Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9476479
    Abstract: Provided are a tubular vibration-damping device for a vibration-damping connecting rod, a vibration-damping connecting rod using the same and a method of manufacturing the vibration-damping connecting rod. The device including an inner shaft member and an outer tubular member being connected by a main rubber elastic body, the inner shaft member having a structure wherein first and second connecting members are inserted into a sleeve member bonded to the main rubber elastic body, the connecting members being axially overlapped with and spaced from each other to provide a rod-end insertion space communicated with outside via rod insertion holes that open through peripheral walls of the sleeve member and the outer tubular member, one end of a rod main body being inserted via the rod insertion holes into the rod-end insertion space and fixed to the first and second connecting members by a fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Satoki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9476480
    Abstract: Energy guiding chain, whose chain links (1, 2) each consist of two side straps (3, 4) that are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), where the cross-members display a bearing area (7) on at least one of their ends and, seen in the longitudinal direction of the side straps (3, 4), a contact area (9) outside the bearing area. To avoid the accumulation of foreign bodies, the side (11) of the contact area of the cross-members facing from the inside of the chain outwards displays a convex curvature or a linear slope towards its contact surface (10) and encloses an angle of <90° with the inner side (3a, 4a) of the respective side strap, such that the contact surface (10) moves along the inner side of the side strap towards the inside of the chain when the cross-member is pivoted open until a completely opened position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Stefan Strack
  • Patent number: 9476481
    Abstract: Exemplary arrangements for drive chains are disclosed. In one exemplary arrangement, a tooth shaped link member for a drive chain comprises a web portion, a first side tooth, a second side tooth and a central guide tooth. The web portion extends between opposing side portions of the link member. The first side tooth and the second side tooth each include an apex that is oriented at an angle to extend toward the central guide tooth. In another exemplary arrangement, a drive chain comprises a plurality of inner links that are operatively connected to a plurality of outer links, where a pair of rollers are mounted between the inner links with a pin being positioned between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Riegger, Jeffrey D. Fluharty
  • Patent number: 9476482
    Abstract: A four-stage multi-stage transmission in which carrier of first gear set and ring gear of fourth gear set can be coupled to housing via first brake or to drive shaft via first clutch. Sun of first gear set can be coupled to housing via second brake. Ring gear of first gear set and sun of second gear set can be coupled to drive shaft via second clutch. Drive shaft can be coupled to ring gear of second gear set via third clutch. Carrier of second gear set is permanently connected to carrier of fourth gear set, and carrier of third gear set and sun of fourth gear set are permanently connected to drive shaft. By varying further couplings within the multi-stage transmission, a set of gears having similar properties is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9476483
    Abstract: A multi stage transmission for the vehicle may include an input shaft and an output shaft, a first planetary gear device, a second planetary gear device, a third planetary gear device, and a fourth planetary gear device configured to transfer a rotating force between the input shaft and the output shaft and each including three rotating elements, and at least six shift elements connected to the rotating elements of the planetary gear devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Won Min Cho, Jae Chang Kook, Myeong Hoon Noh, Seong Wook Ji, Kang Soo Seo, Seong Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 9476484
    Abstract: A gearbox apparatus comprising a base gear, output gear, center gear set, and input cam. The input cam has eccentricity to allow simultaneous gear interaction between the center gear set and the base gear, and the center gear set and the output gear. The center gear set's gear interacting with the output gear having number of teeth A. The output gear with number of teeth being B. The center gear set's gear interacting with the base gear having number of teeth C. The base gear with number of teeth being D. For gears of the same pitch the number of teeth is A?B is equal to N while C?D is also equal to N. The resultant ratio between the output gear and the input cam when the base gear is held stationary is equal a predetermined ratio of 1:(1/(A/B?C/D)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Duerner
  • Patent number: 9476485
    Abstract: A nylon chain tensioning arm and nylon chain guide having diamond-like carbon coatings are provided. The diamond-like carbon coating is formed on the substrate by methods including physical vapor deposition, for example, by sputtering or chemical vapor deposition of coating systems composed of various combinations of amorphous carbon. A preferred method for applying the diamond-like carbon coating to the nylon substrate is a hybrid process of plasma-based ion implantation and deposition. The chain tensioning arm or guide may be formed from any number of plastics appropriate to the purpose, although a synthetic polymer, such as the aliphatic polyamide nylon, is the preferred material. The substrate may be a conventional nylon or may be a composite reinforced with glass or carbon fibers. The diamond-like carbon coating may be applied to the nylon substrate by vapor deposition, either directly to the chain-contacting surface or upon a primed surface formed on the substrate prior to deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner, Rick L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9476486
