Patents Issued in June 10, 2014
  • Patent number: 8746385
    Abstract: A hub unit includes an electric machine adapted for driving a wheel. The hub unit includes at least two planetary gears coupled in series between the electric machine and a wheel hub, and a gear shifting device for connecting and disconnecting, respectively, one of the planetary gears from being drivingly connected to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Christian Wargh, Mats Åkerblom
  • Patent number: 8746386
    Abstract: A vehicle component or apparatus usable in a motor vehicle is described herein, along with one or more examples of methods of manufacturing the same. The vehicle component may function to provide the feature of blocking water entering from a grille opening from reaching the engine. In situations where flooding occurs and the water level rises, thus immersing portions of the car such as the wheels, the vehicle component may block some of the water from rising beyond a certain level and thus reduce the likelihood that water may reach and damage the engine. In addition or alternatively, the vehicle component may function to separate air flow entering from the lower grille and upper grille openings, respectively, thereby increasing the efficacy of engine cooling by the air flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Joseph Atkinson, Charles Christopher Garnett, Rob Anthony McConnell
  • Patent number: 8746387
    Abstract: A crop sprayer comprises a cab having i) a left lateral wall structure including a first door, and ii) a right lateral wall structure including a second door. A first platform having a first foot support is positioned adjacent to the first door. A second platform having a second foot support is positioned adjacent to the second door. The second platform defines a routing space located beneath the second foot support. An exhaust assembly includes i) a muffler having a muffler inlet and a muffler outlet, ii) an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the muffler inlet, and iii) an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the muffler outlet. The second platform defines a forward platform portion and a trailing platform portion. The muffler is located within the routing space with the inlet conduit extending into the routing space at the leading platform portion and the outlet conduit extending from the routing space at the trailing platform portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ET Works, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A Ringer, Justin Honegger, Ryan Larsh, Jarrett Waters
  • Patent number: 8746388
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a front axle with a pair of front wheels (111, 112) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track, a drive rear axle with a rear wheel (121), steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel (121) when the front wheels (111, 112) are set to the narrow track and track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels (111, 112) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels (111, 112) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels (111, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Jaxa Networks
    Inventor: Rafal Budweil
  • Patent number: 8746389
    Abstract: A head pipe of a vehicle body frame includes an upper side head pipe with a pair of upper and lower facing piece parts extending from an upper side pipe part so as to fit to upper and lower wall portions of a pair of right and left main frames, a lower side head pipe with a lower side pipe part joined to the upper side pipe part and a front side tongue piece part extending from the lower side pipe part so as to fit to a front wall portion of a down frame, and a reinforcing member joined to a rear portion of the upper side head pipe and having a rear side tongue piece part extending so as to fit to a rear wall portion of the down frame from a vertical wall part positioned between inner side wall portions of the main frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Togo Oe, Kuninari Kurabayashi
  • Patent number: 8746390
    Abstract: A body frame of a straddle-type vehicle is provided with a first cross tube 21 for interconnecting left and right main frames 13 in a right-left direction, and a second cross tube 22 disposed rearwards of the first cross tube 21 and for interconnecting the of left and right main frames 13. A shock absorber mounting portion 23 is mounted so as to interconnect the first cross tube 21 and the second cross tube 22. An extension/contraction axis L1 of a shock absorber 41 and a line L2 passing through an axis of the first cross tube 21 and an axis of the second cross tubes 22 are offset in a side view of a vehicle in a right-left direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Sugiyama, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8746391
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a seat, a driving wheel, a motor, a battery, an accessory, and an accessory box. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe, a main frame connected to the head pipe, and a first seat frame attached to the main frame. The seat is fixed to an upper portion of the first seat frame. The driving wheel is rotatable relative to the vehicle body frame. The motor is connected to the driving wheel to rotate the driving wheel. The battery is configured to supply power to the motor. The accessory is configured to assist at least one of the motor and the battery. The accessory box stores the battery and the accessory. The accessory box is provided above a rear end of the main frame and under the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Atsuchi, Junji Kikuno, Takashi Inoue, Masayuki Kinoshita, Kasetwetin Tawatchai
