Patents Issued in March 29, 2016
  • Patent number: 9297420
    Abstract: A bearing unit for a vehicle wheel having a radially outer stationary ring provided with an axial lug, with a flange transverse to an axis of rotation and with an annular channel formed between the axial lug and the flange and delimited axially by a bottom surface. A radially inner rotatable ring defining, together with the stationary ring, a space; an encoder fixed onto the inner ring and extending outside of the space and in front of the axial lug; a protective cover mounted on the axial lug to protect the encoder and close off the space and provided with a side wall mounted on the outer cylindrical surface and having a bent edge arranged axially in abutment against the bottom surface of the annular channel; sealing means disposed between the cylindrical side wall and the tubular axial lug to seal the cylindrical side wall on the outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Baratti, Andrea Serafini
  • Patent number: 9297421
    Abstract: A piston assembly transportation and assembly apparatus and methods of transporting and installing a piston assembly therewith are provided. The apparatus maintains a piston assembly in its assembled state during transportation without allowing damage and contamination to the piston assembly. The apparatus also facilitates storage and installation of the piston assembly into a cylinder bore. The apparatus includes a housing having a bore bounded by an inner cylindrical surface extending from a first end of the housing toward a second end of the housing. A chamfered surface diverges radially outwardly from the first end to mate with an upper surface of a stuffing cone during assembly. The second end has a wall extending radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical surface to axially confront an upper crown of the piston assembly to both prevent the piston assembly from passing though the apparatus and to prevent contamination from entering the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Kim Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9297422
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a coupling element for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft, the second shaft being substantially axially aligned with the first shaft, the coupling element provided with an exterior surface that engages an opposing interior surface of the first shaft and an interior surface that engages an opposing exterior surface of the second shaft to facilitate torque transfer between the first shaft and the second shaft when rotated together, wherein the coupling element and at least one of the first and second shafts cooperate to define at least one fluid passageway therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Barry Barnett, Phillipe Bonniere, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 9297423
    Abstract: A stator coupling for the torsionally rigid connection of two components allows radial and axial relative movements within tolerance limits has a base surface (10) with first (18.1, 18.2) and second (28) lugs. The second lugs (28) are positioned at the straight-line edges between the assembly points (26, 42). Bent edges (30, 32) parallel to one respective edge are bent away at least twice, so that a flange (34.1, 34.2, 34.3, 34.4) surface-parallel to the base surface (10) is formed. Two second lugs, are positioned at edges following one another in the peripheral direction, and overlap with mutually facing ends of their flanges and these ends each together form one of a set of second assembly points (42.1, 42.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SICK STEGMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Beha, Eduard Tabler, Jurgen Girke
  • Patent number: 9297424
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a driveshaft tube having two ends. An end fitting is operatively connected to one of the two ends of the driveshaft tube. A torque control mechanism is operatively connected to the end fitting. The torque control mechanism includes an outer member defining a first conical surface extending circumferentially relative to a central axis. The torque control mechanism includes an inner member defining a second conical surface extending circumferentially relative to the central axis. The first conical surface is configured to be in contact with the second conical surface so as to transfer a torque load from the inner member to the outer member. The second conical surface is configured to rotate relative to the first conical surface along the central axis at a slip angle when the torque load exceeds a predefined maximum torque load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rolando V. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9297425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronizer hub (1) comprising a hub body (4) that, on the outer circumference (5) thereof, has a sleeve toothing (6) for engagement of a sliding sleeve (6a), said sleeve toothing being interrupted by at least one first axial recess (7) and by at least one second axial recess (8), wherein the first axial recess (7) has first lateral faces (14, 15) and the second axial recess (8) has second lateral faces (17, 18), and wherein the first lateral faces (14, 15) are inclined to the axial direction at a first angle (20). The second lateral faces (17, 18) of the second axial recess (8) run at a second angle (21) to the axial direction, wherein the second angle (21) is not equal to the first angle (20) of the first lateral faces (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Mueller, Helmut Pamminger
