Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9593734
    Abstract: A gas-operated spring with overtravel safety device, comprising: a tubular containment jacket, an end face, an opposite annular portion for closing the tubular jacket and for the passage of a piston rod, a piston rod arranged so as to pass through the annular portion, a chamber for pressurized gas being defined between the tubular jacket, the end face, the annular portion and the piston rod, the gas-operated spring comprising elements for clearly indicating that overtravel for the piston rod has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIAL SPRINGS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Augusto Cappeller, Alessandro Cappeller, Dante Cappeller
  • Patent number: 9593735
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper (2) includes at least one spring valve assembly (28b, 28c) having a body (231, 261) provided with through flow channels (282), at least one deflectable disc (281) covering these through flow channels (282), and a supporting member (285, 285c) fixed to an axial member for clamping the at least one disc (281) at the inner circumferential part thereof. A spring seat (283b, 283c) is disposed around the supporting member (285, 285c) and abuts the at least one deflectable disc (281) in at least one radial position (2831, 2832) at the outer circumferential part thereof. A spring (284) is preloaded between the spring seat (283b, 283c) and the supporting member (285, 2851c). The spring seat (283b, 283c) includes at least one axial projection (2833b, 2833c) perimetrically engaging the at least one disc (281), and a circular gap (286) is provided between the spring seat (283b, 283c) and the supporting member (285, 2851c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BeijingWest Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pawel Slusarczyk, Jakub Wrzesinski, Robert Kapolka
  • Patent number: 9593736
    Abstract: A control assembly for an in-line bicycle shock absorber can include a control member rotatably mounted to a housing of the shock absorber, the control member having an interior bore, and with one end of the bore being closed and another end of the bore being open. The control assembly also includes a piston slidably mounted within the interior bore of the control member. The control member is rotated to adjust a first characteristic of the shock absorber and the piston is displaced within the interior bore to adjust a second characteristic of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Steven Olds, Christopher Shipman, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 9593737
    Abstract: A pneumatic spring strut assembly comprises a cylinder wall defining an interior volume having a working end and a boosting chamber adjacent to the working end, the working end including a first volume of gas and the boosting chamber including a second volume of gas, a piston assembly disposed for reciprocation in the working end of the interior volume, a piston rod having a proximal end secured to the piston and a distal end projecting out of the interior volume, a temperature control valve assembly disposed in the interior volume separating the working end from the boosting chamber and including an engineered portion that is configured to prevent fluid flow between the working end and the boosting chamber while the first volume of gas is present in the working end and to permit fluid flow between the working end and the boosting chamber should the working end be evacuated of the first volume of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joel Colombo, Michael P. Balogh
  • Patent number: 9593738
    Abstract: An active vibration isolation device includes: a housing fixed to a vibration isolation target; a movable shaft elastically supported by the housing displaceably in an axial direction; a yoke having an umbrella-shaped part provided consecutively and coaxially with the movable shaft and a circular cylindrical part provided consecutively with an outer circumference of the umbrella-shaped part and coaxially with the movable shaft; a ring-shaped coil fixed between the movable shaft and the cylindrical part; and first and second permanent magnets in a ring shape attached to the yoke. The first permanent magnet is smaller in diameter than the coil and is disposed inside the coil in a radial direction of the coil. The second permanent magnet is larger in diameter than the coil and is disposed outside the coil in the radial direction so that part thereof is made to face an inside of the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Ito
  • Patent number: 9593739
    Abstract: A variable stiffness structure configured to support a variable load, the variable stiffness structure including a positive stiffness element coupled to the variable load, a negative stiffness element, a hydraulic system coupled to the positive and negative stiffness elements and configured to adjust a relative position of the positive and negative stiffness elements in response to a change in the variable load, while the variable stiffness structure supports the variable load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Churchill, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Jacob J. Mikulsky
  • Patent number: 9593740
    Abstract: An energy absorbing fitting is constructed to absorb tension, shear and compression loads at a joint between two composite material beams of a composite material frame. The fitting is constructed with a band of composite material having an inverted U-shape, a panel of composite material having a U-shaped cross-section configuration that is assembled into the inverted U-shaped configuration of the band, and a sheet of composite material having an inverted L-shape configuration that is secured to the band and to the panel. The fitting is positioned at the intersection of the beams and is secured to the joint between the beams, thereby reinforcing the joint against tension, shear and compression loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew S. Stauffer, Douglas R. Ludin, Eric J. Schulze
