Patents Issued in June 10, 2010
  • Publication number: 20100139971
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic wave suppression sheet obtained by mixing metallic magnetic particles into a resin and formed into a sheet shape. In the electromagnetic wave suppression sheet, a coercive force is 320 [A/m] or more and a saturation magnetization is 0.35 [Wb/m2] or more at a time when an external magnetic field of 1 kOe in an in-plane direction is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kato, Yoshito Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20100139972
    Abstract: A grommet is inserted into a notch in a channel and partially supports a seal strip attached to the channel. The grommet includes a main segment and first and second end segments. The main segment extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and has a first side surface and a second side surface. The first end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the first end of the main segment. The second end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the second end of the main segment. The main segment, the first end segment, and the second end segment together define a passageway extending through the grommet parallel to the longitudinal axis. A cable harness including a grommet and a vehicle including a grommet are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Camas Reed, Darin King, Mark Hegemann
  • Publication number: 20100139973
    Abstract: A mineral-insulated (MI) cable termination assembly and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The cable termination assembly includes an MI cable having a MI cable conductor, a mineral insulating layer surrounding the MI cable conductor, and an outer metal sheath surrounding the mineral insulating layer. The cable termination assembly also includes an electrical cable having an electrical cable conductor. A connector is provided for electrically connecting the MI cable conductor to the electrical cable conductor. A molded joint surrounds an exposed distal portion of the MI cable conductor and an exposed distal portion of the electrical cable conductor. The molded joint is composed of a polymeric material adhered to the exposed distal portion of the MI cable conductor and the exposed distal portion of the electrical cable conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: James Bredmomd, Robert Holmes
  • Publication number: 20100139974
    Abstract: A method of connecting two high voltage DC cables in a flexible cable joint. Each high voltage DC cable can include, from the inside to the outside, a central conductor, an adjacent circumferential cable inner semicon layer, an adjacent circumferential cable insulation layer, and an adjacent circumferential cable outer semicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventor: Thomas CHRISTEN
  • Publication number: 20100139975
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be a witness material that may change a characteristic of at least a portion of the bit. The module may detect when the witness material is separated from the bit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sorin G. TEODORESCU, Terry HUNT
  • Publication number: 20100139976
    Abstract: Downhole positioning systems and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a downhole source, an array of receivers, and a data hub. The downhole source transmits an electromagnetic positioning signal that is received by the array of receivers. The data hub collects amplitude and/or phase measurements of the electromagnetic positioning signal from receivers in the array and combines these measurements to determine the position of the downhole source. The position may be tracked over time to determine the source's path. The position calculation may take various forms, including determination of a source-to-receiver distance for multiple receivers in the array, coupled with geometric analysis of the distances to determine source position. The electromagnetic positioning signal may be in the sub-hertz frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Paul F. RODNEY
  • Publication number: 20100139977
    Abstract: An active vibration control device improves drilling by actively applying a dampening profile and/or a controlled vibration to a drill string and/or bottomhole assembly (BHA). Embodiments of the present invention control the behavior of a drill string and/or BHA in order to prevent or minimize the occurrence of harmful drill string/BHA motion and/or to apply a vibration to the drill string/BHA that improves one or more aspects of the drilling process. Measurements of one or more selected parameters of interest are processed to determine whether the undesirable vibration or motion is present in the drill string or BHA and/or whether the drill string and/or BHA operation can be improved by the application of a controlled vibration. If either or both conditions are detected, corrective action is formulated and appropriate control signals are transmitted to one or more devices in the drill string and/or BHA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Larry Watkins, Roger W. Fincher, Peter Aronstam
  • Publication number: 20100139978
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Giroux, Doug Reid, Albert Odell, Gregory Galloway, Mark Murray
  • Publication number: 20100139979
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth. In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a tubular case having a central axis and a lower end. In addition, the assembly comprises a driver sub having an upper end threadingly engaged with the lower end of the case. Further, the assembly comprises a annular locking member disposed about the driver sub. The annular locking member engages the case and the driver sub and restricts the rotation of the driver sub relative to the case about the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Alan J. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20100139980
