Patents Examined by William C. Joyce
  • Patent number: 10286773
    Abstract: A device includes a transmission and an electric machine for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, and the transmission includes first and second subtransmissions. The substransmissions each have an input shaft and they share an output shaft. The input shafts of the subtransmissions can be selectively coupled to the output shaft via form locking clutches of the subtransmissions. In particular, a first input shaft of the first subtransmission is allocated to a first friction locking clutch while a second input shaft of a second subtransmission is allocated to a second friction locking clutch. Furthermore, a third clutch is incorporated between an input drive side clutch half of the first friction locking clutch and an input drive side clutch half of the second friction locking clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Patent number: 10288172
    Abstract: A motion demonstration electronic gear shift apparatus may include a motion demonstration device having a gear shift stage selection device configured to change a gear shift stage of a vehicle, and movably mounted in the vehicle, a controller configured to recognize an operation of the gear shift stage selection device to move the motion demonstration device, and to transmit a signal generated by the gear shift stage selection device to a transmission control unit (TCU) of the vehicle to change the gear shift stage, and a movable device configured to move the motion demonstration device forward and rearward by receiving a signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 10274052
    Abstract: A multistage transmission device includes a plurality of driving gears provided in a countershaft, a plurality of driven gears meshing with the driving gears, respectively, dog rings that switch mechanical connection or disconnection between the drive shaft and each of the driven gears, and one-way clutches arranged between the countershaft and the driving gears. The one-way clutches transmit rotation of the countershaft to the driving gears when the rotation of the countershaft is faster than the rotation of the driving gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10274050
    Abstract: A transmission for a hybrid vehicle may include an input shaft configured to receive power from an engine, a motor configured to receive power from a battery so as to generate the power by a regeneration, an output shaft configured to receive the power from the input shaft and the motor, and an idle shaft configured to connect the output shaft and the motor so as to receive driving force from the motor or transfer regenerative force to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Keun Seok Lee, Kum Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 10274059
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a transmission device, the transmission device including a ring gear, an input member, a gear shifting slider, and an output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Yoon Gu Kwon
  • Patent number: 10259344
    Abstract: A folding seat actuator may include a wire configured to be coupled to a seat back or a seat cushion, a coiling gear connected to the wire configured to fold a seat by winding the wire around the coiling gear when the coiling gear is rotated, a reduction gear interlocked with the coiling gear to rotate the coiling gear, a power source for providing rotational force to the reduction gear, and an elastic body for providing rotational force to the reduction gear such that the reduction gear is restored to a set position after rotating by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Daedong Movel System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Dong Kim, Sang Ho Kim, Sang Soo Lee, Yun Soo Kim, Myoung Soo Chang, Yeong Sik Joo, Heung Suk Yang, Young Gu Kang, Young Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 10251717
    Abstract: A surgical system includes methods and systems for damping vibrations. The damping of these vibrations can increase the precision of surgery performed using the surgical system. The surgical system can include one or several moveable set-up linkages. A damper can be connected with one or several of the set-up linkages. The damper can be a passive damper and can mitigate a vibration arising in one or more of the set-up linkages. The damper can additionally prevent a vibration arising in one of the linkages from affecting another of the set-up linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Bruce M. Schena, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10253849
    Abstract: A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Leo J. D. Bernier
  • Patent number: 10253873
    Abstract: A stop valve assembly is provided for the locking and unlocking of at least one hydraulic chamber of a shift element that is applied with operating pressure and is coaxially arranged at a shaft in a transmission housing of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. At least one first stop valve for lowering the operating pressure of the shift element and at least one second stop valve for raising the operating pressure of the shift element are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer, Stefan Brom
  • Patent number: 10234033
    Abstract: A vehicle manual transmission includes: shift fork shafts; shift forks; sleeves; and gear pieces. Each of the shift forks is coupled with the shift fork shaft so as to be moved together. Each of the sleeves has an annular shape. The sleeve includes an annular sliding groove to be fitted to the shift fork on an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve. The sleeve includes peripheral edges forming annular planes as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shift fork shaft. Each of the gear pieces includes outer peripheral teeth to be meshed with inner peripheral teeth formed on an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve when the sleeve is moved in accordance with the gear shift operation. The shift fork shaft or the shift fork includes a restricting member that abuts to the peripheral edge so as to restrict a movement of the sleeve in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuji Narita, Kota Ichisawa, Koji Naito, Yuki Habara
  • Patent number: 10220508
    Abstract: A robot includes a curved arm including a first member, a second member, and a coupling member and bending in a longitudinal direction, the first member couples to a distal end of the coupling member in the longitudinal direction, and the second member couples to a base end of the coupling member in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Yokota, Jun Sakurada, Akio Niu
  • Patent number: 10221608
    Abstract: A mechanical reducer case for converting a motor torque into a drive torque for an opening is provided, the case forming a guide rail guiding the opening into a closed position or into an open position. Also disclosed is a motorized system for driving an opening including the preceding case and a method for manufacturing the preceding case including a half-shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fever, Stephane Hemond, Francois Lefevre, Jean-Louis Robalo
