Patents Issued in March 8, 2016
  • Patent number: 9279437
    Abstract: An adjustable holding device for sensors includes a main body, on and opposite of which, a bearing body supporting a sensor is adjustably held by a spherical joint. The spherical joint includes a threaded stud, fastened to the main body, that protrudes through an opening in the bearing body, and to which an opening in a body having a spherical outer surface is screwed. The outer surface is held pivotably in and co-rotatably with, about an axis coaxial with the threaded stud, complementarily spherical inner surfaces of two combined half-shells. Through rotation under external force of the combined half-shells, the body having the spherical outer surface can be screwed relative to the threaded stud by displacing the half-shells and the bearing body in the threaded stud direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Gold, Mark Rossi
  • Patent number: 9279438
    Abstract: A bracket that includes a main body portion having a first portion and a second portion that form a first angle therebetween. The first portion includes opposing front and rear surfaces and the second portion includes opposing upper and lower surfaces. The first portion includes a fastener opening defined therethrough, the second portion includes an insert feature extending from the lower surface, and the second portion includes at least one adhesive opening defined therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: C&D Zodiac, Inc.
    Inventors: Darmo Tandjung, Tyler Smithson
  • Patent number: 9279439
    Abstract: An attachment arrangement for attaching a component to a base item, with at least one fixing device for fixing one section of the component on a section of the base item. At least one connecting device with a connecting element and at least one receiving element are provided. One of the elements is arranged on a component section and the other of the elements is arranged on a base item section. The two elements detachably engage with one another in a form fit. Loads can be transferred at least in the direction of a first axis, and a relative movement is possible between the elements in the direction of a second axis, different from the first axis. A connecting device is disclosed for such an attachment arrangement. A method is disclosed for purposes of attaching a component to a base item by means of such an attachment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Eilken, Memis Tiryaki, Daniel Sauer
  • Patent number: 9279440
    Abstract: A fixing device for securing into a hole in plasterboard 23, comprising: a body 1 having an anchor receiving aperture 3, and a passage 37a that extends within the body, spaced from the anchor receiving aperture 3; a shaft 5a provided within the passage 37a, the shaft 5a being rotatably movable within the passage 37a, independent of axial movement within the passage 37a; and a retaining member 19a coupled to the shaft 5a and configured to be movable between an extended position, in which the device is retainable in said hole, and a retracted position, in which the fixing device is removably insertable into said hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Stanley Pritchard Daykin, Jordan Andrew Daykin
  • Patent number: 9279441
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate element for the arrangement of a probe pin with respect to the probe pin carrier of a coordinate measuring machine, having a single-piece base body with a probe pin end and a machine end. It is provided here that the machine end is provided with a coupling element and with a means for ensuring a reproducible rotational alignment, and the probe pin end has a bearing face which is inclined in a fixed manner with respect to the axis of the coupling element, is provided on a general ball segment form which is flattened by the bearing face, and is configured with a positively locking means and/or frictional means for the positively locking and/or frictional engagement with a fastening end of the probe pin in contact with the bearing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss 3D Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Richter
  • Patent number: 9279442
    Abstract: An elastomeric cap for concealing a fastener used to secure an object (e.g., an elastomeric object such as foam padding or the like) to a substrate (e.g., frame, wall, etc.). A head of a fastener may be inserted through an aperture in one wall of the cap and into an internal cavity of the cap. A shank of the fastener may be at least partially inserted into or through an aperture of the object (e.g., and the substrate). A tool (e.g., screwdriver, torque wrench, etc) may be inserted through an opposing aperture in an opposing second wall of the cap and used to manipulate the fastener head and thus the shank to secure the object to the substrate via clamping of the object between the fastener head and opposing second wall of the cap on one hand and the substrate on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Naylor, Laurel L. Skaggs, Charles D. Stricker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9279443
    Abstract: A device (1) is provided for reversing the movement and/or actuation direction of an actuating cable (2) of a mechanism. A sliding piston (5) is arranged in a housing (3), which is fixed to the frame, so as to be displaceable in a sliding manner. The sliding piston can be displaced by the actuating cable (2). At least one actuating element (6) is arranged laterally on the sliding piston (5). A direction of movement of the actuating element is opposite to a direction of movement of the actuating cable (2) and the actuating element is mechanically coupled to the mechanism that is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ketan Kulkarni, Thomas Beiling