  • Patent number: 9297426
    Abstract: A power take-off includes an input mechanism that is disposed within an input mechanism housing and is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy. A clutch assembly is disposed within a driveshaft housing and is adapted to be connected to a rotatably driven accessory. A driveshaft connects the input mechanism to the clutch assembly. The driveshaft may be disposed within the driveshaft housing, which also forms a housing for the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Damon B. Graves, John M. Loeffler, James E. Bohn
  • Patent number: 9297427
    Abstract: A hydraulic shaft coupling apparatus transfers power from a rotating drive shaft to a driven load shaft, where the apparatus has a self-contained internal fluid flow path having a fluid control valve that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow path to allow fluid flow when there is a substantial difference between drive shaft and driven shaft rotational speeds, and to gradually restrict the fluid flow as the difference between drive shaft and driven shaft speeds decrease to the point where fluid flow through the fluid passage is substantially stopped by the control valve resulting in the one-to-one transfer of rotational power from the drive shaft to the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Taylor Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Percival
  • Patent number: 9297428
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a front cover for connecting to an engine crankshaft; a clutch plate; a clutch backing plate limiting axial movement of the clutch plate away from the front cover; and a connector rigidly connected to the front cover and including a rivet portion for fixing the clutch backing plate to the front cover. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Gerdeman, David Avins, Daniel Sayre, Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 9297429
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode: the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, John Carrier
  • Patent number: 9297430
    Abstract: A park brake system for an electric motor actuator is provided. The system may comprise a wrap spring that may rotatably engage the shaft. In this regard, the system may be configured to exert a radial force on a shaft of the electric motor actuator to lock the actuator. Moreover, in various embodiments, the system may be bi-stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 9297431
    Abstract: A pad pressing spring which is mounted on a pad of a disc brake by causing a pinching portion to pinch a pad back plate is configured as follows. An elastic arm which presses the pad in a disc rotor normal-rotating direction continuously extends from a base end side of the pinching portion, and the elastic arm has a configuration in which, when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in a direction opposite to a direction in which a pad is pressed, a tip end side of the elastic arm comes into contact with a lateral surface of the pad back plate or the pinching portion, and thus a spring constant of the pad pressing spring increases compared to a spring constant in a state where a load exceeding the predetermined value is not applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yosuke Kamiya, Yuichi Takeo
  • Patent number: 9297432
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disc for a land vehicle, particularly a commercial vehicle, having an axis of rotation, a friction ring, a disc pot and a disc flange for flange-mounting the same to the wheel hub of a vehicle, wherein the disc flange includes a flange facing. According to the invention, it is provided that the flange facing encloses an acute angle with a normal of the axis of rotation in the longitudinal sectional plane that contains the axis of rotation, when the flange facing is in the non-flange-mounted state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: WABCO RADBREMSEN GMBH
    Inventor: Eugen Kloos
  • Patent number: 9297433
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator generates and applies a braking force to a vehicle wheel by converting a rotation movement of a screw member which is rotated by an electric parking brake driving device into a translatory movement and transmitting the converted translatory movement to a piston to push a brake pad to a disc by the piston. The electric parking brake driving device includes an electric motor and a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the driving force of the electric motor to the electric parking brake driving device. The reduction gear mechanism includes a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the electric motor, a first gear shaft rotatably supported on a first bearing member provided on a gear body and a first wheel gear formed on the first gear shaft and engaging the first wheel gear to thereby reduce the speed of driving force of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Morimasa Takewaki, Yuichi Takeo, Kosuke Sakai, Masakazu Ozawa, Katsuhiko Takasu
  • Patent number: 9297434