    Abstract: The invention provides ball piston steering devices and methods for use of ball piston devices. One aspect of the invention provides a ball piston steering device including: a sleeve in fluid communication with a fluid source and a ball received within the sleeve. The ball is movable within the sleeve from a recessed position and an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Fabio Neves, Alexander Slocum
  • Publication number: 20100139981
    Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements o the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthias Meister, Wolfgang Eduard Herberg, Gunnar Bothman, Joachim Treviranus, Carsten Freyer, Hans-Robert Oppelaar
  • Publication number: 20100139982
    Abstract: An horizontal directional drilling (HDD) system having dynamically scalable control settings is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robin W. Carlson, Philip R. Lane
  • Publication number: 20100139983
    Abstract: The invention provides rotary steerable devices and methods for use of rotary steerable devices. One aspect of the invention provides a rotary steerable device including: a cylinder configured for rotation in a wellbore, the cylinder having a slot and a gauge; and at least one cam received in the slot. The cam is configured for selective actuation between a first position, wherein the cam lies within the gauge of the cylinder, and a second position, wherein the cam is displaced out of the gauge of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Hallworth, Steve Hart, Kjell Haugvaldstad, Laurent Allias, Bertrand Lacour, Riadh Boualleg
  • Publication number: 20100139984
    Abstract: A drive assembly suitable for a spindle connection to a drill string or other shaft, the assembly comprising or including a drive shaft, a shuttle rotatable under the action of the drive shaft but being slidable relative thereto, the shuttle carrying magnets, a containment assembly to constrain the shuttle to a shuttle axis, the containment assembly carrying magnets to co-act with those of the shuttle as the shuttle is rotated by the drive shaft thereby to cause the shuttling of the shuttle, a spindle not forming part of the shuttle arrangement to receive vibration from said containment assembly and/or said shuttle (e.g.; through a cushion of liquid), a carriage assembly on part of the spindle slidable on an axis coincident with and/or parallel to the spindle's rotational axis, and a drive carried by the carriage assembly to rotate the spindle or to rotate both the spindle and part of the carriage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Donald West, Peter Evan Powell, Roger Pfahlert
  • Publication number: 20100139985
    Abstract: A mobile drill rig has a drill mast, a carriage mounted to the drill mast for vertical movement, and a vibratory drill head having a sine generator and a rotation mechanism for imparting vibration and rotation to a drill rod string. An elastomeric torsion coupler couples the rotation mechanism to the sine generator to transmit rotational force to the drill rod string while isolating vibrations of the sine generator from the rotation mechanism. Another coupler connects the drill head to the carriage in a manner that allows floating vertical movement of the drill head relative to the carriage while isolating vibrations of the sine generator from the carriage. Elastomeric bumpers limit the vertical movement of the drill head relative to the carriage. Elastomeric spacers located between the rotation mechanism and the sine generator handle the vertical loading and maintain the proper spacing between the sine generator and the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Brent Kejr, Ryan Kejr
  • Publication number: 20100139986
    Abstract: An apparatus assists in preventing the accumulation of debris in a flow path during the formation of a borehole. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a drill head including a drive shaft for driving a drilling element to form the borehole. Preferably, the drilling element includes a passage forming a flow path for debris from the borehole. A carrier positioned adjacent the flow path is connected to at least one agitator connected to the carrier for agitating debris in the flow path. A related method pertains to manufacturing a drill head including an agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Kerry Hopf
  • Publication number: 20100139987
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the wear of drill bits for drilling wells in earth formations, several embodiments of an improved drill bit for drilling a well in an earth formation, and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, the bit is assembled by forming the bit, including a bit body and a plurality of cutting components; introducing a wear detector into the bit; and providing a module to monitor the wear detector and generate an indication of bit wear. The wear detector may be one or more electrical circuits that may experience a change in resistance or conductivity due to wear of the bit. The module may determine wear by detecting an open circuit. The wear detector may be introduced during or after formation of the bit. The bit wear may be displayed for an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Terry HUNT, Sorin G. Teodorescu
  • Publication number: 20100139988
    Abstract: A drill bit has cutting elements with multiple cutting surface geometries that are positioned so that their cutting profiles overlap, but do not completely contain or engulf one another. The different cutting surface geometries and the specific overlap create a zone of high density in the middle regions of the cutting profiles and low density in the periphery, resulting in a cutting profile that becomes sharper with increasing wear. Such an arrangement is more effective and stable as the drill bit encounters hard and abrasive formation materials. Moreover, cutting elements with larger axial volumes may be combined with cutting elements having smaller axial volumes, resulting in an even more effective drill bit in terms of durability and ability to drill efficiently in hard and abrasive formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Varel International Ind., L.P.
