Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9599153
    Abstract: A bearing assembly can comprise: a base member including at least one base ramp; a carriage member including: a first surface defining a bearing channel, the bearing channel configured to receive a plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the ball bearings, the bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the bearing channel; a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including at least one carriage ramp, the carriage ramp configured to engage the at least one base ramp; and a retaining member configured to cover a least a portion of the first surface and retain the ball bearings in the carriage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Ripley Aldrich
  • Patent number: 9599154
    Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a load bearing plate structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein, each of said plurality of open axial ball tracks comprised of at least two concentric ball tracks. The ball tracks including an open load bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing balls are disposed in the ball tracks. At lease one load bearing plate is axially positioned adjacent said load bearing plate structure for receiving load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. Various outer housing sleeves are disclosed including a structure split axially and a monolithic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison Ng
  • Patent number: 9599155
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring to which one or more superhard bearing elements may be mounted. The support ring may include one or more relief features configured to reduce residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements that are induced by brazing the superhard bearing elements to the support ring, operational loads, other processes, or combinations of the foregoing. Reducing the residual stresses in the superhard bearing elements may help prevent damage to the superhard bearing elements. The bearing assembly may be used in subterranean drilling systems and/or other types of systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 9599156
    Abstract: A sleeve bearing for being received in an outer sleeve includes an inner part which extends in the axial direction, a bearing body, and a cage which encloses the bearing body circumferentially. The bearing body encloses the inner part, is made from an elastic material, and has at least two chambers. The cage is formed from at least two cage parts, the spacing of which can be varied in the radial direction. A sealed joint area is provided between the cage parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: BOGE ELASTMETALL GMBH, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Volker Ludwig, Stefan Loheide, Thomas Conrad
  • Patent number: 9599157
    Abstract: An axial-radial sliding bearing with polymer sliding elements includes a first bearing race and a second bearing race, which are rotatable oppositely to each other about a bearing shaft, wherein the second bearing race defines a substantially U-shaped cross section for receiving the first bearing race at least in certain regions. The sliding elements are made from tribopolymer and are arranged between the first and the second bearing races. The sliding elements each have a substantially L-shaped cross section comprising an axial region having axial sliding surfaces and a radial region having radial sliding surfaces. The radial region of the sliding elements includes at least one hinge connection, which connects two segments of the radial region in a flexible manner and so as to be movable oppositely to each other. A sliding element may include at least one such hinge connection in the radial region of the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Selzer
  • Patent number: 9599158
    Abstract: A system for elastically compensating for wear, thermal expansion and misalignment comprises a ring located between a housing and a pin in the bore of the housing. The ring has a backing layer, an expanded grid structure having a plurality of openings, a low friction layer penetrated into the openings of the expanded grid structure, and adhesive for bonding the backing layer, expanded grid structure and low friction layer together to provide elastic deformation of the ring between the housing and pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS PAMPUS GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Heldmann, Hans-Juergen Jaeger, Alexander Oehrlein
  • Patent number: 9599159
    Abstract: A noise reducing apparatus of a speed reduction device for electric continuous variable valve timing (CVVT), may include the speed reduction device having an inner tooth portion formed to be faced opposing an external wheel of a ball bearing in an interior diameter surface of a housing that may be integrally formed with a sprocket and rollers arranged through a cage between an inner tooth of the inner tooth portion and the external wheel of the ball bearing, wherein a coating layer may be formed to ease impact in exterior circumference portions of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seungwoo Lee, Hongkil Baek, Bokyung Kim, Inwoong Lyo, Jiyoun Seo
  • Patent number: 9599160
    Abstract: A tapered roller bearing includes: an inner ring; an outer ring; a plurality of tapered rollers having a roller large end face that is a convex curved surface; and an annular cage that holds the tapered rollers at intervals along a circumferential direction. The inner ring includes a large rib portion having a rib surface that is a concave curved surface and that contacts the roller large end face. Inequalities represented by R>Ri>Rr are satisfied, where Rr is a curvature radius of the roller large end face, Ri is a curvature radius of the rib surface in a longitudinal cross section of the inner ring, and R is a distance from a cone center to a center of a contact ellipse obtained by contact between the roller large end face and the rib surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junji Murata, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 9599161