  • Patent number: 8746392
    Abstract: A hybrid saddle-type vehicle is provided with a power transmission mechanism for transmitting a power of an internal combustion engine to a drive shaft of a rear wheel from one side of a swing arm in a widthwise direction of a vehicle, and an electric motor disposed in the other side in the widthwise direction and for transmit a driving force from the other side in the widthwise direction. A motor housing of the electric motor is supported on an extension portion extending in the other side in the widthwise direction from a portion of the drive shaft to which the rear wheel is mounted, via a pair of bearing sections disposed on both sides of the motor housing in the widthwise direction. The rotor is rotatably supported by the drive shaft between the pair of the bearing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akifumi Nomura, Kenichi Ohmori, Kazuyuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 8746393
    Abstract: An engine unit 5 is arranged in the middle of the vehicle body frame 2 with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle and rearward of the steering shaft 28, and the fuel tank 10 with a built-in fuel pump 11 and the rear gear unit 31 comprising a wet brake 45 are arranged rearward of the cylinder head 20b of the engine unit 5 and such that at least a portion of the fuel tank 10 and of the rear gear unit 31 is located in the middle with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the power steering unit 47 comprising an electric motor 49 is arranged forward of the cylinder head 20b and such that at least a portion of the unit is located in the middle with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Harold Bolich, Christopher Gervais, William McClendon
  • Patent number: 8746394
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission as a speed change unit is inclined such that an upper portion of the transmission is displaced more than a lower portion of the transmission toward one side in a lateral direction of a vehicle body. Thereby, a space on the other side of the upper portion of the transmission in a vehicle body frame is enlarged, and a muffler is arranged in the space. The vehicle body frame may an inverted trapezoid shape, when viewed in a longitudinal direction, with an imaginary line connecting upper ends of left and right vertical frames as an upper base and an imaginary line connecting lower ends of the vertical frames as a lower base. Inside the trapezoid, a longitudinally oriented long muffler is arranged in a vicinity of one of the upper left and right corners of the trapezoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kuramoto, Kensuke Okabe
  • Patent number: 8746395
    Abstract: An operator interface for advanced transmission control of a vehicle is disclosed. The operator interface may include a hand operated joystick mounted on a vehicle and a roller mounted on the joystick, the roller having at least two detents for providing at least four distinct states of speed control, the at least four distinct states including one or more increasing states and one or more decreasing states. In another embodiment, the roller of the operator interface may include at least one detent for providing at least three distinct states of speed control, the at least three distinct states including at least one increasing state, at least one decreasing state, and at least one other speed state provided in one of either an increasing state or a decreasing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ryan Frazier, David Allen Ober, Bryan Everett Copeland, Todd Bartholomew Smith, Shane C. McBride
  • Patent number: 8746396
    Abstract: A wheel hub, for use on off-highway vehicles, includes a first flange defining a wheel axis and a second flange spaced apart from the first flange along the wheel axis. The first flange includes a generally annular attachment face generally orthogonal to the wheel axis, while the second flange includes an axially inward side confronting the attachment face. The wheel hub also includes a plurality of rungs extending from the first flange to the second flange. Torque is transferred between the first flange and the second flange via the plurality of rungs. Additionally, the wheel hub includes a lubricant retention structure associated with at least one of the first flange and the second flange at a radially inward surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos A. Vallejo, Balamurugan Ramasamy
  • Patent number: 8746397
    Abstract: A composite foam cushion for a sound control device. The cushion includes a core formed of a polymeric foam material and a polymeric coating overlying at least a portion of the core of polymeric foam material. The polymeric coating includes an outer coating layer and an inner polymeric coating layer bonded to the core of polymeric foam material. The inner coating layer may provide the cushion with strength, while providing a high degree of flexibility and suppleness to closely conform around contours and obstructions. The outer coating layer may provide the cushion with enhanced abrasion resistance and/or chemical resistance while having an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hearing Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin C. Peskar, William L. Parish
  • Patent number: 8746398