    Inventor: Graham Mensa-Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20100139989
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Datalogic Scanning, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Forrister Atwater, Alexander M. McQueen, Patrick M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20100139990
    Abstract: Embodiments are related to user input devices that accept complex user input including a combination of touch and push (or pick) input. Embodiments of the invention provide for selective ignoring or rejection of input received from such devices in order to avoid interpreting unintentional user actions as commands. Furthermore, some input signals can be modified. The selective rejection or modification can be performed by the user interface device itself or by a computing device that includes or is attached to the user interface device. The selective rejection or modification may be performed by a module that processes input signals, performs the necessary rejections and modifications and sends revised input signals to higher level modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Wayne Carl Westerman, Christopher Tenzin Mullens
  • Publication number: 20100139991
    Abstract: Noise reduction in a one- or two-dimensional capacitive sensor array is achieved by rejecting and re-acquiring noisy signals. The sensor array is formed of crossed X and Y lines for drive and sense functions respectively, each of the X lines being driven in turn to acquire a full frame of data from the sensor array. A controller actuates the X lines in turn and, for each X line, charge is transferred to charge measurement capacitors connected to respective ones of the Y lines. The controller measures a signal value from a first one of the measurement capacitors, and then tests if that Y signal value has a magnitude lying within an acceptable range. If not, the measurement capacitors are all reset without their signal values being measured, and the controller re-drives the same X line to initiate another charge transfer into the measurement capacitors for that X line. It is then attempted once again to acquire Y signal values for that X line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Harald Philipp, Esat Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20100139992
    Abstract: A user-authenticating, digital data recording pen is provided. User-authenticating includes: using the digital data recording pen to write out by a user a handwritten password, which includes a handwritten character string to be authenticated; digitally comparing by the digital data recording pen the handwritten password to at least one handwritten password pre-stored for the user in the digital data recording pen; authenticating by the digital data recording pen the user if the handwritten password is within a defined tolerance of the pre-stored handwritten password; and if authenticated, associating by the digital data recording pen an indication of user authentication with data, such as a writing, of the user produced using the digital data recording pen. In one embodiment, the writing could be any alpha-numerical character string of the user interacting with a system via the digital data recording pen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne M. DELIA, Edward E. KELLEY, Franco MOTIKA
  • Publication number: 20100139993
    Abstract: A lobed bushing is provided for a track assembly of a track-type machine. The track assembly includes a first chain and a second chain coupled together with a track pin. A bushing, defining a longitudinal axis, includes a central bore oriented along the longitudinal axis and extending from a first end of the bushing to a second end of the bushing for receiving the track pin. The bushing includes a first lobe positioned at a first location about the longitudinal axis and a second lobe positioned at a second location about the longitudinal axis that is less than about 180° from the first location. The first end of the bushing has a substantially cylindrical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Sebright, Mark S. Diekevers, Benoit Abello, Steven Williamson
  • Publication number: 20100139994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled vehicle that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled vehicle using one or more track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a carriage with a main frame that support forward and rearward idler wheels and a plurality of centrally located, inner bogey wheels, and an outrigger beam that supports a plurality of centrally located, outer bogey wheels. One of the idler wheels is movably connected to the main frame and is movable by an actuator. The carriage is removably connected to a spindle of a vehicle by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a first or lower section and a second or upper section that generally encircle a portion of the spindle housing, and which are connected thereto by a plurality of fastening elements. A sprocket is operatively connected to a wheel hub of the spindle either directly or indirectly by way of a spacer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100139995