  • Patent number: 9279444
    Abstract: A crankshaft comprising a plurality of main journal bearing surfaces (102), a plurality of connector rod bearing surfaces (104), and at least one oil feed passageway (110) internal to the crankshaft, each of the at least one oil feed passageways (110) communicating with an inlet (122) and a plurality of outlets (124) located within bearing surfaces (102, 104), and wherein the inlet (122) is located within a first main journal bearing surface, and at least one of the outlets (124) is located within a further main journal bearing surface, and an engine and a vehicle comprising such a crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, MAHLE Composants Moteur France SAS, MAHLE Engine Systems
    Inventors: Olivier Beaurepaire, Omar Mian
  • Patent number: 9279445
    Abstract: Steering system for a droplet generator in a EUV system. The steering system permits controlled positioning of a droplet release point of the droplet generator. A movable member holding the droplet generator is coupled to stationary elements of the EUV system through a coupling system having a first subsystem that constrains lateral translation of the movable member, and a second subsystem that controls a relative inclination of the movable member. The first and second subsystems preferably include one or a combination of flexures that permit highly precise and repeatable positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Peter M. Baumgart, J. Martin Algots, Abhiram Govindaraju, Chirag Rajyaguru
  • Patent number: 9279446
    Abstract: A bearing with axial variations may include two or more different zones along its axial length either on the surface of a bore formed in the main body of the bearing with axial variations or on the outside diameter thereof. Each zone may include one or more radial holes in fluid communication with one or more grooves, respectively, wherein each groove may be positioned adjacent an interface between a rotating member and a non-rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Waukesha Bearings Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Zhou, Barry Blair
  • Patent number: 9279447
    Abstract: A bush bearing includes a bearing body having an inner peripheral surface which is brought into contact with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction, a groove provided on an outer peripheral surface of the bearing body so as to extend in the first direction, and an elastic ring fitted on said groove and having a pair of projecting portions and a portion, the pair of projecting portions partially projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of said bearing body in second direction, the portion being provided at positions in the first direction between the pair of projecting portions, and not projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9279448
    Abstract: A bearing device which comprises an internal ring and an external ring, which are each provided with a bearing path for rolling elements which are arranged between the rings in contact with the bearing paths. At least one of the two rings comprises a casing which is provided with an axial portion, two radial portions at the ends thereof. This device also comprises two bearing elements which are mounted in the casing and which each form a bearing path, and at least one pretensioning element which is produced from resilient material and which is arranged between one of the radial portions of the casing and one of the bearing elements. A pretensioning element is mounted in the casing of a first ring in frictional contact with the second ring in order to apply a resistant torque during the rotation of one ring relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Sylvain Bussit, Daniel Jansen, Thomas Lepine, Bruno Montboeuf
  • Patent number: 9279449
    Abstract: A device for centering and guiding rotation of a turbine engine shaft. The device includes a roller bearing and a ball bearing mounted around the shaft and carried respectively by first and second flexible annular supports, together with an oil film compression damper having a rigid annular support arranged around the roller bearing, the supports of the ball bearing and of the damper, and the roller bearing being stacked transversely, extending one around another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Ivan Guy Rouesne
  • Patent number: 9279450
    Abstract: A structure of a bush bearing includes: a bush on which a groove is formed; and an endless annular-shaped elastic member which is installed in the groove of the bush, and that supports a rack shaft, in which an inner circumferential surface of the bush includes a first inner circumferential surface that is in slide contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft, which is positioned opposite to a formation position of rack teeth, a second inner circumferential surface that faces the outer circumferential surface of the rack shaft with a gap interposed between the outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, and the groove formed in a formation range of the first inner circumferential surface has a depth shallower than that of the groove formed in a formation range of the second inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Zaike, Yusuke Hamaguchi, Tsutomu Kimijima, Tatsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 9279451
