Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
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Patent number: 8845438Abstract: A yoke is provided in which damage such as bending of a bolt for joining and fastening the base section of the yoke to the end section of a rotating shaft does not easily occur even when that bolt is excessively tightened. In the present invention, a force is applied to both a first flange section and a second flange section in a direction toward each other, and with the inner diameter of the base section elastically reduced, a through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed. After that, the force is released and the inner diameter of the base section expands by its own elastic force. Alternatively, with the inner diameter of the base section reduced, the through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed, after which the first flange section and second flange section are plastically deformed in the direction away from each other to expand the inner diameter of the base section.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Seiichi Moriyama, Tatsunori Mita, Taishi Shigeta
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Patent number: 8845439Abstract: An amusement device includes at least one swinging arm, one end of which is suspended so as to be rotatable about a swinging axis and one free end of which is displaceable along at least a part of a circular path about the swinging axis. A carrier is suspended from the free end of the swinging arm and is rotatable about an axis of rotation transversely to the swinging axis. Furthermore, there is at least one support device for at least one person which is suspended from the carrier at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof. The support device is rotatable with respect to the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Cobra Beheer B.V.Inventors: Albert Louisito Phillipus Kroon, Jan Hendrik Wessel Hartemink
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Patent number: 8845440Abstract: An infant care apparatus includes a base, a reciprocating vertical motion mechanism, a vertical motion driving module, a reciprocating pendulum motion mechanism, and a pendulum motion driving module. The vertical motion driving module is kinematically connected to the reciprocating vertical motion mechanism so as to vertically move the reciprocating vertical motion mechanism in reciprocating vertical motion with respect to the base. The pendulum motion driving module is kinematically connected to the reciprocating pendulum motion mechanism so as to pendulum move the reciprocating pendulum motion mechanism in reciprocating pendulum motion with respect to the reciprocating vertical motion mechanism. An interaction between a reciprocating vertical motion of the reciprocating vertical motion mechanism and a reciprocating pendulum motion of the reciprocating pendulum motion mechanism forms a specific motion path.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company LimitedInventor: Robert E. Haut
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Patent number: 8845441Abstract: An infant support structure includes a support frame having a lower member configured to engage a support surface. First and second spaced arcuate posts extend upwardly from the lower member, each of the posts having a distal end portion. A seat portion is disposed between and coupled to the posts. A first end of a toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of one of the posts, and a second end of the toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of the other of the posts.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Trapp, John DeRubes, Domenic T. Gubitosi, Brian S. Kelly, John Martin Maul, Philip R. Pyrce, Robert W. Salmon
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Patent number: 8845442Abstract: A method of determining spin parameters of a spot ball, such as spin axis and rotation velocity of a golf ball. The spin axis is determined solely from the trajectory of the flying ball, and the rotational velocity is determined from a frequency analysis of a signal provided by a radar, which signal comprises spectrum traces positioned equidistantly in frequency, which frequency distance relates to the spin velocity.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Trackman A/SInventor: Fredrik Tuxen
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Patent number: 8845443Abstract: A golf course sand bunker comprising a soil layer, a base layer of playing sand covering at least 40% of the exposed area of the soil layer, a liquid-applied MDI urethane having a pre-cured viscosity within a selected range, a top layer of playing sand, and wherein the base layer of playing sand is adhered to the soil layer with the MDI urethane composition.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Sean Somers Weaver
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Patent number: 8845444Abstract: A golf swing training device constructed of flexible material that stretches when deployed and that provides feedback to a user during golf swing execution regarding vertical head movement and shoulder movement. The device includes a collar portion, a first tension strap, and a second tension strap. The first tension strap includes a first extension portion being adapted to be disposed along a front of the user from the collar portion down toward a waist of the user and a second extension portion that is adapted to extend from the waist at the user's front to the ground at a predetermined angle. A second tension strap includes a second attachment means at one end and a third attachment means at a second end. The second attachment means is adapted for attachment to the first tension strap at the user's waist area.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Ben Hoang