    Abstract: A mobile robot includes a robot chassis having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity. The robot includes a driven support surface to propel the robot and first articulated arm rotatable about an axis located rearward of the center of gravity of the robot chassis. The arm is pivotable to trail the robot, rotate in a first direction to raise the rearward end of the robot chassis while the driven support surface propels the chassis forward in surmounting an obstacle, and to rotate in a second opposite direction to extend forward beyond the center of gravity of the robot chassis to raise the forward end of the robot chassis and invert the robot endwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Pavlo E. Rudakevych
  • Publication number: 20100139996
    Abstract: In a frictional drive vehicle, a load acting on the vehicle such as the weight of a rider is converted into a force that urges two frictionally engaging parts (3L, 3R, 25) toward each other. Thereby, the contact pressure between the two frictionally engaging parts is maintained at an optimum level under all conditions. A weight of a rider may be transmitted to a drive member that frictionally engages a main wheel via a four-link parallel link mechanism (40, 50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru TAKENAKA, Makoto HIRANO, Hideharu IZUMI, Kazuya KUWABARA, Taiji KOYAMA, Masao SASAKI, Hiroshi GOMI, Shinichiro KOBASHI
  • Publication number: 20100139997
    Abstract: An inverter apparatus includes a liquid path in which cooling water flows, and in which the cooling water performs cooling at a cooling part located directly underneath the power circuit part of the inverter apparatus. The liquid path includes a first partial structure part formed between a feed pipe and the cooling part, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually reduced in the short-side direction of the cooling part and that is gradually enlarged in the long-side direction thereof; and a second partial structure part formed between the cooling part and a drain pipe, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually enlarged from the short-side of the cooling part and that is gradually reduced from the long-side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi NAKAMURA, Akihiro TAMBA, Ryuichi SAITO, Atsuo NISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20100139998
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Schondorf
  • Publication number: 20100139999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor having yokes concentrically arranged and a driving apparatus having the motor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a motor, in which armature metal cores having coils wound thereon and yokes having magnets attached thereto are arranged in multiple stages around a central shaft, and a driving apparatus having the motor. A motor having yokes concentrically arranged according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a rotor and a stator. The rotor has a plurality of cylindrical yokes arranged in multiple stages in a radial direction and a plurality of magnets respectively fixed to the yokes with polarities of the magnets alternated with each other in a circumferential direction. The stator has armature metal cores arranged to face the respective yokes and a plurality of armature coils wound on the armature cores to face the magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Gye-Jeung Park
  • Publication number: 20100140000
    Abstract: A system for selectively consuming and storing electrical energy in a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an electric motor/generator unit having a rotary shaft and an internal combustion engine having a main shaft. A continuously variable transmission mechanically couples the electric motor/generator rotary shaft to the engine main shaft. A control circuit varies the amount of torque of the electric motor/generator unit rotary shaft between a negative and a positive value as a function of the operating condition of the vehicle. The control circuit also controls the transmission to vary the transmission ratio as a function of the engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Jeremy Moore
  • Publication number: 20100140001
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a fuel tank (180) for storing fuel (FL) for an engine (2), a circulation system (a pump (186), a first path (187), a pressure regulator (130), and a second path (184)) for circulating the fuel (FL), and a control device (hybrid control unit (62)). When the hybrid vehicle is in a vehicular state that satisfies a predetermined condition, the control device controls the hybrid vehicle so that it performs EV traveling (electrical vehicle traveling) in which wheels are driven by a rotating electrical machine with the engine (2) stopped. When the stop period of the engine (2) is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, the control device drives the circulation system to circulate the fuel (FL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Oe, Kazunari Izumi
  • Publication number: 20100140002
