Patents Examined by Thomas Magnuson
  • Patent number: 9329039
    Abstract: This invention provides a new category of inertial sensors (linear and angular accelerometers, gyroscopes, inclinometers and seismometers) called Molecular Electronic Transducers (MET). Unlike other inertial sensors, MET sensors use a liquid electrolyte as their inertial mass. The sensors do not contain any precision mechanical parts or springs, and are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Met Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim M. Agafonov, Ivan Egorov, Catherine Rice
  • Patent number: 9316269
    Abstract: A shift device has lever members arranged between a sleeve, a hub, and synchronizer rings to amplify and transmit pressing force of the sleeve to at least one of the synchronizer rings. The lever members include first lever members for a first one of the synchronizer rings, and second lever members for a second one of the synchronizer rings. The first lever members and the second lever members are alternately arranged at two sides of the hub with a phase shift in a rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Hiraiwa
  • Patent number: 9309957
    Abstract: A locking differential for a vehicle includes a rotatable housing and a differential mechanism supported in the housing. The differential mechanism includes a pair of clutch members wherein each of the clutch members presents an inwardly directed face. Each face includes a groove disposed in spacing relationship with respect to the other. A cross pin is received in the groove and is operatively connected for rotation with the housing. The clutch members are axially moveable within the housing so that they may engage respective clutch members coupled to a pair of axle half shafts. A plurality of springs apply a pre-load to only the clutch members, wherein contact is maintained between the clutch members and the cross pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 9289902
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a robot having a robot arm that supports a device powered by supply lines. The arrangement includes at least one guide element that is fastened to the robot arm, and the supply lines are moveably held against at least one segment of the robot arm by the at least one guide element. At least one storage element is provided for receiving a supply line provision. The at least one storage element releases the supply line from the supply line provision with an increasing tensile load of the supply lines and retracts the supply line into the supply line provision with a decreasing tensile load of the supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Groβ, Harald Neumann, Franz Schmeisser
  • Patent number: 9291240
    Abstract: A device, which connects a gearmotor to an aircraft wheel, comprising: a casing rotatably carrying a shaft driven by the gearmotor, the shaft having a fluted portion on which a gearwheel is mounted to slide along a longitudinal axis of the shaft without rotating relative to the shaft; a toothed ring for constraining to rotate with the aircraft wheel; and structure for moving the gearwheel axially between a retracted position (disengaged from the toothed ring) and an engaged position (gearwheel meshes with the toothed ring). The structure for moving the gearwheel comprises a hollow screw-and-nut assembly extending around the shaft. One element of the assembly is axially secured to the gearwheel but prevented from rotating by an anti-rotation member. The other element of the assembly is rotatably mounted inside the casing to be driven selectively by an electric motor so that rotating the electric motor causes the gearwheel to move axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventor: Gilles Eluard
  • Patent number: 9267573
    Abstract: This manual transmission includes a connection changeover mechanism which changes the state of connection between the output shafts of the motor generator and the transmission in accordance with a gear stage established by a driver's shift lever operation. When a gear stage for low speed travel is established, a power transmission system is established between the output shafts of the motor generator and the transmission, and the motor speed reduction ratio is set to a first speed reduction ratio. When a gear stage for intermediate speed travel is established, a power transmission system is established between the output shafts of the motor generator and the transmission, and the motor speed reduction ratio is set to a second speed reduction ratio. When a gear stage for high speed travel is established, no power transmission system is established between the output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Osuka, Yuki Masui, Toshio Tanba
  • Patent number: 9255635
    Abstract: A fastening device on an underbody of a motor vehicle is provided, via which a shifting device may be fastened to the underbody. The shifting device comprises a floor shift protruding into the vehicle interior and is covered by a central console, which may be fixedly connected to the underbody via at least one retaining element. A damping cap is provided, covering the shifting device and having a through-passage for the floor shift, and the retaining element may be fastened to the underbody by the interposition of the damping cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joern Kessler, Martin Remmert
  • Patent number: 9239101
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imparting an angularly rotational movement. The apparatus includes a cylinder having an internal portion, a rod operatively positioned within the internal portion of the cylinder, a first bearing operatively positioned about rod; a second unidirectional bearing operatively positioned about the rod and a motion program for selectively inputting incremental radial motion to the rod. The apparatus may also include a force generator for linearly moving the rod in a linear axial motion along an axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zedi Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Junfeng Duan, Tokunosuke Ito
  • Patent number: 9222570
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a case having a first member and a second member. A first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction are accommodated in the case. A fastener for fastening the first member and the second member to each other is inserted through a hole formed in the first member. A bearing support part for supporting the second shaft is formed in the first member. In a third direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and the second direction, a whole of the hole is positioned in one side in the third direction than an inner peripheral end of the bearing support part in the one side in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Fukuda, Atsushi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9222577
    Abstract: A shift rod assembly for a transmission of a vehicle having a pair of shift rod members, a gear set assembly, and a pair of link members. The shift rod members each have a splined portion formed in the outer surface that mesh with a gear of the gear set assembly to translate rotational movement from one shift rod member to the other. The link members connect the shift rods to translate axial movement from one shift rod member to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Hensel
  • Patent number: 9217491
