Patents Issued in January 12, 2016
  • Patent number: 9234552
    Abstract: A magnetic system for controlling the operating mode of an overrunning coupling assembly is provided. The system includes a ferromagnetic or magnetic element received within a pocket in an uncoupling position and is movable outwardly from the pocket to a coupling position. The element controls the operating mode of the coupling assembly. An armature is connected to the element to move the element between the coupling and uncoupling positions. A magnetic field sensor is disposed adjacent and stationary with respect to the element for sensing magnetic flux to produce an output signal which is based on the position of the element. A variable magnetic field is generated in response to movement of the element between the coupling and uncoupling positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 9234553
    Abstract: A bicycle disc brake rotor basically has an outer portion and a cooling fin. The outer portion has first and second base surfaces facing in opposite axial directions. The cooling fin is disposed radially offset from at least one of the first and second braking surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Makoto Souwa
  • Patent number: 9234554
    Abstract: Various arrangements are disclosed based on springs formed from a plurality of individual resilient arms, including a spring having a substantially planar form in an unloaded state and rotational symmetry of at east order two about a symmetry axis perpendicular to the plane of the spring, the spring comprising: an inner hub and an outer hub, the inner hub being radially inward with respect to the outer hub; a plurality of resilient connecting arms each connected at an inner end to the inner hub and at an outer end to the outer hub, the plurality of resilient connecting arms being configured to provide a restoring force parallel to the symmetry axis when the inner and outer hubs are displaced relative to each other along the symmetry axis; wherein the inner hub, the outer hub and each of the plurality of resilient connecting arms are formed as physically separate elements and are connected to each other during assembly to form the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Michael William Dadd, Paul Brian Bailey
  • Patent number: 9234555
    Abstract: A spring seat member includes a seat body having a seat portion and a shaft portion extending from the seat portion, and attachment members attached to the seat body. The spring seat member is attached to a coil spring in a state where the attachment members are attached to the seat body. The shaft portion has a groove on the outer periphery thereof that extends in the circumferential direction. The attachment members are provided with engaging portions that engage with the groove of the shaft portion. The engaging portions are selectively and elastically deformable inward or outward in the radial direction of the shaft portion. The groove has an inner wall facing the seat portion. The inner wall has an inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined radially outward of the shaft portion as the distance from the seat portion in an extending direction of the shaft portion increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9234556
    Abstract: An elastomer damper including an elastomeric member laminated between two rigid plates. The elastomeric member having a first elastomer mating surface, a second elastomer mating surface, and a peripheral edge extending between each of the elastomer mating surfaces. Each elastomer mating surface is coupled to a respective rigid plate. At least a section of the peripheral surface is formed comprising a concave arch formed comprising one of a quarter ellipse or a dual quarter ellipse. The concave arch extends substantially between the elastomer mating surfaces. The concave arch shape reduces tearing of the elastomer damper. The dual quarter ellipse is formed by combining a first elongated first quarter ellipse and a second elongated first quarter ellipse in a continuous concave arched shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Alan Carl Barendregt
  • Patent number: 9234557
    Abstract: Flexible spring members can be dimensioned for securement to an associated gas spring end member. The flexible spring member can be at least partially formed from elastomeric material. The flexible spring member can also include a marking disposed along a surface thereof that includes one or more indicia. The marking can be at least partially formed by an indicia layer and an outer layer. The indicia layer can include one or more quantities of material that at least partially form the one or more indicia. The outer layer can be formed from a quantity of material that is disposed overtop of the indicia layer such that the one or more indicia of the indicia layer are substantially encapsulated. Gas spring assemblies, suspension systems, methods of manufacture and manufacturing systems are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Graham R. Brookes
  • Patent number: 9234558
