Patents Issued in December 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9518629
    Abstract: Safety or protective devices for use in preventing or limiting injury to players impacting against sports equipment use compression coil springs, gas springs, foam or combinations thereof to absorb force during the impact. Particular embodiments are configured for use at the edge of a glass viewing and shielding panel disposed atop the boards of a hockey rink, for example such edges typically found at the team bench of a conventional hockey rink. A shock absorbing system of the device is positioned so as not to reach beyond the plane of the glass into the area of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Gilkes
  • Patent number: 9518630
    Abstract: An air spring comprising a pressurized first chamber including a gas, a first piston adjacent the first chamber and configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, pressurized second chamber adjacent the first piston and opposite the first chamber, the air spring configured such that the first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring and the first piston moves away from the first chamber during extension of the air spring, wherein as said first piston moves towards the first chamber during compression of the air spring, said first piston pushes at least a portion of said gas within said first chamber in a direction opposite said first piston, a second piston configured to slideably move relative to the first chamber, a pressurized third chamber adjacent the second piston and opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 9518631
    Abstract: A vibration damping device in which a covering member can be fixed firmly to a rotary member by a rivet is provided. In the vibration damping device, a pendulum mass 14 is held in a rotary member 15, and a casing 17 is fixed to the rotary member 15 by a rivet 20. The rivet 20 comprises a head 20a, a first shaft 20b and a second shaft 20c. The first shaft 20a penetrates through a first casing member 18, the rotary member 15 and the second casing member 19, and a tail thereof is expanded to fasten those members. The second shaft 20c penetrates through a driven member, and a tail thereof is expanded to fasten the driven member to the rotary member 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Miyahara, Atsushi Honda, Husahiro Tsukano, Morihiro Matsumoto, Tadashi Sekiguchi, Shuhei Horita
  • Patent number: 9518632
    Abstract: An automobile timing gear system for use with a non-standard cylinder block that employs a raised camshaft location features a timing gear cover assembly having a first cover component, a second cover component, and an annular back plate component. The system features an idler gear support plate attached to a second cover component inside surface. The system features an idler gear on an idler shaft. A camshaft gear is attached to a camshaft anterior end and a crankshaft gear is attached to a crankshaft anterior end. The back plate component is attached to a cylinder block front surface. The second cover component having the idler gear, the idler shaft, and the idler gear support plate located thereon is attached to the back plate component. The first cover component is attached to the back plate component next to the second cover component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Dominick Joseph Mininni, Mary Elizabeth Mininni
  • Patent number: 9518633
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus may include first and second input shafts; first and second clutches; first and second output shafts; first set of input gears fixed on first input shaft; second set of input gears fixed on second input shaft; first set of speed gears rotatable on first output shaft and engaged with first set of input gears or second set of input gears; second set of speed gears rotatable on second output shaft and engaged with first or second set of input gears; first set of synchronizers selectively connecting first set of speed gears to first output shaft; second set of synchronizers selectively connecting second set of speed gears to second output shaft; and reverse speed output unit engaged with one input gear of first and second sets of input gears, and second idle gear engaged with one speed gear of first and second sets of speed gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Suengho Lee, Kyeonghun Lee, Jongmin Kim, Changyeon Cho, Jonghyo Park, Minjun Song, Jongsool Park, Byunghyun Lee, Seongwook Hwang
  • Patent number: 9518634
    Abstract: A manual transmission including an input shaft Ai to which power is input from an internal combustion engine E/G through a clutch UT and an output shaft Ao from which power is output to drive wheels. This transmission has a plurality of EV travel gear stages (different from the neutral) in which no power transmission system is established between the input shaft Ai and the output shaft Ao, and a plurality of E/G travel gear stages in which a power transmission system is established between the input shaft Ai and the output shaft Ao. This transmission has a connection changeover mechanism which establishes and breaks connection between the output shaft of the electric motor and the output shaft. When an EV travel gear stage is selected, a “connected state” is always realized. When an E/G travel gear stage is selected, a “disconnected state” is realized in some cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Masui
  • Patent number: 9518635