    Abstract: An acoustic material can be electromagnetically tuned to produce alterations in its acoustical properties without physical contact. The acoustic material should contain a periodic structure and a medium that has acousto-elastical properties that can be altered through the application of electromagnetic radiation. Changes in volumetric properties such as density result in changes to the velocity at which sound passes through the material. The acoustic material can be a phononic crystal that undergoes a change in its acoustic bandgap after being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic tuning ability results in the ability to change the acoustic properties of various phononic devices without physical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: University of North Texas
    Inventors: Arup Neogi, Ezekiel Walker
  • Patent number: 8746399
    Abstract: Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shirley Ao, Jin Chang Xu, John Albert Umina
  • Patent number: 8746400
    Abstract: An exhaust device of an engine includes an exhaust pipe connected to the engine, a silencer connected to the exhaust pipe and structured of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder in which plural holes are formed, and a sound absorbing material disposed in a space formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The exhaust device further includes a partition wall partitioning the space and supporting the sound absorbing material so that the sound absorbing material does not move in an axial direction of the silencer, and the partition wall includes a continuous hole allowing exhaust gas to flow through an upstream side to a downstream side of the partition wall in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maejima, Kazutoshi Baba
  • Patent number: 8746401
    Abstract: A muffler for raising the audible pitch of an internal combustion engine's exhaust note that includes an enclosed case having an inlet and an outlet, and a plurality of flow-directing components which are adapted to subdivide an inlet flow into a plurality of discrete interior flows, including a first interior flow providing the shortest flow length through the muffler between the inlet and the outlet, a second interior flow having a flow length at least about twice the length of the first interior flow, and one or more intermediate flows following by-pass passages to split off from the second interior flow between the inlet and the outlet and having flow lengths between the flow lengths of the first and second flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Boyd L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8746402
    Abstract: A fall protection anchor and related systems and methods. The anchor comprises a first elongate leg and a second elongate leg connected to each other at a base plate. The first elongate leg comprises a first base end and a first apex end and further comprises a first capture portion near the first base end and a first intra-connection portion near the first apex end. At least the second elongate leg comprises a second base end and a second apex end and further comprises a second capture portion near the second base end and a second intra-connection portion near the second apex end as well as a holding portion located beyond the capture portion: the holding portion comprises a holding element such as holding hole configured to securely hold a fall restraint device connected to a worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Christopher Nichols, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8746403
    Abstract: A mobile lift unit for accessing bulk carrier top openings for use on a variety of bulk carriers that has a safety cage which is extendable to various heights while protecting operators from potential falls during the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sam Carbis Asset Management, LLC
    Inventors: Sandy W. Tyner, Ronald W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8746404
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines systems and methods involving oil flow management are provided. In this regard, a oil pressure analysis system for a gas turbine engine is operative to: receive information corresponding to measured oil pressure and rotational speed during a start up of the engine; correlate the information into data sets, each of the data sets containing a measured oil pressure and a corresponding rotational speed; and determine whether the oil flow valve is functioning properly based on the information contained in the data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mahdy A. Allam
  • Patent number: 8746405
    Abstract: A system for lubricating a differential mechanism includes a housing containing a ring gear, a pinion meshing with the ring gear, a sump containing fluid, and a reservoir that receives fluid flung from the ring gear as the ring gear rotates through the sump fluid, and an orifice restricting the flow rate of fluid from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Jason C. Marcath, Shaun G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 8746406