    Abstract: Slide assemblies that include at least an inner slide segment and an outer slide segment. Many of the slide assemblies also include an intermediate slide segment interposed between the inner slide segment and the outer slide segment. The outer slide segment is constructed from a bent piece of material having a substantially uniform wall thickness. The outer slide segment is formed to have a wall portion, an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of the upper portion and lower portion include two layers of the piece of material. A mounting assembly for a slide assembly includes at least one bracket having at least a first pin and a second pin movable relative to the first pin. The second pin can surround and slide upon the first pin and can be biased to a first position and movable to a second position relative to the first pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Jonathan Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Judge
  • Patent number: 9279452
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bearing assembly (2) of a steering column lever on a steering column part (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein the steering column lever is mounted on the steering column part (1) pivotably at least indirectly via a bearing (5, 9) having a main bearing point (26, 28) which is formed by a main bearing journal (4, 10) and a corresponding main bearing sleeve (20, 21). The bearing (5, 9) has an additional bearing journal (7, 11) which is arranged concentrically in relation to the main bearing journal (4, 10) and in particular has a smaller diameter than the main bearing journal (4, 10), wherein the additional bearing journal (7, 11) and a corresponding additional bearing sleeve (17, 23) form an additional bearing point (27, 29) of the bearing (5, 9), and wherein the main bearing point (26, 28) is formed with play and the additional bearing point (27, 29) without play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener, Laurent Raddaz, Martin Hasch, Enrico Raimondo
  • Patent number: 9279453
    Abstract: A radial bearing may include a bearing body, which includes a receiving space for a shaft to be arranged therein. The bearing body may have an inner wall facing the receiving space, in which transverse grooves running in an axial direction and separated from one another in a circumferential direction by separating portions are formed. The radial bearing may include a supply channel penetrating the bearing body provided in at least one separating portion. The at least one separating portion may have at least one oil pocket spaced from the associated supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Laubender, Thanh-Hung Nguyen-Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9279454
    Abstract: A slide bearing has a layered structure which is substantially uniform over the circumference thereof and comprises a base (10), a lead-free slide layer (12) having a thickness which is reduced in edge zones (16) as compared to a central zone between the edge zones (16), and a polymer coating (14) which is thicker in the edge zones (16) as compared to the central zone, so that the surface level of the coating (14) is substantially flat as seen in axial cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Wiesbaden GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Rittmann, Steven Doyle, Mateusz Michalski
  • Patent number: 9279455
    Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9279456
    Abstract: A bearing assembly including an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring adapted to receive a shaft, with rolling elements between the rings, is provided. A seal extends radially between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. A housing is provided including an opening in which the outer bearing ring is supported. The housing includes at least one groove on a radially inner surface that extends from an axial end surface of the housing and at least one radially outwardly extending slot arranged within the at least one groove. A circumferential shield including a radially outer portion having at least one retention tab is engaged within the at least one slot of the housing. A body of the shield is arranged adjacent to the seal and a radially inner portion of the body extends radially inwardly to a radially outer surface of the inner bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Travis Little
  • Patent number: 9279457
    Abstract: A sun tracking solar energy collection system can include torque tubes that can be configured to allow the cylindrical body of one torque tube to nest with projections extending from an adjacent torque tube. The torque tubes can be formed with a plurality of rotatable shafts connected to each other in an end to end fashion. The torque tubes may be connected with coupling flanges, shaped with a plurality of radially extending lobes. The coupling flanges can include a plurality of concave portions disposed between adjacent lobes. The rotatable shafts can be round and the concave portions can be curved with a radius of curvature that is about the same as a radius of curvature of outer surface of the rotatable shafts. The torque tubes can also have saddle mounts which can include a concave portion configured to nest with an adjacent torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Tyler Grushkowitz
  • Patent number: 9279458
    Abstract: A positioning arrangement for positioning a rotor relative to a shaft includes a collar provided with a formation cooperable with a corresponding formation provided upon the shaft to resist relative angular movement between the collar and the shaft, the collar being provided with an external, generally axially extending rib cooperable with a part of the rotor to deform the said part of the rotor to resist relative rotation between the collar and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Control Systems