    Abstract: A multi-stage, space-saving transmission comprises a drive shaft and an output shaft arranged parallel to each other, at least eight other rotating shafts, three planetary gear sets, three spur gear stages, and six elements, comprising two brakes and four clutches. Selective meshing of the six elements brings about nine forward gears and one reverse gear. The first planetary gear set is coaxial to a first axis, defined by the drive shaft, and the second and third planetary gear sets are coaxial to a second axis, defined by the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Beck
  • Patent number: 9518636
    Abstract: A transmission, in particular a multi-speed transmission for a motor vehicle, includes a housing, a drive shaft, an output shaft, at least four planetary gear sets, whereas each of the planetary gear sets comprises one sun gear, at least one planet, one planetary carrier and one ring gear, along with several shift elements in the form of at least four clutches and at least two brakes. The sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set is connected to the housing. The planetary carrier of the fourth planetary gear set is connectable through the fourth clutch to the output shaft. The second brake is connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The first brake is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and to the planetary carrier of the first planetary gear set. The first brake is connectable through the third clutch to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9518637
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for vehicles may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first rotational shaft selectively connected to a transmission housing, a second rotational shaft directly connected to the input shaft, a third rotational shaft, a fourth rotational shaft, a fifth rotational shaft selectively connected to the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft, a sixth rotational shaft directly connected to the output shaft, a seventh rotational shaft selectively connected to the fourth rotational shaft or selectively connected to the transmission housing, an eighth rotational shaft selectively connected to the fifth rotational shaft, six friction elements disposed to selectively connect the rotational shafts or selectively connect the rotational shafts with the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wonmin Cho, Jae Chang Kook, Myeong Hoon Noh, Seongwook Ji, Kangsoo Seo, Seong Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 9518638
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jorg Muller, Rico Resch, Mirko Leesch
  • Patent number: 9518639
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque, a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements, a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements, a compound planetary gear set formed by combining third and fourth planetary gear sets and including seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth rotation elements, a fifth planetary gear set including eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth rotation elements, and six friction elements disposed between any one rotation element among thirteen rotation elements and another rotation element or the input shaft, or between any one rotation element among the thirteen rotation elements and a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyndai Motor Company
    Inventors: KyeongHun Lee, Chang Wook Lee, JongSool Park, Sueng Ho Lee, Dong Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 9518640
    Abstract: A variable drive includes a rotatable drive shaft, a fixed sheave fixed axially relative to the drive shaft and mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, and a movable sheave mounted for axial movement relative to the drive shaft. A plurality of drive fingers project from one of the sheaves. A plurality of recesses are formed in the other sheave. Each drive finger is movably received by a corresponding one of the recesses. A bearing member is interposed between the drive fingers and the other sheave. The bearing member includes a plurality of bearing fingers. Each bearing finger is positioned between one of the drive fingers and a wall of a corresponding one of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Lourens M. Jacobs, Thomas M. McConohy, Allan N. Schott, Nicole M. Gassman
  • Patent number: 9518641
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system for a motorcycle includes a first drive sheave (12) operated by a transmission half-shaft (14) and a second driven sheave, connected by a V-belt. The drive sheave (12) has a first half-sheave (16) and a second half-sheave (18) substantially conical, sliding axially aligned, joined in rotation. The first half sheave (16) is fitted internally with a speed regulator composed of centrifugal masses (20) which move to cause the axial shift in the direction of extension of the transmission half-shaft (14), of the first half-sheave (16) relative to the corresponding second half-sheave (18). A device (10) for regulating the gear change curve is provided with an electromechanical actuator to cause selective intervention of a determined group of centrifugal masses (20) to vary, for the same number of revs of the engine, the centrifugal force needed to achieve the axial shift of the first half-sheave (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Walter Mariotti, Paolo Nesti
  • Patent number: 9518642
    Abstract: A hub reduction gear of a drive axle and a method of providing a hub reduction gear. The hub reduction gear may include a plurality of bevel planet gears in mesh with a bevel sun gear, a planet carrier adapted to drive a vehicle wheel; and an internal bevel gear annulus in mesh with the bevel planet gears and adapted for connection to an axle side shaft casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA
    Inventor: Wagner Yukio Hirao
  • Patent number: 9518643