  • Patent number: 9593741
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a torsional damper and a transmission having a torsional damper. The torsional damper can include first and second members. The first member can include a first hub, a first outer portion, and a plurality of first spokes. The first hub can be non-rotatably coupled to an input member of the transmission. The first spokes can extend radially between the first hub and the first outer portion. The first spokes can couple the first outer portion to the first hub. The second member can include a second hub and a second outer portion. The second hub can be non-rotatably coupled to an output member of the transmission. The second outer portion can be radially outward of the second hub and can be fixedly coupled to the second hub and to the first outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
    Inventors: Magnus Hederstad, Erik J. Sten
  • Patent number: 9593742
    Abstract: A silent chain is provided, which can avoid impinging contact between guide plates and sprocket teeth and prevent wear loss and noise. A guide plate includes a main guide part formed on a side that engages with a sprocket, and an additional guide part formed on at least one of front and rear edges in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The additional guide part protrudes more in the longitudinal direction of the chain than an outer flank of a middle plate arranged in the same guide row and has a size that allows the additional guide part to overlap a sprocket tooth in the chain width direction when engaged with the sprocket S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Yuta Kurono, Shota Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 9593743
    Abstract: A gear device includes: a crankshaft that has an eccentric portion; an oscillation gear that has a plurality of external teeth and oscillating and rotating due to rotation of the eccentric portion; a carrier that rotatably supports the crankshaft; an outer cylinder that has a plurality of internal teeth respectively engaged with the external teeth of the oscillation gear; and a cylindrical portion that extends through the oscillation gear, the carrier, and the outer cylinder, wherein the carrier and the outer cylinder coaxially and relatively rotate due to oscillation and rotation of the oscillation gear, and wherein the cylindrical portion is disposed in either a rotational state, in which the cylindrical portion rotates, or a stationary state, in which the cylindrical portion does not rotate, depending on relative rotation of the carrier and the outer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Okimura, Takashi Naruse
  • Patent number: 9593744
    Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first and a second gearwheel where the first and second gearwheels are arranged next to each other upon a first shaft such that the first and second gearwheels can rotate relative to the first shaft. At least one gearwheel of the first and second gearwheels is arranged upon the first shaft such that it can be axially displaced between a distanced axial position and a contact axial position upon the first shaft, and whereby in the distanced axial position, the first and second gearwheels are distanced from each other and in the contact axial position, an axial contact between the first and second gearwheel is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Volve Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Anders Hedman
  • Patent number: 9593745
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving power from an engine, an output shaft outputting power changed in speed, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear, a first rotating shaft selectively connected with a transmission housing, a second rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft selectively connected with the transmission housing, a fourth rotating shaft directly connected with the input shaft so as to be continuously operated as an input element, a fifth rotating shaft, a sixth rotating shaft selectively connected with the first, second, and fifth rotating shafts, a seventh rotating shaft, an eighth rotating shaft selectively connected with the seventh rotating shaft and simultaneously directly connected with the output shaft, and six friction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Chang Kook, Seong Wook Hwang, Hyu Tae Shim, Seongwook Ji, Wonmin Cho, Kangsoo Seo, Myeong Hoon Noh
  • Patent number: 9593746
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include: an input shaft; an output gear; a first planetary gear set including first sun gear, first planet carrier, and first ring gear; a second planetary gear set including second sun gear, second planet carrier, and second ring gear; a third planetary gear set including third sun gear, third planet carrier, and third ring gear; a fourth planetary gear set including fourth sun gear, fourth planet carrier, and fourth ring gear; a first rotation shaft including the first sun gear; a second rotation shaft including the first planet carrier, the second ring gear, the third planet carrier, and the fourth ring gear; a third rotation shaft including the first and third ring gears; a fourth rotation shaft including the second sun gear and selectively connected to a transmission housing; a fifth rotation shaft including the second planet carrier, selectively connected to the first rotation shaft and to the third rotation shaft, and directly connected to the inp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wonmin Cho, Jae Chang Kook, Myeong Hoon Noh, Seongwook Ji, Kangsoo Seo, Seong Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 9593747