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Patent number: 8845445Abstract: A cocking loosening feedback method includes sensing sequential three-dimensional direction information of a golf club and three-dimensional direction information of the arm a user, analyzing the change of an angle between both three-dimensional information with respect to time, generating a cocking loosening evaluation variable based on the difference between the cocking loosening point and the impact point and the difference between the backswing top point and the impact point in the analyzed three-dimensional information, analyzing the evaluation variable based on a predetermined criterion to evaluate the cocking loosening, and providing its feedback information to the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jin Wook Kim, An Jin Park, Hyeong Rae Choi, Sung Kuk Chun, Dong Hoon Kang
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Patent number: 8845446Abstract: A swing aid for controlling the movement of a sports stick during a swing is disclosed. The swing aid includes a trailing member, a leading member, and a joining member connecting the trailing member to the leading member. The leading member and the trailing member each have an axis that intersect one another at an axis intersection point located within the joining section, the axes thereby defining an obtuse angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Matthew R. Talbot
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Patent number: 8845447Abstract: The golf putter attachment is an apparatus that is able to grasp golf balls from hard-to-reach places and is able to prop up the grip of a golf putter. The apparatus includes a grip insert, two separate bodies, a locking mechanism, a hinge, a thumbnail opener, a suction cup, and a ball marker. The grip insert attaches the apparatus to a golf putter. The suction cup is used to grasp a golf ball by using the full length of a golf putter. The locking mechanism allows the two bodies to attach and detach from each other, which allows the two bodies to reconfigure themselves and prop up the golf putter. The thumbnail opener can separate the two bodies, and the hinge keeps the two bodies adjoined while the two bodies are separated. The ball marker is detachable component used to mark the location of a golf ball during a game.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventors: William Gardiner, Timothy Carr
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Patent number: 8845448Abstract: A grip and method of making such a grip configured for the handle of a golf club having a panel that is wrapped about an underlisting sleeve. The underlisting sleeve includes first and second centering indicators and the panel includes generally corresponding centering indicators. When wrapped about the sleeve, the sleeve centering indicators and the panel centering indicators are generally aligned.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Ben Huang
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Patent number: 8845449Abstract: The disclosure herein includes a grip for a golf club with a flexible tube and a layered sheet. The tube includes a tubular body and raised portions extending from the tubular body. The outer surface of the raised portions cooperates with the layered sheet to form a gripping surface. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness while providing increased variation in the physical characteristics of the gripping surface. The disclosure further provides a golf club grip that includes a resilient strip spirally wrapped about an underlisting sleeve having a cap and a nipple. The underside of the cap is formed a downwardly facing circumferential slot that receives the upper edge of the strip. The nipple is formed with an upwardly facing groove that receives the lower portion of the strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Ben Huang
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Patent number: 8845450Abstract: A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, a sleeve including a top portion, a middle portion connected to the top portion is described. The middle portion includes a thin wall thickness. A bottom portion is connected to the middle portion including a plurality of engaging surfaces. A central longitudinal axis and an offset angle offset from the central longitudinal axis is described. The offset angle allows a maximum loft change of about 0.5 degrees to about 4.0 degrees. The total weight of the sleeve is less than about 9 g.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Nathan T Sargent, Kraig Alan Willett, Joseph Henry Hoffman
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Patent number: 8845451Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Ryan Margoles, Gregory D. Johnson, Nicholas F Abbruzzese
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Patent number: 8845452Abstract: A golf club shaft has the bending rigidity distribution and the torsional rigidity distribution satisfying the following three relational formulas: 1) S2/S1?2.5, wherein an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 400 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S1 and an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 800 mm to 950 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S2; 2) 1.0<EI/GI(mid)<1.5, wherein an average of the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity in an interval from 300 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(mid); and 3) EI/GI(900)?1.75, wherein the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity at a position 900 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(900).Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., LtdInventor: Fumiaki Sato
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Patent number: 8845453Abstract: Designs and methods of improving aerodynamic performance of golf club heads are disclosed herein. In particular, the designs and methods of the present invention address airflow behavior modification at or immediately adjacent to the counter or edge of the striking face to reduce club head drag while minimizing any adverse effect on the impact performance of the face. The present invention also provides a face with visually distinct and apparent treatments and improved visibility at address. The approaches to contouring a golf club face disclosed herein are new because they are confined to a relatively narrow band along the inside of the face boundary curve. The dimensions of the modification zone are kept small and subtle contour changes are made to influence airflow in a highly critical region with minimal effect on the impact performance of the striking surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Steven M. Ehlers
