Patents Issued in April 5, 2016
  • Patent number: 9302532
    Abstract: A spoked wheel includes a rim, at least one spoke and at least one sealing sticker. The rim includes a spoke bed wall with at least one spoke hole therein, a pair of tire-holding flanges extending from opposite edges of the spoke bed wall, a base wall located radially inboard from the spoke bed wall and connected to the flanges. The base wall has an opening corresponding to the spoke hole of the spoke bed wall. The spoke has a nipple portion inserted in the spoke hole of the spoke bed wall of the rim, and a shank portion extending from the nipple portion and through the opening of the base wall of the rim. The sealing sticker is provided to seal the opening of the base wall of the rim and close any gap between the opening of the base wall and the shank portion of the spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MEGA COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shu-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 9302534
    Abstract: Each spoke portion (50) includes a center valley portion (51), and spoke projecting threads (52) formed on both sides of the center valley portion (51). Each of the spoke projecting threads (52) includes an inclined surface portion (54), which protrudes outward in a spoke widthwise direction from a top (53) and inclines downward to a wheel axially back side. The inclined surface portion (54) is formed so that a length thereof in a range of from the top (53) to an outer end of the inclined surface portion (54) in the spoke widthwise direction becomes larger toward a spoke distal end side, and that an average downward inclination angle thereof becomes smaller toward the spoke distal end side. With this configuration, it is possible to increase rigidity of the spoke portion with good balance while avoiding interference with a braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Goto, Kaoru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9302535
    Abstract: Each spoke portion includes spoke projecting threads on both sides thereof, and a reinforcing plate portion is formed so as to protrude from a side edge of each of the spoke projecting threads outward in a spoke widthwise direction. The reinforcing plate portion is formed continuously with an inter-spoke plate portion extended from a fitting portion of a disc flange portion to a wheel radially inner side, and forms an integral plate surface with the inter-spoke plate portion. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce imbalance of rigidity of the spoke portion in a radial direction, and to increase rigidity of an automobile wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Goto
  • Patent number: 9302536
    Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel cover including a frame having a locking door, at least two hinge points, at least two spring attachments, and at least two retaining features. The frame has a front side and a back side, with the at least two hinge points arranged integrally and circumferentially on the back side of the frame. The at least two spring attachments are rotatably connected to the at least two hinge points. The at least two retaining features are located adjacent to said at least two hinge points in the radial direction, and the at least two spring attachments are secured in the at least two retaining features. One of the at least two hinge points is located on the locking door. The locking door is used to install the final spring attachment on the drop center or hub of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Consolidated Metco, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Wildey, Michael Miga
  • Patent number: 9302537
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rim having a noise suppression device. The rim includes an outer radial surface that is concentrically disposed about a central axis. A tire is mounted to the rim to define a tire cavity between the outer radial surface of the rim and an interior surface of the tire. The noise suppression device includes a device wall that defines at least one resonator chamber, and includes a plurality of apertures allowing fluid communication between the tire cavity and the resonator chamber, with each of the plurality of apertures defining an opening area between the range of 0.03 mm2 and 0.8 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jinshuo Zhu, Chong Wang, Christopher A. Stirlen, Alan V. Parrett
  • Patent number: 9302538
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for one or more of: (1) airflow enhancement around a rim using cusps that create virtual surfaces of air with the bike in motion, which also encourage favorable air attachment around the rim; (2) wake reduction by streamlining the airfoil around the rim using trip edges at various points of rim surface transition, which cause a laminar flow to go turbulent for enhancing the streamline effect; (3) a double rim surface, which provides an air slot between the two rim surfaces at a distance that enhances flow attachment and adds energy of air flow around the rim by moving air between areas of high and low pressure; and (4) a tubeless tire rim kit capable of converting conventional rims into tubeless ones and also promoting the sealing of the tire to the rim with minimal air pressure necessary to create the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ENVE Composites, LLC
    Inventor: Simon Smart
  • Patent number: 9302539
    Abstract: A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel having a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The planar faces of the rigid wheel each have a spacer positioned thereon. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure, the spacers configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the portions of the tire between the vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
  • Patent number: 9302540