    Abstract: A flow of hydraulic oil induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve, which is a pressure control valve, to generate a damping force. The pilot valve is adjusted in its valve-opening pressure with the thrust of a solenoid and adjusts the pressure in a back pressure chamber to control the valve-opening pressure of the main valve. A baffle plate is provided in a reservoir to isolate the surface of hydraulic oil in the reservoir from an inlet port through which the hydraulic oil flows into the reservoir from a damping force generating mechanism, thereby suppressing the occurrence of aeration and cavitation. The baffle plate is secured by inserting a connecting port through a positioning opening and holding a separator tube with a pair of arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Yamasaki, Shinichi Kagawa, Tetsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9234559
    Abstract: A joined body includes a first member having a female portion, and a second member having a male portion inserted in the female portion at one end, and an annular groove along an outer circumference of the male portion. The first member and the second member are fitted to each other. A plurality of joint portions is formed on a side wall of the female portion. The joint portions are joined to the male portion by being pushed in the annular groove. A pressing portion is formed at the female portion so as to face a position of the male portion axially different from the annular groove of the male portion. The pressing portion pressed against the male portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Maegawa, Fumiyuki Yamaoka, Makoto Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9234560
    Abstract: A damping valve includes an annular valve seat, a valve body, an actuator for driving the valve body and a valve case including a valve hole into which the valve body is slidably inserted. The valve body includes a valve main body and a shaft for transmitting a thrust force of the actuator to the valve main body. The valve main body includes a flange partitioning the interior of the valve hole into a valve seat side chamber and an opposite valve seat side chamber, a shaft portion extending from the flange and a valve head to be seated on and lifted from the valve seat. The valve seat side chamber and the opposite valve seat side chamber communicate via a communication passage and the valve seat side chamber and the flow path communicate via a throttle passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahisa Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9234561
    Abstract: A vibration isolation device designed to be positioned between a structure (10) and an equipment anchor plate (11), includes a lattice made of bars, with each bar including at least one axial actuator (25), the lattice being an active hexapod including six identical isolation bars (12) positioned according to a regular geometry, the six bars (12) being arranged such that the control of the tension-compression forces in each of the six bars (12) makes possible the force and torque control of six separate degrees of freedom at the interface between the structure and the equipment, so as to produce effective isolation along all the system's degrees of freedom. At least one end-fitting of each bar consists of an element (16) made of elastomeric material (called “elastomeric element”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Laurens
  • Patent number: 9234562
    Abstract: A damper device is provided between an engine and a transmission and has a torque distribution mechanism that is provided with a first input element connected to the engine, a second input element connected to the engine via a first elastic member, a first output element connected to transmission, and a second output element connected to the transmission via a second elastic member. The damper device further has a first clutch that is provided between the first output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the first output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the first output element from the transmission, and a second clutch that is provided between the second output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the second output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the second output element from the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Ukon, Mamoru Murakami, Yuuki Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9234563
    Abstract: A belt (1) comprises a tension layer (4), a first end portion (2) at a first longitudinal end, a second end portion (3) at a second longitudinal end, and an end connection for connecting the two end portions (2, 3). Here, the end connection comprises a first connection element (21), which is fastened to the first end portion (2), and a second connection element (31), which is fastened to the second end portion (3), wherein the first connection element (21) and the second connection element (31) are releasably interconnectable and are formed from an elongation-resistant material. The first connection element (21) and the second connection element (31) are each formed in one piece and, together with the tension layer (4), form a single neutral bending plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HABASIT AG
    Inventors: Thomas Richter, Heiko Lang
  • Patent number: 9234564
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure assembly (1, 1?) for closing a connecting link (100) of a tire chain, comprising at least one closure element (10, 10?) that has at least one leg reception member (14, 14?) configured to receive therein, at least sectionwise, a leg (101) of the connecting link (100). In addition, the present invention relates to a connecting link (100) for connecting at least two links of a tire chain, comprising two legs (101) that are interconnected via a yoke (108) as well as to a tire chain, in particular a tire protection chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ERLAU AG