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Patent number: 8845454Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft proximate a heel thereof. The face has a thickened portion including an annular tapered area that tapers in thickness between an upper boundary and a lower boundary and encloses an elevated area bounded by the upper boundary. The upper and/or lower boundary defines a shape having two lobes, each with an outer edge with a convex profile, and a connecting portion extending between the lobes, such that the connecting portion is defined by two outer edges extending between the outer edges of the lobes, wherein at least one of the outer edges of the connecting portion has a concave outer profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Jeremy Snyder, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, James S. Thomas, Raymond J. Sander, Rick S. Wahlin, Akira Shimozuma
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Patent number: 8845455Abstract: This invention provides a golf club head including a plurality of scorelines formed in its face surface and extending in the toe-to-heel direction. This golf club head includes a recessed portion for the cutting start of each scoreline, which is formed at one end or each of both ends of the scoreline in the longitudinal direction at a depth equal to or larger than that of the scoreline.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., LtdInventors: Wataru Ban, Kozue Wada
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Patent number: 8845456Abstract: A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 8845457Abstract: Golf balls having a core comprising a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and geometric center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of at least 10 Shore C. In a second version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. The inner core has a positive hardness gradient, while the outer core has a zero; negative; or positive hardness gradient.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Robert Blink, Douglas S. Goguen, Mark L. Binette
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Patent number: 8845458Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball which has a core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer. At least one layer of the core is formed primarily of polybutadiene and includes at least 0.05 part by weight of a polyurethane resin powder having an average particle size of not more than 2 mm per 100 parts by weight of rubber component. At least one layer of the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
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Patent number: 8845459Abstract: A method for tracking a golfer's round of golf, wherein the method comprises determining a first location of a GPS device, receiving a signal from a first golf club, recording the first location, determining a second location of the GPS, receiving a signal from a second golf club, determining the distance from the first location and the second location and recording the distance as a distance for a first shot of the golfer.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Joseph Balardeta, Scott Denton
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Patent number: 8845460Abstract: The present invention is a system useful in returning a basketball to an individual by recognizing the individual's location relative to the basketball hoop. The system may further adjust its position to deliver the basketball to a person's location or the location to which the individual is moving by further recognizing the trajectory and pace of the individual, such as with the use of GPS devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Jacob Feldstein
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Patent number: 8845461Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless shot tracking system including a programmable electronic unit that is in electrical communication with a shot detector for automatically tracking and displaying real-time shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball shooting sessions, and a telescoping pole for mounting the shot detector to a basketball rim from the ground. The programmable electronic unit provides a program mode, a play mode, a review mode and a random mode to help improve the shooting skills of a basketball player from different shooting locations on a basketball court. The shot detector includes one or more vibration sensors to detect missed shots, and an activator that extends along a horizontal axis in a central region of the basketball hoop to detect made shots. The programmable electronic unit interfaces with a computer via a USB port for uploading or downloading program updates or shooting session data.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Jason Duke
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Patent number: 8845462Abstract: A ball bat includes a barrel section extending along an axis, a throat section extending taperingly from the barrel section along the axis, an upper handle section extending along the axis and connected to the throat section, and a lower handle section abutting against an end of the upper handle section. The ball bat further includes a connecting unit including a connecting rod that extends from the upper handle section and a retaining space that is formed in the lower handle section for being engaged fittingly and separably with the connecting rod, and a securing unit having a securing member for securing separably the lower handle section to the connecting rod of the connecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Min-Ju Chung
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Patent number: 8845463Abstract: A basketball backboard assembly and a method of making the backboard assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a backboard frame structure and an acrylic backboard which are bonded together with a suitable elastomeric adhesive, providing adequate adhesion and flexibility. The elastomeric adhesive has a bond gap in the range from 2 to 2.5 mm. The adhesive is catalyzed to provide control of the set time in the range from about 5 minutes to 1 hour. A plurality of bond gap spacers are located between the frame bonding surface and the backboard bonding surface to provide the bond gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Lifetime Products, IncInventor: Larry Stevens