    Abstract: A shock absorber (11) comprising a tubular first portion in the form of a shock absorber casing (12) telescopically receiving a tubular second portion in the form of a piston (13) is disclosed. The first portion has an alignment member (15) which encapsulates a friction element (17) wrapped around said second portion. The alignment member (15) is longitudinally movable in between a first stop bearing (18) and a second stop bearing (19). The novel friction element (17) has a plurality of tips or protrusions (25) which extend, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston (13), towards the two stop bearings (18,19) and which hit either of said bearings (18,19) during the oscillatory back and forth movement of the alignment member (15) during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: AKSISTEM ELEKTROMEKANIK SAN VE TIC. LTD. STI
    Inventor: Adil Kanioz
  • Patent number: 9297435
    Abstract: A vibration absorber for a vehicle. The vibration absorber includes a bushing assembly and a mass. The bushing assembly includes an elastomeric element. The mass is mounted relative to the bushing assembly. Movement of the mass articulates the elastomeric element in shear to absorb vibration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Joseph F. Cerri
  • Patent number: 9297436
    Abstract: A valve includes an annular disc having an opening window and a passage that extends from an inner periphery or an outer periphery of the disc to the opening window, and an annular leaf valve that is laminated onto the disc in order to open and close the opening window. The passage is covered by the leaf valve so as to function as an orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuji Morita
  • Patent number: 9297437
    Abstract: An adjustable damping valve arrangement for a vibration damper comprises an actuator which exerts an actuating force on a multiple-part auxiliary valve body of an auxiliary valve. The auxiliary valve influences a closing force on a main stage valve via an auxiliary valve closing body which is movable axially relative to a shaft portion on the actuator side. During a lift movement, a main stage valve body of the main stage valve compresses a rear space connected to the control space via the auxiliary valve. An auxiliary valve closing spring acts upon the auxiliary valve closing body in closing direction independently from the actuator control, and the rear space has a flow-off channel having a damping valve which generates a damping force during a lift movement of the main stage valve body when the rear space is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Förster
  • Patent number: 9297438
    Abstract: An anisotropic vibration isolation mounting assembly includes at least two three-parameter vibration isolators each having a first end configured for attachment to a rotating member assembly or a rotating member assembly housing and each having a second, opposing end configured for attachment to the rotating member assembly housing where the first end is configured for attachment to the rotating member assembly or to a system interface member where the first member is configured for attachment to the rotating member assembly housing. The at least two three-parameter vibration isolators are tuned anisotropically to minimize the transmission of vibrations during operation of the rotating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Walter Lee Meacham, Eric Bridges, Alan Margolis
  • Patent number: 9297439
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having a housing defining a fluid chamber, piston assembly, tuning passage, and a switchable fluid path assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is allowed to flow within the housing. Actuation of a valve in the switchable fluid path assembly selectively controls fluid flow within the fluid path of the switchable fluid path assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 9297440
    Abstract: A seaming element for seaming industrial textiles for filtration or other uses, an industrial textile with seaming elements, and a method of seaming such textiles. The seaming element is secured to a first seamable end or edge of the fabric, and includes at least one extension member, which can be a channelled protrusion, and which is engageable with a corresponding at least one extension member of a corresponding seaming element secured to the second seamable end or edge. The seaming elements are configured and dimensioned so that when the extensions or protrusions of the two seaming elements are aligned together and engaged, in some embodiments being secured by a pintle, they have a thickness which is compatible with the caliper of the finished fabric, to form a secure seam while avoiding or minimizing any discontinuity or irregularity in the finished fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Manninen
  • Patent number: 9297441
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission having two partial transmissions with coaxial input shafts which can connect to an output shaft. The inputs of the first and second partial transmissions are a central shaft and a hollow shaft, respectively, that are coaxial with the output shaft. A countershaft assembly is parallel to the input and output shafts, to transmit rotation from the drive input to the output via a variety of gears. Gear stages (10-15) and shift elements (S1 to S7) selectively engage to change gears in the partial transmissions The hollow shaft couples stage (10) to a solid shaft of the countershaft assembly which has hollow shaft (9) that can couple the solid shaft via shifting element (S1) and can couple, via stage (11). Actuating shifting element (S2) to the central shaft of the first partial transmission which directly couples the output shaft via shifting element (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Michael Wechs