    Abstract: An axle differential transmission, including: a housing; a differential stage including at least one planetary gear assembly; an input shaft connected to the at least one planetary gear assembly; and a clutch assembly including an actuator, at least one first clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the input shaft, at least one second clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the housing, and a one-way clutch including at least one wedge clutch plate. For a initial drive mode, the actuator is arranged to compress the at least one first clutch plate, the at least one second clutch plate, and the at least one wedge clutch plate to non-rotatably connect the housing and the input shaft. For a final drive mode, relative rotation between the housing and the input shaft in a first circumferential direction is arranged to non-rotatably connect the housing, the input shaft, and the at least one wedge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Schimpf, Franz Kurth, Thorsten Biermann, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 9518644
    Abstract: A sliding camshaft for shifting to a selected one of a plurality of selectable cam lobes includes an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inner shaft has an external spline. The outer shaft has an inner surface, an outer surface, a coating, and an outer portion. The inner surface is subjectable to wear and is configured with an internal spline for transferring torque from and sliding axially on the external spline of the inner shaft. The outer surface is subjectable to wear and loading and is configured with the plurality of selectable cam lobes. The coating on the inner surface is for wear resistance. The outer portion is case hardened for wear resistance of the outer surface and to create a compressive residual stress in the outer portion for load carrying capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Jason J. Wiedyk
  • Patent number: 9518645
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular flex plate assembly with a plurality of modular segments connectable with at least another modular segment by joining a first end of one modular segment to a second end of another modular segment to form a ring gear. The ring gear can be mounted to a substrate and mounted or fastened to a component of an engine or a transmission system. A plurality of securing devices can cooperatively engage the ring gear to a substrate, such that the gear teeth of the ring gear align with the perimeter edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Accel Performance Group LLC
    Inventor: Ross Alan McCombs
  • Patent number: 9518646
    Abstract: In one aspect, a decoupler assembly is provided for use between a shaft and an endless drive member that is used to drive the shaft. The decoupler assembly includes a pulley, a hub and an isolator spring that is preferably a coiled torsion spring. The two ends of the spring are engageable, at least indirectly, with the pulley and the hub for the transfer of torque therebetween. At least one of the ends of the spring engages an engagement structure (on either the pulley or the hub) that includes a helical axial shoulder and a driver wall. The spring transfers torque in one direction through the driver wall (e.g. when the pulley overruns the hub), but the spring end is not fixedly connected to the driver wall. When the hub overruns the pulley, there is relative rotation between the spring and whichever of the hub and pulley it is not fixedly connected to. Accordingly, there is relative rotation between the spring end and the helical axial shoulder and the driver wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Patrick Marion
  • Patent number: 9518647
    Abstract: A lubricating device of an automatic transmission includes a partitioning member that partitions an oil chamber, to which a lubricating oil of a first oil chamber is introduced; a second oil chamber partitioned by the partitioning member and to which lubricating oil to supply to a forward clutch is introduced; and a third oil chamber partitioned by the partitioning member and to which lubricating oil to supply to a pinion unit such as a pinion gear coupled with one engagement unit of the forward clutch is introduced; wherein a clutch oil path that introduces the lubricating oil of the first oil chamber to the second oil chamber and a pinion oil path that introduces the lubricating oil of the first oil chamber to the third oil chamber are formed in a clutch drum interposed between the first oil chamber and the oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yanagida, Takaho Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9518648
    Abstract: A planetary pin used for staking in a planetary gear system is provided. The planetary pin comprises a cylindrical body, a first end having a first end surface, a second end having a second end surface, and a circular groove formed in at least one of the end surfaces concentric with the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ryan Carlino, Charles Schwab, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 9518649
    Abstract: There is provided a link mechanism configured such that a shift rod driven by an operation of a gear shift pedal drives a shift shaft to rotate via a gear shift lever. A stroke sensor measuring a stroke amount, and a shift load sensor making a stroke motion in extension and contraction directions in accordance with shift-up and shift-down operating loads from the gear shift pedal are integrally provided to the shift rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9518650