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Patent number: 8845464Abstract: Each bolt of a set has three vanes and a nock with three diametrical transverse grooves; each groove is perpendicular to a corresponding vane. Each bolt is shot at least three times with a crossbow, at least once with each one of the vanes extending downward into the rail slot of a crossbow. After noting the positions on a target for each shot of each bolt, one vane of each bolt is marked so that shooting the set of bolts with the corresponding marked vanes extending downward into the rail slot results in the smallest grouping pattern for the set of bolts.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: BowTech, Inc.Inventor: Tony E. Hyde
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Patent number: 8845465Abstract: A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Joseph J. Bevier
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Patent number: 8845466Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Joseph J. Bevier
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Patent number: 8845467Abstract: A multiple sprocket assembly includes a number of sprockets attached to a hub of a bicycle frame, and a rear chain transfer device having a sliding member slidably attached to a guiding device, and a carrier attached to the sliding member and movable relative to the sprockets for engaging with a chain and for carrying and moving the chain onto the teeth of the sprockets, the rear chain transfer device includes a support attached to the bicycle frame, and the guiding device is secured to the support, the guiding device includes one or more tracks or channels for slidably engaging with and for guiding the sliding member to move relative to the guiding device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Chang Hui Lin
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Patent number: 8845468Abstract: A friction drive belt (B) includes a pulley contacting portion (13) which is made of a rubber composition of an ethylene-?-olefin elastomer as raw rubber in which carbon black having an iodine adsorption number of 40 mg/g or lower, and 3-10 parts by mass of short aramid fiber (14) relative to 100 parts by mass of the raw rubber are blended.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Hisashi Matsuda
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Patent number: 8845469Abstract: A power transmitting system for hybrid vehicle with first and second planetary gear mechanisms of different ratios used for power derivation: a first planetary gear mechanism (4) dedicated to low vehicle speeds and the second planetary gear mechanism dedicated (5) to the high vehicle speeds. The planetary gear mechanisms are driven in parallel by a thermal engine (1) and by an electric motor (2). The planetary gear mechanisms drive, in parallel, a differential gear (6) connected to wheels (9). Pilot shafts of the planetary gear mechanisms (4) and (5) alternatively connect and disconnect to an electric generator (3) which regulates the driving force of the vehicle by controlling resistive torque through a clutch (7). Advantages of the system include improved efficiency, reduced cost, regenerative braking and power input from an electrical grid.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Denis Ernest Celestin Buffet
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Patent number: 8845471Abstract: A wind turbine drivetrain is disclosed. The wind turbine drivetrain includes a planetary gearbox. The planetary gearbox includes a carrier rotatably driven at a first input rotational speed, and a planet gear rotatably mounted to the carrier. The planetary gearbox further includes a sun gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear, and a ring gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear. One of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear is selectively rotatably driven at a second input rotational speed. The wind turbine drivetrain further includes an output gear rotatably driven by the planetary gearbox at an output rotational speed, and a motor selectively operable to rotatably drive the one of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Stephen Peter Luchetta
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Patent number: 8845472Abstract: A drive transmission unit includes a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism includes an outer gear rotatably disposed on a shaft, a sun gear rotated by a power source, coaxially disposed on the same shaft as the outer gear, multiple planetary gears to engage the sun gear and the outer gear, disposed along an inner circumferential surface of the outer gear, a carrier rotatable on the same shaft as the outer gear to rotatably support the planetary gears, a contact member that contacts the sun gear as the sun gear moves in a direction of thrust due to engagement with the plurality of planetary gears, and a grease retaining portion to retain grease near a contact portion at which the sun gear contacts the contact member as the sun gear moves in the direction of thrust. The outer gear, the sun gear, and the planetary gears are helical gears.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiromichi Matsuda, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Tetsuo Watanabe, Yasuhiro Maehata, Keisuke Shimizu
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Patent number: 8845473Abstract: An equalizing unit of a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a clutch device to be oiled in driving mode. In order to stop drag torques which act on the clutch device from the outside, and result in increased dissipation when said clutch device is not required due to an operating state, measures are provided which promote the dry running of the clutch device. The measures include the spatial-functional separation of the oil delivery device from the clutch device and the provision of a braking or decoupling device by which the oil delivery device can be deactivated if there is no oil requirement.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GKN Driveline Koping ABInventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Christoph Göttert, Michael Müllers, Jan Haupt