    Inventor: John Edward Nixon
  • Patent number: 9279459
    Abstract: A friction material part is provided. The friction material part includes a first segment and a second segment, an end of the first segment overlapping an end of the second segment to form a joint that is compressed more than intermediate portions of the first and second segments. A method for manufacturing a friction material part is also provided. The method includes overlapping an end of a first friction material segment and an end of a second friction material segment; and compressing the overlapped ends to form a compressed joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, Rashid Farahati
  • Patent number: 9279460
    Abstract: A friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A biased armature member is adapted to force a friction plate member with friction linings thereon against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Shiwei Qin
  • Patent number: 9279461
    Abstract: A coupling device system for use in a motor vehicle is provided including a coupling device and a memory chip. The coupling device has an input member, an output member, and at least one modulating clutch assembly selectively coupling the input member to the output member. The modulating clutch assembly includes an electrical clutch operator and clutch plates. The clutch plates include at least one first clutch plate coupled to the input member and at least one second clutch plate coupled to the output member. The second clutch plate is disposed adjacent the first clutch plate. The memory chip is integrated with the coupling device and is configured to store data related to a measured characteristic of the coupling device. The memory chip is also configured to communicate with a vehicle controller. A method of providing a calibration curve of the coupling device to the vehicle controller is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Leising, Phillip Wood, Ryan M. True
  • Patent number: 9279462
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device includes a control retainer and a rotary retainer having bars arranged circumferentially alternating with each other such that pockets are defined between the adjacent pairs of bars. A pair of rollers are mounted in each pocket with an elastic member disposed between the pair of rollers such that the pair of rollers are pushed by the respective bars to their respective disengaged positions when the control retainer and the rotary retainer rotate relative to each other. A spring holder is fitted on an input shaft while abutting one axial end surface of an inner ring. The spring holder has spring support pieces on the outer periphery thereof to prevent radially outward movement of the elastic members. The spring support pieces are plate-shaped members disposed radially outwardly of the elastic members to extend in the axial direction in parallel to the outer periphery of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naotsugu Kitayama, Takahide Saito, Koji Akiyoshi, Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 9279463
    Abstract: A pivot control mechanism selectively controls rotation of a pivot control shaft by an electric impulse from a solenoid, which locks the pawl into the ratchet, thereby permitting the shaft to rotate in a selected direction. When a passage direction is chosen, the cam followers move out of the home position of a lofted ratchet over the peak position to the next home position. Guiding pins controlling the axial motion of the lofted ratchet in conjunction with the compression springs secure the cam followers in the home position. A shock absorber acting on the cam is used to prevent the turnstile from over rotating with any great amount of force, softening the return of the cam followers to the home position. A micro switch, when activated, sends a signal to the control board, which through the action of the solenoid, locks the pawls into the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: George Jiri Balastik
  • Patent number: 9279464
    Abstract: A method for correcting an actuator characteristic of a clutch actuator for a friction clutch of a vehicle transmission after the commissioning of the vehicle. The actuator characteristic relates a first desired variable, such as a desired clutch pressure, to a second desired variable, such as an desired actuator current. The method includes approaching a quasi-steady-state operating point of the friction clutch. In addition, a deviation is detected between the first desired variable and an actual variable of the friction clutch. Also, a correction function is set up for the actuator characteristic according to the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GETRAG GETRIEBE- UND ZAHNRADFABRIK HERMANN HAGENMEYER GMBH & CIE KG
    Inventors: Ralf Trutschel, Thorsten Stepper, Andreas Pawlenka
  • Patent number: 9279465
    Abstract: A disc brake pad assembly includes a pad and a shim plate. The shim plate includes locking pieces which are bent from a main body portion towards a pressure plate. The locking pieces are brought into abutment with circumferential edge portions of the pressure plate so as to be displaced in a rotating direction of a rotor. Projecting portions are formed at portions of the circumferential edge portion which are brought into abutment with one surface of each of the locking pieces. A circumferential central portion of a part of each of the projecting portions which faces the one surface projects further than both circumferential end portions thereof. The circumferential edge portion and the one surface of each of the locking pieces are spaced apart from each other at portions of the one surface which lie close to both circumferential end portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AKEBONO BRAKE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 9279466