    Abstract: A wheel frame of the fiber composite material includes multiple arched frame bars each including a foam body made out of a foam material and a fiber composite cover layer made out of a fiber composite material and wrapped about the foam body, the arched frame bars being joined together by means of connection surface portions of the fiber composite cover layers thereof to form a circular wheel frame, the connection surface portions of each two adjacent arched frame bars forming a support face to work as a support rib supporting the wheel frame. Thus, the fiber composite wheel frame has the characteristic of lightweight and will not easily break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FULL TECH COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph Hsu
  • Patent number: 9302541
    Abstract: A sprag clutch assembly for an aircraft drive wheel drive system capable of moving an aircraft autonomously on the ground in both forward and reverse directions is provided. The clutch is mounted within an aircraft drive wheel to be operatively engaged to control drive means braking torque when the aircraft is driven in a forward or reverse direction. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of pivoted sprag elements activatable to transmit torque and configured so that ratcheting occurs only when the aircraft drive wheel is driven in a forward direction and a braking torque is applied when the aircraft drive wheel is driven in reverse when the relative speed of the drive system is slower than the drive wheel speed, thereby permitting the drive system drive motor to function as a brake when the clutch assembly is engaged and the aircraft is reversing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Sidney Edelson
  • Patent number: 9302542
    Abstract: A quick attachment arm for securing to an elevated and structurally supporting location. A multi-sided and compressible band is constructed of a spring-loaded material. The band is open at its outer end and adapted to permit the band to be attached around a perimeter of the supporting location. An elongated arm is pivotally supported to and extending from the band, the arm adapted to supporting a weighted article placed thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: David J. Easterbrook
  • Patent number: 9302543
    Abstract: A trolley for use in a cable lift having a mast with a generally rectangular hollow cavity forming a track in which the trolley may be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly. The trolley is connected to a cradle outside the mast upon which an object to be lifted may be placed. The trolley has trolley wheels which make rolling contact with a front and back side of the track to resist a forward bending moment in down direction on the cradle. The trolley has spacer wheels which make rolling contact with a right and left sides of the track to resist a lateral bending moment on the cradle such that the cradle may be mounted on the mast offset from centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Peter J. Pierce, Paul J. Altnether
  • Patent number: 9302544
    Abstract: Disclosed is a twin-pedal-controlled swivel caster, comprising a caster body frame (1), a pair of caster assemblies (2) disposed at two sides of the caster body frame (1), a swivel assembly (5) disposed on the caster body frame (1), and a braking module (3) capable of braking by stepping on a braking pedal (32) and a brake release module (4) capable of resetting the movement of the caster by stepping on a braking release pedal (41), both of which are disposed in the caster body frame (1). By means of the pedals, the swivel caster can both lock the rotation of a wheel plate of the caster and lock the direction of rotation of the caster, and can also release the dual-locked state by means of the braking release pedal (41) located in the same direction as the braking pedal (32), making the caster return to a state of full freedom again. The braking and braking release actions of the swivel caster are convenient and easy, and the swivel caster is simple to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIAN SECURE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventor: Yebing Jie
  • Patent number: 9302545
    Abstract: [Problem] It is an object to provide a tire for a motorcycle which realizes a low fuel consumption and is also excellent in a grip performance. [Means for Resolution] A tire (2) includes a tread (4) and a carcass (12) having a radial structure. The tread (4) includes a base layer (21) and a cap layer (22). The cap layer (22) has a center region (23) and a pair of shoulder regions (24) positioned on an outside in an axial direction with respect to the center region (23). A ratio (Wc/Wt) of a width (Wc) of the center region (23) to a width (Wt) of the tread (4) is equal to or higher than 0.15 and is equal to or lower than 0.4. A loss tangent (tan ?c) of the center region (23) is smaller than a loss tangent (tan ?s) of the shoulder region (24). A loss tangent (tan ?b) of the base layer (21) is smaller than the loss tangent (tan ?s) of the shoulder region (24). The loss tangent (tan ?b) of the base layer (21) is equal to or smaller than 0.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Katsumi Kasai
  • Patent number: 9302546
    Abstract: Tire (10) comprising a tread (40) having a mean radial height HB, an outer edge (45) and an inner edge (46), the axial distance between the outer edge (45) and the inner edge (46) defining the axial width L of the tread, the tread comprising a first portion (411) made of a first rubber compound, extending from the outer edge (45) to a first axial position at an axial distance from the outer edge of between 20% and 40% of the axial width; a second portion (412) made of a second rubber compound, extending from said first axial position to a second axial position at an axial distance from the outer edge of between 50% and 60% of the axial width L; a third portion (413) made of a third rubber compound extending from said second axial position to a third axial position at an axial distance from the outer edge of between 80% and 90% of the axial width L; and a fourth portion (414) made of a fourth rubber compound, extending from said third axial position to the inner edge (46) of the tread, wherein said first and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Faure, Emmanuel Igier, Jean-Luc Mangeret