    Abstract: A reverse arm is pivoted by a driving pin of a reverse fork inserted into a driven hole thereof, and the reverse arm thereby moves an idle gear in an axial direction, whereby the idle gear is engaged with and disengaged from a driving gear and a driven gear of a reverse gear train. The outside diameter of the driving pin is smaller than the width between opposed flat inner side surfaces of the driven hole of the reverse arm; thus, a gap is formed between the driving pin and the inner side surfaces. A jump-over mechanism JO is provided between the reverse arm and a transmission casing for elastically urging the reverse arm outward away from a predetermined intermediate position within the pivoting range of the reverse arm and brings the driving pin in contact with one of the inner side surfaces of the driven hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Al Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9194468
    Abstract: This invention is a device and method for avoiding dead centers in an in-line slider-crank mechanism when it is used to convert linear to rotary motion. The usual straight connecting rod is replaced by an L-shaped connecting rod operating in conjunction with two deflecting pillars. The side-arm of the L-shaped connecting rod travels between the two pillars which are strategically sized and placed, and intended to deflect the side-arm. As a consequence, the crankpin end of the connecting rod is automatically deflected away from the dead center positions, thus avoiding them, and enabling the rotation to become continuous and un-interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Fan
  • Patent number: 9188210
    Abstract: The invention provides an external circulation type ball screw device comprising screw shaft and nut having first and second screw grooves. A circulation member comprises first leg, second leg and connection portion. The first leg comprises a first end surface having first inner and outer points, and the second leg comprises a second end surface having second inner and outer points; first and second entrances formed on the first and second end surfaces of circulation passage; first and second thickness respectively provided between the first entrance and the first inner and outer points thereof; the second thickness being greater than the first; the third and fourth thickness respectively provided between the second entrance and the second inner and outer points thereof; the fourth thickness being greater than the third. The groove wall of the second screw groove occupied and the occurrence of broken teeth of the nut are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Yao Lin, Po-Chuan Hau, Yan-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 9175746
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for a vehicle, includes a variable connecting device, an input device, a speed output device having first and second synchronizer modules, and a reverse speed device. An even-numbered highest speed gear is disposed at one of synchronizer modules related to even-numbered speeds among the synchronizer modules. An odd-numbered highest speed gear is disposed at one of synchronizer modules related to odd-numbered speeds among the synchronizer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sueng Ho Lee, Chang Wook Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 9157519
    Abstract: A worm reduction gear that reduces a rotation of a worm and transmits the reduced rotation to a worm wheel includes a casing that houses the worm and the worm wheel, wherein the casing includes: a wheel opposing surface that opposes an end surface of the worm wheel via an interval; and a grease holding recessed portion formed in a recessed shape in the wheel opposing surface, and the grease holding recessed portion is provided in a position opposing a worm meshing portion between the worm and the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Gotou, Hiroki Masuda
  • Patent number: 9151362
    Abstract: A first synchronizing sleeve (21) is provided in a second main shaft (5) and a first idling gear (12a) is connected to the second main shaft (5) by the first synchronizing sleeve (21) to transmit a driving force to a first sub-shaft (6) or a second sub-shaft (7) or a second synchronizing sleeve (22) is provided in the second sub-shaft (7) to transmit the driving force to a second idling gear (11b) or a third idling gear (13c) and the driving forces respectively transmitted thereto and shifted are output to a differential gear (110) by a first fixed gear (14a) fixedly provided in the second sub-shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Takuya Yamamura
  • Patent number: 9141126
    Abstract: A return to neutral mechanism is provided for hydraulic apparatuses such as motors/pumps that utilize a swashplate and a trunnion arm to control flow. The return to neutral mechanism includes two rotating brackets which have ends aligned to a single plane. Two springs are utilized and attached to the ends of the two rotating brackets giving the force mechanism the ability apply the force in a direct path, reducing friction, increasing life, and improving accuracy. This design is an “x” type mechanism, the force arms are in-line and do not cross, the force is applied equally on both sides of the fulcrum and therefore balanced. The mechanism can be can be used with compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, or leaf springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Hynes, Jason Scot Richardson
  • Patent number: 9127715
    Abstract: A motion guide device includes a rolling passage formed between two members, a number of cylindrical roller bearing members disposed in the rolling passage and engaged between the members, and a number of spacers disposed in the rolling passage and engaged between the cylindrical roller bearing members, the spacers each include two opposite curved depressions for engaging with the cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical roller bearing members, and each defined by a planar middle surface, a tilted upper surface and a tilted lower surface inclined relative to the planar middle surface and the vertical axis (Z) of the spacer for selectively engaging with the cylindrical roller bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Jonus Liu, Wen Chia Wu
  • Patent number: 9127761
    Abstract: A guide plate for a shift lever device, which is formed in correspondence with a movement range of a momentary type shift lever that automatically returns to a home position after being operated, is provided with an elastic member that includes an operation hole. The elastic member restricts the movement range of the shift lever and guides movement of the shift lever. An impact absorption mechanism is formed in the elastic member and absorbs impact of the shift lever when the shift lever automatically returns to the home position. The impact absorption mechanism includes a slit arranged proximal to the operation hole. A seat that is capable of absorbing impact of the shift lever is arranged closer to the operation hole than the slit. A stopper arranged at a back side of the seat relative to the slit supports inwardly curved deformation of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naomasa Sasaki, Atsushi Toyama, Daisuke Yamamoto, Ryo Saitou
  • Patent number: 9122300
    Abstract: A rotary operation device that can prevent misassembly of a rotary operation member and a rotational force transmission member, has a rotary operation member, a rotation detector, and a rotational force transmission member. The rotary operation member has a first gear and the rotational force transmission member has a second gear and a transmission axis. One of the rotary operation member and the rotational force transmission member has a first interference portion that interferes with the other member in a position misaligned from a proper engagement position where the first gear and the second gear are engaged in a proper phase relationship. The other member comprises a second interference member that interferes with the first interference portion in a position misaligned from the proper engagement position and an escape portion that receives the first interference portion in the proper engagement position to allow assembly with the one member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Oosawa