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Patent number: 8845474Abstract: In a four-wheel drive vehicle, a first transaxle is disposed on one of front and rear sides of a power unit so as to be drivingly connected to one of front and rear ends of a transmission output shaft of the power unit. A second transaxle is disposed on the other of the front and rear sides of the power unit. A clutch-brake unit includes a clutch and a parking brake. An input shaft of the second transaxle is divided in the clutch-brake unit into upstream and downstream divisional shafts. The upstream divisional shaft is drivingly connected to the other of the front and rear ends of the transmission output shaft. The downstream divisional shaft is drivingly connected to right and left second drive wheels carried by the second transaxle. The clutch is interposed between the upstream and downstream divisional shafts. The parking brake is disposed on the upstream divisional shaft. When the parking brake is shifted to a braking state, the clutch having been disengaged is automatically engaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Kochidomari, Eiji Kashu, Tomoyuki Ebihara
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Patent number: 8845475Abstract: The disclosure relates to a connecting assembly, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The connecting assembly comprises a housing and a driving gear. The housing comprises a first housing part with a first flange portion and a second housing part with a second flange portion. The driving gear comprises a receiving portion for receiving the housing and a supporting face which laterally delimits the receiving portion, wherein the first flange portion of the first housing part is axially arranged between the supporting face of the driving gear and the second flange portion of the second housing part, and wherein the second flange portion is welded to the driving gear. A method of producing a connecting assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbHInventors: Nikolaus Mayr, Ernst Mairhofer, Oliver Roth, Kurt Müller, Jürgen Wörner
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Patent number: 8845476Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish a plurality forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventor: Dan Coffey
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Patent number: 8845477Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a plurality of different reverse speeds between the input and the output.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
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Patent number: 8845478Abstract: To disable engine braking so as to act at a given shift stage in a D range selected manually, and to enable engine braking so as to act at the given shift stage in an L range, an automatic transmission includes first and second meshing mechanisms. The transmission further includes a one-way clutch, a first linkage for meshing the first meshing mechanism in synchronism with N-to-D movement, and a second linkage for meshing the second meshing mechanism in synchronism with D-to-L movement. A rotating part permits a driving force to be transmitted from an input member via the one-way clutch with the first meshing mechanism meshed in the D range and permits a driving force to be transmitted from the input member, without transmitting via the one-way clutch, with the first and second meshing mechanisms each meshed in the L range.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Jatco LtdInventor: Kazuo Oguri
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Patent number: 8845479Abstract: An input shaft damper (ISD) of a transmission, may include an inertia body assembly relatively rotatably mounted on an input shaft of the transmission, and a planetary gear set mounted on the input shaft so as to receive and increase a rotational force of the input shaft and output an increased rotational force to the inertial body assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jae Woong Hwang, Yong Wook Jin, Wan Soo Oh
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Patent number: 8845480Abstract: A compound planetary gear mechanism includes at least two planetary gear mechanisms and a carrier. The at least two planetary gear mechanisms include a first planetary gear mechanism and a second planetary gear mechanism. The first planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of first planetary gears. The second planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of second planetary gears. The carrier is coupled to the plurality of first planetary gears and the plurality of second planetary gears. The carrier includes a first support shaft and a second support shaft. The first support shaft rotatably supports a first planetary gear among the plurality of first planetary gears. The second support shaft rotatably supports a second planetary gear among the plurality of second planetary gears and is independent of the first support shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventors: Wennong Zhang, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yasuo Kishi
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Patent number: 8845481Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain system including a torque machine coupled to an internal combustion engine that is coupled to a transmission includes, upon commanding a shift in a transmission operating range, activating an immediate response mode to effect the shift. Activating the immediate response mode includes controlling the engine to achieve a predicted engine torque command, and controlling motor torque of the torque machine in response to a difference between an actual engine torque and an immediate crankshaft torque for shift command. An arbitrated predicted motor torque is determined. A possible crankshaft torque is determined in response to the arbitrated predicted motor torque and the predicted engine torque command. Operation of the transmission at the end of the shift event is commanded in response to the possible crankshaft torque. A predicted response mode is activated to complete the shift in the transmission operating range.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Adam J. Heisel