    Inventors: Rüdiger Wendt, Mathis Weerts, Francesco Di Giusto
  • Patent number: 9234565
    Abstract: A two-speed transmission is provided. The transmission comprises a planetary gear train (8) having a sun gear, a fixed annular gear (8b), at least one planet gear (8c) and a planet carrier (8d). A dual clutch (10) is disposed between the planetary gear train and a prime mover which outputs rotational movement. The dual clutch is configured to be driven into a first clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the sun gear with the prime mover, and a second clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the planet carrier with the prime mover. And an actuator is configured to selectively drive the dual clutch into one of its first and second clutching modes. An electric vehicle comprises the two-speed transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: MingLiang Zhang, Futang Zhu, Jie Shu, Chengliang Yin
  • Patent number: 9234566
    Abstract: In a transmission, an input shaft connected to a startup clutch includes a first input shaft and a second input shaft. Drive gears are fixed to a first main shaft and a second main shaft, and driven gears are provided on an output shaft to be free to rotate relative thereto. The driven gears are connected to and disconnected from the output shaft by a gear switching mechanism. A shaft switching mechanism that switches a power transmission path between the first main shaft and the second main shaft is provided on the first main shaft, the second main shaft, and the second input shaft. A damping mechanism is provided between the first input shaft and the second input shaft in order to cut spike torque generated when the power transmission path is switched, to a set torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ukon
  • Patent number: 9234567
    Abstract: A change-gear transmission having an input shaft, a main shaft having at least one main shaft gear, a plurality of countershafts spanning between the input shaft and main shaft gear, and gear synchronizers between selectable gears. The bore of main shaft gears have a minimal radial clearance fit with its mating parts to prevent gear synchronizer wear, while the meshing between the input shaft gears and countershaft gears is equally distributed using a means to equalize the torque transfer between countershafts. The countershafts are rotatably supported and displace axially between bearing or bushing supports, while the meshed gears comprise a helical gear tooth arrangement to create axial load on the countershaft if excessive and uneven load is sensed in one countershaft over another. This presents a new and unique countershaft meshing design that allows multiple countershafts to achieve equal load sharing while permitting gear synchronizers use on the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Peiling Dou, Junyi Jesse Li
  • Patent number: 9234568
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission includes a housing; an input member and an output member; four planetary gear trains including a first planetary gear train, a second planetary gear train, a third planetary gear train and a fourth planetary gear train, wherein each of the planetary gear trains includes a ring gear, a planetary carrier and a sun gear; and six control elements. Each of the six control elements is operatively connected to at least one of the planetary gear trains and selectively engageable to produce a set of different speeds between the input member and the output member. The set of different speeds includes eight forward speeds and two reverse speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Meyer, James S. Rice
  • Patent number: 9234569
    Abstract: Multi-stage transmission comprising four planetary gear sets, eight rotatable shafts and six shift elements. Sun of first set is connected to eighth shaft connected to sun of second set and is connectable, via third clutch, to drive shaft. Drive shaft is connectable, via first clutch, to fourth shaft connected to carrier of first set and is culpable, via second brake, to housings. Drive shaft is connectable, via second clutch, to seventh shaft connected to carrier of fourth set and ring of third set. Sixth shaft is connected to ring of first set, carrier of second set and ring of fourth planetary gear set. Third shaft is connected to sun of third set and sun of fourth set and is couplable, via first brake, to housing. Fifth shaft is connected to ring of second set and is couplable, via third brake, to housing. Output shaft is connected to carrier of third set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9234570
    Abstract: This invention refers to a speed reducer made up of a chain carrying nuts and of a screw, i.e., a ball screw in the first embodiment, a roller screw in the second embodiment. The ball screw or the roller screw drives the nuts on one of the straight stretches of the chain. The ball screw, or the roller screw, can be almost as long as the distance between the centers of the output sprockets on which the chain is mounted. Given these features and because the nuts wrap the ball screw, or the roller screw in a great surface, the load capacity is high. Given that in both embodiments there is rolling contact, friction is low and, as a consequence, efficiency is high, and this allows the present invention to serve also as an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