  • Patent number: 9302547
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion divided by three circumferentially continuously extending main grooves into two crown land portions and two shoulder land portions. The axial width W2 of the shoulder land portion is 1.15 to 2.0 times the axial width W1 of the crown land portion. Crown axial grooves disposed in the crown land portions have a groove width of at most 2 mm and are inclined to the opposite direction to the inclining direction of the radially outermost belt ply cords. Shoulder axial grooves disposed in the shoulder land portions are inclined to the same direction as the inclining direction of the radially outermost belt ply cords. Each of the shoulder axial grooves is not connected to the main groove or alternatively connected to the main groove through a narrow part having a width of 1.2 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9302548
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises an asymmetric tread pattern with a designated install direction to a vehicle having an outboard tread edges, the tread pattern having an outboard tread portion between the outboard tread edge and a tire equator and provided with an outer main groove, the outer main groove having a cross section comprising a bottom with a depth of 5.5 to 6.5 mm, and axially inner and outer groove walls each extending from the bottom to a tread contact surface, respectively, at least one of groove walls having a stepwise shape comprising a radially inner portion extending from the bottom with a height of 2.0 to 4.0 mm, an axially extending stepped portion extending from the radially inner portion with a length of 0.75 to 1.25 mm, and a radially outer portion between the stepped portion and the tread contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Maiko Tanabe, Junichiro Morozumi
  • Patent number: 9302549
    Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a crown main groove and a middle axial groove. The middle axial groove extends axially outwardly from its axially inner end axially outwardly spaced apart from the crown main groove and inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction at an angle of from 45 to 75 degrees. In a cross section along the widthwise center line of the middle axial groove, an end wall of the axially inner end is inclined at an angle 0 to 50 degrees with respect to the normal direction to the tread from the radially outer edge of the end wall toward the groove bottom, and a corner between the end wall and the groove bottom is chamfered by an arc having a radius of curvature of 1 to 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo Atake
  • Patent number: 9302550
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is configured so that half-tread regions on both sides in the widthwise direction of the tire are provided with: a wave-shaped circumferential main groove group including outer circumferential main grooves and an inner circumferential main groove; land sections; and lug grooves, sipes, or lug groove and sipe combinations formed by combining lug grooves and sipes. The lug grooves are configured in such a manner that, in the half-tread region on the first side, wave-shaped crests are connected at both ends of the land section in the widthwise direction of the tire, and in such a manner that, in the half-tread region on the second side, wave-shaped troughs are connected at both ends of the land section in the widthwise direction of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Koishikawa
  • Patent number: 9302551
    Abstract: At least one of land portion sections 14, 15, 16 that are formed in a tread surface portion 10a is constituted by a first land portion 17 and a second land portion 18 being alternately and consecutively arranged along the tire circumference direction R, and a first top surface portion 17a and a first inclined surface portion 17b whose recess amount inward in a radial direction of the tire gradually increases in accordance with heading from the first top surface portion 17a toward the outer side in a width direction of the tire H are provided in a first land portion 17, and a second top surface portion 18a and a second inclined surface portion 18b whose recess amount inward in the radial direction of the tire gradually increases in accordance with heading from the second top surface portion 18a toward the inner side in the width direction of the tire H are provided in a second land portion 18, and by the first inclined surface portion 17b and the second inclined surface portion 18b mutually overlapping in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kiwaki
  • Patent number: 9302552
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an asymmetric tread pattern. The width of an outboard shoulder main groove (3) is 3 to 4% of the tread width TW. The width of an inboard shoulder main groove (4) is 5 to 6% of TW. The width of an outboard crown main groove (5) is 6 to 7% of TW. The width of an inboard crown main groove (6) is 6 to 7% of TW. In each of the grooves (4, 5, 6), an outboard groove face's angle ?1 is more than an inboard groove face's angle ?2, wherein ?1 is 13 to 19 degrees, and ?2 is 9 to 14 degrees. In the groove (3), an outboard groove face's angle ?3 is 9 to 14 degrees, and an inboard groove face's angle ?4 is 5 to 8 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Mukai
  • Patent number: 9302553
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion provided with a pair of center main grooves and a pair of shoulder main grooves to define a center portion, a pair of middle portions, and a pair of shoulder portions. The shoulder main grooves extend in a trapezoid wave manner that includes a circumferentially extending axially outer part, an axially inner part arranged axially inwardly of the axially outer part, and an inclined part connecting between the axially outer and inner parts. The shoulder portion is provided with shoulder lateral grooves extending from the shoulder main groove to a tread edge to define a plurality of shoulder blocks. Each shoulder lateral groove has its axially inner end connected to the axially outer part of the shoulder main groove so as to include an outer corner point between the axially outer part and the inclined part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ninomiya, Satoshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9302554
