Patents Examined by Troy Chambers
  • Patent number: 8950286
    Abstract: A structure with six degrees of freedom for a robot or haptic interface including a base, two branches in parallel, and a wrist joint. The branches are installed articulated between the base and the wrist joint, the branches including a shoulder, an arm, and a forearm supporting the wrist joint. The wrist joint includes a connecting segment onto which a handle holder is articulated about a first rotation axis. A handle is articulated in rotation on the handle holder about a second rotation axis, the handle capable of being moved in rotation about the first axis, the second axis, and a third axis, and a mechanism gears down the rotation of the handle holder about at least the first rotation axis relative to rotation of the connecting segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Florian Gosselin, Fabien Ferlay
  • Patent number: 8943916
    Abstract: A chassis actuator adjusting a movably mounted component of a chassis, which has a first actuator component connected to the movably mounted component and a second actuator component connected to a fixed chassis component. The actuator components are adjustable axially by a ball screw that has a threaded spindle and a nut which runs on spindle. The nut is driveable by a drive motor that has a rotor coupled to the nut and a fixed stator arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the nut. The rotor is coupled to the nut by a wrap spring which radially surrounds the nut and via which the nut is rotated during rotation of the rotor and which forms a brake device. The brake device can be actuated by an external chassis force which acts on and rotates the nut and builds up a friction moment that counteracts the rotation of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Osterlaenger, Mark Lauger, Thomas Mehlis
  • Patent number: 8943918
    Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle includes a buffering device provided on a final shaft parallel to a countershaft of a speed change gear. The buffering device includes a damper gear wheel supported for relative rotation on the final shaft, a lifter coupled against relative rotation but for relative movement in an axial direction on the final shaft and engaged by a cam provided on one face of the damper gear wheel, a spring retainer supported at a position on the final shaft spaced apart from the lifter, and a coil spring provided between the lifter and the spring retainer for biasing the lifter toward the damper gear wheel. The buffering device is disposed on the final shaft and positioned between a pair of imaginary planes, the pair of imaginary planes extending perpendicularly to an axial line of the idle shaft and passing opposite ends of the idle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sotani
  • Patent number: 8944955
    Abstract: A friction gearing has housing and a unit housed in the housing, the unit including a first roller, a second roller and rotatable support plates. The first roller and the second roller are in frictional engagement with each other under a radial pressing force. The radial pressing force is variable in response to a change in the radial distance between the first and the second roller. The rotatable support plates support the first and the second rollers and receive a resisting force that is generated when the first and the second rollers come in contact under the pressing force. The unit is received in the housing with the axis of rotation of the first roller radially fixed while the first roller is rotatably supported by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8943945
    Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a projectile. A support structure has a propulsion structure pivotally connected thereto and is movable between an armed position and a disarmed position. In impulse delivery arrangement delivers an impulse force that propels the propulsion structure from the armed position to the disarmed position. A channel is configured to cause the projectile to be in biased contact with the propulsion structure upon the propulsion structure being in the armed position. Wherein, upon the impulse delivery arrangement delivering an impulse force propelling the propulsion structure from the armed position, the propulsion structure propels the projectile through and outwardly from the channel. The channel is selectively adjustable in X, Y, and Z planes to selectively guide the projectile in a generally predetermined direction, upon the projectile being propelled from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Collins
  • Patent number: 8943921
    Abstract: An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lee, Stephen D. Doubler, Travis M. Thompson, Steven L. Clark, Richard Vriesen
  • Patent number: 8944652
    Abstract: An optical axis adjusting screw (15) is provided with a shaft portion (16), a gear portion (17), and an elastic engagement portion (18). The elastic engagement portion (18) is provided with a base end (18BE) and a free end (18FE). The base end (18BE) is fixed to the shaft portion (16). A distal end face (18a) is formed at the free end (18FE) and is substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft portion (16). There is no parting line on the distal end face (18a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyuki Tachiiwa
  • Patent number: 8939269