    Inventors: Enrique Jaime Chicurel Y Uziel, Filiberto Gutierrez Martinez
  • Patent number: 9234571
    Abstract: A selector device disposed between a transmission and a differential gear includes a first output shaft connected to the transmission, a second output shaft connected to the differential gear, a third output shaft relatively rotatably fitted on an outer periphery of the second output shaft, a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear connected to the third output shaft and a ring gear connected to the differential gear, a first meshing switching mechanism that is capable of switching between a state in which the first and third output shafts are joined and the second output shaft is detached and a state in which the first to third output shafts are joined, and a second meshing switching mechanism that is capable of joining a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism to a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Ichikawa, Soichi Sugino, Shinichi Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 9234572
    Abstract: Timepiece wheel (10) comprising teeth (2) with play compensation each including a catch (3) projecting from a catch foot (31), and an elastic strip (4) projecting from a strip foot (41) opposite said catch (3) from which said strip (4) is separated by a ventral notch (5) and an intrados profile (43) of which, on the side opposite said catch (3), delimits a dorsal notch (6), said strip foot (41) being delimited, towards the pivot axis (D) of said wheel (10), by an inner end (51) of said ventral notch (5) and by an inner end (61) of said dorsal notch (6). Said inner end (61) is located closer to said axis (D) than said inner end (51) and extends, on the side of said axis (D) underneath said catch foot (31) or underneath the inner extension (52) of said ventral notch (5) towards said pivot axis (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: OMEGA SA
    Inventors: Laurent Klinger, David Benjamin Kraehenbuehl, Thomas Stoeckli
  • Patent number: 9234573
    Abstract: A spiral bicycle sprocket includes a first sprocket portion to rotate about a center axis and having a first number of teeth, a second sprocket portion to rotate about the center axis and having a second number of teeth, and a third sprocket portion positioned between the first and second sprocket portions and having a third number of teeth, wherein the third number of teeth form a conical and spiral thread that joins the first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: World Bicycle Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Darcy Saccucci
  • Patent number: 9234574
    Abstract: A device for selection and engagement of the gears of a gearbox for motor vehicles has a control shaft mounted rotatable and axially movable with respect to the casing. Mounted on the shaft is a hub having an engagement finger for controlling gear engagement devices, which is configured to oscillate in the space between two fingers of a selection mask, which is mounted on the shaft axially movable therewith and is guided with respect to the casing so as not to follow rotation of the shaft and the hub when a gear is engaged. During displacement of the engagement finger towards an extreme position preliminary to the engagement of the reverse gear, the selection mask is forced to move temporarily into a rotated position, wherein it actuates one or more of the selector devices of the forward gears to enable silent engagement of the reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Valter Pastorello, Andrea Piazza
  • Patent number: 9234575
    Abstract: A shift device is provided with a shift lever, a parking switch, and a neutral switch. A transmission is switched to a range, in which the transmission of driving force to driving wheels of a vehicle is started, by the shift lever being operated in two or more directions from a home position and arriving at a specific position. The transmission is switched to a range, in which the transmission of driving force to the driving wheels of the vehicle is interrupted, by the parking switch and the neutral switch being operated in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Kato, Hideaki Hayakawa, Haruyuki Kodera, Kazumi Endo, Yusuke Nakade, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 9234576
    Abstract: A gearbox system includes a gearbox having integrated therein a pump system, a plurality of fluid passages and a clutch control system. The pump system is in fluid communication with the clutch control system via the fluid passages to flow at least one pressurized stream. A first pressurized stream controls a first pressure-responsive device included in the clutch control system. The gearbox system further includes a hydro-mechanical control unit (HMCU) in fluid communication with the gearbox to receive a second pressurized stream and to generate at least one actuator control stream. The actuator control stream controls an actuator integrated in the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Walgren, Jr., Dean A. Norem, Charles L. DeGeorge, Alex Rak, Raymond N. Weyl, Ricky D. Reimers
  • Patent number: 9234577
