Patents Examined by Thomas Irvin
  • Patent number: 9796573
    Abstract: A lifting-device brake system includes at least one brake assembly configured to be activated by a spring force. The at least one brake assembly is configured to achieve a braking effect. At least one piston/cylinder assembly is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure via which the braking effect achieved by the at least one brake assembly can be reduced by at least partially overcoming the spring force. A hydraulic or pneumatic assembly is configured to provide the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to actuate the at least one piston/cylinder assembly. The hydraulic or pneumatic assembly comprises an apparatus configured to maintain the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applied to the at least one piston/cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MHWIRTH GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Kueppers, Roland Moll, Marcell Welters
  • Patent number: 9789890
    Abstract: An adjustable brake system for a railroad truck wheel frame. The system includes an elongated body secured to a railroad truck and rotatably secured to a plurality of wheels, the elongated body having a brake side pocket positioned near a wheel of the plurality of wheels; a compression bar and an extension bar extending from a first side of the elongated body to a second side of the elongated body; a strut positioned between the compression bar and the extension bar; a brake head rigidly secured to the compression bar; a protrusion extending from the brake head and configured to engage within the brake side pocket; and a cam rotatably attached to the compression bar and configured to engage within the brake side pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: John M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9784328
    Abstract: A disk brake includes a brake caliper and two brake pads, which can be pressed onto a brake disk on both sides and which each have a pad carrier plate and a friction pad fastened thereto. A pad retaining clip, which is retained on the brake caliper and which spans an installation opening, is supported on the brake pads. The pad retaining clip is fastened to a form closure element of at least one brake pad so as to be secured against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Peschel, Alexander Asen, Christian Stoeger, Matthias Klingner, Christian Brandl, Alexander Werth, Abdelaziz Rguichi
  • Patent number: 9777792
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. McGuire, Gary Klein, Charles C. Weddle, Robert P. Marble
  • Patent number: 9777790
    Abstract: A shock absorber including a piston (3) slidably fitted in a cylinder having hydraulic oil sealed therein. A flow of hydraulic oil, induced in a passage (10) and a sub-passage (29) by sliding movement of the piston in the cylinder in response to the stroke of a piston rod, is controlled by an extension main valve (14) and a compression sub-valve (15) incorporated in the extension main valve, thereby generating a damping force. The amount of deflection of a sub-disk (30) constituting the compression sub-valve when the sub-disk is opened is limited by restricting portions (21). The sub-disk is provided with communicating holes (31) to reduce a differential pressure acting on the sub-disk when opened and also to relax the concentration of stress in the sub-disk, thereby improving the durability of the sub-disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Mizuno, Ryousuke Kamae, Hideki Hata, Sadatomo Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9772003
    Abstract: A laminar flow path (34) is opened into the vortex chambers (33a and 33b) from inner peripheral surfaces that face in radial directions of the vortex chambers (33a and 33b) being aimed in circumferential directions of the vortex chambers (33a and 33b) among wall surfaces defining the vortex chambers (33a and 33b). A communication hole (32b) is opened into the vortex chamber (33a and 33b) from an end surface that faces in a direction of center axis of the vortex chamber (33a and 33b) being aimed in a direction of a center axis among the wall surfaces defining the vortex chamber (33a and 33b). Blocking members (36a and 36b) extending in the direction of the center axis so as to surround the communication hole (32b) from an outside in the radial direction are provided within the vortex chambers (33a and 33b). The blocking members (36a and 36b) are provided with flow openings (37a and 37b) penetrating the blocking members (36a and 36b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Ueki
  • Patent number: 9770958
    Abstract: An assembly (AS1) in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure can include a gas spring (200), an internally-mounted device (300) and a mounting assembly (400, 500) operatively connecting the internally-mounted device to an end member (202, 204) of the gas spring (200). The mounting assembly (400, 500) can permit at least a portion of the internally-mounted device to undergo 360 degree rotational and pivotal displacement relative the end member (202, 204) of the as spring (200). The mounting assembly (400, 500) can include a device mount (402, 502) that can be operatively secured to the internally-mounted device (300) and a retainer (404, 504) that is secured to the end member (202, 204) and operatively retains the device mount (402, 502) adjacent the end member (202, 204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9765850