    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 a first rotation element, a second rotation element, and a third rotation element; a second planetary gear set including a fourth rotation element, a fifth rotation element, and a sixth rotation element; a third planetary gear set including a seventh rotation element, an eighth rotation element, and a ninth rotation element; and a fourth planetary gear set including a tenth rotation element, an eleventh rotation element, and a twelfth rotation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Wook Lee, Sueng Ho Lee, JongSool Park, KyeongHun Lee, Dong Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 9593748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a 9-speed transmission made up of two simple planetary gear sets including a drive group and an output group designed as a Ravigneaux set having six shift elements, namely three clutches and three brakes, certain specific embodiments being expandable to form an 11-speed transmission by adding a fourth brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Norbert Scholz
  • Patent number: 9593749
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (1) includes a first planetary gear set (PL1) of a double pinion type, second to fourth planetary gear sets (PL2-PL4) of a single pinion type, first to third clutches (CL1-CL3), and first and second brakes (B1 and B2). A third carrier (C3) and a fourth sun gear (S4) are always coupled to an input (i.e., an input shaft (3)). An output (i.e., an output gear (7)) is always coupled to a fourth ring gear (R4). A first carrier (C1) is always coupled to a third sun gear (S3). A second sun gear (S2) is always coupled to a third ring gear (R3). A first ring gear (R1) is always coupled to a second ring gear (R2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ogauchi, Shinya Kamada, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Masaru Nakagishi
  • Patent number: 9593750
    Abstract: A chain guide includes a plurality of roller shafts provided on one side of a timing chain for torque transmission and spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of a guide base facing the timing chain. The respective roller shafts rotatably support chain guiding rollers in the form of needle roller bearings. The rollers are cylindrical members having the same diameter over the entire axial direction such that the rollers are movable in the axial direction relative to the timing chain. The rollers are supported so as to be movable in the axial direction. When the rollers and the timing chain move relative to each other in the axial direction and the rollers move relative to the roller shafts in the axial direction, contact portions between the rollers and the roller shafts are displaced in the axial direction, so that radial loads are not locally applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Kato, Shinji Oishi
  • Patent number: 9593751
    Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel actuator, the swivel actuator including a driving motor, a linear screw shaft rotating in conjunction with rotational force of the driving motor, a nut member reciprocating to a lengthwise direction of the linear screw shaft in response to the rotation of the linear screw shaft, a lever member, one end of which being rotatably coupled to the nut member and the other end being connected to a rotating counterpart, and an elastic member arranged at a coupled position between the nut member and the lever member to maintain a coupling between the nut member and the lever member by applying elastic restoring force to the lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 9593752
    Abstract: A ball screw (1) having a threaded nut (3) arranged on the threaded shaft (2) and a ball channel (4) wound about the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft (2), and in which the balls (5) and at least one helical spring (6) are received. This helical spring (6) is supported on a molded part (7) which is inserted into a recess (8) of the threaded nut (3) and closes the recess (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Adler, Stefanie Oeder, Sigurd Wilhelm, Bernhard Wiesneth, Nicky Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9593753
    Abstract: A magnetic gear may comprise a first gear member comprising a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to have a first number of magnetic pole pairs and a second gear member positioned relative to the first gear member. The second gear member may comprise a plurality of individually rotatable magnetized elements each driven and synchronized with one another to selectively generate a second number of magnetic pole pairs that differs from the first number of magnetic pole pairs. The magnetic gear may further comprise a plurality of interpole elements positioned between the first and second gear members. The plurality of interpole elements may be disposed to harmonically couple the magnetic pole pairs of the first gear member with the magnetic pole pairs of the second gear member for each selectively generated second number of magnetic pole pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Kent R. Davey, David Cardellini, Cliff A. Swiontek
  • Patent number: 9593754
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a motor, a differential assembly, a housing, a transmission and a reduction gearset. The transmission has a first and second planetary gearsets that have associated (i.e., first and second) ring gears, planet carriers and sun gears. The first planet carrier is coupled to a differential carrier of the differential assembly for common rotation. The second ring gear is non-rotatably coupled to the housing. The second planet carrier is coupled to the second differential output for common rotation. The second sun gear is coupled to the first sun gear for common rotation. The reduction gearset is disposed between an output shaft of the motor and the first ring gear and includes a first gear, which is coupled to the output shaft for rotation therewith, and a second gear that is coupled to the first ring gear for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