    Abstract: A rolling element bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements, a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring. The rolling elements are arranged circumferentially around an axis, and radially between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring includes a plurality of first passages, a second passage and a channel that extends axially into the inner ring. The first passages are arranged circumferentially around the axis. The first passages respectively extend axially through the inner ring from a plurality of first passage inlets to the channel. The second passage includes a second passage inlet that is substantially axially aligned with one of the first passage inlets. The second passage extends radially through the inner ring to a second passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brady Walker, Ronnie K. Kovacik, Nasr A. Shuaib
  • Patent number: 9599162
    Abstract: A sealed rolling bearing includes an outer race and an inner race. A cylindrical portion provided at the outer portion of a sealing member is press-fitted into each end of the outer race. A cylindrical portion provided at the inner portion of a slinger is press-fitted onto each end of the inner race. The sealing member has at its inner peripheral portion first and second radial lips which are in elastic contact with the slinger to prevent entry of foreign matter into the bearing space. The slinger has an annular portion including an axially outwardly extending, outwardly bent portion provided at its outer peripheral portion. The outwardly bent portion has an outer periphery located inwardly of the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the sealing member. A small gap is defined between the outwardly bent portion and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion as a labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunari Tomura
  • Patent number: 9599163
    Abstract: An external bearing seal may have an annular support disk concentric about an axis and an annular seal body. The annular seal body may be supported by the support disk one of radially inward and outward of the support disk with respect to the axis. The seal body may have a plurality of concentric seal rings extending at least partially in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel E. Derscheid
  • Patent number: 9599164
    Abstract: A tool for use in preloading a bearing includes a plurality of arms pivotable relative to each other and a pin extending from each arm of a plurality of arms. The pin is configured to engage an opening of a plurality of openings in a retaining ring. A resilient member biases the plurality of arms away from each other. A first arm of the plurality of arms includes a cavity. A second arm of the plurality of arms is received in the cavity such that an extending portion of the second arm extends outside the cavity and the second arm is moveable in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS, CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Rode, Sean E. Strait
  • Patent number: 9599165
    Abstract: A fastening device for a rolling bearing includes a bearing mounting portion disposed at an end of a motor housing, a rolling bearing received in the mounting portion, and a retainer ring disposed between an inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion and a peripheral surface of an outer ring of the rolling bearing. The rolling bearing is fastened to the motor housing by the retainer ring. The retainer ring is resiliently deformable in the radial direction of the rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Ming Cen Lu, James Ching Sik Lau, Xi Ping Yang, Chi Keung Law
  • Patent number: 9599166
    Abstract: A tool for a medical instrument includes a coupling member on the proximal end of the tool, for releasable mechanical coupling with a distal end of a shaft of a medical instrument, wherein the coupling member is in the form of a helical cutout of a circular cylinder barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Patent number: 9599167
    Abstract: A drive system for an apparatus separating hot particles being received by a moving surface includes a drive shaft for driving the moving surface receiving the hot particles, a drive unit for rotating the drive shaft, and a flexible coupling arranged between the drive shaft and the drive unit. The flexible coupling includes thin portions defining a portion of a heat transfer path from the drive shaft to the drive unit. The thin portions have large surface area to volume ratios for extending the heat transfer path. The thin portions dissipate heat when the flexible coupling is driven by the drive unit. A method for dissipating heat from a drive system for an apparatus for separating hot particles includes providing a flexible coupling and dissipating heat from the flexible coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Michael Pirie, Javier Castro
  • Patent number: 9599168
    Abstract: A torque-limiting device for secure transmission of a rotation between an inlet baseplate and an outlet baseplate, including at least one drive bolt that forms a breaking element by shearing in case of a torque exceeding a predetermined threshold, and an intermediate baseplate that is driven by the inlet baseplate and driving the outlet baseplate. The bolt ensures driving of the intermediate baseplate and the inlet baseplate or the outlet baseplate. The intermediate baseplate includes a locking element by shape cooperation with a locking part of the bolt. The intermediate baseplate is formed by two plates pressed against one another, one of which is used for housing of the locking part of the bolt and the other of which is used for axial support of the locking part and housing of the screw rod. An agricultural machine can include such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KUHN S.A.