  • Patent number: 9297442
    Abstract: Examples are provided that describe a cycloid transmission with a chain link ring. An example cycloid transmission includes a motor shaft attached to a disc. The motor shaft may be used for rotating the disc. The cycloid transmission also comprises an outer chain link ring that surrounds the disc. The outer chain link ring includes rollers that are inserted at given interfaces between links of the outer chain link ring. The rollers contact the disc as the disc rotates. The cycloid transmission also comprises a housing. The links of the outer chain link are coupled at the given interfaces. The rollers are inserted at the given interfaces and into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Brenton Edward Piercy
  • Patent number: 9297443
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus may include first and second input shafts selectively receiving torque of a power source through first and second clutches, first and second output shafts disposed in parallel with the first and second input shafts, a plurality of input gears disposed on the first and second input shafts, and at least five speed gears selectively connected to the first and second output shafts through a plurality of synchronizer modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sueng Ho Lee, Chang Wook Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 9297445
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine drive belt tensioner system in which the engine is controlled by an engine stop-start system. When the engine stop-start system decides to stop the engine, the engine drive belt tensioner system is operated so as to increase the tension in a respective drive belt to a high level during the engine stop process. This reduces the time taken for the engine to stop and will tend to reduce any tendency for reverse rotation of the engine at the end of the stop phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Anthemios Philemon Petridis
  • Patent number: 9297446
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator with wide operating range load includes a shaft and a speed summed differential coupled to rotate the shaft. A prime mover is coupled to the speed summed differential and is configured to react to an output torque of the screw shaft. A torsional spring coupled to the speed summed differential by way of a rotary position sensor for detecting the rotation of the screw shaft thereby measuring the output torque of the shaft for control of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 9297447
    Abstract: A transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include first and second motor/generators, a planetary gear set, first and second output gears, a brake, a rotation restricting member on an axis of an input shaft receiving torque of an engine in a transmission housing and a hollow shaft disposed at a radial exterior of the input shaft and adapted to transmit the torque of the engine or torque of the first motor/generator to the second output gear, an outer shaft disposed at a radial exterior of the hollow shaft and adapted to transmit torque of the second motor/generator to the first output gear, and a rear cover coupled to a rear end portion of the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Baekyu Kim, Taesic Park, Seokjoon Kim, Chulmin Ahn, Sunggon Byun, Kwangmin Choi, Junhoi Huh
  • Patent number: 9297448
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing having opposite sidewalls and an outer wall extending between and connecting the opposite sidewalls, an impeller coaxial aligned with the rotational axis, a piston engagement member extending substantially radially inward from and non-moveable relative to the outer wall of the casing, and a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell having a turbine-piston flange with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement member to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the piston engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Michel Bacher, Gyubong Jeon, Zane Yang
  • Patent number: 9297449
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ring gear fastening structure in which a ring gear is fastened to the flange of a differential case configuring a differential sub-assembly. The inner circumferential surface of the ring gear is press-fitted into the outer circumferential surface of the flange, and the ring gear is swaged by means of a swage part which is disposed on at least one end of the flange in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface of the ring gear is formed with a circumferential groove which extends in the circumferential direction of said inner circumferential surface. The circumferential groove is disposed facing the outer circumferential surface of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Shioiri
  • Patent number: 9297450
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket is basically provided with a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first and second side surfaces face oppositely with respect to an axial direction of the bicycle rear sprocket. The first side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include a first shift tooth and a second shift tooth. The second shift tooth is positioned at a third tooth position in a downstream direction of a rotational driving direction of the bicycle rear sprocket with respect to the first shift tooth. The first shift tooth and the second shift tooth function as a shift tooth when a bicycle chain moves from a smaller bicycle rear sprocket to the bicycle rear sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Numata, Tsuyoshi Fukumori