    Inventor: Erik J. Sten
  • Patent number: 9593755
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a biasing device. The turbine-piston is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine-piston shell having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller between a hydrodynamic transmission mode and a lockup mode. The biasing device is configured to exert an axial load against the turbine-piston to urge the turbine-piston axially away from the lockup mode and towards the hydrodynamic transmission mode. The axial load exerted by the biasing device decreases as the turbine-piston moves axially towards the lockup mode and increases as the turbine-piston moves axially away from the lockup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, David Werthman
  • Patent number: 9593756
    Abstract: A bearing assembly and a related power transmitting component. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing, which is an angular contact bearing, and a second bearing, which is a tapered roller bearing. The first bearing has a first inner bearing race, a first outer bearing race and a plurality of spherical bearing balls disposed between the first inner bearing race and the first outer bearing race. The second bearing assembly has a second inner bearing race, a second outer bearing race and a plurality of tapered bearing rolls disposed between the second inner bearing race and the second outer bearing race. One of the first inner and first outer bearing races is fixedly coupled to one of the second inner and second outer bearing races for axial and rotational movement therewith. The first and second bearings are configured to handle thrust in a common axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hilker, William G. Hunt, Gregory E. Woodside, Douglas J. Chemelli
  • Patent number: 9593757
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, a pinion, a ring gear, a bearing and a pair of shafts. The pinon is mounted to the housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear is received in the housing and meshingly engaged with the pinion. The bearing supports the ring gear for rotation relative to the housing about a second axis and also handles thrust loads between the housing and the ring gear that are directed (in both directions) along the second axis. The bearing has a plurality of bearing elements and is abutted against a shoulder formed on the housing that is positioned along the second axis between the first axis and the bearing elements. The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members that are coupled to the shafts for common rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 9593758
    Abstract: A gear of a gear device includes a plurality of teeth having tooth surfaces. The tooth surfaces are shaped such that contact length ratios of three or more of the teeth are outside a predetermined range centered on an average value of the contact length ratios of all of the teeth, where the contact length ratio is obtained by dividing a contact length of a tooth contact face by a diagonal length of a plane of action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kiten
  • Patent number: 9593759
    Abstract: An adjustable flyweight pivot shaft assembly for a CVT comprising a pivot shaft, a flyweight engaged with a pivot shaft surface, an eccentric collar having a bore with an eccentric center axis, the pivot shaft engaged with the eccentric collar bore, the eccentric collar having an indexing portion, the indexing portion engagable with the receiving portion on the CVT body, the indexing portion engaging the receiving portion to lock the eccentric collar and thereby pivot shaft in a desired position with respect to the axis of rotation of the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fred Millard, Chris McClellan, Gerard Karpik, Oliver Stegelmann
  • Patent number: 9593760
    Abstract: A reverse idler support article includes a reverse idler support body that has a disk member, a plateau and a hollow cylinder. The disk member is connected to and in facial contact with the plateau that projects from a first disk member surface and the hollow cylinder that projects from a second disk member surface to define an interior space. The disk member and the plateau have an offset hole formed therethrough that is in communication with the interior space. The offset hole is oriented offset from a central axis of the reverse idler support body which extends generally centrally through the disk member and the interior space of the hollow cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Judith Wright, Robert Craft, Terry Teeter
  • Patent number: 9593761
    Abstract: A system for venting a hybrid electric powertrain includes a module defining a first volume containing a clutch and an electric machine, a housing defining a second volume containing an automatic transmission, and lines producing mutual pneumatic connections among the first volume, the second volume and ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, John E. Brevick
  • Patent number: 9593762
    Abstract: A power transfer device can include a housing, first and second input members, first and second output members, a differential, and a pump. The housing can define a sump. The first input member can receive rotational power and rotate about an axis. The second input member can be meshingly engaged with the first input member and can rotate through the sump. The differential case can be drivingly coupled to the second input member. The differential gearset can transmit rotary power between the differential case and the first and second output members. The pump can be disposed about the first input member and can have an inlet, outlet, and pump element. The inlet can be coupled for fluid communication with the sump. The pump element can be drivingly coupled to the first input member and can pump the fluid from the sump when the first input member rotates about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian M. Lenczewski, Robert Degowske