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stator assembly comprising a high damping core, a low damping core coaxially aligned with the high damping core, a plurality of slots defined in at least one of the high damping core and the low damping core and extending between a first axial end face and a second axial end face of the at least one of the high damping core and the low damping core, and a control winding being integrally continuous and successively wound through the plurality of slots, such that the control winding enters the plurality of slots from at least one of the first axial end face and the second axial end face. In various embodiments, the control winding is configured to receive a current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 9764725
    Abstract: A device is provided for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle having an electric motor, which is configured for driving a pressure generation unit in order to generate hydraulic pressure; a housing block of a hydraulic unit, which is able to be connected to the pressure generation unit and the brake system of the motor vehicle; a control unit for controlling the electric motor; and a rotary position sensor of the electric motor, the electric motor being fixed in place on a first side of the housing block of the hydraulic unit, and the control unit being fixed in place on a second side, situated opposite from the first side, of the housing block of the hydraulic unit, and the rotary position sensor of the electric motor being situated in such a way that it detects a rotational frequency and/or an angular position of a rotor of the electric motor and is connected to the control unit by an opening developed in the housing block of the hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Lutz, Andreas Weh, Matthias Mayr, Juergen Tandler
  • Patent number: 9765825
    Abstract: A damper for a rotor hub for a rotorcraft can include a housing, a piston resiliently coupled to the housing with a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member, a plurality of conical members, a fluid, and an orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Stamps, Daniel P. Sottiaux
  • Patent number: 9765834
    Abstract: A brake disc for a wheeled vehicle; said brake disc including opposing annular braking surfaces; each of said surfaces provided with an identical pattern of disparate arcuate groove segments; said groove segments arranged in groups oriented in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions; each of said groups including, one series of at least two arcuate groove segments lying along a common arc extending from proximate a hub of said braking surface to proximate the periphery of said braking surface, one inward arcuate groove segment extending from proximate said hub to a point intermediate said hub and said periphery, and one outward arcuate groove segment extending from a point intermediate said hub and said periphery to proximate said periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DISC BRAKES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Phillip Joseph
  • Patent number: 9758135
    Abstract: A ferritically nitrocarburized rotational member of a vehicle brake is disclosed, including a rotational member having a friction surface configured for braking engagement with a corresponding friction material. A compound zone is disposed at the friction surface. An exposed surface of the compound zone is exposed to an atmosphere. The area of the exposed surface includes from about 0 percent to about 14 percent graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Michael L. Holly, Ronnie T. Brown, James A. Webster, Lisa G. Devoe, Donna Y. Sekulovski, Kee Hyuk Im
  • Patent number: 9750959
    Abstract: A fall protection device or cable grab device for use with a generally vertically-extending cable, comprising: an articulating frame comprising: (i) a plurality of members; (ii) a channel configured to receive and retain the cable; and (iii) an attachment member opening extending through at least a portion of the articulating frame and configured to facilitate attachment of an attachment member to the cable grab device; wherein, when the frame is articulated in a generally downward (or first) direction, and at a specified point, at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of members contacts the cable and brakes movement of the cable grab device; wherein, when the frame is articulated in a generally upward (or second) direction, and at a specified point, at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of members contacts the cable and brakes movement of the cable grab device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MSA Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin T. Sepe
  • Patent number: 9751735