    Abstract: An activation device for selecting shift stages of a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission comprises a housing and an activation knob which can be moved in a translatory fashion and a latching device with a latching pin and latching contour as latching elements for generating latching forces and restoring forces. The activation device is defined by a latching gearwheel which is in engagement with a toothing arrangement on the activation knob. In this context, one of the two latching elements is connected to the latching gearwheel and in this way forms a rotatable latching element. The second latching element is directly or indirectly connected to the base housing and forms the fixed latching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
  • Patent number: 9518651
    Abstract: The present invention is a weighted gearshift knob for mounting to the gearshift shaft of a motor vehicle. The weighted gearshift knob comprises of a cylindrical exterior body with a hollow cylindrical interior for housing a cylindrical counter weight, which weight is secured by a removable screw, and said screw is covered by a cap. The weighted gearshift knob is designed to allow for the addition or removal of the counter weight as desired by a driver in order to achieve optimal performance. This design allows the gearshift knob and its components to be housed in one apparatus, requiring minimal assembly and/or disassembly for mounting or removal from the gearshift shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Joaquin Mendez
  • Patent number: 9518652
    Abstract: An actuator for a shift by wire system is provided. The actuator having: a motor; a rack; a gear train configured to cause linear movement of the rack in response to rotational movement of the motor; a clutch mechanism for coupling and decoupling the rack to the motor; and a manual override for operating the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Ian J. Dow, John R. Rice, Donald M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 9518653
    Abstract: An apparatus for shift perception includes a transmission and a vehicle shift controller configured to perform shifting of the transmission. An electronic shift operator is configured to generate shift stage information by checking a state of a present shift stage or shift planning stage information by a shifting operation of a driver. An electronic braille module is configured to output the shift stage information or the shift planning stage information in braille information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ki-Young Song, Chang-Hyun Lee, Han-Gil Park
  • Patent number: 9518654
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a lock-up clutch disposed to a power transmission path between an engine and a driving wheel, and a clutch configured to connect and disconnect the power transmission path, wherein at the time of switching driven traveling for causing a vehicle to travel by connecting the power transmission path and inertia traveling for causing the vehicle to travel by disconnecting the power transmission path, the lock-up clutch and the clutch are switched at switching start timings different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Mitsuyasu
  • Patent number: 9518655
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control system of a powered machine. The control system includes a hydraulic motor configured to drive a track system of the machine. The motor is operable with a variable displacement. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the motor. In addition, the control system includes a controller and an electro-hydraulic valve disposed in electrical communication with the controller and fluid communication with the control valve. The electro-hydraulic valve receives a signal from the controller, and based on the signal, the electro-hydraulic valve hydraulically varies the start of control pressure of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Calin Raszga, Matthew J. Ramler, Bryon P. Neumann
  • Patent number: 9518656
    Abstract: A vehicle and a locking assembly are disclosed. The locking assembly includes a pawl rotatable about a pivot axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The pawl is adapted to engage the ring gear when in the engaged position for preventing movement of the ring gear. The locking assembly further includes an actuator selectively actuated to move the pawl to the engaged position. Additionally, the locking assembly includes a biasing mechanism engaging the pawl to continuously bias the pawl toward the disengaged position. The pawl includes a first tooth and a second tooth spaced from each other to define a gap therebetween. The first tooth and the second tooth are adapted to trap a tooth of the ring gear in the gap when the pawl is in the engaged position for preventing rotation of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Valler, Shawn H. Swales, Scott Vaubel, Anthony J. Corsetti, Arthur L. McGrew, Jr., Goro Tamai
  • Patent number: 9518657
    Abstract: A parking lock arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission has a housing. A parking lock wheel is connectable to a shaft of the motor vehicle transmission. A parking lock pawl is pivotable between a parking lock position and a release position about a pawl axis mounted on the housing. In the parking lock position, the parking lock pawl is in engagement with the parking lock wheel and prevents the rotation thereof. The parking lock arrangement comprises an actuating mechanism for the parking lock pawl and an actuator arrangement for the actuating mechanism. The actuator arrangement has a control member which is movable between a home position and a parking position and is coupled to the actuating mechanism. An actuating member is coupled to the control member via a releasable coupling device and to the actuating mechanism, wherein the actuating member is furthermore mechanically preloaded in one direction in order, via the actuating mechanism, to press the parking lock pawl into the parking lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventor: Andras Kristofcsak