    Abstract: A CVT pulley includes a shaft having disposed thereon, a first and second sheave, and a spider. A spring biases the sheaves away from one another. The axially moveable second sheave is disposed axially between the axially fixed spider and the first sheave. A plurality of centrifugal weights, connected to either the spider or the second sheave, have a portion that moves radially outward with rotation of the shaft. The axial distance between the spider and the second sheave depends at least in part on the radial position of the portion which depends on the rotational speed. At least one cylinder is adapted to receive fluid. At least one piston, rotatable with the shaft, is adapted to move in the at least one cylinder in response to fluid being received therein, thereby selectively exerting force on one of the sheaves towards the other. CVTs and vehicles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Hochmayr, Norbert Korenjak, Johann Wilflinger, Thomas Hindinger, Roger Rioux
  • Patent number: 9476487
    Abstract: A transmission includes a toroidal variator including a nested endload assembly. The nested endload assembly has two chambers configured to develop a clamping force on components of the variator. The endload assembly includes a housing, a backing plate, a piston positioned adjacent the backing plate and cooperating with the backing plate to define a first chamber for receiving pressurized fluid to act on the piston. The endload assembly also includes a load plate and an input race that cooperate to define a second chamber. The input race of the variator is acted upon by the piston when the piston is acted upon by pressurized fluid in the first chamber. The input race is also acted upon by pressurized fluid in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 9476488
    Abstract: A push-pull chain actuator (1) includes a housing with a chain exit/entry opening (4) and a sprocket (9) arranged to engage a push-pull chain (3). The sprocket (9) causes the polygon effect. The actuator includes a first chain guide part (10a) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) around the sprocket (9) and a second chain guide part (lob) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) at the correct angle between the chain exit/entry opening (4) and the sprocket (9). The second chain guide part (10b) is shaped and dimensioned to counteract the polygon effect. Alternatively, the second chain guide part (10b) can be shaped and dimensioned to reduce chain oscillations caused by the rollers (8c) engaging or disengaging the chain exit/entry opening (4) at the end of the second chain guide part (10b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Ole Fejer, Jens Jørren Sørensen
  • Patent number: 9476489
    Abstract: An electric linear actuator has a housing, an electric motor mounted on the housing, a speed reduction mechanism, and a ball screw mechanism. The ball screw mechanism has a nut and screw shaft. Both have helical screw grooves. The screw shaft is inserted into the nut, via a large number of balls. A sleeve is secured on the housing to prevent rotation of the screw shaft relative to the housing. At least one axially extending recessed groove is formed on the inner circumference of the sleeve. At least one guide pin, mounted on the end of the screw shaft, engages the recessed groove. A tapering chamfered portion is formed on the end of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Funada, Yoshinori Ikeda, Keisuke Kazuno
  • Patent number: 9476490
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: an impeller and a turbine with: a shell; and at least one blade including: a blade body with a first edge connected to the shell; and a portion extending from the blade body. The torque converter includes a stator including: a stator body, and at least one stator blade axially disposed between the impeller and the turbine and connected to the stator body. A circumferential space is formed between the turbine shell and the stator body. At least a portion of the circumferential space is radially aligned with the portion of the at least one blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Cem Ersahin, Todd J. Sturgin
  • Patent number: 9476491
    Abstract: A torque converter for a powered vehicle, the torque converter including a cover coupled to an engine, and a piston moveably coupled to the cover to define a lockup cavity. The torque converter includes a converter cavity and an exhaust valve coupled to the converter cavity is configured to exhaust the converter cavity and lockup cavity of oil when the powered vehicle is placed in neutral or in park. A passage located in the cover enables oil located in the lockup cavity to move to the converter cavity to substantially eliminate oil located in the lockup cavity when the powered vehicle is placed in neutral or in park.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry E. Boley
  • Patent number: 9476492
    Abstract: A limited slip differential assembly for a vehicle has a differential assembly drivingly engaged with a prime mover of the vehicle. The assembly has a differential mechanism disposed in a differential case and two opposite output shafts outwardly extending from the differential case. A torque coupling unit is provided for selectively restricting rotation between one of the output shafts and the differential case. The torque coupling unit has a friction clutch assembly disposed about one of the output shafts. The friction clutch assembly has a first portion drivingly engaged with one of the output shafts and a second portion drivingly engaged with the differential case. A ball and ramp assembly is disposed adjacent the friction clutch assembly for selectively frictionally loading the friction clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9476493