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes a first pressure regulating valve for reducing an initial oil pressure of a working oil introduced from an inlet port, a solenoid-operated valve, and a second pressure regulating valve for converting the initial oil pressure of the working oil into an actuating pressure. The three valves share a single body. A joining boss and a relief valve, which is operable to release the working oil out of a passage in the body when the pressure of the working oil in the passage becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, are arranged on a closed end face of the body. The joining boss and the relief valve have respective upper surfaces that are covered by a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Yamada, Kenji Suda
  • Patent number: 9234578
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle which generates low hydraulic pressure and high hydraulic pressure using oil stored in an oil pan and supplies the low hydraulic pressure and the high hydraulic pressure respectively to a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. The system includes a low-pressure hydraulic pump driven by a first power source so as to pump the oil stored in the oil pan, generating the low hydraulic pressure, and supplying the low hydraulic pressure to the low pressure portion, and a high-pressure hydraulic pump driven by a second power source and fluid-connected to the low-pressure hydraulic pump so as to receive the low hydraulic pressure from the low-pressure hydraulic pump, changing the low hydraulic pressure into the high hydraulic pressure, and supplying the high hydraulic pressure to the high pressure portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Young Hwang, Taehwan Wi, Se Hwan Jo
  • Patent number: 9234579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device and a control method for a vehicular electric oil pump that supplies oil to a power transmission device transmitting power to an axle. When a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value in a non-drive state of the power transmission device, the control device calculates a target rotational speed of the electric oil pump based on an oil temperature and drives the electric oil pump. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce insufficient lubrication and an increase in temperature of the power transmission device when the vehicle is towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shogo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9234580
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission for a bicycle is provided. The control device comprises a controller configured to instruct the automatic transmission to shift among a plurality of speed stages, each speed stage having an associated cadence range, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a traveling resistance of the bicycle, and if the traveling resistance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the cadence ranges, and following the adjustment of the at least one cadence range, the controller is further configured to operate the automatic transmission to shift based upon the adjusted cadence range and a detected cadence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Usui, Junya Fujita, Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa
  • Patent number: 9234581
    Abstract: A range switching device includes: a range switching portion having an output shaft rotatably supported inside a housing and switchable to ranges corresponding to output shaft turning positions; a motor attached with its motor shaft spaced apart from a shaft center of the output shaft; a reducer mechanism linked to the motor and the range switching portion; and a control board controlling rotation of the motor. The reducer mechanism has a planetary gear reducer mechanism formed of a sun gear, planetary gears, an internal gear, and a carrier supporting the planetary gears, and a spur gear reducer mechanism formed of a pinion and a main gear linked to the pinion. The control board is installed oppositely to the output shaft and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Nagahori, Takuya Uryu, Kazuhisa Kurita, Chiaki Sugano, Naruhiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9234582
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure herein provides an apparatus that in one configuration includes a first hydraulic power unit for supplying a first fluid under pressure to a first chamber for controlling motion of a first movable member and a second hydraulic power unit for supplying a second fluid under pressure to a second chamber for controlling motion of a second movable member, an input device configured to provide an input signal for controlling the motions of the first and second movable members and a processor configured to: receive the input signal from the input device; and independently set, in response to the input signal from the input device, a first electrical actuator to control an amount and flow rate of the first fluid to the first hydraulic power unit and a second electrical actuator to control an amount and flow rate of the second fluid to the second hydraulic power unit for controlling the motion of the first and second movable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: THOMSON LINEAR LLC
    Inventor: Anthony R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9234583