    Abstract: A pad retainer of a vehicle disc brake includes: a pair of retainer portions mounted in pad guide grooves; a connecting piece connecting the pair of retainer portions together; and pad returning portions configured to bias the friction pads to a side opposite to the disc rotor. Each of the pad returning portions includes an elastic loop portion formed into an arc shape by bending a narrow elongated piece, which extends in a direction opposite to the disc rotor from an inner side in a disc radial direction of a deep side piece of the retainer portion, and then back towards the disc rotor; and a holding portion extending from a bent-back end of the elastic loop portion towards the disc rotor and configured to hold a lug piece of the friction pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Miura
  • Patent number: 9279467
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a brake rotor including a desired custom marking having a predetermined size and shape. The method includes applying a chemical treatment to a marking portion of a surface of the rotor. The marking portion has a size and shape corresponding to the predetermined size and shape of the desired custom marking. The chemical treatment is configured to affect, in a predetermined manner, an ability of a stimulus, to which the rotor is to be exposed, to alter properties of the rotor. The method also includes exposing the rotor, having the chemical treatment applied thereto, to the stimulus. The stimulus alters properties of the rotor at the marking portion differently than the stimulus alters properties of the rotor at other portions of the rotor adjacent the marking portion, thereby forming physical differences in the rotor, which, being visually perceptible, form the custom marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, James A. Webster
  • Patent number: 9279468
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a vehicle. The brake assembly may include a sensor assembly that may be disposed proximate a housing assembly. The sensor assembly may detect a position of an adjuster mechanism, a position of an indicator that may be provided with a slide pin assembly, and/or rotation of an operating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Philpott
  • Patent number: 9279469
    Abstract: A delay mechanism of a main rod of a gas spring is described, having an inner rod and a series of gas chambers which are defined in the interior of the body of the spring in such a manner that, by controlling the passage of gas between said chambers, the speed and delay of the main rod of the spring is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Azol-Gas, S.L.
    Inventors: Felix Javier Estirado Vera, Oscar Alejos Perez
  • Patent number: 9279470
    Abstract: A front fork includes an inner cylinder disposed inside an inner tube, a piston rod moving with an outer tube, a piston attached to a lower end portion of the piston rod and sectioning an oil chamber in the inner cylinder into a lower oil chamber and an upper oil chamber and a damping force generating portion at an outside of the inner tube having a first damping force generating portion generating resistance in working oil flowing in one direction in an external flow path, a second damping force generating portion disposed in series with the first damping force generating portion in the external flow path to generate resistance in working oil flowing in the other direction, and a pressurization portion having an oil reservoir chamber communicated to an intermediate oil chamber and pressurizing working oil in the intermediate oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9279471
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes an upper housing and a lower housing; an upper reservoir housing defining a upper fluid chamber; a lower reservoir housing defining a lower fluid chamber; a piston spindle resiliently coupled to the upper housing with an upper elastomer member, the piston spindle being resiliently coupled to the lower housing with a lower elastomer member; an elongated portion having a tuning passage; and a tuning fluid disposed there within. The vibration isolator cancels vibratory forces at an isolation frequency. The vibration isolator is utilized in a pylon system for mounting a transmission in an aircraft. The vibration isolator is located between a pylon structure and a roof structure. The isolator includes a spherical bearing assembly that is located near a waterline location of a rotational axis of a drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 9279472
    Abstract: A mounting device for absorbing vibration may include a housing, a mounting bolt having a first end portion inserted into the housing, a core supported inside the housing, an elastic member disposed between an outer surface of the core and an inner surface of the housing, and a separator having an outer surface fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the housing and configured to separate a first chamber and a second chamber in the housing, wherein the separator includes a mounting bracket having an outer surface fixed to the inner surface of the housing, and a center portion hole, and a membrane mounted to the mounting bracket and having a slit formed by being cut along a predetermined line within a region which corresponds to the center portion hole, and wherein a bridge is formed in the center portion hole of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Hoon Han