  • Patent number: 9593763
    Abstract: A gearing arrangement, comprising a planetary stage comprising a planet carrier arranged to rotate around a transmission shaft, a plurality of planet pins each planet pin comprising respective first and second end regions, planet gears arranged on the planet carrier and seated on the plurality of planet pins, and at least one sun gear, and a spur gear arranged to direct torque into the planet carrier, wherein the planet carrier comprises a cage element axially arranged on the spur gear, and the plurality of planet pins are arranged within the spur gear and radially supported in the cage element with the respective first end regions arranged to face the spur gear and the respective second end regions arranged to face away from the spur gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Kurth, Andreas Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9593764
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus is basically provided with a controller. The controller is configured to electrically adjust an input position of at least one operating member for starting operation of at least one bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akinori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9593765
    Abstract: An electronic auto shift lever, and more particularly, a smart touch type electronic auto shift lever configures a shift operating unit of the auto shift lever. The auto shift lever includes a touch screen and provides a predetermined shift pattern to a user to perform a shift operation by an input through the touch screen, in which the user is allowed to arbitrarily change the shift pattern to provide various shift patterns corresponding to a user's taste, in an auto shift lever of an automatic transmission vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jeongseop Lee
  • Patent number: 9593766
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transmission system is provided. One agricultural vehicle includes a vehicle controller configured to instruct an engine controller to maintain an engine at a constant speed and to receive a first signal from a transmission controller indicative of gear shift initiation. The vehicle controller is also configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at a current torque upon receipt of the first signal and to receive a second signal from the transmission controller indicative of gear shift completion. The vehicle controller is configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at the constant speed upon receipt of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Justin Ringwald, Rex LeRoy Ruppert
  • Patent number: 9593767
    Abstract: A shift control device for an electrically driven vehicle, which is installed in the electrically driven vehicle including a motor as a drive source and an automatic transmission coupled to an output shaft of the motor, has a shift controller that performs shifting of the automatic transmission using a previously set shift line. The shift controller has, as the shift line, an electricity consumption prioritized shift line with priority placed to improve electricity consumption rate, and a driving force prioritized shift line with priority placed to suppress the frequency of shifting. The driving force prioritized shift line is used for a predetermined time after completion of the shift control using the electricity consumption prioritized shift line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tsukizaki, Ryohey Toyota, Toshifumi Hibi, Yutaka Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9593768
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus may include a first input shaft to selectively receive torque of an engine, a second input shaft having at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon, a third input shaft having at least one input gear fixedly disposed thereon, a motor/generator operated as a motor or a generator, a planetary gear set including a first rotation element directly connected to the motor/generator, a second rotation element directly connected to the third input shaft, and a third rotation element directly connected to the first input shaft, a first speed output unit to convert torque input from the second input shaft or the third input shaft and output the converted torque, and a second speed output unit to convert torque input from the second input shaft or the third input shaft and output the converted torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyeonghun Lee, Jongsool Park, Suengho Lee
  • Patent number: 9593769
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train that includes a converter as the start-up element, an automatic transmission, and an output, whereas, after start of the drive unit, the rotational speed of a turbine of the converter is monitored, whereas, if it is determined that, within a defined first time frame after the start of the drive unit, the rotational speed of the turbine reaches or exceeds a first threshold value, a properly filled converter is inferred. If, within the defined first time frame, the rotational speed of the turbine falls short of the first threshold value, an improperly filled converter or a converter that has run empty is inferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Arnold, Klaus Steinhauser, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9593770