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to a torque converter of an automatic transmission for a vehicle driven by a power source includes a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and an impeller clutch for alternately engaging and disengaging a drive connection between the impeller and the power source, a hydraulic control system producing line pressure and converter charge pressure that communicates with the impeller clutch, a discharge line communicating with the impeller clutch and through which hydraulic fluid discharges from the torque converter at a discharge pressure similar to the first pressure, thereby minimizing a pressure differential across the impeller clutch tending to disengage the impeller clutch, and an oil cooler to which fluid is supplied from at least one of the source of line pressure and the converter discharge line and from which fluid returns to the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Gooden, Jacob M. Povirk, William R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9234584
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. When an opposite manual operation is performed, during an automatic shift based on a shift map in the automatic shift mode, in an opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or when the opposite manual operation is performed, during a forced shift performed regardless of the manual operation in the manual shift mode, in the opposite direction opposite to the forced shift, a control apparatus forbids a shift based on a first manual operation and permits a shift based on a second or subsequent manual operation in the opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or the forced shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuo, Keizo Ishida
  • Patent number: 9234585
    Abstract: A transmission housing includes an inner surface and circumferentially spaced first sets of teeth spaced about an axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a first clutch plate. Each first set is attached to the inner surface. The transmission housing also includes circumferentially spaced second sets of teeth spaced about the axis of the transmission housing and configured to selectively engage a second clutch plate. Each second set is attached to the inner surface. The teeth of at least one of the first or second sets extend axially and are narrower at a first axial end of the respective teeth than at a second axial end of the respective teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Meyer, Brian James Oleson
  • Patent number: 9234586
    Abstract: A linear actuator is used with a vacuum chamber in which plasma is generated. The linear actuator comprises a moving member extending between the exterior and the interior of the vacuum chamber through an opening provided in the vacuum chamber so as to be rectilinearly reciprocated, a drive section configured to reciprocate the moving member, a cover that covers the moving member, and a slide seal section that provides a seal between the interior and the exterior of the vacuum chamber while allowing the cover to slide thereon. The cover covers a range of the moving member which is moved into both of the interior and the exterior of the vacuum chamber while the moving member is reciprocated by the drive section, and an outer surface of the cover is smaller in the amount of gas adsorption per unit area than an outer surface of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Kouketsu, Hiroshi Itafuji
  • Patent number: 9234587
    Abstract: A multi-capacity hydraulic cylinder includes a hollow cylinder closed by a cylinder head, an annular piston moveable within the hollow cylinder to divide the interior of hollow cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber, a hollow piston rod coupled to the piston and aligned with an opening in the piston, and a secondary rod moveable within the hollow piston rod to define a third chamber in the hollow piston rod, where the third chamber has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Stuart Cover
  • Patent number: 9234588
    Abstract: A flexible stuffing box packing assembly has fifth rings which are placed within a stuffing box. The pressures are transferred along the sequence of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth rings. The gaps between the first and second rings and between the fourth and fifth rings provide a space for expansion of the rings. The V shape recesses in various rings provide margins for the materials of the rings to expansion. Therefore, the structure provides that all rings can expand effectively without destroying the seal structure and the stresses from various rings will disperse effectively so that lifetime of the rings are prolong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: JDC CONTROL VALVES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Ming Fan
  • Patent number: 9234589
    Abstract: An extreme temperature gasket material capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 850° F. is provided. The extreme temperature gasket generally includes an inorganic filler, an inorganic fiber, and an organic binder. In some embodiments, the inorganic filler is from 75 to 90 wt % of the gasket material and can include submicron-sized talc particles. The inorganic fiber can be from 5 to 20 wt % of the gasket material and can include silicic acid fiber. The binder can be a latex emulsion and can be present in the gasket material in the range of from 1 to 5 wt % of the gasket material. The gasket material also can include additives, such as flocculant and defoamer. In some embodiments, the amount of organic material present in the gasket material is limited to less than 5 wt % of the gasket material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GARLOCK SEALING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sherwin Damdar, Paul Jude Nichols, Richard Lynn Dibble