    Inventors: Julien Rouwens, Damion Babler, Bernard Wattron
  • Patent number: 9599169
    Abstract: A friction engagement element (CLx) is provided radially outside of a peripheral wall portion (32) of a clutch drum (30) and configured to be engaged by a piston (40). A piston (70) is provided radially inside of the peripheral wall portion (32) and configured to engage and a friction engagement element (CLz). A first peripheral wall portion (321) of the peripheral wall portion (32) includes through-holes (321a) communicating a radially inside of the first peripheral wall portion (321) with a radially outside thereof. A through-hole (87) is provided radially inside of the piston (70). The piston (70) includes a communication passage (79) radially passing through the piston (70) and communicating the through-hole (87) with the through-holes (321a) such that lubricating oil is supplied through the communication passage (79) and the through-holes (321a) to the radially outside of the clutch drum (30) when the piston (70) is in an initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Hisashi Saito, Hideharu Yamamoto, Shinya Mochiyama, Atsushi Maeda
  • Patent number: 9599170
    Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly is provided which includes a coil plate non-rotatably captured between the upper housing and the lower housing and having affixed thereon a ring shaped coil, a clutch rotor rotatably secured to the shaft and having a groove configured to accommodate therein the ring shaped coil, and a clutch output assembly having a clutch/brake disc and a clutch output shaft. The clutch/brake disc and the clutch output shaft are attached to one another by a plurality of springs. The clutch/brake assembly may be mounted on a deck of a lawnmower to drive a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Michael L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9599171
    Abstract: A one-way clutch includes: an inner ring provided with an inserting opening for permitting insertion of a rotation shaft and rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft by being engaged with the rotation shaft; an outer ring engaged with an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and rotatable in one direction relative to the inner ring and non-rotatable in a direction opposite to the one direction; and an elastic metal plate member, engaged with the inner ring, for limiting movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring in a rotational axis direction of the outer ring. When the rotation shaft is mounted in the inner ring, the elastic metal plate member includes a leaf spring portion positioned and elastically deformable in a gap between the rotation shaft and the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasu Yamaguchi, Takashi Uno
  • Patent number: 9599172
    Abstract: A releasable freewheel clutch includes a ring gear and a driven member disposed within a bore of the ring gear. A plurality of pawls are each pivotally attached to the driven member and rotatable between a first position where each pawl is engaged with teeth of the ring gear and a second position where each pawl is disengaged with the teeth of the ring gear. The pawls are selective movable between the engaged and disengaged positions by a ring-shaped blocking element that is rotatably supported for rotation about the axis of rotation and relative to the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Profile Racing, INC.