    Abstract: A friction plate for a clutch assembly includes a core plate and a plurality of friction segments made of a friction material. A plurality of grooves are disposed between said plurality of friction segments. Each segment has tapered sides so that the grooves have a first width adjacent the outer diameter of the core plate and a smaller second width smaller adjacent the inner diameter of the core plate. This tapered groove structure directs oil from the outside the clutch assembly to the inside to improve cooling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bulent Chavdar, Scott T. Roth
  • Patent number: 8941554
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an anti-backlash component. In one embodiment, the anti-backlash component includes a housing, the housing comprising a first threaded opening and a second opening, a bolt coupled to the housing through the first threaded opening and the second opening, the bolt comprising a spherical end, a nut coupled to the bolt and an exterior side of the second opening of the housing and a socket coupled to the spherical end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Pro Band International, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Andrew Christie
  • Patent number: 8939859
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a prime mover input and an impeller configured to rotate in response to the prime mover input. The torque converter further includes a turbine arranged with the impeller and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the impeller, a stator arranged with the impeller and the turbine, and a stator clutch configured to allow rotation of the stator in a first mode and configured to limit rotation of the stator in a second mode. The torque converter further including a stator clutch actuator configured to activate and deactivate the stator clutch to place the stator clutch in the second mode during particular operations and to place the stator clutch in the first mode. A vehicle and a process of converting torque for operation of a vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Amarnath Rao Jawalkar Nagaraj, Timothy J. May
  • Patent number: 8939044
    Abstract: A retainer made of a synthetic resin for use in a deep groove ball bearing is proposed of which the lubricity has been improved. The retainer includes a cylindrical first split retainer member (41) having a first axial side, and a cylindrical second split retainer member (42) having a second axial side coupled to the first axial side of the first split retainer member (41). Circumferentially spaced apart first and second cutouts (45 and 50) are formed in the first axial side of the first split retainer member (41) and the second axial side of the second split retainer member (42), respectively, which define respective pockets for receiving balls with the split retainers (41 and 42) coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ueno
  • Patent number: 8939042
    Abstract: A portable, refrigerant recovery unit for transferring refrigerant from a refrigeration system to a storage tank. The recovery unit includes two, opposed piston heads rigidly attached to respective piston rods that extend along a common fixed axis. The piston rods are rigidly attached to the yoke member of a scotch yoke arrangement. In operation, incoming refrigerant from the system is simultaneously and continuously directed to the opposing piston heads wherein the forces of the pressurized refrigerant on them counterbalance or neutralize one another. The scotch yoke arrangement includes a two-piece slide mechanism mounted about a cylindrical crank pin and a single piston embodiment is additionally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory S. Sundheim
  • Patent number: 8935967
    Abstract: A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves for forming a ball guiding raceway between the ball nut and the elongated shaft and for receiving ball bearing elements, a circulating device attached to the ball nut and having a pathway communicative with the raceway for forming an endless ball guiding passage between the ball nut and the elongated shaft and the circulating device and for engaging with bearing elements, and a retaining device includes a shorter chain for engaging into the helical grooves or raceway of the screw shaft and the ball nut, and a longer chain for engaging into the pathway of the circulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Yan-Yu Chen, Wuteng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8935970
    Abstract: A twin-clutch type transmission unit includes inner and outer shafts provided respectively with first and second disc clutches for transmission and interruption of input from a prime mover, a plurality of drive gears provided on the inner and outer shafts, and a counter shaft provided with driven gears selectively operable to mesh with the drive gears, with the first and second disc clutches of the inner and outer shafts being alternately disengaged and engaged so as to perform a gear shift. In the transmission unit, a dog-type clutch for synchronizing rotations of the inner shaft and the outer shaft is provided. At the time of vehicle starting, the inner and outer shafts are connected with each other, and the first and second disc clutches of both the inner and outer shafts are engaged. Such transmission unit contrives reductions in the size and weight of a twin-clutch type transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Tanaka, Junya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8931363