    Abstract: A system for controlling bicycle tire air pressure on the go is provided. The system has a wheel mounted portion and a control unit in wireless communication with one another. The wheel mounted portion attached to each wheel has a gas source, manifold, regulator to control air flow into and out of the tire, and a wireless communication device. The control unit monitors air pressure in each tire, and has a user interface allowing input of a higher or lower tire pressure. Based on user input, the control unit instructs operation of the wheel mounted portion, controlling pressure within the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Reiss
  • Patent number: 9302555
    Abstract: Provided are a tire pressure detecting module that simply identifies a position of a tire detecting module to automatically assign the position of the tire detecting module and a tire pressure detecting system including the same. The tire pressure detecting module includes a phase angle sensor detecting a phase angle of a wheel, a pressure detecting sensor detecting a pressure and temperature of a tire, a pressure detecting control unit selecting one transmission pattern of a plurality of transmission patterns, in which phase angle numbers are arranged, to calculate a standby time taken until a phase angle number of the selected transmission pattern and the detected phase angle of the wheel match each other, and a pressure detecting transmission part transmitting tire information including the pressure or temperature detected according to the selected transmission pattern, transmission pattern information that is information with respect to the selected transmission pattern, and the standby time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 9302556
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly includes a sidewall and a tire cavity for maintaining pressure; an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of the sidewall, air passageway, the air passageway operably closing segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates adjacent a rolling tire footprint, the elongate air passageway having at least one check valve device seated within the axial air passageway; and a relief valve assembly comprising a chamber body, a valve, a piston, and a silicone ring, the valve having a valve body and a valve head, the valve head, deforming to release over-pressurized air from the tire cavity to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Andre Cuny, Gauthier Piret, Massimo Di Giacomo Russo
  • Patent number: 9302557
    Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A release arm is pivotally attached to the top plate and the jaw. A trigger member is pivotally attached to the release arm and has a locking head. A main spring urges the jaw towards the closed position. A locking protrusion is attached to the top plate and is engaged by the locking head of the trigger member when the jaw is in the open position so as to prevent the jaw from moving into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel
    Inventors: Steven Alldredge, Tim Johnson, Todd Shelton, Charles Rosato
  • Patent number: 9302558
    Abstract: An adjustment device of an auxiliary carry device connected to a baby stroller includes an expanding unit and a folding unit. The folding unit is connected to a board. The expanding unit has two cables, two links and a base. The two cables are connected to the baby stroller, and the two links are connected between the cables and the base connected to the board. The expanding unit makes the two links simultaneously be pivoted away from or toward each other. The folding unit is connected between the board and the expanding unit to pivot the base. The board is pivoted relative to the baby stroller to save space, and the cables provide cushion feature to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Tsung-Daw Lee, Liang-Jen Fan
  • Patent number: 9302559
    Abstract: An independent suspension system with self-compensated floating swing arm is provided. The independent suspension system with self-compensated floating swing arm includes at least one of an independent suspension apparatus with self-compensated floating swing arm for controlling wheels of a vehicle to perform linear motion constantly along vertical direction of car body of the vehicle, and a scissors-type anti-skew bar apparatus controlled by centrifugal force for balancing skew force when the vehicle is cornering. The two mechanisms can be used together or independently. Also, they may be applicable for front wheels or rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: He Hou
  • Patent number: 9302560
    Abstract: A stabilizer link apparatus may include ball studs having balls at terminals thereof, a link having ball sockets at upper and lower ends thereof, the balls being rotatably accommodated in the ball sockets, dust covers assembled between circumferences of the ball sockets and middle sections of the ball studs, the dust covers preventing impurities from invading the ball sockets, and friction-providing unit engaged between the ball stud and the link, wherein the friction-providing unit provide predetermined amounts of rotating frictional resistance to the ball studs when the ball studs rotate with respect to the link such that the rotating frictional resistance of the ball stud at the lower end of the link is greater than the rotating frictional resistance of the ball stud at the upper end of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 9302561