  • Patent number: 10221926
    Abstract: In a toroidal variator a plurality of rolling elements (20, 22) are in driving engagement with an input and output race (10, 14) at respective contact regions. Each rolling element (20, 22) is mounted on a carriage assembly (26) for rotation about a rolling axis, and is being free to pivot about a tilt axis, the tilt axis passing through the rolling element (20, 22) perpendicular to the rolling axis, and intersecting the rolling axis at a roller center, whereby a change in the tilt axis causes a change in the variator ratio being the ratio of rotational speeds of the races. The tilt axis is arranged at an angle known as castor angle (see FIG. 4) to a plane (P) perpendicular to the variator axis (V). Each carriage assembly (26) can cause a movement of the rolling element (20, 22) with a component of rotation about a pitch axis (A, B). The pitch axis is defined as passing through the roller center and through the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew De Freitas, Brian Dutson
  • Patent number: 10208840
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) having a plurality of balls, each ball having a bore through which a ball axle passes, are provided. In some aspects, the CVTs include first and second rings on either side and in contact with the plurality of balls, and an idler assembly including an idler having a non-uniform outer diameter. The profile of the idler ensures lubricant flows to a largest diameter of the non-uniform outer diameter, and lubricant sprays off the largest diameter to lubricate one or more components of the CVT. A lubrication system may include a scraper configured to remove lubricant that accumulates in an interior of the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Patent number: 10202142
    Abstract: A rack guide device includes a rack guide, a blocking member, a plate spring and a holding member. The rack guide is accommodated in an accommodating portion that is formed in a housing through which a rack shaft is inserted so as to move towards or away from the rack shaft and that supports the rack shaft so that the rack shaft slides in an axial direction thereof. The blocking member is fixed to an external opening end provided on an opposite side of the accommodating portion to a side thereof that faces the rack shaft. The disc spring is interposed between the blocking member and the rack guide to bias the rack guide towards the rack shaft. The holding member holds the disc spring and is directly or indirectly held to the rack guide or the blocking member through frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Taenaka, Hidetoshi Sumihara, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Yasuto Takaki, Tetsuji Miyano
  • Patent number: 10197136
    Abstract: Reversal mechanism for a rolling ring drive. A reversal mechanism for a rolling ring drive (10) comprising a motor (12) attached to an inner ring housing (16), a controller controlling the angle of the rolling rings via the motor (12) in dependence upon a sensor which detects the position of the rolling ring drive (10) and other desired parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: JOACHIM UHING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Florian Thaden, Paul Beutin, Hauke Reese
  • Patent number: 10190663
    Abstract: A linear gear shift mechanism includes a support rotator; transmission balls movably disposed at the support rotator and each provided with a cylindrical recess along radial direction thereof; driving posts with inward ends movably disposed in the cylindrical recesses along the radial direction of the support rotator; a gear shift unit movably connected to outward ends of the driving posts to drive the driving posts to rotate from the radial direction of the support rotator to but not reach the axial direction of the support rotator; an axial power input rotator having an inward-tilted power input annular surface; and an axial power output rotator having an inward-tilted power output annular surface, wherein the axial power input rotator and axial power output rotator flank and movably clamp the transmission balls between the inward-tilted power input annular surface, inward-tilted power output annular surface and outer circumferential surface of the support rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MOTIVE POWER INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Lin Cheng, Ching-Chung Teng
  • Patent number: 10190661
    Abstract: A transmission for vehicles may include first and second input shafts to selectively receive power of a drive source via first and second clutches, first and second output shafts parallel to the first and second input shafts, a shift device including gear pairs tooth-engaged with the first and second input shafts and the first and second output shafts and having different gear ratios, one gear pair conforming to a running speed being selected by a synchronizer to shift and output power of the drive source, and a reverse idler gear provided at a reverse idler shaft to be tooth-engaged with an input gear of the first or second input shaft and tooth-engaged with an output gear of the first or second output shaft, the reverse idler gear being selected by a reverse synchronizer to transmit power from the input gear to the output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yeo Hyeon Gwon, Choung Wan Son, Chang Yeon Cho, Hyun Chul Kim, Jin Beom Seo, Ki Jong Park
  • Patent number: 10174812
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle may include a first input shaft continuously receiving rotational power from a power source; a second input shaft selectively receiving the rotational power of the power source through a clutch; a first counter shaft and a second counter shaft connected to the first input shaft and the second input shaft through a transfer gear pair, respectively; a controlling device selecting the transfer gear pair to transfer the rotational power from the first input shaft and the second input shaft to the first counter shaft and the second counter shaft; a one-way clutch allowing the rotational power provided to the first input shaft to be transferred only from the first input shaft toward the first counter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soon Ki Eo, Chon Ok Kim, Chae Hong Lim
  • Patent number: 10166682
    Abstract: A system for releasably attaching a steerable disposable multi-linked device to a durable device may include a disposable portion and a durable portion. The disposable portion may include a connecting member connected to the disposable portion and the durable portion and a steerable multi-linked device. The steerable multi-linked device may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links, and a cable which passes through the first link and intermediate links and extends beyond a first end of the first link. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The durable portion may include an axial member which defines an opening therethrough and a feeder mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Amir Degani, Howie Choset