  • Patent number: 9297451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothed wheel arrangement (1) comprising a main toothed wheel (2) and a toothed wheel (4) that can be rotated relative thereto in the circumferential direction (3), wherein the main toothed wheel (2) comprises a toothed wheel body (25) on which a hub (5) is arranged in a projecting manner in the axial direction so as, firstly, to accommodate a shaft and, secondly, to arrange the rotatable toothed wheel (4) thereon, for which purpose the rotatable toothed wheel (4) has a cutout (17) coaxial to an axially extending center axis of the main toothed wheel (2), and wherein the main toothed wheel (2) is connected to the rotatable toothed wheel (4) by means of a bayonet fastening (14). The bayonet fastening (14) is formed between the hub (5) and the rotatable toothed wheel (2) and/or between the hub (5) and a spring element (9) bearing on the rotatable toothed wheel (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Buchleitner, Karl Dickinger, Alexander Mueller, Wolfgang Siessl
  • Patent number: 9297452
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket member. The sprocket member includes an annular base portion, sprocket teeth, and a closed tooth opening. The sprocket teeth are configured to protrude radially outwardly from the annular base portion. The sprocket teeth are arranged in a circumferential direction of the annular base portion. Each of the sprocket teeth has a tooth bottom defining a root circle of the sprocket teeth. The closed tooth opening is at least partly positioned radially outwardly from the root circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tooru Iwai, Toyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9297453
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission may generate low hydraulic pressure and high hydraulic pressure using oil stored in an oil pan and may supply the low hydraulic pressure and the high hydraulic pressure respectively to a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. In the hydraulic pressure supply system, a low-pressure hydraulic pump pumping the oil stored in the oil pan and generating the low hydraulic pressure and a high-pressure hydraulic pump changing the low hydraulic pressure supplied from the low-pressure hydraulic pump into the high hydraulic pressure and supplying the high hydraulic pressure to the high pressure portion may be integrated as one hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Young Hwang, Taehwan Wi, Se Hwan Jo
  • Patent number: 9297454
    Abstract: In order to implement a reliable supply of lubricant to gear unit components during emergency or spinning operation of a gear unit, level control is provided in a lubricant sump of the gear unit as a function of the operating state by means of a control unit associated with a lubricant pump. During normal operation the level is adjusted to dry sump level. In contrast, the lubricant pump is switched off in emergency or spinning operation, so that a splash lubrication level is automatically achieved in the lubricant sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Barthel, Jan-Dirk Reimers, Jörg Tebroke, Ulrich Weinsdörfer
  • Patent number: 9297455
    Abstract: A method for modifying a default transmission shift schedule for a vehicle includes monitoring current vehicle parameters and determining future roadway information at a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle. Future vehicle parameters are predicted based on the determined future roadway information. The default transmission shift schedule is modified based on the current vehicle parameters and the predicted future vehicle parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 9297456
    Abstract: The rate of change of transmission output torque is computed based on the differential speeds of the axles and of the transmission output shaft adjusting for final drive ratio. The speed of the axle is measured by an anti-lock braking system and communicated to the transmission controller over a communications bus. To compensate for the delay introduced by the communications bus, a shift register delays the signal from the transmission output shaft speed sensor. The resulting estimate of rate of change of transmission output torque may be used directly to control the torque capacity of one or more transmission clutches. Additionally, the resulting estimate may be combined with an independent output torque estimate to yield a more accurate output torque estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Fodor, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Bradley Dean Riedle, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Patent number: 9297457
    Abstract: A sealing device is capable of fixing an elastomeric seal relative to a support member without using an adhesive or an adaptor. The support member (120) is configured from a stepped annular member having a small diameter portion (121) on the sealed liquid side (L) and a large diameter portion (122) on the opposite side (A) intervened by the small diameter portion (121). The large diameter portion (122) being larger in outer diameter than the small diameter portion (121), and the elastomeric seal (110) has an interference with an inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole (31) of the housing (30) and an interference with each of the small diameter portion (121) and the large diameter portion (122), and is fixed in a state in which the elastomeric seal (110) is press-fitted in between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole (31) and the support member (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Arita