    Abstract: A mount structure for a vehicle damper is provided with: an upper damper mount (26) and a lower damper mount (28) which grip a body panel (16) in the vertical direction; a collar member (40) penetrating through the upper damper mount (26) and the lower damper mount (28); a pair of gripping members (42a, 42b) for gripping both the upper damper mount (26) and the lower damper mount (28) from the outside; a fastening member (44) for fastening and integrating each of the collar member (40), the upper damper mount (26), and the lower damper mount (28) to a piston rod (18); and a transmission member (46) gripped between the upper damper mount (26) and the lower damper mount (28) and transmitting to the body panel (16) an input transmitted from the damper body (14) side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumitaka Itou
  • Patent number: 9302562
    Abstract: A system and method for heating a hot cargo on a watergoing vessel using a heat source on another watergoing vessel. The heat may be transferred to the hot cargo via heat umbilicals configured to carry heat in a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be circulated in a hot cargo heat exchanger configured to move heat into the hot cargo. The heat source on the another watergoing vessel may be a propulsion motor, exhaust heat, or non-propulsion heat source. The method may include heating the hot cargo. The method may also include switching between heat sources when both vessels are configured to heat the hot cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Martin Operating Partnership L.P.
    Inventor: Edward Henry Grimm, III
  • Patent number: 9302563
    Abstract: An electric heater for an automobile vehicle, with an electronic controller and a heat transmitting net, whereby the heat transmitting net contains a multitude of PTC-heating elements, a multitude of contact sheets and heat dissipating fins, whereby the PTC-heating elements are respectively arranged between two adjacent contact sheets and form a heating element with the contact sheets whereby some of the contact sheets are connected to connectors, which are arranged at the electronic controller and are connected to either a positive pole of a power supply or a negative pole of a power supply and are arranged in an alternating order, whereby the quantity of connectors that are connected to a positive pole of a power supply and the quantity of connectors that are connected to a negative pole of a power supply differs by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Gries
  • Patent number: 9302564
    Abstract: An air extractor is provided for reducing wind throb in a vehicle. The air extractor includes a support having a first opening. A first flap is pivotally mounted to support frame in the first opening. The first flap is displaceable between a fully outwardly open position, a fully inwardly open position and an intermediate closed position. Further, the flap is tuned to a resonance frequency of between 12 and 18 hertz characteristic of the wind throb generated by the vehicle in which the air extractor is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Todter, Bill Gulker, Fei Liu, Yongjian Chen, Artem Poliakov, Scott Clifton, Paul Bremner
  • Patent number: 9302565
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle is disclosed having a compressible fluid system including at least one sensor configured to determine a fluid pressure present within the compressible fluid system, and a circulator configured to circulate air in the engine compartment. The vehicle is configured to activate the circulator in response to a decrease in the fluid pressure, and in some approaches may also open a grill shutter or other fluid passage into the engine compartment. Exemplary methods may include providing a circulator configured to selectively circulate airflow, e.g., into an engine compartment of a vehicle, and detecting a fluid pressure decrease within a compressible fluid system in the engine compartment. The circulator may be activated to circulate air in the engine compartment in response to at least the detected fluid pressure decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William S. Johnston, Manfred Koberstein, Steven L. Lambert
  • Patent number: 9302566
    Abstract: A method for controlling movement of a window glass (12) in a vehicle using an electric motor (26) associated with a drive mechanism (1,2,3,4) through a cable (50), said method comprising the steps: determining an actual position (X2) of the window glass (12) based on the movement of the motor (26), determining a cable stiffness (S2), determining a position lag (400) of the window glass (12) based on the determined actual position (X2) of the window glass (12), a predetermined position (Z2) of the window glass (12) and the cable stiffness (S2); and continuously correcting the position of the window glass (12) based on the determined position lag (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Pruessel, Scott Averitt, Kumar Saurabh
  • Patent number: 9302567
    Abstract: A versatile barrier within a vehicle improves safety while transporting pets. The versatility of the barrier applies to both its positioning and orientation within a single vehicle and its utilization in different types of vehicles. The barrier can be utilized vertically or horizontally, or some combination thereof, to confine a pet to an area in the vehicle away from the driver. Multiple attachment points allow the barrier to be adjusted to the shape necessary to create such separation. The multiple attachment points—on the barrier's perimeter and/or interior—create versatility and adjustability with respect to utilizing the barrier in various types of vehicles and creating multiple possible configurations within a single vehicle. Similarly, the combination of possible materials used for modes of attachment creates a barrier that can be utilized not only in various types of vehicles but also in multiple configurations within a single vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Susan Diane Littell
  • Patent number: 9302568