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Patent number: 8845482Abstract: A hybrid power driving system is provided, comprising an engine; a first motor; a first reducing mechanism, a second clutch, a first wheels group, a second motor, a second wheels group, a second reducing mechanism, an energy storage device, a clutch, an engine controller, and a motor controller. The motor controller may be configured to: start or stop at least one of the first motor or the second motor; and control the clutch controller and the engine controller according to a running mode of the hybrid power driving system. A driving method for the driving system as described hereinabove is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Shenzhen BYD Auto R&D Company Limited, BYD Company LimitedInventors: Xinxin Zhang, Yinmei Zhou, Song Li, Fei Luo
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Patent number: 8845483Abstract: A system includes a hybrid power train including an engine, a first electrical torque provider, and a second electrical torque provider. The system further includes a load mechanically coupled to the hybrid power train. The hybrid power train further includes a clutch coupled to the engine and the second electrical torque provider on a first side, and coupled to the first electrical torque provider and the load on a second side. The system further includes an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the electrical torque providers. The system further includes a controller that performs operations to smooth torque commands for the engine and the second electrical torque provider in response to determining that a clutch engage-disengage event occurring or imminent.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Martin T. Books, Patrick O. Djan-Sampson, Praveen Muralidhar
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Patent number: 8845484Abstract: Mutual interference between a hydraulic pressure of a first engagement device and a hydraulic pressure of a second engagement device is suppressed even in the case where operation of the first engagement device and operation of the second engagement device coincide with each other. A vehicle drive device includes a first engagement device that selectively couples a rotary electric machine to an internal combustion engine, and a fluid coupling. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber that is formed to apply a back pressure to a first piston. The fluid coupling includes a second oil chamber configured to control an engagement state of a second engagement device. The vehicle drive device includes a first control valve that controls a first oil chamber hydraulic pressure, and a second control valve that controls a second oil chamber hydraulic pressure independently of the first oil chamber hydraulic pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Kamiya, Terufumi Miyazaki, Mikio Iwase, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Yuhei Yoshioka, Keisuke Kawamoto
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Patent number: 8845485Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for auxiliary power units (APU). In one embodiment, the APU includes a source of rotational power such as a combustion engine operably coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be coupled to a load. In some embodiments, the load is provided by a generator. In one embodiment, the APU has a control system configured to control the operation of the engine and the operation of the CVT. The control system can facilitate substantially constant speed operation of the generator in the presence of variable operation of the engine. In another embodiment, the APU includes a continuously variable accessory drive (CVAD) operably coupled to an engine. The CVAD can include a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to a generator. In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLCInventors: Robert Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Charles B. Lohr, Javier Solis, Terry Nielsen, Scott T. McBroom, Nicole Munguia
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Patent number: 8845486Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes an engine having a throttle and a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a tool coupled to the driven shaft. The engine further includes a transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween. The transmission automatically changes the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventor: Jason J. Raasch
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Patent number: 8845487Abstract: A tensioning device is provided for a ribbed V-belt of a motor vehicle with at least one tensioning pulley that is directly and functionally connected to the ribbed V-belt and with a controller designed for varying the position and/or configuration of the tensioning pulley in dependence on the instantaneous operating state of at least one belt pulley on a driven side and/or a driving side that is connected to the ribbed V-belt in order to operationally adapt the tension of the ribbed V-belt.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Torsten Mueller
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Patent number: 8845488Abstract: If it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in an electrical hydraulic pump and the hydraulic fluid is not supplied to a high hydraulic pressure supplied portion from the electrical hydraulic pump, the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the high hydraulic pressure supplied portion from a mechanical hydraulic pump that usually supplies the hydraulic fluid to a low hydraulic pressure supplied portion. In this case, the hydraulic pressure that is generated by the mechanical hydraulic pump is increased by increasing the output from the engine that drives the mechanical hydraulic pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takaho Kawakami, Shinya Fujimura, Takahiro Yokokawa, Yuji Hattori