagement with a parking gear of the transmission output shaft when a specified longitudinal displacement of the parking rod has been reached are installed on the second casing. A temporary-retaining structure is provided on a transmission-output-shaft bearing retaining wall fixedly connected to a face of the first casing facing the second casing, for temporarily retaining the cam attached to the tip of the parking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hidehiko Watanabe, Noboru Higakubo, Masataka Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8590686
    Abstract: A pull-type racing clutch has an integrated clutch release device. A piston which can be actuated hydraulically is formed directly by an outer ring of a rolling bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Jan Wittholz
  • Patent number: 8579088
    Abstract: A drain plug for a carrier assembly is used to control fluid flow from a reservoir to a sump. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing with an internal cavity that houses a gear assembly. The sump is located within the internal cavity to lubricate the gear assembly. The reservoir is separated from the sump by a channel. The drain plug is attached to the carrier housing, and extends into the channel, to provide a fluid flow restriction between the reservoir and the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Brian David Hayes
  • Patent number: 8567583
    Abstract: A shift device includes a shaft, a hub, a sleeve, a pair of speed gears sandwiching the hub, a first synchronizer ring, a second synchronizer ring, a plurality of thrust pieces disposed in cut-off portions of the hub and a pair of springs pushing the thrust pieces outwardly in a radial direction toward the sleeve. The thrust pieces move together with the sleeve when the sleeve is moved toward the one of the speed gears, while the thrust pieces moves inwardly in the radial direction against the first and second springs when the sleeve is moved halfway toward the other of the speed gears so that the thrust pieces move in an axial direction and swing to provide different self-servo functions according to the above shift directions when they contact with the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kyowa Metal Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Hiraiwa
  • Patent number: 8561773
    Abstract: A drive device is provided with a housing 11 and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism 14 accommodated in the housing. The electromagnetic clutch mechanism 14 is provided with an armature 41 rotatably supported in the housing 11, a rotor 42 arranged to face the armature 41 and rotatably supported in the housing 11, and a coil 46. An annular magnet 44 is fixed on the outer circumference surface of the rotor 42. A sensor 15 arranged inside the housing 11 detects a polarity change of the magnet 44 in association with rotation of the rotor 42. The magnet 44 is provided with an annular wall portion 44b extending toward the armature 41 beyond a surface on which the armature 41 is in contact with the rotor 42 with respect to the axial direction. The annular wall portion 44b is spaced radially outward from the armature 41. The annular wall portion 44b prevents abrasion powder produced on actuation of the electromagnetic clutch mechanism 14 from being scattered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Tomoaki Nishimura, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Hiroyasu Onai, Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8550957
    Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Fulton Jose Lopez, Darren Lee Hallman, Erik Karl Jacobson, Robert Michael Zirin, Munishwar Ahuja, Stephen Bertram Johnson
  • Patent number: 8544625
    Abstract: The over-running bi-directional clutch is used to synchronize gears in a transmission to allow for locking and unlocking the gears in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Jeffrey Hemphill