    Abstract: First and second motors have structures different from each other. A control device estimates a first magnet temperature of the first motor and a second magnet temperature of the second motor and controls a drive unit based on the first and second magnet temperatures. The control device estimates the first magnet temperature using a first parameter (the temperature of cooling oil of the first and second motors) and estimates the second magnet temperature using the temperature of the stator of the second motor. Since an appropriate parameter is selected from among a plurality of parameters concerning the state of the first and second motors, the first and second magnet temperatures can be estimated more accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miura, Akira Takasaki
  • Publication number: 20100140003
    Abstract: An electric motor control device includes an inverter that supplies an output of a primary-side DC power supply to an electric motor to control driving of the electric motor; a converter that includes a voltage increasing power supply device that increases a voltage of the primary-side DC power supply to supply the inverter with the increased voltage as a secondary voltage, and a regenerative power supply device that reversely supplies regenerative power from the inverter to the primary-side DC power supply; a secondary-side target voltage determination unit; a converter control unit; and an electric motor control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Subrata Saha, Takashi Yoshida, Daisuke Ogino, Jin Izawa, Yoshinori Oono
  • Publication number: 20100140004
    Abstract: In an automotive vehicle in which an air duct which forms an air guide passage for guiding air that has flowed into an engine compartment to an induction system of an internal combustion engine is provided integrally on an inner surface of a bonnet, a reduction in size and weight of the air duct and a compact disposition of the air duct within the engine compartment are attempted to be realized. An automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine 20 which is disposed within an engine compartment and an air duct 40 which is provided integrally on an inner surface of a bonnet 10. The air duct 40 forms an air guide passage 60 for guiding air that has flowed into the engine compartment to an induction system 20i of the internal combustion engine 20 between itself and a bonnet portion 30 which constitutes part of the bonnet 10 in cooperation with the bonnet portion 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Miyuki Ohzono, Kenji Koga
  • Publication number: 20100140005
    Abstract: A hood system with a plurality of hood hinges is disclosed. The hood hinges associated with the hood system include a hole configured to receive a removable fastener. By inserting a fastener in the hole when the hood is in a fully open position, a protrusion on the hood hinge can rest against the removable fastener to maintain the hood in the fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Kisiler, Donald W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20100140006
    Abstract: A main body portion has a front, a rear, a top, a bottom and laterally spaced sides and an air intake. A housing in the vehicle contains a turbine/flywheel adapted to be rotated in response to air entering the housing from the air intake. A starter generator in the housing is adapted to be rotated by the rotation of the turbine/flywheel. A main drive generator in the housing is adapted to be rotated by the rotation of the turbine/flywheel. An electric drive motor in the vehicle is powered from the main drive generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Edward Michael Frierman
  • Publication number: 20100140007
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a vehicle body, a track belt, an engine, a left-and-right pair of skis, a suspension mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The track belt is located on a lower portion of the vehicle body. The engine drives the track belt. The suspension mechanism is a mechanism arranged to support the pair of skis so as to move in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body, and to support the pair of skis in an associated manner so that one of the skis moves downwards relative to the vehicle body when the other ski moves upwards relative to the vehicle body. The steering mechanism is a mechanism arranged to steer the pair of skis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro OGURA, Shinobu AMANO, Masanori YOSHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20100140008
    Abstract: A brake pedal device of reducing a collision injury in a vehicle, may include a brake pedal including a hitching slot at an end portion thereof, a brake switch bracket, a first portion of which is pivotally coupled to the brake pedal by a hinge shaft, a pedal mounting bracket mounted to a vehicle body, wherein a second portion of the brake switch bracket is pivotally coupled to the pedal mounting bracket by a stopper shaft, wherein the stopper shaft of the pedal mounting bracket and the hitching slot of the brake pedal are selectively coupled to hinder rotation of the brake pedal toward a driver with respect to the hinge shaft when a collision force equal to or greater than a predetermined load is applied to the vehicle, and coupling members coupling the pedal mounting bracket and the brake switch bracket and being decoupled when the collision force is applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik KIM, Sungil Byun, Jihun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100140009