  • Patent number: 9234590
    Abstract: A shaft seal includes a lip at the low pressure end with a tapered cylindrical body extending from the lip. The tapered cylindrical body has a first diameter where the tapered cylindrical body meets the lip and a second diameter at a distal end that is exposed to a high pressure fluid. An aperture is formed through the lip and through the tapered cylindrical body following an axis of the tapered cylindrical body. The aperture has a first end at the lip and a distal second end. At the first end, the aperture has a first inner diameter that is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the shaft at the distal end, the aperture tapers to a second inner diameter which is approximately the diameter of the shaft. An o-ring, is positioned around the tapered cylindrical body applying pressure on the tapered cylindrical body against the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNUM VENUS PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom Hedger, Blake K. Travis, II, James Wiegand
  • Patent number: 9234591
    Abstract: Sealing assemblies to provide sealing between a shaft and a housing comprising a sealing component comprising a body section as well as an outer flange and an inner flange both extending from said body section; a supporting component receiving said sealing component and comprising a relatively thick inner arm projecting into said sealing component and providing a supporting area spanning an inner portion of said body section and a portion of said inner flange; an anti-extrusion component engaged with said relatively thick inner arm; the minimum clearance between said anti-extrusion component and said shaft being less than the minimum clearance between said relatively thick inner arm and said shaft; said inner flange comprising a sealing area; wherein said sealing assembly is to be received in a cavity in said housing or on said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 9234592
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a brush seal device capable of following displacement in a radial direction of a rotational shaft appropriately. The brush seal device prevents leakage of process fluid, wear of a brush seal etc., and leakage of process fluid from an outer circumferential side. The brush seal device 100 of the present invention includes an inner circumferential brush seal 120 and an outer circumferential brush seal 140. The inner circumferential brush seal 120 has a brush portion 123 and a free end portion 125 at the inner circumferential side. The outer circumferential brush seal 140 is placed at an outer circumferential side of the inner circumferential brush seal 120, and has a brush portion 143 and a free end portion 145 at the inner circumferential side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9234593
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a premounted mechanical seal unit, particularly for a fire extinguishing pump, with a rotating seal ring a stationary seal ring, the rotating seal ring and the stationary seal ring defining a seal gap thereinbetween, an inner sleeve which is connected to the rotating seal ring, an outer sleeve which is connected to the stationary seal ring, and a securing element which secures the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve in axial direction each have a length greater than a sum of the axial lengths of the rotating seal ring. The inner sleeve has a first form closure device on a first axial end and a second form closure device on a second axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Holzapfel, Wolfgang Ries, Reinhard Svejkovsky
  • Patent number: 9234594
    Abstract: Provide a sliding component that reduces the leakage rate of sealed fluid and significantly improves the lubrication characteristics at startup or stop, while being actuated by means of fluid lubrication in the rotation phase, thereby achieving the effects of sealing and lubrication at the same time. The sliding component is characterized in that: on one sealing face of a pair of sliding parts that slide relative to each other, multiple positive pressure-generating mechanisms that comprise extremely shallow parallel grooves running roughly in parallel with the sealing face and having submicron-level height differences are provided independently in the circumferential direction; the extremely shallow parallel grooves connect to the high-pressure fluid side, but are isolated from the low-pressure fluid side by a seal area; and extremely shallow thin grooves are formed at the bottom of the extremely shallow parallel grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Inoue, Takeshi Hosoe, Yuta Negishi
  • Patent number: 9234595