  • Patent number: 9518658
    Abstract: A rotary engine rotor (10) comprises a body (12) comprising an outer surface (18), an inner surface (22), an insert (14) and a fixing member (16). The outer surface (18) comprises three rotor sides (20) arranged in an equilateral triangle shape. The inner surface (22) comprises a location portion (24) at the midpoint of each rotor side (20), the location portions (24) together defining a location aperture (26). One location portion (24) is provided with a first fixing socket (28) extending radially from the inner surface (22) of the body (12), towards the outer surface (18) of the body (12). Cooling channels (30) are provided axially through the body (12) in the region of each apex (31). The insert (14) is provided in the location aperture (26) and comprises a bearing part (38) with a second fixing socket (40) extending radially through the insert (14) and in alignment with the first fixing socket (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: UAV Engines Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher John Biddulph, Jonathan Mark Bagnell
  • Patent number: 9518659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat gasket with filter elements. In order to fulfill the increased requirements with respect to cleanliness, there is an increased demand for the integration of filter elements in flat gaskets. The corresponding filter elements mainly serve for picking of impurities accrued during production as well as other residues circulate via the operational fluids, especially during the initial period of operation of an internal combustion engine or a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Egloff, Oliver Claus, Hans Waldvogel, Andreas Helfenbein, Robert Blersch
  • Patent number: 9518660
    Abstract: A static gasket and method of construction thereof is provided. The gasket includes a functional layer constructed of one type of metal having an opening bounded by an inner periphery an outer periphery. The gasket further includes a carrier layer constructed of a different metal than the functional layer. The carrier layer has an opening bounded by an inner periphery configured to receive the outer periphery of the functional layer in a line-to-line or loose fit. The functional layer is configured in substantially coplanar relation with the carrier layer with a first portion of the outer periphery of the functional layer being welded to a radially aligned first portion of the inner periphery of the carrier layer. A second portion of the outer periphery of the functional layer remains detached from a radially aligned second portion of the inner periphery of the carrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Swasey, Carl Schenten, Mark Bowman, John Sas, Carlos Santiago, Rolf Prehn, Tim O'Keefe, Michael Shirilla, Thomas O. Zurfluh, Kyle T. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9518661
    Abstract: Control valve (5, 5?) for connection units for flexible hoses, comprising a plurality of petals (segments or sectors) (6, 7; 6?, 7?) rotatable between a position of complete opening and a position of complete closing. The aforesaid petals (6, 7; 6?, 7?) are rotatable around pivoting axes defined by spherical pins (70) interposed between laterally adjacent petals and provided with a threaded positioning neck (71) inserted and screwed in a respective radial hole (72) of the body (1, 2) of the connection unit. A locking cap (73) is screwed in said radial hole (72) and tightly abutting against said neck (71) of the spherical pin (70) for keeping said spherical pin (70) in a suitable position to enable a correct and precise pivoting between the two adjacent petals (6, 7; 6?, 7?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MIB ITALIANA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Patent number: 9518662
    Abstract: A cage for a control valve trim assembly includes a cage wall, a first plate attached to the cage wall, a second plate spaced apart from the cage wall, and a first plurality of rods longitudinally disposed between the first plate and the second plate. Fluid flowing through the cage is characterized by the first plurality of rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Aaron C. Doran
  • Patent number: 9518663
    Abstract: A pilot valve element includes a metallic pilot valve body formed integrally with a plunger, a flexible sealing member, fitted on a tip of the pilot valve body, which touches and leaves a pilot valve seat, and a stopper for restricting the displacement of the pilot valve element relative to a driven member in a manner such that the sealing member is stopped in a direction of axis line after the sealing member has seated on a pilot valve seat. The stopper is configured such that the pressure-receiving diameter of the sealing member, which receives a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the pilot valve, remains unchanged from when the sealing member comes in contact with the pilot valve seat until when the sealing member is stopped by the stopper with the result that the sealing member has completely seated on the pilot valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TGK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shiota, Toshihiro Andoh, Shigeru Abe
  • Patent number: 9518664