    Abstract: A transmission for a wheel loader includes first and second oil accumulating parts, a communication oil path, a horizontal hole and a vertical hole. The first oil accumulating part accumulates scattered lubricating oil. The second oil accumulating part is mounted to an end of an output shaft below the first oil accumulating part, and accumulates the lubricating oil from the first oil accumulating part. The communication oil path allows the first and second oil accumulating parts to communicate with each other. The horizontal hole extending axially is formed in the rotary shaft, and communicates with the second oil accumulating part. The vertical hole communicating with the horizontal hole is formed in the output shaft, and directs the lubricating oil accumulated in the second oil accumulating part to the lubricated part when the output shaft is rotated at a rotational speed lower than a predetermined rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyousuke Moriguchi, Hironori Torisu, Eiji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8746407
    Abstract: The “Gheorghe Vasilescu” lubrication apparatus comprises a shaft having a passageway and a sump for storing a lubricant. The sump has a cylindrical form and includes a ring of lugs arranged on an inner surface of the sump. The apparatus further includes a lubricant pickup tube having a first end connected to the passageway and a second end having an intake orifice. The lubricant pickup tube is substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis. The lubricant pickup tube and the shaft are configured to rotate together as one assembly about the shaft axis so that the lubricant pickup tube is capable to pick up the lubricant from sump due to the centrifitgal force arising during such conjoint relative rotation. The passageway is configured to deliver the lubricant from the sump to an outer surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Rosca
  • Patent number: 8746408
    Abstract: An engine oil change detection control system is provided. The system includes an armature position module that monitors a solenoid armature position based on a position signal. A solenoid control module selectively generates a solenoid control signal and estimates a delay time based on the solenoid control signal and the armature position. An engine oil change detection module detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: William C. Albertson, David R. Staley, Mike M McDonald, Bryan K. Pryor
  • Patent number: 8746409
    Abstract: A linear transmission assembly having a lubricant recovery module is composed of a movable member having a chamber; a first oil wick inserted into the movable member and the chamber and having a first oil-absorbable portion and a first oil-dischargeable portion; an oil tank mounted to the movable member and having an oil room for storage of lubricating oil; a second oil wick mounted to the oil tank and having a second oil-absorbable portion and a second oil-dischargeable portion, the former of which extends into the oil room for contact with the lubricating oil and the latter of which reaches the chamber; and a third oil wick having a third oil-absorbable portion and a third oil-dischargeable portion, the former of which reaches the chamber and the latter of which does not contact the lubricating oil. Thus, the lubricating can be prevented from overspill and staining the linear transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsien Chiang, Fu-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 8746410
    Abstract: An automated gear oil service system for a boat motor outdrive includes a bidirectional pump that is in selective communication with a drain reservoir, a refill reservoir and the motor's gear oil lube chamber. A control panel positioned on the boat dashboard operates the pump and associated solenoid valves allowing a user to transfer gear oil from the refill reservoir into the fluid chamber or to drain fluid from the chamber into the drain reservoir. The control panel includes LEDs in communication with a level sensor that indicates the relative gear oil level within the chamber. Accordingly, when the LEDs indicate a low fluid level, the user can easily replenish the gear oil by actuating a first button to initiate transfer of fluid from the refill reservoir to the lube chamber. To observe the quality of lubricating fluid within the chamber, the user actuates a second button to transfer the fluid from the chamber into the drain reservoir where the user can inspect the fluid for contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond P. Lekowicz
  • Patent number: 8746411
    Abstract: An exemplary method of controlling elevator car position includes determining that an elevator car requires re-leveling and determining whether a vibration damper is activated. A gain for controlling operation of a motor responsible for moving the elevator car for the re-leveling is adjusted if the vibration damper is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Randall Keith Roberts, Leandre Adifon
  • Patent number: 8746412
    Abstract: An exemplary enclosure for housing electronics useful with an elevator system includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall adjacent the first sidewall. A third sidewall is at an oblique angle relative to the first sidewall. The third sidewall provides a support surface for supporting electronics inside the enclosure. The first and second sidewalls are moveable relative to the third sidewall to provide a single opening facing the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pascal Rebillard, Nicolas Fonteneau, Xavier Jean-Jacques Lejon
  • Patent number: 8746413