    Abstract: A vacuum control valve connected between a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump includes a control valve main body having a valve seat formed in a vacuum flow passage, a valve body that manipulates the valve opening by performing a linear motion to adjust a lift, a rod that transmits driving force from a linear driving unit that generates the driving force, a sliding/sealing member that seals the vacuum flow passage while allowing the rod to slide, and a cylindrical member that covers a sliding range of the rod. The sliding range includes a range movable from a valve body flow passage side to an exterior side. The cylindrical member has an outer peripheral surface, a working fluid absorption amount per unit area of the outer peripheral surface being smaller than that of an outer surface of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Kouketsu, Hiroshi Itafuji
  • Patent number: 9234596
    Abstract: A valve with a valve housing for controlling the liquid flow in a plant for central heating is provided. The valve includes an insert part with valve parts for controlling a liquid flow through the valve: a first part and a second part being mutually rotatable. The first and the second parts are provided with complementary through-flow openings that combine to define a common opening area and are configured such that, upon mutual rotation of those valve parts, a larger or a smaller total opening area is provided. The valve includes a closure part which is disposed such that, upon axial displacement, the closure part is capable of completely or partially closing off the total opening area through the through-flow openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FlowCon International ApS
    Inventors: Gitte Pedersen, Mille Sveje Bøjgaard, Carsten Møller, Bjarne Wittendorff Ibsen
  • Patent number: 9234597
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a faucet valve cartridge configured for use within a dual handle faucet. The valve cartridge includes an upper plate and a bottom plate received within a valve housing and configured to control fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet. The valve may include anti-water hammer port geometry to reduce turbulent flow and shut-off shock wave noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Kemp, Garry Robin Marty, Brian Alan Enlow
  • Patent number: 9234598
    Abstract: A valve apparatus including a check valve and a ball segment valve is provided within a fluid system for handling a flammable working fluid. The valve apparatus is arranged such that flapper doors of the cheek valve longitudinally overlaps a ball segment of the ball segment valve when each are in respective open positions such that the valve apparatus maintains a face-to-face dimension of a standard ball valve. The valve apparatus can thus provide positive isolation and directional fluid control in a congested fluid system with space savings over single valves. An isolated chamber is defined between the flapper doors and the ball segment when each is in a respective closed position. A non-flammable fluid is injected into the isolated chamber to urge the flapper doors and ball segment toward the closed positions to thereby provide a safe environment for performing maintenance operations on downstream fluid components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Omar M. Al-Amri
  • Patent number: 9234599
    Abstract: A damped actuator for a fluid regulator includes a diaphragm disposed in a housing, and a damper arranged to stabilize movement of the diaphragm in response to changes in pressure inside the housing. The damper includes a ball check valve arranged to allow air to exhaust out of the housing when above a preselected pressure. The damper may include interchangeable components so as to be modifiable to have different set point pressures to achieve different backpressures inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jason S. Mevius
  • Patent number: 9234600
    Abstract: A pipe break valve device includes a housing that has a recess continuous in a flow direction, a valve slide that is arranged displaceably in the flow direction in the recess, and a spatial volume of a throttle device that is arranged at least in regions between the outer wall of the valve slide and the inner wall of the housing. Throttle ducts that are present on the inlet side and on the outlet side are formed by a first gap and a second gap which are present in each case between the outer wall of the valve slide and the inner wall of the housing, and no sealing means are present between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the valve slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HORST THIELE MASCHINENBAU-HYDRAULISCHE GERATE GMBH
    Inventor: Ewald Thiele
  • Patent number: 9234601
    Abstract: Described herein is a pressure relief valve that vents contents from a rail tank car or similar container at two preset pressures. The lower preset pressure is attained whenever specific valve attachment devices melt well below the spontaneous combustion temperature of the contents of a rail tank car or similar container. When these attachment devices melt, formerly attached corresponding constant force spring assemblies disconnect from a spring plate. Without these operative attached spring assemblies there is less force to oppose the pressure from the contents of rail tank car or similar container. With less opposing force, the contents of the rail tank car or similar container escape from under a dislodged sealing disk before the rail tank car or similar container (i) over pressurizes and causes the tank shell to fail or (ii) the contents self-combust, and both of which events cause an explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kelso Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Barry LaCroix, Mario Nunez