    Abstract: A rotary ball valve with an improved sealing arrangement, comprising of a valve body and a rotary ball, the rotary ball valve has a plurality of combination sealing arrangement comprising of a polarized combination cavity having a non-parallel slot and an extended groove, an add-on sealing ring and a compatible seat ring having a plurality of non-parallel concentric surfaces, when assembled. The compatible seat ring has a compatible profile so as to create a positive isolation by a surface contact between the add-on sealing ring and the extended groove and create another positive isolation by a surface contact between the add-on sealing ring and the compatible seat ring. The positive isolation prevents leakage during thermal cycling, pressure variations. The non-parallel slot and the compatible sealing ring therein prevents dislodgement of the seat ring; even in double block and bleed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rotex Manufacturers and Engineers Private Limited
    Inventors: Ajit Kothadia, Amit Shah
  • Patent number: 9518665
    Abstract: A ball valve including upstream and downstream seats and a ball having a flow opening disposed between the upstream and downstream seats. A flow path is defined through the valve only when the ball is disposed in an open position. In one embodiment, when the ball is disposed in a closed position the upstream seat may intermittently disengage from the ball to relieve hydrostatic expansion of a liquid within the ball resulting an increased pressure that is greater than a pressure within a body cavity of the valve outside the ball. In another embodiment, a distance between the upstream and downstream seats is greater than an outer diameter of the ball and the ball engages only one of the upstream and downstream seats when disposed in the closed position and a pressure differential is defined between the upstream and downstream seats. The upstream and downstream seats may each include a partially spherical sealing surface that may have a crenulate configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: HANTEMP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles C. Hansen, III
  • Patent number: 9518666
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a bidirectional travel stop assembly including a first travel stop configured to block a first axial movement of an actuation element of a valve actuator, a second travel stop configured to block a second axial movement of the actuation element, and a travel stop bushing configured to block adjustment of the second travel stop and allow adjustment of the first travel stop when the travel stop bushing is disposed within the valve actuator in a first axial orientation, wherein the travel stop bushing is configured to enable adjustment of the second travel stop when the travel stop bushing is disposed within the valve actuator in a second axial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Alberto Dequarti, Davide Navone
  • Patent number: 9518667
    Abstract: A clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter, is disclosed. The clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as to enable its placement as desired along the tube. In one embodiment, the tubing clamp comprises a body including first and second body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably latching the first and second body portions together, and at least two tube compression members. The tube compression members cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions are latched to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel D. Ramos, Daniel B. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9518668
    Abstract: A check valve includes a base, two sidewalls extending from the base and a pin coupled between the two sidewalls. The valve also includes a flapper pivotably coupled to the pin to occupy respective open and closed positions in accordance with a pressure differential of a fluid flow across the check valve, the flapper including a plate and a backbone that is thicker than the base and the extends along an entire length of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael R. Barone
  • Patent number: 9518669
    Abstract: A backflow preventer that includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet adapted to be mounted in a liquid flow configuration in a liquid supply circuit. An upstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream of the inlet, and includes an upstream check plate supporting a downstream diaphragm. An upstream check disc is positioned downstream of the diaphragm and integrally formed with an upstream stem mounted in an aperture in a central hub formed in the check plate for movement between a normally open, flow position and a closed position preventing backflow of liquid through the inlet. A downstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream from the upstream check disc assembly. A vent discharges liquid to atmosphere upstream of the downstream check disc assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CONBRACO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Cellemme, Bertito Tubo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9518670
    Abstract: A main stage in-line pressure control cartridge. The cartridge selectively controls flow in-line in the same direction. The cartridge is mounted inside a body and has a sliding control sleeve that can expose radial holes in the poppet to an open position and to seal the radial holes in a closed position. A retainer collar is located on the opposite end of the control sleeve. Flow is permitted in a direction from the control sleeve to the retainer collar. The body has a mating recess to accommodate a step in the retainer collar which prevents movement of the retainer collar towards the control sleeve. When fluid pressure is applied to the retainer collar in the direction of the control sleeve, the step in the retainer collar presses against the body thereby preventing the fluid pressure from moving the retainer collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: David E Albrecht, David E Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9518671