    Abstract: A fluidically actuatable disk brake system includes brake cylinder pairs each including brake cylinders arranged on both sides of a brake disk in at least one brake caliper. Each brake cylinder includes a brake piston and a spring arrangement which applies a spring force toward the brake disk. First and second fluid connections are provided on the brake cylinder. The first and second fluid connections supply a fluid to the brake cylinder so that a force counteracting the spring force is applied to the brake piston. A 2/2-way valve is assigned either to the first or second fluid connection of first brake cylinders of a brake cylinder pair. The first or second fluid connection which is not assigned to the 2/2-way valve is fluidically connected to the respective other first or second fluid connection of a second brake cylinder of the brake cylinder pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MHWIRTH GMBH
    Inventor: Roland Moll
  • Patent number: 9752636
    Abstract: The coil spring includes steel wire material containing 0.45 to 0.80 weight % of C, 0.15 to 2.50 weight % of Si, 0.3 to 1.0 weight % of Mn and iron and inevitable impurities as the remainder, and having a circle equivalent diameter of 2.5 mm to 10 mm, in which internal hardness at a freely selected cross section of the wire material is in a range of 570 to 700 Hv, C-condensed layer which exceeds average concentration of C contained in the steel wire material exists at surface layer part, and in an approximate maximum principal stress direction generated when a compressive load is loaded on spring of inner diameter side of the coil spring of the wire material, unloaded compressive residual stress at a depth of 0.2 mm and 0.4 min from surface of the wire material is not less than 200 MPa and not less than 60 MPa, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuitirou Ono, Tohru Shiraishi, Yoshiki Ono, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9739325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake actuator for an aircraft hydraulic brake, which is intended to be added into one of the cavities of a brake ring, the actuator comprising a liner (1) designed to be housed sealingly in the cavity of the ring, a piston (3) mounted to slide sealingly in the liner along an axis of sliding (X) so as to apply a braking force on friction pads when a fluid is introduced under pressure into the cavity, and having a determined operational travel, a wear compensation device (10) which defines a position to which the piston retreats into the liner by means of a mobile stop (11) that can be moved forward by the piston as a braking force is applied, and an elastic return member (16) returning the piston towards the retracted position bearing against the mobile stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Robin, Robin Lucienne
  • Patent number: 9731690
    Abstract: A braking system includes a brake pipe, a pressure sensor and a pressure valve, each operatively associated with the brake pipe. The pressure valve is directed to reduce a pressure in the brake pipe in response to data from the pressure sensor, and a secondary pressure sensor is operatively associated with the brake pipe, wherein a pressure in the brake pipe is reduced in to data from the secondary pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: James David Seaton
  • Patent number: 9726248
    Abstract: An isolation module between a vibration generating device, such as a satellite launcher, and a structure to be isolated, such as the structure carrying a satellite, comprising: at least two fastening parts, and a connecting means. The first fastening part, called the frame, comprises at least two parallel radial branches, and the second fastening part, called the support, comprises at least one radial branch extending between the two branches of the frame. The connecting means is made from an elastomer material and includes at least one pair of identical elastomer pads, being mounted in series between the frame and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Camarasa, Emmanuel Dhieux
  • Patent number: 9714688
    Abstract: A shock absorber spring retention structure is provided for a remote control car. A spring is arranged between a shock absorption cylinder and a piston rod that are axially movable relative to each other to produce an effect of damping. The spring has a top supported on an adjustment ring that is threadingly screwed to an outer circumference of the shock absorption cylinder and a bottom having a wire rotatably coupled to a clip and held in position by a mounting seat to be coupled to a connection seat mounted to an end of the piston rod. The connection seat includes an engagement section with which the clip is engageable for locking. Thus, in the assembly of the shock absorber, the clip securely retains and couples the spring, the mounting seat, and the connection seat together to prevent the spring from detaching during the operation of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Daimler Chu
  • Patent number: 9709089
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for coupling first and second members includes a housing coupled with, or integrally formed with the first member, a laminated bearing section and a spherical bearing section, each section disposed within a housing bore. The laminated bearing section is configured such that at least a portion of the laminated bearing section flexes when torque on the first and second members is less than a predetermined value. The spherical bearing section is configured such that a spherical bearing inner member slidably displaces within a spherical bearing outer member when torque on the first and second members is at least the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Anthony Carl Bohm