  • Patent number: 9297458
    Abstract: A choke valve comprising: a body having an axial through hole and a radial entry port; a valve seat coaxially housed in the body axial through hole on a first side of the radial entry port; a pressure balanced valving member axially reciprocable within the body axial through hole between a first sealing position bearing against the valve seat and a second position spaced away from the seat; an actuator housing operably connected to the valving member; and a detachably connected reinforcement member detachably connected to the actuator housing and increasing the axial load that the actuator housing can take before failure of the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Cortec, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bobby Corte, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9297459
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a valve plate located in a movable manner within a holder, a sealing for sealing off of the valve plate relative to the holder, and a wedge arrangement with several first wedge elements located on the valve plate in its direction of movement at a distance from one another, and second wedge elements belonging to the first wedge elements, by means of which the valve plate is pressed transverse to the direction of movement of the valve plate against the sealing with a movement into a closing position. In order to facilitate a low-friction actuation with a reduced actuation force, also in a compact and space-saving manner, the second wedge elements are supported on the holder, so that they can move relative to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: VAG—ARMATUREN GMBH
    Inventor: Miroslav Falesnik
  • Patent number: 9297460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing element (10) to be mounted on a plugging head (76). The plugging head (76) is introduced into an access opening in the pipeline (70) or pipe (70). The pressurizable sealing element (10) delimits at least one pressurizable cavity (22, 92) with an inner surface (78), and seals an inner wall (74) of the pipeline (70) or pipe (70) with a generated surface (16, 40, 46, 48) when a pressure pi is applied to the cavity (22, 92).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Achim Stadler, Armin Barth
  • Patent number: 9297461
    Abstract: A three-way valve includes a rotatable shaft positioned within a cylindrical, linear bore within a housing. A fluid pressure source is coupled via an input port to an inner end of the bore which includes a valve chamber. An output port coupled to a pressure-operated device is also disposed in the housing and is connected to the valve chamber, as is a drain port. Attached to the shaft's inner end is a first seal, while a second seal is attached to the shaft in closely spaced relation to the first seal. Rotational displacement of the shaft clockwise causes the first seal to seal off the source of fluid pressure from the valve chamber, while allowing for fluid discharge through the drain port. Rotational displacement of the shaft in a second, opposed direction connects the pressure-operated device to the pressure source via valve chamber and isolates valve chamber from drain port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: BLAC, INC.
    Inventor: Duncan M Thompson
  • Patent number: 9297462
    Abstract: A switch valve which is configured such that a plurality of land sections and a valley section between the land sections are formed in a valve element that advances or retreats in an axial direction according to a manual operation, a plurality of port sections opened are provided in a cylinder section in which the valve element is inserted so as to be capable of advancing and retreating, and the prescribed port sections are made to communicate with each other via the valley section according to a position of the valve element in the axial direction or be blocked by the land section, the switch valve includes a seal section that seals a space between portions on both sides in the axial direction across either one of the land sections in a liquid-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Hattori, Tomokazu Inagawa, Kenta Kimura, Takafumi Inagaki, Yu Nagasato
  • Patent number: 9297463
    Abstract: A single-grip mixing faucet including a control unit with ceramic piece, a cartridge having one side connected to a footing and another side connected to an operating arm and wherein the cartridge includes a fixed inlet disc mounted to the footing and having one side engaged by one side of a movable control disc so as to form a mixing space, and wherein an opposite side of the control disc is engaged by a ceramic disc mover which is connected to the operating arm, and wherein a throttling element extends from the disc mover into the control disc for adjusting an angle between the inlet and control disk to regulate a range of a comfort temperature region of water flowing from the faucet, and wherein a cold water inlet and a hot water inlet are provided in the footing together with a mixed water outlet for water flowing out of the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KEROX IPARI ES KERESKEDELMI KFT.