    Inventor: Corey Alley
  • Patent number: 9599173
    Abstract: A method for reducing baulking of a dual clutch transmission (“DCT”) for a vehicle includes a first engaging step engaging an odd-stage clutch and an even-stage clutch of a DCT in a case of an ignition-on state. An ascertaining step ascertains a range positioned by a shift lever when an engine is cranked after the first engaging step. A second engaging step engages shift gears respectively, after disengaging at least one of the odd-stage clutch and the even-stage clutch depending on the ascertained range position of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9599174
    Abstract: A brake device includes: an outer race having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface; at least two brake cams arranged inside the outer race in a circumferential direction, each brake cam having brake surfaces located at both ends in the circumferential direction of a side of the brake cam facing the outer race, each brake surface being contactable with the inner peripheral surface of the outer race; and an output-side rotary member arranged at radially inner sides of the respective brake cams, the output-side rotary member including contact portions contactable with surfaces of the brake cams facing the radially inner sides. Contact points at which the respective contact portions and the respective brake cams are contactable are on an axis-of-rotation side of a both-end reference plane (plane connecting outer ends of the respective brake surfaces located at the both ends of to corresponding brake cam), or on the both-end reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaku
  • Patent number: 9599175
    Abstract: A caliper comprises a hydraulic linking channel provided in a bridge section linking hydraulic cylinders, on an inner caliper section side, and hydraulic cylinders, on an outer caliper section side, to a cylinder-side hydraulic channel disposed on the back end of each respectively. A connecting channel forming section, which corresponds to each cylinder-side hydraulic channel and the hydraulic linking channel is provided, in advance, in a core used during casting of the inner caliper section, the outer caliper section, and the bridge section, and is formed by setting in a situation to be embedded at the same time as each caliper section and the bridge section are being integrally cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON LIGHT METAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawamata, Tetsuzo Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9599176
    Abstract: A disc brake for a motor vehicle has a brake application device, a floating caliper that reaches over a brake disc, preferably a lining wear adjustment device, and a brake carrier having guiding surfaces opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the brake disc. Between the guiding surfaces, on the brake application side and the reaction side of the brake disc, at least one respective brake pad having a lining carrier and having at least one friction lining is guided movably parallel to an axis of rotation of the brake disc and can be actuated by a brake application force. At least one restoring device which supports at least the reaction-side brake pad on the brake carrier via the lining carrier, wherein the restoring device includes at least two restoring elements, which are attached to the lining carrier of at least the reaction-side brake pad in such a way that the restoring elements are guided movably parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Alexander Werth, Robert Weggartner, Rudolf Kielbasa, Tobias Fishchl
  • Patent number: 9599177
    Abstract: Rotational motion of a shaft member rotationally driven by a motor is converted by a screw member into translational motion of a pressing member. An outer periphery of a cap member is brought into slide contact with a first cylindrical part of the pressing member so that the cap member is relatively movable in an axial direction of the pressing member and is relatively unrotatable about its axis. An inner periphery of the cap member is brought into slide contact with a second cylindrical part of the shaft member so that the cap member is relatively movable in an axial direction of the shaft member and is relatively rotatable about its axis. The first cylindrical part, the second cylindrical part, and the cap member partition a storage chamber connected to one end of the screw member, and a lubricant for lubricating the screw member is filled inside the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Shinichiro Yukoku, Naomi Emura
  • Patent number: 9599178
    Abstract: A brake camshaft and a method of manufacture. The brake camshaft may include a tube portion, a cam portion, and an end portion. The tube portion may have a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube cavity that extends from the first tube end to the second tube end. The cam portion may be disposed on the first tube end. The end portion may be disposed on the second tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Mitts, Marcel Rusz, Matthew J. McGinn
  • Patent number: 9599179
    Abstract: A brake lining monitoring system comprising primarily for automobiles. The monitoring system comprises a sensor for continuously measuring the thickness of a brake lining disposed at each wheel of an automobile, a memory including a plurality of predefined successive thickness value ranges wherein, each thickness value range is associated with a brake lining status message, and a display monitor for displaying the measured thickness value along with the status message associated with the thickness value range to which the measured thickness value corresponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mehrzad Bahrami Ziarani, Mehran Bahrami Ziarani
  • Patent number: 9599180