    Abstract: A control arrangement (100) for an elevator brake, comprises a control circuit (110) adapted to generate, according to a demand for releasing a first braking member of the elevator brake, a first actuating signal and to generate, according to a demand for releasing a second braking member of the elevator brake, a second actuating signal; a first terminal (112) for outputting the first actuating signal to a first electromagnetic actuating means (26) of the elevator brake, a second terminal for outputting the second actuating signal to a second electromagnetic actuating means (30) of the elevator brake; the control arrangement (100) being adapted to allow at least the following modes of operation: A) a normal operation mode in which the first and the second actuating signals are supplied synchronously to the first and second electromagnetic actuation means (26, 30), respectively, and B) a single braking member test operation mode, in which one of the first and second actuating signals is supplied to the respect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Helmut Lothar Schroeder-Brumloop, Pascal Rebillard, Gerard Sirigu, Olivier Stanislas Dukacz, Ralph S. Stripling, Juan Antonio Illan, Jose Sevilleja-Perez, Juan Martin
  • Patent number: 8746414
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing the hoisting ropes of an elevator. By the method of the invention, the hoisting ropes (4) are replaced by first joining the old and new hoisting ropes (4a, 4b) together by their one ends by splicing the ends together around a common core strand (17), whereupon the new set (4b) of hoisting ropes is pulled into place by means of the old set (4a) of hoisting ropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Hynni, Anssi Karppinen, Arto Tuhkio
  • Patent number: 8746415
    Abstract: A control unit for an elevator installation comprises a cover and a base. The control unit further comprises a lock which can lock the cover to the base or release it from the base. The lock comprises a locking bar with a magnet, wherein this locking bar is movable back and forth between a closed position and an open position by movement of a magnetic lock on a surface of the cover. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the closed position by a first magnetic element and the cover is locked. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the open position by a second magnetic element and the cover is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Marco Aluisetti
  • Patent number: 8746416
    Abstract: A linear guide with a guide carriage longitudinally movably arranged on a guide rail, which is preferably U-shaped and a braking device effectively arranged between the guide rail and the guide carriage. An actuator for actuating the braking device is provided and the actuator has an electro-active polymer effectively arranged in the longitudinal axis of the linear guide which engages around the guide rail for actuating the braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Glück, Gabor Kovacs
  • Patent number: 8746417
    Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Reell Precision Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Triebold, John Nutter, George D Larson
  • Patent number: 8746418
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disc brake. The disc brake includes clip parts provided at inner portions of both side ends of a pair of pad plates and engaged with protrusions formed in the carrier and torsion pins fitted into the clip parts such that the clip parts are rotated between the pad plates upon a braking operation of the disc brake. Upon the braking operation, the pad plates push the carrier so that the clip parts are rotated about the torsion pins by the pad plates. Thus, strain energy of the carrier is absorbed through warpage deformation of the torsion pins, so that the carrier has sufficient strength even if an outer beam is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Byung Guk Suh
  • Patent number: 8746419
    Abstract: A method for operating a braking system in a motor vehicle having at least two wheel brakes (54, 56), each of which can be activated by an electromechanical actuator of the self-locking type. Each wheel brake having a locking device for implementing a parking brake functionality, in which the locking device and respective electromechanical actuator is actuated and locked by the locking device when a parking brake function is carried out. A first method step is carried out in which the at least two actuators are actuated in succession and a second method step is carried out in which it is checked whether the at least two actuators have achieved respectively predefined brake application force. In the event of the at least two actuators having achieved the respectively predefined brake application force, the at least two actuators are locked in a third method step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Georg Roll, Jochen Leideck
  • Patent number: 8746420
    Abstract: Cut-in-cut-out valves for hydraulic circuits. The hydraulic circuits include a hydraulic pump outputting a variable pressure controlled by a slaving line, an accumulation circuit, a return line to the reservoir, a cut in-cut-out valve. The hydraulic circuits also include a cut-in-cut-out valve having four orifices, a first orifice connected to the supply line, a second orifice connected to the slaving line, a third orifice connected to the return line leading to the reservoir, and a fourth orifice connected to the accumulation circuit. The cut-in-cut-out valve alternates between two positions as a function of the pressure in the accumulation circuit, a cut-in position in which the first, second and fourth orifices are connected to each other, and a cut-out position in which the first and fourth orifices are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventor: Dominique P Costaz