    Inventors: Laszlo Asboth, Gyorgy Bolgar
  • Patent number: 9297464
    Abstract: An air valve connecting device includes a housing having an inlet mouth, a sliding member engaged in the housing and having a pathway for receiving the pressurized air from the inlet mouth, a rotary member rotatably engaged with the housing and having two or more compartments each for receiving a gasket and an inflation valve, the rotary member is rotatable relative to the housing for selectively aligning either of the compartments of the rotary member with the chamber of the housing and the sliding member, and a hand grip includes a cam member attached to the housing with a pivot shaft and engaged with the sliding member for forcing the sliding member to force the gaskets to engage with the inflation valves respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Beto Engineering & Marketing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lo Pin Wang
  • Patent number: 9297465
    Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a regulator valve, an actuator and a pilot regulator valve assembly. The pilot regulator valve assembly provides a pressure load to a surface of a diaphragm of the actuator in response to changes in downstream pressure being applied to the opposite surface of the diaphragm. An upper cavity of the pilot regulator valve assembly is in fluid communication with a control cavity of the actuator, allowing both the actuator diaphragm and the pilot regulator valve assembly diaphragm to simultaneously sense pressure variations within the cavities. As the downstream pressure varies, the diaphragms of both the actuator and the pilot regulator valve assembly displace to regulate the downstream pressure and the pilot regulator valve assembly maintains a load pressure. The regulator further includes a balanced regulator valve applying a balancing force to offset a force of upstream pressure on a balanced valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Scott Mevius, James Chester Hawkins, Paul Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 9297466
    Abstract: An improved safety device, for oil and gas installations, includes one or more conduits for the transport of oil and/or gas, and one or more valves, where the safety system includes a freezing device, which can be provided substantially around a conduit and/or a valve, where the freezing device cools the conduit and/or valve in such a way, preferably by using liquid nitrogen of freon, that the medium in the conduit and/or the valve freezes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: VORSCON HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus van Eijk
  • Patent number: 9297467
    Abstract: A leak detection apparatus which is to detect a fluid leak in a closed fluid system and produce a display of the information of the leak on a display window of a control panel which may also be programmed to transmit that information to the human user such as a cell phone. The leak detection apparatus can be located in a closed position, not permitting flow of fluid within the closed fluid system, or in an open position permitting flow of fluid into the closed fluid system. During inactivity the closed fluid system is not capable of receiving fluid from a fluid supply pipe. During activity when fluid is being normally discharged from the closed fluid system the leak detection apparatus is to receive fluid from the fluid supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: John O. Goseco
  • Patent number: 9297468
    Abstract: A sanitary outlet unit having an outlet fitting having at least one water outlet and including an aeration device for aerating the water flow and arranged in the flow direction spaced from and upstream of the at least one water outlet, and having at least one valve part, which regulates the inflow from at least one water pipe to the water outlet (3). To provide a sanitary outlet unit that ensures reliable aeration of the water flow that can be integrated without undue structural modifications into existing fittings, the aeration device is received in the at least one valve part and the aeration device is provided with at least one actuator, the movement of which between at least one closed and at least one open position alters the admission of ambient air to the water flow inside the valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schurle, Werner Bammerlin, Michael Steinbrunner
  • Patent number: 9297469
    Abstract: Valve seat assemblies are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage. The valve seat assembly is to be disposed in a valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The first side, the second side and the third side are to be in contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side is to be in contact with the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell
  • Patent number: 9297470
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a hot stab and a complementary connection block. The hot stab and the connection block are each provided with a pressure balanced rotating sleeve. When the hot stab is disconnected from the connection block, the rotating sleeve is in a closed position and fluid is not allowed to flow through the :hot stab. The rotating sleeve of the connection block is also in a closed position such that fluid is not allowed to flow through the connection block. The hot stab may be connected and disconnected to the connection block without reducing the fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Blue Logic AS
    Inventors: Lars Gunnar Hodnefjell, Helge Sverre Eide