    Abstract: In a differential device and a method of manufacturing it, a press-fit regulation device regulating a press fit depth of the flange and the ring gear is provided in a press-fit portion between the flange and the ring gear, the flange includes thin-walled portions with recessed portions and thick-walled portions without the recessed portions, the thick-walled portions and the ring gear are welded from a second bearing boss side to a predetermined weld depth, and the thin-walled portions and the ring gear are welded from the second bearing boss side to a weld depth shallower than the predetermined weld depth or not welded. Accordingly, the press-fit portion between the flange and the ring gear can be efficiently welded even in a case where work windows of a differential case cut into a side surface of the flange on a first bearing boss side to form the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Yanase
  • Patent number: 9476494
    Abstract: A cup-shaped flexible externally toothed gear of a wave gear device, wherein a diaphragm plate slopes from a diaphragm internal peripheral edge portion contiguous to a boss part toward a diaphragm external peripheral edge portion contiguous to a cylindrical body portion in a direction in which the diaphragm external peripheral edge portion is at greater distance from an open end of the cylindrical body portion with respect to an orthogonal plane orthogonal to a central axis line of the device. The length dimension of the diaphragm plate and the length dimension of the cylindrical body portion in the axial direction can be increased. Therefore, the fatigue strength of the diaphragm plate and the load capacity of the wave gear device in which the flexible externally toothed gear has been incorporated can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Stephanie Moune, Noboru Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9476495
    Abstract: A rotary member (10) of an endless loop power transmission system can have a hub (12) for a centered connection to a shaft. The hub (12) can have a central aperture (18) extending therethrough and a plurality of radially inwardly projecting and axially extending flutes (14) formed on an inner circumferential surface (16) of the central aperture (18) defining reduced circumferential surface areas (16a) for machining a central bore (18a) through the hub (12). An interrupted finishing machining cut along the reduced circumferential surface areas (16a) of the central aperture (18) provides increased coolant flushing, while reducing finishing machining cycle times, and reducing load and wear on a bore cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn J. Blackmur
  • Patent number: 9476496
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for a vehicle includes a rotation member, as support pin including a flange for stopping a movement of the rotation member in one axial direction and a circumferential groove formed at an end portion that penetrates through the rotation member, an annular elastic member supported relative to the circumferential groove and configured to reduce a diameter in a radial direction, and a support member including an attachment hole in which the end portion of the support pin is idly provided, the support member including an inwardly protruding flange provided at the attaching hole and having an inner diameter equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the annular elastic member when the annular elastic member is in an elastically deformed state having reduced diameter and smaller than the outer diameter of the annular elastic member when the annular elastic member is in an elastic recovery state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Shigeyuki Suzuki, Hidefumi Katayama, Katsumi Chono, Takuya Kotani
  • Patent number: 9476497
    Abstract: The patent application discloses a unidirectional clutch decoupling device for transferring torque between a belt wheel and a shaft. The unidirectional clutch decoupling device includes a friction spring, an outer ring, a shaft sleeve and an elastic unit. The friction spring is combined with the inner surface of the belt wheel in a rubbing mode. The outer ring is arranged in the space formed by the friction spring. The relative position of the outer ring and the friction spring is fixed. The shaft sleeve is used for accommodating the shaft, and the relative position of the shaft sleeve and the shaft is fixed. The elastic unit is located between the outer ring and the shaft sleeve and used for transferring torque of the outer ring to the shaft sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ningbo Yangtong Automobile Parts Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Zenggang Liu
  • Patent number: 9476498
    Abstract: A drive device for a construction machine, which includes a speed reducer and a brake mechanism, wherein the speed reducer has a casing in which lubricating oil and the brake mechanism are provided, and wherein the brake mechanism includes: a ring-shaped brake piston; and a brake plate configured to generate a braking force by a pressing force of the brake piston, and wherein the brake piston has: a plurality of oil pockets provided in the brake piston at respective positions along a circumferential direction of the brake piston, each of the oil pockets formed as a space capable of storing lubricating oil; oil inlets allowing lubricating oil rising during operation of the drive device to be introduced into the oil pockets respectively; and oil outlets allowing lubricating oil stored in the respective oil pockets to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD., Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatsugu Hamasaki, Koji Yamashita, Masashi Kawabata, Shoji Yoichi, Ryo Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9476499