    Abstract: A steering column is configured for positional adjustments in first and second directions and comprises a position lock for selectively resisting movement of the steering column. The position lock comprises a stationary bracket disposed about the steering column. A control shaft is coupled to the steering column, approximately perpendicular to the first and second directions, so as to couple movement of the steering column with translation of the control shaft. Movable lock plates are arranged on the control shaft for rotation about a central axis of the control shaft and for translation with the control shaft. Each of the movable lock-plates is positioned adjacent at least one stationary lock-plate that is retained in a substantially fixed position with respect to the stationary bracket. The one or more stationary lock-plates are configured so as to selectively provide resistance to relative movement of the one or more movable lock-plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8931609
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller type one-way clutch comprising an outer race in which pockets provided at their inner surfaces with cam surfaces are formed, an inner race spaced apart from the outer race in a radial inner diameter side and disposed coaxially with the outer race for a relative rotational movement and having an annular outer peripheral track surface, a roller disposed within the pocket to be engaged with the cam surfaces and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, and an accordion spring disposed within the pocket and adapted to bias the rollers to be engaged with the cam surfaces, and wherein one end of each accordion spring is secured to an axial end face of the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Hirobumi Shirataki, Shinya Okuma, Tomoharu Ando
  • Patent number: 8931360
    Abstract: A synchronization structure applicable to a slide cover to ensure synchronous movement and avoid deflection includes a slide member, a relative slide member and two extensible/retractable linkage assemblies. Second ends of the extensible/retractable assemblies are respectively pivotally connected to corresponding sections of two sides of the slide member. First ends of the extensible/retractable assemblies are connected with each other and restricted by a middle slide guide section between the slide member and the relative slide member. Two fixed support sections are respectively oppositely disposed on lateral sides of the middle slide guide section. The extensible/retractable assemblies are formed with slide guide sections in which the fixed support sections are fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: First Dome Corporation
    Inventors: An Szu Hsu, Way Han Dai, Hsiu Fan Ho
  • Patent number: 8932177
    Abstract: A planetary gear train is provided with: a carrier; a planetary gear; a planetary pin inserted into an insert hole provided through the planetary gear and coupled to the carrier to rotatably support the planetary gear; a thrust collar attached to a surface opposed to the planetary gear of the carrier so as to surround the planetary pin; and a pin for coupling the thrust collar to the carrier. The thrust collar has a first surface opposed to the carrier and a second surface opposed to the planetary gear, and has a first pin hole provided on the first surface so as not to reach the second surface. The carrier has a second pin hole on a surface opposed to the planetary gear. The thrust collar is attached to the carrier by inserting the pin into the first pin hole of the thrust collar and into the second pin hole of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Ishibashi Manufacturing, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Suzuki, Kazufumi Takayanagi, Hideaki Nishida, Tadasuke Nishioka, Toshiharu Goya
  • Patent number: 8925413
    Abstract: The rolling element screw device includes: a screw shaft having a rolling element raceway groove; a nut member, which has a loaded rolling element raceway groove opposed to the rolling element raceway groove and is threadingly engaged with the screw shaft through intermediation of the rolling elements; and the circulation component, which includes a pair of the first circulating portions passing through a peripheral wall of the nut member, and the second circulating portion coupling the pair of first circulating portions together, to thereby form the endless circulation path for the rolling elements. Each of the first circulating portions includes a first cylindrical portion fitted into a circulation component mounting hole of the nut member, and a second cylindrical portion which has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion includes a rolling element introducing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Kawai, Harutaka Tsuiki, Masanori Yoshino, Kunio Takano
  • Patent number: 8925702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch actuation mechanism having a valve, a plurality of couplings in fluid communication with the valve, wherein one of the plurality of couplings is operable to distribute power between a primary set of wheels and a secondary set of wheels, and another of the plurality of couplings is operable to distribute power between each of the secondary set of wheels. The present invention also includes a drive shaft driven by a source of power, which is also connected to the secondary set of wheels, and a pressure supply device in fluid communication with the valve, wherein the valve directs fluid to the plurality of couplings, and when the valve directs fluid to the one of the plurality of couplings operable to distribute power between the primary set and secondary set of wheels, the drive shaft will transfer power to the secondary set of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Sandstrom, Larry A. Pritchard, David Chen