    Abstract: An electronic shifter assembly includes a shift lever and a speed sensitive damping arrangement housed within a base of the assembly. The speed sensitive damping arrangement includes a housing, a shaft coupled to the shift lever, a plurality of stacked plates and a damping substance. The stacked plates are associated with the shaft and a cavity of the housing, where at least one of the stacked plates is keyed to the shaft and at least another one of the stacked plates is keyed to the housing such that rotation of the shaft via the shift lever causes relative movement of the keyed stacked plates. The damping substance is packed into the internal cavity and about the stacked plates such that the damping arrangement provides speed sensitive damping to the shift lever proportional to a speed of movement of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Jay T TenBrink, Michael Perecki
  • Patent number: 9593771
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes disengaging a shifting element of the automatic transmission and measuring an input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging. A command pressure of the shifting element is adjusted to a target command pressure based at least in part on the input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Kölbl, Ruben Cueppers
  • Patent number: 9593772
    Abstract: A fluid energy distribution system having three elements; fluid energy providers; means for fluid energy distribution; and fluid drivers. The fluid energy providers input energy into hydraulic fluid as pressure and flow. This energy is passed to the means for fluid energy distribution wherein the energy from all fluid energy providers moves a set of sliding pistons to turn a connected crankshaft that converts and consolidates the converted energy as torque in the crankshaft. Another set of differently sized sliding pistons connected to the same crankshaft is used to pressurize a fluid and disperse it in its energized state to the fluid drivers according to their speed and torque demands. The routing of the various fluid volumes is done by computerized control system. The admission of the fluids into and out of the cylinders is done by independent flow controllers for each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Yiu Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 9593773
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes for an electric drive vehicle a clutch for selectively drivingly connecting an input shaft and an output shaft through a gear set. A clutch collar rotationally drives one or more axially aligned rows of at least two and preferably three drive members, such as ball bearings. The clutch collar is movable between drive position in which the input shaft and output shaft are drivingly engaged through two drive members, a park position in which one drive member is rotationally fixed to the housing, and a tow position in which the drive members are disengaged from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAFER DRIVELINE, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher LaBenne
  • Patent number: 9593774
    Abstract: A piston for an axial machine includes a piston body having a cavity that is closed in a pressure-tight way. The cavity is divided into a plurality of chambers, arranged one beside the other in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr Machines Bulle SA
    Inventors: Mario Baeriswyl, Erwin Feusi
  • Patent number: 9593775
    Abstract: A retrofit method for modifying a radial lead seal assembly of a generator and a radial lead seal assembly of a generator are presented. The radial lead seal assembly seals a radial chamber from an axial chamber. The radial lead seal assembly includes sealing elements disposed around a radial lead to seal an annular space between the radial lead and the radial chamber, a coil spring disposed around the radial lead between the sealing elements and a junction between the radial lead and the axial lead, and a nut. The retrofit method includes removing one or more of the sealing elements to define a radial space between the remainder of the sealing elements and the coil spring. Conical springs are inserted in the radial space and only partially compressed under a radially inward compressive load exerted on the radial lead seal assembly via the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Rasinski, Robert Gore, Randy Edward Whitener
  • Patent number: 9593776
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealing device which can inhibit an external dust in an atmospheric side from intruding into a lip end, thereby inhibiting a sealing fluid leakage by trapped dust. In a sealing device inhibiting leakage of a sealing fluid in an inboard side to an atmospheric side, coming into contact with a shaft by a seal lip end and circumferentially having in an atmospheric side inclined surface of the seal lip with a plurality of screws exerting a pumping action to the sealing fluid, a three-dimensional shape for preventing the dust intrusion is provided between the screws so as to inhibit the external dust intrusion in the atmospheric side toward the lip end. The three-dimensional shape is constructed by a projection or a groove extending in a parallel direction to the lip end. The projection or the groove is connected to the screws longitudinally in both end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kamemura, Hiroki Matsui, Hideharu Hyakutake, Tomoaki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9593777
    Abstract: A mechanical seal is disclosed having a rotatable sealing face and a stationary sealing face that are in opposed relation and arranged to be urged, into contact to form a seal. One of the sealing faces is mounted on a support assembly that includes a biasing device operative to move that sealing face into contact with the other sealing face. In one form of the invention, the biasing device comprises one or more resilient members that in use are deformed to provide the biasing force. In a second form of the invention, the support assembly forms part of a fluid barrier of the seal and the biasing device is fluid impervious and forms part of the barrier. In a third form of the invention, the biasing device is exposed to fluid pressure in the chamber and the biasing force increases on increasing the fluid pressure in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Vulco S.A.