    Abstract: A shovel includes: a speed reducer configured by stacking a plurality of gear speed reducers each having a sun gear, a planetary gear, an internal gear, and a carrier member supporting the planetary gear provided in a case, in a direction of an axis of rotation of an upper turning body; and a movement restriction section which is provided between the sun gear of one gear speed reducer among the gear speed reducers stacked in a plurality and another gear speed reducer stacked so as to face the sun gear and restricts movement of the sun gear of the one gear speed reducer toward the other gear speed reducer, wherein the movement restriction section is provided at the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Furusho, Kazunori Hiranuma, Takeshi Okada, Yoshitaka Shizu
  • Patent number: 9476500
    Abstract: A manual gear shifter assembly includes a shifter housing, a shift lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing displaceable in a select direction to move between at least a first shift gate and a second shift gate, and in at least one shift direction for shifting the gears of the transmission, a shift cable coupled to the shift lever and the transmission, a blocker mounted in the shifter housing and operatively cooperating with the shift lever, a select lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing with the select lever cooperating with the shift lever to allow displacement of the shift lever in the select direction to move between the shift gates, and a solenoid disposed in the shifter housing and cooperating with the blocker to physically block the displacement of the shift lever into a predetermined gear for inhibiting shifting of the transmission during a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KONGSBERG DRIVELINE SYSTEMS I, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth Skogward, Sofie Rydell Wigren, Russell Staniek, Jeff Behounek, Jonathan Warner Love
  • Patent number: 9476501
    Abstract: An apparatus for a gear shifter for use with a transmission is provided. The gear shifter includes a housing that defines a gate and a gear shift lever having a first end and a second end. The gear shift lever is at least partially received within the housing so that the first end is guided by the gate. The gear shifter includes a shifter block received within the housing and including a plurality of detents. One of the plurality of detents includes at least one pocket defined adjacent to the one of the plurality of detents so as to be in communication with the one of the plurality of detents. The at least one pocket and the plurality of detents are each sized to receive a portion of the second end of the gear shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Orson S. Wang
  • Patent number: 9476502
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may supply a low hydraulic pressure generated at a low-pressure hydraulic pump to a low pressure portion through a low-pressure regulator valve, may supply a portion of the low hydraulic pressure to a high-pressure hydraulic pump, and may supply a high hydraulic pressure generated at the high-pressure hydraulic pump to a high pressure portion through a high-pressure regulator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Se Hwan Jo, Jin Young Hwang, Taehwan Wi
  • Patent number: 9476503
    Abstract: In a method for operating an automatic transmission having multiple frictional-locking shifting elements and at least one positive-locking shifting element, for the representation of a transmission ratio stage, at least three shifting elements are closed. For a shifting process between two specified transmission ratio stages, at least two shifting elements are opened and at least two shifting elements, including at least one positive-locking shifting element and at least one frictional-locking shifting element, are closed. In the chronological sequence of the shifting process, the closing of the positive-locking shifting element takes place only after all frictional-locking shifting elements are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Valentine Vincent
  • Patent number: 9476504
    Abstract: The present application relates to a sliding element, in particular a piston ring, having a coating (10) on a substrate (12), which forms at least one sliding surface of the sliding element. The coating (10) has, from the inside outwards, a carbide or nitride layer (16), then a carbide-containing (preferably PVD-) TLC layer (17), then a metal-free PVD-TLC layer (22) and then a metal-free PACVD-TLC layer (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Burscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Yuriy Ivanov, Marcus Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9476505
    Abstract: A system for the contactless sealing of a rotatably mounted shaft with respect to a housing, and a gear unit, oil being provided in the interior of the housing, in particular, the rotating shaft protruding from the interior into the outer area; a centrifugal disk, joined in rotatably fixed manner to the shaft, having at least partially radially extending bores that connect oil from a centrifugal chamber to a collection chamber surrounding the centrifugal disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ingo Schütterle, Andreas Hess
  • Patent number: 9476506