  • Patent number: 8746421
    Abstract: A blocking device, and a gear-drive unit containing such a blocking device, and a method for producing such a gear-drive unit for blocking a rotary motion of a shaft (14) relative to a housing (16) of the gear-drive unit (10), having a first, rotatable blocking element (32) and a second blocking element (34) which is displaceable relative to the first blocking element (32) by means of at least one electromagnet (44) and at least one restoring element (42), in which the blocking elements (32, 34) in the blocked state mesh in the axial direction with one another by form-locking, and the blocking device (30) is embodied as a separate, independent structural unit (31), which can be mounted as a unit (31) on the one hand onto the housing (16) and on the other onto the shaft (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Recep Tarhan, Christian Meyer, Ulrich Rettmar, Gerd Walter, Stefan Demont
  • Patent number: 8746422
    Abstract: In a combined deceleration and acceleration device for the controlled closing and opening of, for example, furniture parts, a base part consisting of a cylinder and a guide structure is provided wherein a drag element is movably supported by the guide structure, and a piston with a piston rod is connected to the drag element which has a park position remote from the cylinder and is biased by an energy storage structure toward the cylinder for moving the piston into the cylinder in a controlled decelerating manner while carrying along the drag element and a movable part engaged with the drag element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8746423
    Abstract: A shock absorber has an inclined surface that is inclined to a moving direction of the free piston in at least one of a free piston contact surface of a free surface with which an elastic body is in contact and a housing contact surface of a housing with which the elastic body is in contact. A shortest distance between the free piston contact surface and the housing contact surface is changed by movement of the free piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Masaru Kouyama, Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8746424
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine with a turbine shell; and a damper assembly including: an output flange; a first cover plate; a first drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate; a second plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the output flange; a third plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the first drive plate; and a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly, the single torque path formed by the first drive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Craig Kneidel
  • Patent number: 8746425
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes a piston, a drive plate, a plurality of radial outer side torsion springs, a float member, a driven plate, a plurality of radial inner side torsion springs and an intermediate member. The float member is configured to rotate relative to the drive plate, to cause the first and second radial outer side elastic members to act in series. The intermediate member is configured to rotate relative to the drive plate and the driven plate, and to transmit the torque from the first and second radial outer side elastic members to the first and second radial inner side elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8746426
    Abstract: A through-connection clutch, for transferring torque between a motor and transmission of a vehicle, which has a friction clutch and a form-locking clutch. The form-locking clutch is disposed radially within the friction clutch, and the clutches can be actuated independently of each other. To minimize the required installation space, the through-connection clutch can be activated flexibly, but is still inexpensive to produce and ensures low-wear yet safe and comfortable torque transfer in a drive train of a vehicle. A pressure plate of the friction clutch and a form-locking element of the form-locking clutch are concentric, rotationally fixed together, and movable toward one another, and can be actuated via an actuation unit, which is rotationally decoupled from the pressure plate and the form-locking element. Depending on the operating situation, the friction clutch and/or the form-locking clutch is selectively activated one or more times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Mario Steinborn, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8746427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction lamella (1) comprising a disk-shaped carrier element (2) having a first surface (3) and a second surface (4) opposite thereto, a first friction lining (5) being situated on the first surface (3) and a second friction lining (6) being situated on the second surface (4), which are formed from a composite material, comprising a resin and a fibrous material, and grooves (9, 10) being situated in the first and in the second friction linings (5, 6), which divide the friction linings (5, 6) into segments (7, 8) at least in surface-proximal areas. The segments (7) of the first friction lining (5) are implemented offset by a defined offset angle (11) to the segments (8) of the second friction lining (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method and a device for producing the friction lamella and the use of the friction lamella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Foege, Gerhard Hartner