    Inventors: Ricardo Abarca Melo, Rodrigo Guzman Castro, Osvaldo Quiroz Venegas
  • Patent number: 9593778
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems having a poppet valve assembly and swing adsorption separation techniques related thereto. A poppet valve includes a valve body, a plurality of static valves fixedly secured to the valve body and a single dynamic poppet valve having a plurality of openings. The plurality of static valves align and mate with the plurality of openings. The single dynamic poppet valve reciprocates to selectively open and close the plurality of static valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Robert F. Tammera
  • Patent number: 9593779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bellow for use in a ball valve, the bellow comprising: a metallic seat at an end of the bellow for providing a contact surface with a ball of a ball valve; and a metallic body integral with the seat; wherein the metallic body has a longitudinally elastic property such that, when the bellow is in use in a ball valve and the bellow is arranged within the housing of the ball valve so that it is always under longitudinal compression, substantially only the compression in the bellow causes the seat to apply a sealing force against the ball of the ball valve that maintains a mechanical seal between the seat and the ball valve. Advantageously, embodiments allow a new design of ball valve that maintains a high standard of performance in subsea environments over long time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FJELL SUBSEA PRODUCTS AS
    Inventors: Asbjørn Strand, Kristian Karlsen
  • Patent number: 9593780
    Abstract: A forward check valve and a fuel cell system are provided which include a valve portion including a valve body, a supporting portion, a hole, and a fixation portion. The valve body contacts a valve seat when the valve portion is accommodated in an opening. The supporting portion supports the valve body so that the valve body is movable in directions in which the valve body moves towards and away from the valve seat. The fixation portion contacts an inner peripheral surface defining the opening of a valve housing to fix the supporting portion when the valve portion is accommodated in the opening. The fixation portion includes protruding portions that protrude from a mount surface of the valve housing when the valve portion is accommodated in the opening. By fitting the valve portion to the opening, the valve portion is accommodated in the opening of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sasaki, Yuzo Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 9593781
    Abstract: A cam assembly for use in a slam-shut safety valve includes a cam having an elongated first cam arm, and the cam is pivotable about a rotational axis. The cam assembly also includes a torsional spring having a pair of stationary outer arms and a pair of pivotable inner arms, wherein the pair of stationary inner arms is coupled to a portion of the first cam arm. The pair of inner arms is adapted to act on the first cam arm to bias the cam into a position that allows the cam to be relatched in a valve rearming process. The pair of inner arms is symmetrically disposed about the first cam arm to prevent lateral displacement of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Theodor Cojocaru, Adrian Valean, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Patent number: 9593782
    Abstract: A fluid regulator includes an actuator assembly and a body secured to the actuator assembly. The body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage disposed between the inlet and the outlet and includes a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is dimensioned to receive a portion of a slam-shut device and is formed through a first side of the body between the inlet and the outlet. The second opening is dimensioned to receive a portion of the slam-shut device and is formed through a second side of the body, opposite the first side, between the inlet and the outlet. A slam-shut device is positioned at least partially within the first opening, extends into the body, and is secured to the body and a plate is positioned over the second opening and secured to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: G. Glynn Crutsinger, Chun Lin, Horatiu P. Tripon
  • Patent number: 9593783
    Abstract: An aggregate replacement device may be used to replace rock aggregate in underground drainage systems. An aggregate replacement includes a structure having a proximal face, a distal face, a bottom face and two side faces with a plurality of openings. The two side faces and bottom face have a proximal edge, a distal edge and two side edges. The proximal face and distal face are coupled to the proximal edges or distal edges of the two side faces and bottom face to form an obtuse angle. A first of the side edges of the side faces is coupled to the side edges of the bottom face. A coupler and a locking device are coupled to a second of the side edges of the side faces. The coupler and locking device couple the structure to a second structure with the second of the side edges of the side faces abutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Alton F. Parker