    Abstract: A slide ring seal has a slide ring, supported such that the slide ring is axially movable, and a counter ring. The slide ring and the counter ring have respective sealing surfaces contacting one another. The slide ring sealing surface faces the counter ring sealing surface. The slide ring is pressed against the counter ring by a bellows-like spring element. The slide ring seal may be designed so the slide ring seal has an especially flexible slide ring and/or counter ring after economical and trouble-free production, the slide ring seal has at least one sealing surface with elevations or unevenness of a magnitude from 0.1 ?m to W mm, W conforms to the formula W=0.03 Dm/s, wherein the average diameter Dm is the average of the circular-ring-shaped sealing surface's outside (Da) and inside (Di) diameter, and s is the slide ring or counter ring thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Soeren Neuberger, Eberhard Bock, Alexander Guentert, Klaus Lang
  • Patent number: 9476507
    Abstract: A valve includes a seat having a through hole through which ink flows and a valve body that is configured to be in contact with the seat to close the through hole such that the valve is in a closed state and to be separate from the seat to open the through hole such that the valve is in an open state. At least one of the seat and the valve body is configured to move relative to the other of the seat and the valve body while the valve is in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Fujio Akahane, Koji Morikoshi, Makoto Otsuki, Ryota Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9476508
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9476509
    Abstract: A rotationally adjustable valve is disclosed whereby the user is able to control the flow of fluids from complete shutoff to maximum flow by rotating the adjustment means of the valve, said rotation being axial to the flow of the fluid. Additionally, the user is able to attach high and low pressure test probes directly to the valve, as it is rotatably adjusted, so that additional equipment is not required next to the valve. An embodiment of this invention includes the use of an adjustable Cv disk to set the maximum flow of the valve, rather than just create a simple 180° on/off, very similar to a current 90° ball valve that this device will replace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Griswold Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan I. Tuineag, Bryan Holloway
  • Patent number: 9476510
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve has a valve housing and a valve member movable relative to said housing. The valve member includes a diaphragm carrier that can be driven to execute a switchover motion having a sealing diaphragm mounted thereon, which delimits a valve chamber in which a valve seat is found. The sealing diaphragm has a sealing section opposite said valve seat belonging at least partially to a loose diaphragm section of the sealing diaphragm, which can lift from the diaphragm carrier to reduce the stress on the sealing diaphragm when said diaphragm carrier is removed from the valve seat during switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Buhler
  • Patent number: 9476511
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve device capable of washing an internal pipe in a hot water boiler wherein an operating part is not brought into contact with a body made of a metal material, and even though the valve device is not used for a long period of time, the operating part does not adhere to the body, and wherein the valve device is simple in configuration so that it can be easily mounted on a restricted installation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOFULSO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-il Oh
  • Patent number: 9476512
    Abstract: The disclosed and claimed compresses gas system provides for the use of a rotary valve assembly in association with a cupper. A compressed gas system that utilizes a rotary valve assembly uses less gas than a constant flow compressed gas system and is quieter than a compressed gas system that uses valves. The rotary valve is a disk-like body having an opening therethrough. The rotary valve body is disposed within a housing assembly wherein gas may only flow through the housing when the rotary valve body is properly aligned with a space on one side of the rotary valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Robert D. Turnbull, Neil A. Zumberger, Stephen P. Ripple
  • Patent number: 9476513
    Abstract: A fuel cell compound valve that opens and closes an inflow line and an exhaust line of a fuel cell stack for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle includes a support frame having a first bore to which the exhaust line is connected and a second bore to which the inflow line is connected. A first rotation valve is configured to receive a driving torque of a motor installed in the support frame, rotate, and open and close the first bore. A second rotation valve is connected to the first rotation valve and is configured to open and close the second bore. A first coupler protrusion protrudes from a first shaft in a longitudinal direction and has at least one first flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second coupler protrusion protrudes from a second shaft in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jeong Hee Park, Myung Ju Ju Jung, Chang Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 9476514
    Abstract: A valve (1), in particular a pressure regulating valve or a pressure limiting valve for controlling a pressure of a medium (3) that flows through the valve (1), includes a main stage (5) and a pilot stage (7) that actuates the main stage (5). The main stage is actuated against the effect of a restoring device (11) by an energizable actuating device (9). A pressure release stage (13) of the valve (1) has a surface area modification device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HYDAC FLUIDTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Bruck, Frank Schulz