    Abstract: A light filtering transparent or semitransparent visor intended to prevent flash blindness and other hazards associated with the adverse affects associated with bright lights impacting the eyesight of occupants of a vehicle. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the visor comprises a larger, tinted body surrounding a smaller, much more heavily tinted body intended to filter the bright rays of sun to enable safe viewing of the sun through the filter. The entire apparatus is designed to be repositioned directly in the line of sight between the viewer and the sun in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Grey Matter Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Philos Kim
  • Patent number: 9302569
    Abstract: A waterproofing structure for a vehicle door having a cover member for closing a service hole formed in an inner panel, and a clip for detachably mounting the cover member to the inner panel. The cover member includes a seat portion and a tool hole. The seat portion is formed on an outer side of the cover member facing the inner panel, and the clip is mounted thereto. To detach the clip from the inner panel, a tool is inserted into the tool hole from an inner side. The clip includes a countersunk head covering the tool hole to seal the hole while the clip is mounted to the seat portion. The seat portion serves as a canopy with respect to the tool hole, and changes a course of water entering an interior of the door and falling toward the tool hole from the outer side of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogino, Jyunya Ukai, Toshio Iwahara, Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 9302570
    Abstract: An automotive rain shield system including: an air compressor that injects and sucks air to operate a rain shield; a shield module including a lift tube that operates an X-shaped frame so that the rain shield like a tent expands, by expanding when the air compressor injects air into the lift tube, and a rain shield tube that expands when the air compressor injects air into the rain shield tube so that the rain shield like a tent expands; an external switch that inputs a signal for making the air compressor inject air, outside a vehicle; and a door sensor that senses a door of the vehicle closing so that the air compressor returns the rain shield by sucking the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DONG-A UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY-ACADEMY COOPERATION
    Inventors: Jeongkuk Yeom, Jungmin Youn, Chanwon Hwang, Seunglok Baek, Minwoong Lee, Jungsik Choi, Sangyun Shin
  • Patent number: 9302571
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel adapted to open and close an opening formed on a roof of a vehicle; a guide rail disposed in each edge portion of the opening in a width direction and extending in a longitudinal direction; a slide member linked to each edge portion of the movable panel, being movable along the guide rail, and driven to move by an electrical driving source; a check mechanism regulating a movement of the movable panel; a first member supported by one of each edge portion of the movable panel in the width direction and the slide member; and a second member supported by the other of each edge portion of the movable panel in the width direction and the slide member so as to be pivotally movable around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Katsura, Ryuta Fukada
  • Patent number: 9302572
    Abstract: The present invention includes a durable, weather resistant, and light weight apparatus for covering a vehicle and providing protection from objects that might strike and damage the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. The object of this invention is to provide a vehicle cover which covers both the horizontal and vertical surfaces of a vehicle, which can deployed by a single person, folded for easy deployment, retrieval and storage, and which can be stretched or compressed to fit various sizes of automobiles while maintaining its protective effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Jilin Wang
  • Patent number: 9302573
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery pack with an exhaust port, an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port, and other vehicle components. A cargo tub and one or more trim panels are arranged to define a duct spanning from the exhaust port, across the vehicle and to an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port. Air flows along the duct en route to outside the vehicle via the air extractor. The vehicle may also include a cabin and an inlet to the cabin spaced away from the exhaust port. The cargo tub and one or more trim panels may also be arranged to define a recirculation path from the duct to the inlet such that a portion of the air exiting the exhaust port flows along the recirculation path to the cabin via the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, David Fabricatore
  • Patent number: 9302574
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission for a hybrid vehicle includes a pair of drive wheels each driven by a final drive gear/differential mechanism. A planetary differential gear set including a plurality of components provides drive torque to the final drive gear/differential mechanism. A first motor generator is drivingly connected to a first component of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set. A second motor generator is drivingly connected to a second component of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set. A flywheel is drivingly connected to the planetary differential gear set by a reduction gear. A first brake is connected to one of the plurality of components of the planetary differential gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 9302575
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle and a method of assembling the powertrain are disclosed. An engine includes a crankshaft being rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of the crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to rotate the ring gear and the crankshaft to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter selectively cooperating with the starter mechanism to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter and the second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Alexandru Rajala, Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri
  • Patent number: 9302576
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle can transmit the driving force of engine E to the motor M or reversely the driving force of motor M to the engine E when the vehicle is stopped while avoiding transmission of the driving force of either of them to the driving wheels D such that the vehicle remains stopped. In some embodiments, a power transmitting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle can comprise a first clutch operatively posited between an engine mounted on a vehicle to driving wheels in a power transmission system and configured to transmit or cutoff driving force of the engine to or from the driving wheels; a second clutch operatively positioned between a motor mounted on a vehicle to the driving wheels in a power transmission system and configured to transmit or cut off driving force of the motor to or from the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Shouji Asatsuke, Akio Oishi, Ryouhei Chiba, Jun Ishimura, Keiichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9302577
    Abstract: Dual Halbach array element electric motor/generator with paired enhanced sides and substantially contiguous vertical and horizontal electromagnetic cores, comprised of a plurality of electromagnets arranged in Halbach array sequence, with horizontal cores equipped with fork-like prongs to provide substantial contiguity with vertical cores, assembled to serve as a circular or linear stator, rotor, or both, and a plurality of permanent magnets likewise arranged in a Halbach array sequence, assembled to serve as a circular or linear stator or rotor where required, with the enhanced sides of each Halbach array element, as rotor and stator, are paired together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Roberto Sanchez Catalan
  • Patent number: 9302578
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor driving device in which a motor section A and a wheel hub bearing section C are connected coaxially in series via a speed reducer section B, whereby an axial dimension of the in-wheel motor driving device is reduced to provide a large inside space of a vehicle as well as an increase in freedom of routing a power supply wires. A terminal box for the power supply wires which supply power to the motor section A is disposed on the outer circumferential side surface of the housing which holds the motor section A. The power supply wires are routed out of the terminal box to an inboard side and are anchored by a power supply wire holder which extends perpendicularly to an axial centerline of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Ken Yamamoto, Ryou Yukishima
  • Patent number: 9302579
    Abstract: A flush mounted tractor exhaust outlet includes a plastic tractor hood panel sandwiched between an outlet ring and a support plate. Spacers are provided between the outlet ring and the support plate. An air passage is provided between the support plate and an outlet plate that does not contact the plastic tractor hood panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas M Toomey, Prakash Sahoo
  • Patent number: 9302580
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle is provided having an electric motor for generating a drive torque for the vehicle having a reduction gear section; the reduction gear section being operatively connected to the electric motor and reducing the drive torque; having a power divider section operatively connected to the reduction gear section; the power divider section distributing the reduced drive torque to the two output shafts; the power divider section and the reduction gear section being configured coaxially to a main transmission axis; and the power divider section being configured as a planetary gear set, a planetary drive being associated with each of the output shafts; the planetary gears of the two planetary drives being configured on a common planetary-gear carrier in a common pitch-circle diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 9302581
    Abstract: A disconnecting driveline component can include a shaft coupled to one of a pair of output members of a differential. A clutch input can be coupled for rotation with one of a ring gear and the one of the output members. A clutch output can be coupled for rotation with one of a differential case and the shaft. A collar can be axially-slidable between a first position, where the collar couples the clutch input and the clutch output to transmit rotational power therebetween, and a second position where the collar is rotatably decoupled from one of the clutch input and the clutch output. A pilot input can be non-rotatably coupled to the clutch input. A pilot output can be fixed to the clutch output. An electromagnet can draw the pilot input into frictional engagement with the pilot output when the collar is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Joseph Valente
  • Patent number: 9302582
    Abstract: A display system for a work vehicle includes a rotation speed display section for selectively displaying an engine rotation speed or a PTO rotation speed in a same display area, a display selection switch for outputting a display selection command, a discrimination display section for displaying a discrimination object for discriminating which of the engine rotation speed and the PTO rotation speed is being displayed and a display control section for selectively providing an engine rotation speed display signal or a PTO rotation speed display signal to the rotation speed display section based on the display selection command and providing the discrimination display section with a display signal for the discrimination object based on the display selection command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Togo, Keita Ono, Ryuji Kitagawa, Koji Masumoto, Kengo Satoh