    Abstract: Nonlinear spring. In one embodiment, the spring includes two opposed curved surfaces curving away from one another. A flexible cantilever member is disposed between the two opposed curved surfaces and a mass is attached to a free end of the cantilever member wherein the flexible cantilever member wraps around one of the curved surfaces as the cantilever member deflects to form a nonlinear spring. Energy harvesting devices and a load cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jocelyn Maxine Kluger, Alexander Henry Slocum, Themistoklis Panagiotis Sapsis
  • Patent number: 9599181
    Abstract: A shock absorber which can be easily attached and which can reduce the installation space is provided. The shock absorber in accordance with the present invention is characterized by including a front wall to receive shock, a rear wall opposing the front wall, and peripheral walls connecting peripheries of the front wall and the rear wall, and at least one attaching section to attach onto an attaching object is formed to be integral with the rear wall, and shock received by the front wall is propagated via the rear wall to the attaching object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Tani, Masao Sodeno, Teruo Tamada
  • Patent number: 9599182
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lubricating suspension seals by pumping fluid to the seals using a compression or rebound action of a suspension component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Galasso, David Haugen
  • Patent number: 9599183
    Abstract: A damping valve includes a valve seat member having a port and a first valve seat surrounding the port, a main valve body seated on or unseated from the first valve seat, the main valve body having a second valve seat oppositely to the valve seat member, a subsidiary valve body seated on or unseated from the second valve seat, a valve-body intermediate chamber provided between the main valve body and the subsidiary valve body in an inner circumferential side of the second valve seat, a restrictive passage that causes the port and the valve-body intermediate chamber to communicate with each other, the restrictive passage being configured to apply resistance to a flow of fluid passing therethrough, and a subsidiary valve body biasing means configured to bias the subsidiary valve body toward the main valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kamakura, Toshihiro Mori, Tomoyasu Abe
  • Patent number: 9599184
    Abstract: A fluid damper assembly including a housing that defines a chamber. A rod extends into the chamber and is axially moveable relative to the housing. A bushing is disposed about the rod and is fixed relative to the housing for guiding the rod during the axial movement of the rod. A piston is connected to the rod and is disposed in axially sliding engagement with the housing in the chamber in a compression stroke and in a rebound stroke in response to relative movement between the rod and the housing. A cushioning device extends from the bushing and biases the piston toward the compression stroke for dampening movement of the piston during the rebound stroke of the piston. The cushioning device and the bushing are integral with one another and of a homogeneous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Beijing West Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomasz Szostek, Wojciech Battek
  • Patent number: 9599185
    Abstract: A vibration control apparatus is provided that controls the vibration of a first object supported by a base, the apparatus including: a first control system including a first compensator for outputting a first operation signal representing an input to a first driving unit based on a first detection signal output by a first detector; a second control system including a second compensator for outputting a second operation signal representing an input to a second driving unit based on a second detection signal output by a second detector; and a third control system including a third compensator for outputting a third operation signal representing an input to the first driving unit based on a signal relating to the second control system so as to compensate the vibration of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo Nawata
  • Patent number: 9599186
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a first coil spring, a second coil spring, an intermediate plate, a first stopper mechanism and a first contact relief member. The first coil spring is configured to be compressed between the first rotary member and the second rotary member. The second coil spring is configured to be compressed between the first rotary member and the second rotary member and has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the first coil spring. The intermediate member is engaged with the first coil spring and the second coil spring and couples the first coil spring and the second coil spring in series. The first stopper mechanism is configured to deactivate the first coil spring. The first contact relief member is movably disposed inside the first coil spring and is capable of relieving the contact in the first stopper mechanism during activation of the first coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uehara, Yoshinari Yoshimura, Takeshi Senoue
  • Patent number: 9599187
    Abstract: A damper device includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member, a plurality of coil springs, an intermediate member and a positioning structure. The first rotary member is a member into which a power of an engine is inputted. The second rotary member is disposed to be rotatable with respect to the first rotary member. The plurality of coil springs are configured to be compressed between the first rotary member and the second rotary member. The intermediate member is engaged with the plurality of coil springs and couples the plurality of coil springs together. The positioning structure radially positions the intermediate member with respect to at least either of the first rotary member and the second rotary member on an inner peripheral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uehara, Yoshinari Yoshimura, Takeshi Senoue