  • Patent number: 9476515
    Abstract: A check valve housing for a check valve is provided and includes check valve housing body. First and second hinge supports extend from the check valve housing body. A stop is coupled to the first and second hinge supports. The first hinge support includes a first hinge pin interface having a first hinge pin hole to receive a hinge pin. A ratio of a diameter of the first hinge pin hole to a thickness of the first hinge pin interface is between 2.44 and 2.66.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Josh Kamp, Feng Feng
  • Patent number: 9476516
    Abstract: An actuator for actuating a plunger of a valve is provided. The actuator has an inlet and includes first and second hollow caps. A main actuation assembly is provided between the caps. The main actuation assembly includes a deformable diaphragm; first and second chambers, static sealing elements and a main piston movable between actuated and unactuated positions. A biasing mechanism biases the piston in the unactuated position. When pressurized gas is flown through the inlet and/or drawn from the outlet of the actuator, the first chamber expands, moving the main piston from the unactuated position to the actuated position, an actuating stem connected to the main piston thereby sliding within a channel provided in the bottom cap. Stackable actuating assemblies can also be used between the caps. Using static sealing elements advantageously avoids friction between moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MECANIQUE ANALYTIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Yves Gamache
  • Patent number: 9476517
    Abstract: Pilot valve structures are described as including a main valve having a main flow body and having an inlet and outlet, and a diaphragm, with a perimeter, a moveable portion, and first and second sides. A main flow orifice is located in the flow body between the inlet and outlet. A main valve plug is attached to and/or disposed in the moveable portion of the diaphragm and opens and closes the flow orifice when the moveable portion of the diaphragm is in first and second positions. The pilot valve also includes a pilot valve inlet that is connected to the flow path of the main flow body. A pilot valve outlet/orifice is disposed within and co-located with the main valve plug. The pilot valve includes a pilot valve plug, which is moveable to open and close the pilot valve orifice. Related mass flow controllers with such pilot valve structures are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Gomes, II
  • Patent number: 9476518
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and a bore which opens into the cavity. A valve member is disposed in the cavity. The valve member moves between an open position for allowing fluid flow through the housing and a closed position for preventing fluid flow through the housing. An actuator extends through the bore for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions. A packing is positionable in the bore to provide a seal about the actuator for preventing fluid from exiting the housing through the bore. The packing is ejectable from the bore. The valve assembly includes a first and second biasing member. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first force to the packing to provide the seal. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second force to the packing for ejecting the packing from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Nathan H. Coy
  • Patent number: 9476519
    Abstract: In a positioner, a control calculating portion and a valve opening detecting portion are contained within a first case, and an electropneumatic converting portion and a pneumatic circuit portion are contained within a second case. The first case, which contains the control calculating portion and the valve opening detector, is assembled together with the valve, and the second case, which contains the electropneumatic converting portion and the pneumatic circuit portion, is located in a position away from the valve. A control signal MV, which is a PWM signal (a digital signal), is sent through a cable from the control calculating portion to the electropneumatic converting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichirou Murata, Yousuke Inagaki, Hiroaki Nagoya
  • Patent number: 9476520
    Abstract: A fluid distribution door for use in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a main body having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface cooperate to form a first surface configuration which intersects with a second surface configuration. Each of the first surface configuration and the second surface configuration is formed by a three-dimensional feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Eric Keith Haupt, Jim Patrick Nolta, Jr., Shankar Patil
  • Patent number: 9476521
    Abstract: A method of laying an undersea line at the bottom of the sea from the surface to connect the bottom end thereof to a coupling element at the sea bottom by positioning the undersea line suspended from the surface in a substantially vertical position and including a curving device extending between two points and having at least one cable and tensioning means for tensioning the cable suitable for reducing the length of the cable extending between the two fastening or guide points from a maximum length L0 to a given shorter limit value L1; moving the bottom end of the undersea line in such a manner as to move the bottom end of the undersea line away from its initial position through a distance D, if necessary, moving the undersea line closer to the sea bottom while simultaneously lowering the line additionally from the surface, and then finalizing the positioning and connecting of the bottom end of the line to the sea bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.A.