    Abstract: A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the vehicle. A motor actuator drives each aft wheel, and a controller governs the motor actuator or motor actuators in such a manner as to dynamically stabilize the vehicle, according to a uniform control law, when the forward wheel is in contact with the underlying surface or not. A torque is applied to the aft wheel on the basis of vehicle pitch or the force on the forward wheel normal to the direction of motion. Additionally, a periodic rotational modulation may be applied to the aft wheel, and a stabilizing torque provided based on a detected response, either of vehicle pitch or of normal force on the front wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, Catharine N. Flynn, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20100140010
    Abstract: A vehicle with a sleeping arrangement includes a vehicle compartment, a driver's seat mounted in the compartment, the driver's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion, and a passenger's seat mounted in the compartment, the passenger's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion. At least one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat may be pivotable from a normal use position facing a front of the compartment to a sleeping position oriented approximately 90° relative to the normal use position, and the pivotable seat is adapted to recline such that the bottom cushion portion and the back portion of the pivotable seat defines at least part of a generally horizontal surface together with the bottom cushion portion of the other one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Hollenbeck, Clarence A. Greeney
  • Publication number: 20100140011
    Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system comprises a motor connected to a portion of a steering mechanism through a worm carried by a worm shaft and a wheel carried by an output shaft operatively coupled to the steering mechanism. The shaft is supported in at least one bearing which has some internal clearances and supports the worm shaft in such a manner that it is free to pivot through an angle in planes which include its own axis due to a degree of axial free play of the first bearing assembly. The bearing assembly comprises an inner race having a groove, an outer race having a groove, and a plurality of ball bearings located between the inner and outer races, and in which the outer race groove is not round when in its position of use such that the ball bearings permit a greater freedom of movement of the inner race relative to the outer race in a first radial direction than in a second radial direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wilkes, Michael Appleyard
  • Publication number: 20100140012
    Abstract: A high-performance, full-range speaker includes a front horn having a channel tube located on the inside at the bottom side, a rear cover shell, a holder base defining a sound transmission passage, a speaker unit mounted on the holder base, a control circuit board, an equalizer mounted in the sound transmission passage of the holder base to buffer the gain of the treble of the forward waves produced by the speaker unit and to balance the mid-range, a bass resonator, a rack and first, second, third and fourth resonance chambers in air communication with the channel tube and the bass resonator to eliminate noises and to amplify the bass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Li-Pen WANG
  • Publication number: 20100140013
    Abstract: A multilayer board for reducing solid-borne sound radiation with improved mechanical stability when subjected to a load, comprising a first cover layer, a second cover layer, and at least one core layer, wherein the at least one core layer is arranged between the first and the second cover layer, and wherein the at least one core layer comprises at least one first sloped slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Boock
  • Publication number: 20100140014
    Abstract: A flow passage control valve for a muffler may include an opening formed through a guide pipe, which forms an exhaust gas channel in the muffler, to form another exhaust gas channel, and a valve body adjusts an open amount of the opening by using a difference between an exhaust gas pressure exerted through the opening and a weight of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hakson HAN
  • Publication number: 20100140015
    Abstract: A silencer is described for damping the outflow noise of compressed air from compressed air appliances, in particular compressed air appliances of vehicles, with an inlet port, with at least one outlet port and with a pot-like housing which is arranged between these ports and which has a pot casing and a pot bottom, a sound-absorbing material in the form of a cartridge of a filter knit, serving for noise damping, being arranged in the inner space of the pot-like housing, characterized in that a layer of fibrous material is arranged between the cartridge and the pot casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Stephan Weber, Hans Haecker, Frank Roeckle