  • Patent number: 9599188
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping arrangement for a drivetrain of a vehicle includes a carrier arrangement that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, a deflection mass movable in a circumferential direction relative to the carrier arrangement, and at least one radially extending, elastically deformable restoring element by which the carrier arrangement and the deflection mass are coupled to be rotatable relative to one another. A supporting element is associated with the restoring element and movable radially relative to the restoring element by which the restoring element is supported in circumferential direction with respect to the carrier arrangement at a radial position of the supporting element. A stiffness of the coupling between the carrier arrangement and the deflection mass which is brought about in circumferential direction by the restoring element has an abrupt course at least one radial position of the supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Uwe Grossgebauer, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Patent number: 9599189
    Abstract: A warp-directional stretch fabric that defines two right faces and is formed from warp yarns defined by a nylon and fill yarns defined by an aramid. The fabric can be incorporated into a toothed belt, for example a transmission belt, to produce a belt that has enhanced structural and resistance capabilities while capable of being produced at a lower cost than prior art belts. A method of producing an improved toothed belt including the fabric is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Highland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Rollings Newsome
  • Patent number: 9599190
    Abstract: A belt, configured as a conveyor belt or drive belt, includes at least one traction member having an outer side. The traction member includes at least one of a renewable raw material or a biologically degradable raw material. A coating is disposed on the outer side of the at least one traction member and includes at least one of a renewable raw material, a biologically degradable raw material, or a synthetically produced and biologically degradable raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORBO SIEGLING GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrike Fleissner, Torsten Buch, Claudius Hayduk, Peter Meyer
  • Patent number: 9599191
    Abstract: A ferrule 10 for attachment to an end of a wire rope R is disclosed. The ferrule comprises an open end 12 into which the end of the wire rope can be received for securement in the ferrule. The ferrule also comprises an end 14 that opposes the open end. The ferrule further comprises an axis Ax extending between the open and opposing ends. The ferrule is configured at or around at least one of the open and opposing ends such that the ferrule is able to mate with a corresponding formation of a socket 50 into which the ferrule can be received in use. Also disclosed is a socket 50 adapted to the ferrule, and a mechanism for axially locking the ferrule in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bekaert Wire Ropes Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Morgan, Wilfred de Sain
  • Patent number: 9599192
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a first gear which has an outer toothing; a plurality of pinions which mesh with the outer toothing of the first gear, each pinion being connected to an electric machine which is designed as a motor or a generator; a second gear which is coaxially connected to the first gear and which has an outer toothing; a plurality of third gears which mesh with the second gear and which have an outer toothing, each of the third gears being coaxially connected to a fourth gear which has an outer toothing; and a fifth gear which meshes with the fourth gears, which is connected to a drive or output shaft, and which has an outer toothing, with the first gear and the drive or output shaft being coaxially arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Manfred Bottcher
  • Patent number: 9599193
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft to receive a rotation of an engine, drive gears respectively attached to the input shaft to freely rotate individually, an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft in order to output rotation following a gear shift, driven gears respectively attached to the output shaft to freely rotate individually and to mesh with the drive gears, an engagement mechanism to fix a gear to be used in a gear shift individually, from among the drive gears, to the input shaft to be incapable of relative rotation, and a selector mechanism to fix, during the gear shift, the driven gear of a corresponding gear position individually, which meshes with the drive gear fixed to the input shaft by the engagement mechanism, to the output shaft to be incapable of relative rotation, and a hub that is fixed to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Ukon, Keisuke Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9599194
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission having main group and a range group that is connected downstream from the main group which has a planetary stage with transmission components. A first component couples an output shaft of the range group and a second component couples an output shaft of the main group. A third component can couple a housing and the first or the second components. For carrying out a range shift of the range group, which cannot be shifted under load, and to enable an arrangement of gear steps of the upstream main group, the drive output shaft passes axially through the planetary stage to the main group. The output shaft is a central shaft with which the input shaft of the main group can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner, and over which the output shaft of the main group is positioned as a coaxially extending hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckhardt Lubke, Kai Borntrager