    Abstract: A valve device is attached to a fuel tank. The valve device includes a case including a vent valve port communicating outside of the tank at an upper portion, and including an inflow portion for a fuel below the vent valve port; and an upper floor body inside the case and rising by the fuel flowing into the case to be seated in the vent valve port. In a face portion facing a bottom portion of the upper float body in the case, an elastic piece is formed by a first arc-shaped split groove such that a center side of the face portion becomes a curvature inner side, and a second arc-shaped split groove formed such that a center of the face portion becomes a curvature inner side outside the first arc-shaped split groove. One portion of the elastic piece abuts against the bottom portion of the upper float body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Xiaohui Sui
  • Patent number: 9518672
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a gate valve including a gate disposed within a valve body. The gate valve also includes a motorized ball screw actuator having an actuating rod assembly directly coupled to the gate. The motorized ball screw actuator is configured to linearly actuate the actuating rod assembly to drive the gate between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Allen Martino, Vinay Shyamlal Varma, Keith McKinley Adams
  • Patent number: 9518673
    Abstract: A fluid controller includes an automatic opening-and-closing device configured to move a valve rod upward and downward, and a manual opening-and-closing device configured to move the valve rod upward and downward by a manual operation. The manual opening-and-closing device includes a cylindrical handle supported by a casing so as to be rotatable and not to move upward and downward, and a cylindrical operating member screwed into a female screw of the handle and configured to move upward and downward with a rotation of the handle. The operating member is apart from a piston of the automatic opening-and-closing device in a vertical direction in an automatic operation. The piston is moved by the operating member which moves upward in association with the rotating operation of the handle in a manual operation in an opposite direction from the opening state brought by the automatic opening-and-closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanikawa, Tadayuki Yakushijin, Keisuke Ishibashi, Yasumasa Yanagida
  • Patent number: 9518674
    Abstract: A valve assembly for high pressure applications includes a pre-charge chamber in fluid communication with a first bellows, at least one inlet for pressurized gas to enter the assembly, a system poppet and an outlet for releasing pressurized gas into a desired environment. The pre-charge chamber and first bellows are filled with pre-charge gas to a threshold pressure. Pressurized gas can flow through access channels into a second bellows, which expands to move a valve shaft connected to the poppet assembly to open the poppet and allow the release of gas. The expansion of the second bellows pushes incompressible fluid disposed between the two bellows against the first bellows, thus contracting the first bellows. The gas within each bellows maintains an internal pressure equal to the pressure exerted upon each bellows by the incompressible fluid, so as to minimize differential pressure across the bellows in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Senior IP GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick B. Reed, Robert M. Thorne, Peter A. Jordan
  • Patent number: 9518675
    Abstract: A manual gate valve operator used in the oil and gas industry. The operator does not allow an increase or decrease in height when manually rotating the hand wheel. Instead, the operator has an internal indicator nut of the position of the valve. The indicator nut is observable electronically or visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Cook, Brandon Marbach
  • Patent number: 9518676
    Abstract: Provision is made of a device for indicating the position of a valve spindle of a valve. The device comprises a valve spindle which can be shifted between a first position and a second position, and a sensor module for detecting at least the end positions of the valve spindle. The device further comprises at least a first optical display element (58), preferably a first LED, for indicating the first position, and a second optical display element (60), preferably a second LED, for indicating the second position. A first end position indication (66) is assigned to the first display element (58) and a second end position indication (68) is assigned to the second display element (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Feinauer, Christof Jacob
  • Patent number: 9518677
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 9518678
    Abstract: An electrical feedback device (6) of a valve (1) is provided for feeding back the position of a hand wheel (4) of the valve (1) and thus the position of a shut-off member of the valve (1). The electrical feedback device (6) can be mounted in a spindle housing (13) of a housing upper part (2) of the valve (1). The electrical feedback device is configured so that the rotational movement of the hand wheel (4) is converted into a linear movement of a trip cam (45). The electrical feedback device (6) has a gearwheel (43) which is driven by a screw thread (42) which is mounted on a ring (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrleitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Stefan Bürgi, Jürgen Stumpp