  • Patent number: 9279473
    Abstract: A fluid-filled cylindrical vibration-damping device including at least one orifice member attached to an inside of an outer cylindrical member so as to straddle openings of pocket portions and extend in a circumferential direction. An orifice passage is defined by covering an orifice forming groove of the orifice member with the outer cylindrical member. A stopper mechanism is constituted by contact between an inner shaft member and the outer cylindrical member via the orifice member. A reinforcing rib is formed in the orifice member so as to project from a bottom face of the orifice forming groove and extend in the circumferential direction while a projecting distal end face thereof is in contact with the outer cylindrical member. The reinforcing rib partitions at least a portion of a circumference of the orifice passage into a plurality of passages that have same fluid flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Toru Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9279474
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly is described which is suitable for use as a compact power storage device. The assembly comprises a housing, a flywheel coupled to a shaft which is rotatably mounted in the housing via bearings, a primary chamber which is defined within the housing and contains the flywheel, and a secondary chamber which is defined within the housing and contains the bearings. Furthermore, it includes a molecular pump driven by the shaft for pumping gas molecules from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber. Location of the bearings in a high pressure chamber inhibits off-gassing from the bearing grease. Furthermore, any such off-gassing under load will not increase the gas pressure in the first chamber containing the flywheel as it is separate from the secondary chamber containing the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Williams Hybrid Power Limited
    Inventor: Colin Tarrant
  • Patent number: 9279475
    Abstract: An element for a metallic belt in a continuously variable transmission capable of reducing misalignment while ensuring friction force in a small diameter state is provided. An element 40 for a metallic belt in a belt-type continuously variable transmission has a structure in which a side edge of the element 40 of a metallic belt 7 that contacts a drive pulley 5 and a driven pulley 8 includes: a belt radial outer portion 46b that is located on a radial outer side of the metallic belt 7 and linearly shaped to follow a radial inner portion 11a as a constant-angle inclined generatrix portion; and a belt radial inner portion 46a that is located on a radial inner side of the metallic belt 7 and curved to taper inward in the belt radial direction to gradually increase an inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soichiro Sumida, Toru Yagasaki
  • Patent number: 9279476
    Abstract: A compression chuck for variously conducting and braking a rope, wherein the compression chuck includes a first and second portions. The invention includes a first biasing mechanism which maintains the compression chuck first and second portions in a disengaged condition with the rope, wherein the rope is conducted freely in response to outside forces on the rope. Also included is an actuator, wherein the actuator is operable to overbear the first biasing mechanism to place the compression chuck in an engaged condition with the rope in response to a rope break, braking movement of the rope. The first and second compression chuck portions may be carried on opposing parallel plates that are biased apart until the actuator moves such plates together in response to a rope break. At least one of the plates may be fixed to a crane head, crane, or other structure proximate a moving rope, when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: John Bell, William Allan von Dehl, Steven Latham
  • Patent number: 9279477
    Abstract: Motion control apparatus (A) includes a direct coupled torque motor (54) slideably receiving an output (50) without other types of torque transmission devices between the output (50) and the motor (54) and between the output (50) and a pinion (7) in direct gearing engagement with an annular gear (44) connected to a second race (32) of a bearing (26) intermediate an annular mounting plate (38) and a dial plate (40). The second race (32) is a single, non-separable piece having L-shaped cross sections to define a mounting pilot for the annular gear (44). The motor (54) is secured to a mount plate (58) having an integral annular spacer (60) extending through a mounting tab (16) and secured to a mount ring (62) adjustably connected to the mounting tab (16) opposite to the mount plate (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nexen Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Hein, Anthony Kilber
  • Patent number: 9279478
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least 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 a brake actuatable in combinations of four to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Craig S. Ross, James M. Hart
  • Patent number: 9279479