    Inventors: François-Régis Pionetti, Damien Szyszka, Hubert Cheverry
  • Patent number: 9476522
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus suitable for use as a subsea repair clamp includes a sealing membrane with first and second portions for engaging an outer surface of a pipe. Retaining members are located in opposing relationship to each other about the sealing membrane and are secured to each other by a closure member. The retaining members retain sealing engagement between the sealing membrane and the pipe. Each of the retaining members can include axially spaced plates arranged generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of the sealing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STATS (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Angus George Bowie
  • Patent number: 9476523
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a shower head includes a hollow, cylindrical mounting member including a recess, a channel, and external threads; a screw driven through the channel into a wall; a fastening element including a well, a protuberance, an annular flange, and a receptacle in the well; a sleeve including internal threads secured to the external threads to fasten the sleeve, the fastening element, and the mounting member together; a main body including a channel for receiving a section of a pipe, a hollow, cylindrical projection put on the protuberance to engage the flange, an externally threaded protrusion, and a tunnel member projecting out of the projection; a screw driven through the tunnel member into the receptacle to fasten the main body and the fastening element together; and a cap including internal threads secured to the protrusion to fasten the cap and the main body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Chyi Liou Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Hua Ho
  • Patent number: 9476524
    Abstract: A hanger for use in a gas turbine engine exhaust system comprises a first bracket, a second bracket, a pin and a bumper. The first bracket is for connecting to an exhaust duct or liner of the gas turbine exhaust system. The second bracket is for connecting to an exhaust duct or liner of the gas turbine exhaust system. The pin extends through the first and second brackets to bring the first and second brackets into pivotable engagement. The bumper is positioned adjacent the first or second bracket to inhibit movement of the first bracket relative to the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Russell P. Parrish
  • Patent number: 9476525
    Abstract: A support assembly is provided which is engageable to an as-used position in contact with opposing sidewalls of an air duct to stiffen and increase structural support. The device is engageable between parallel and non parallel sidewalls of ducts through the provision of a support member with pivoting ends configured to engage with the opposing sidewalls. The pivoting ends are in a reverse threaded engagement with opposing ends of the support member whereby rotating the support member will change the length of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Tarpy, Broc Kelly, Drew Miles, II
  • Patent number: 9476526
    Abstract: A fluid fitting for use with a hydrocarbon production device includes an annular fitting assembly inserted into a port formed in the hydrocarbon production device. A first outer diameter seal is located between the fitting assembly and the port. A packing assembly is located in an annulus between the fitting assembly and an inner surface of the port, defining a second outer diameter seal between the fitting assembly and the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Paul Eugene Cody, Sergio Felipe Meyberg, Andrew Browne Helvenston
  • Patent number: 9476527
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid line coupling system is disclosed. The coupling may include a female fitting, a male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and male fitting, and a twist nut surrounding the female fitting, male fitting, and first and second elastomeric seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Considine, Carl H. Rempert
  • Patent number: 9476528
    Abstract: A fluid coupling element including a base body having a central axis (X-X) in which a complementary fluid coupling element is selectively received, and wherein a locking ring includes a locking ball that is capable of locking the complementary fluid coupling element relative to the base body locking ball is movable radially in the body between a locking position of the complementary fluid coupling element and an unlocking position and wherein an actuating ball of the locking ring is adapted to be pushed into an elongated housing of the base body by the complementary fluid coupling element so as to move the locking ring axially from a locking position, wherein the locking ball is locked in the locking position, to a release position and a spring for returning the locking ring to the locking position and wherein the actuating ball has a diameter greater than a diameter of the locking ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STAUBLI FAVERGES
    Inventors: Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Christophe Durieux, Serafim Marques Barroca