  • Patent number: 8746428
    Abstract: A clutch device including at least one torque transmission device engageable and/or disengageable in an axial direction by a lever element and forming a friction-locking connection when engaged, at least one wear readjustment device that includes at least one rotatable ramp ring at least temporarily clampable by the lever element and at least one spindle drive rotatably supported to act on the ramp ring and including a spindle shaft, where the wear readjustment device includes at least one infinitely variable freewheel unit to rotate the spindle shaft in the case of a sensed wear condition of the torque transmission device, the infinitely variable freewheel unit including at least one wrap spring or at least one freewheel sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Raber
  • Patent number: 8746429
    Abstract: The present device is an improved clutch system that conveys rotational energy from a power source to the gearbox input shaft of a motorcycle. A clutch basket is mechanically coupled to the power source and slidably engaged to pronged clutch drive plates, which are frictionally engaged to splined steel driven plates. A clutch hub engages the splined steel driven plates when pressurized air moves a piston against a pressure plate, causing the clutch hub and splined steel driven plates to engage. The rotating splined steel driven plates will then rotate the clutch hub to convey rotational energy to the gearbox input shaft of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Todd Patterson
  • Patent number: 8746430
    Abstract: A method of feeding a clutch cylinder in a hydraulically actuated clutch system in a motor vehicle and a respective hydraulically actuated clutch system are suggested. The clutch system comprises at least one clutch that can be closed by filling the clutch cylinder; and a hydraulic system that provides a system pressure and has a clutch control valve having an inlet and an outlet. A system pressure is applied at the inlet of the control valve; the clutch pressure for actuating the clutch is provided at the outlet; and the system pressure is decreased pressure prior to and during the filling of the clutch cylinder. The decreased system pressure allows a high volume flow and therefore a fast filling of the clutch cylinder without establishing a premature torque transmitting capacity in the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Krauss, Marco Siebigteroth, Georg Hillebrand, Reinhard Moehlmann, Stefan Kirschstein
  • Patent number: 8746431
    Abstract: A flanged coupling member is provided with a shaft portion to which a drive force is input, and a flange portion formed in one end of the shaft portion. The flanged coupling member is coupled to a front housing member with a bolt in which a shaft portion thereof is coaxially arranged in a front housing member and a flange portion contacts an outer surface in an axial direction of a bottom portion of the front housing member. The flange portion is provided with a tubular engagement portion that extends in an axial direction from an outer peripheral edge thereof. The engagement portion is arranged on an outer circumference of the front housing member on the basis of the fastening, and the engagement portion and the front housing member are engaged via a spline. The flanged coupling member is fastened to the front housing member at the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8746432
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a loading chute having a ceiling or door having at least a portion configured to open and close and a floor underlying and in cooperating alignment with the ceiling. The ceiling and floor are configured to cooperate to encase a product chamber with an axially extending open channel therebetween. At least one of the floor and ceiling reciprocates in a substantially vertical direction between a first loading position corresponding to when the ceiling is open and a second operative position corresponding to when the ceiling is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew D. Lowder, Thomas E. Whittlesey
  • Patent number: 8746433
    Abstract: A document handler is provided which comprises a connector 4 made up of cam guides 5 and followers 6 detachably connected to cam guides 5 to detachably attach a validator 2 to a frame 1 in document handler. Cam guides 5 are formed on a pair of side walls 41 of frame 1, and followers 6 are formed on a pair of side walls 51 of validator 2. Each cam guide 5 comprises a distal path 10 for guiding movement of follower 6 to transport validator 2 in a spaced relation to bracket 7, and an access path 11 for guiding follower 6 passed through distal path 10 to bring validator 2 to the fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Cash Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Seki
  • Patent number: 8746434
    Abstract: A manipulator is provided for the discharge conveyor of an agricultural seed cart. The manipulator allows the conveyor to be pivoted between a storage and transport position along the top of the cart and adjacent one side of the cart, and a use position extending from the rear of the cart. The manipulator also allows the conveyor to be swung approximately 180° to either side of the cart for discharge of seed to desired locations during use of the conveyor. The manipulator includes multiple actuators for the pivoting and sliding movement of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Woodhaven Capitol Corp.
    Inventors: Juan Neufeld, Bernie Thiessen