    Abstract: A multistage automatic transmission may include an input shaft, a first composite planetary gear set including first and second planetary gear sets, each of the first and second planetary gear sets including three rotary members, a first brake, a first clutch, a second brake, a second clutch selectively connecting a pair of rotary members of the first composite planetary gear set that are selectively connected to each other, and a second composite planetary gear set arranged coaxially with the input shaft and including a plurality of rotary members, wherein the plurality of rotary members include a rotary member connected to the first composite planetary gear set, a rotary member connected to the input shaft, and a further rotary member connected to an output shaft, at least two rotary members of the plurality of rotary members in the second composite planetary gear set being connected to two friction members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Kang Soo Seo, Jae Chang Kook, Hyu Tae Shim, Myeong Hoon Noh, Seong Wook Ji, Won Min Cho, Wook Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 9279480
    Abstract: A robust and reliable multi-speed gear system for use on pedally or other manually propelled vehicles, comprising simple epicyclical sections 82, 83, 23 in a complex structure, an internal axial tunnel enabling use of a detachable, vertical shear force load carrying through-bolt 15, a rotatable shift axle 25, a main shaft 7 non-rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame 10, axially floating shift mechanisms 20, 22, 65, and a hub shell 1 fully enclosing the gear mechanisms. The multispeed hub is robust, light, easily manufactured, offers many speeds and great gear width, and is rigidly securable to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Christian Antal, Knut Tore Ljøsne
  • Patent number: 9279481
    Abstract: There is provided a chain guide capable of preventing a reduction in the durability of the chain guide. In the chain guide in which a base and a shoe are assembled together, a shoe protruding strip formed on a back surface of the shoe is engaged with a base groove that is formed in the base and continuously extends in a longitudinal direction so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base when the shoe expands or contracts, and be able to restrict the movement of the shoe in first and second width directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Masahiko Konno, Yuji Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 9279482
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M Nichols, Gregory G Stevenson, Brad P Pohl, Fernand A Thomassy, Charles B Lohr, Jeremy Carter, John W Sherrill, Brian B Sweet
  • Patent number: 9279483
    Abstract: A high-load linear actuator includes a driving mechanism, a worm shaft, a worm wheel assembly, a lead screw, a telescopic pipe and an outer pipe. The driving mechanism includes a base and a motor. The base has a supporting portion and an accommodating portion. The motor is fixed to the supporting portion. The worm shaft extends from the motor into the supporting portion. The worm wheel assembly includes a worm wheel and two bearings for supporting the worm wheel in the accommodating portion. The worm wheel is engaged with the worm shaft. The lead screw is disposed through the worm wheel and driven by the motor for rotation. The telescopic pipe slips on the lead screw to be threadedly connected therewith. The outer pipe slips on the telescopic pipe. The rotation of the lead screw drives the telescopic pipe to linearly extend or retract relative to the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 9279484
    Abstract: In this manufacturing method, when a plurality of planetary shaft main bodies are arranged at even intervals around a sun shaft main body, a state in which a sun threaded section is engaged with each of planetary threaded sections is referred to as a regular assembled state, and an assembly formed by a combination of the sun shaft main body and the planetary shaft main body in the regular assembled state is referred to as a first assembly. The first assembly is assembled in a state in which the relationship of the planetary shaft main body and the sun shaft main body is in correspondence with the relationship of the planetary shaft main body and the sun shaft main body in the regular assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Kinoshita, Masakazu Kurihara, Hideo Saito, Motohiro Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 9279485
    Abstract: An actuator consists of a pair of compact cam plates with compound straight and semicircular toothed racks that engage a single circular gear turned by a single motor. As the gear turns in one direction, the cam plates are pulled toward one another in a guided straight line until they engage and lock around the gear. Continued turning of the gear rotates the locked cam plates with the gear. The motion is reversed as the gear reverses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip M Sokolofsky
  • Patent number: 9279486
    Abstract: A swing drive mechanism, including: a vibrating mechanism, a motor driving the vibrating mechanism, and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is connected between the vibrating mechanism and the motor. The vibrating mechanism is provided with a grating and a photocoupler that detects the position of the vibrating mechanism. The photocoupler is electrically or electronically connected to a micro-control processor. The micro-control processor controls the photocoupler to detect the grating and adjusts the rotation speed of the motor. The micro-control processor is electrically or electronically connected to an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shupeng WU
    Inventor: Shupeng Wu