  • Publication number: 20100140016
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a lifting arm assembly includes a chassis structure with a cabin and a lifting arm assembly fastened on top of the chassis structure so that it turns around a vertical rotating by a rotating base. For folding, the lifting arm assembly is positioned behind the cabin in two positions. In a rescue vehicle the lifting arm assembly also includes at least an arm that can be outstretched to a standby position on top of the cabin. A third arm is fastened to a second arm to rotate in the vertical direction so that in the transport position of the lifting arm assembly the third arm can be turned under the second arm or next to it, and the rotating base is also positioned under the central part of the second arm when the lifting arm assembly is in the transport position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Esko Raappana
  • Publication number: 20100140017
    Abstract: A ladder support apparatus, the apparatus including a support body, one or more clamp mechanisms operatively mountable to the support body, for mounting the support body to a structure and a retention assembly operatively connected to the support body and, in use, being adapted to limit relative movement between the ladder and ladder support, the or each clamping mechanism including a clamp a?n mounted for movement relative to the support body in a clamping direction and a release direction, an actuator operable to control the operation of the clamp arm, the clamp mechanism being arranged so as to be able to adopt a preset mode in which the clamp arm is substantially freely moveable in both the clamping direction and the release direction, a set mode in which the clamp arm is inhibited from movement in either direction but can be moved incrementally by operation of the actuator and a pre-release mode in which the clamp arm is inhibited from movement in either direction but upon operation of the actuator when
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Cecil Wiseman, Christopher Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20100140018
    Abstract: A scaffold has several spaced apart systems of construction frames present on top of each other, as well as handrail frames that extend between the construction frames. The construction frames have three posts connected together by crossbars, in which the front post is shorter than the other two. The handrail frames are attached to these short posts. Each handrail frame is built up of two post sections with a handrail and a side plank between them. The post sections form half of a lengthwise divided post. The post sections of two adjacent handrail frames thus form one whole post, which can be inserted into the short post of a construction frame. As the post sections are part of the handrail frames, the handrail frames can be easily attached to the short posts already present at the front of the construction frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Dick Buitendijk
  • Publication number: 20100140019
    Abstract: This invention provides a lubricating system for a gear train including: a lubricating oil supply port configured to supply a lubricating oil in a direction vertical to both axes of a pair of gears and toward a mesh point at which the pair of gears are meshed with each other; a shroud configured to cover at least teeth of the pair of gears so as to form a flow passage of the lubricating oil between the pair of gears and the shroud; and a pair of discharge ports respectively configured to discharge the lubricating oil from the flow passage. The pair of discharge ports are respectively positioned at two portions of the shroud respectively opposed to the mesh point across respective axes of the pair of gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Imai, Tatsuhiko Goi, Hidenori Arisawa, Motohiko Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100140020
    Abstract: A lubricant circulation pump (46) which is driven by an electric motor (47) is provided in the course of a circulation path (41A, 41B) for circulating lubricant oil to a wheel mounting case (19) which is rotated together with a rear wheel (7). Turning on and off the lubricant circulation pump is controlled according to rotational speed of the rear wheel. When lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case sticks on inner peripheral surfaces thereof under the influence of centrifugal force as a result of the increased vehicle speed, the electric motor is turned off to suspend operation of the lubricant circulation pump. Consequently, the lubricant circulation pump does not suck lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case through an inlet opening (42A) of an intake pipe (42), thereby preventing the lubricant circulation pump from being put in a dry idling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Murahashi