  • Patent number: 9599195
    Abstract: The multi-stage transmission comprises four planetary gear sets, eight rotatable shafts and six shift elements. Sun of first set is connected to fifth shaft which is couplable, via third brake, to housing. Drive shaft is connectable, via first clutch, to fourth shaft connected to ring of first set and carrier of second set and which is couplable, via second brake, to housing. Drive shaft is connectable, via second clutch, to seventh shaft connected to carrier of fourth set and ring of third set and is connectable, via third clutch, to eighth shaft connected to sun of second set. Sixth shaft is connected to carrier of first set, ring of second set and ring of fourth set. Third shaft is connected to sun of third set and sun of fourth set and is couplable, via first brake, to housing. Drive shaft is connected to carrier of third set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9599196
    Abstract: A transmission includes a drive shaft (1), an output shaft (2), a housing (G), a first planetary gear set (PR1), a second planetary gear set (PR2) and a third planetary gear set (PR3), and six shift elements, including a first brake (B1), a second brake (B2) along with a first clutch (K1), a second clutch (K2), a third clutch (K3, K3?, K3?, K3??) and a fourth clutch (K4, K4?). The shift elements are selectively actuated, by which nine forward gears and one reverse gear can be realized through different transmission ratios between the drive shaft (1) and the output shaft (2). Each planetary gear set (PR1, PR2, PR3) has a sun gear (S1, S2, S3), one planetary gear, one planetary carrier (PT1, PT2, PT3) and one ring gear (H1, H2, H3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9599197
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft; an output shaft; a first to fourth planetary gear sets; and six friction elements disposed between at least one rotation element among the twelve rotation elements and another rotation element or a transmission housing, wherein the input shaft is continuously connected to the second rotation element, the output shaft is continuously connected to the eleventh rotation element, the first rotation element is continuously connected to the fourth rotation element, the fifth rotation element is continuously connected to the eighth rotation element, the sixth rotation element is continuously connected to the eleventh rotation element, the ninth rotation element is continuously connected to the tenth rotation element, the second rotation element is selectively connected to the third rotation element, three friction elements among the six friction elements are operated at each speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: JongSool Park, Dong Hwan Hwang, Seong Wook Hwang, Jong Soo Kim, Chang Wook Lee, Wonmin Cho, Hyun Sik Kwon, KyeongHun Lee, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 9599198
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transmitting mechanical torque between a driving member and a driven member, in particular between a heat engine and an air compressor (2) for supplying power to the engine. Said transmission device includes at least one pulley (10, 11, 12, 13), for transmitting the torque between the driving member and the driven member, and a release means (17) controlling at least one of said pulleys (10, 11, 12, 13) so as to enable the transmission of the torque between the driving member and the driven member when the latter are in an engaged state, or so as to restrict the transmission when the latter are in a disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Thierry Cheng, Patrick Sega, Damien Alfano
  • Patent number: 9599199
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a tensioner is provided which includes: an arm, including a pivot mount; a pulley rotatably mounted to the arm; and a strut pivotally connected to the arm. The strut includes: a base, having a pivot mount; a first body moveable relative to the base; a first resilient element connected between the base and the first body, the first resilient element having a first stiffness coefficient; a second body moveable relative to the first body, the second body having a pivot mount; a second resilient element connected between the first body and the second body, the second resilient element having a second stiffness coefficient that is lower than the first stiffness coefficient; and an actuator, connected to the base and first body, for selectively moving the first body towards the base and compressing the first resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Garreth Graves
  • Patent number: 9599200
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an automobile auxiliary apparatus, such as an alternator, that dampens torsional impacts and reduces the stress on the auxiliary apparatus, the belt drive system and other apparatuses, by use of both a torsion spring and a one-way overrunning clutch mechanism allowing for the free run of the pulley shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MOTOCAR PARTS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John G. Agnitch, Nelson Meza
  • Patent number: 9599201
    Abstract: A polygon compensation coupling system for reducing a polygon effect in a chain driven system is disclosed. The polygon compensation coupling system may include a chain sprocket and a main drive in engagement with the chain sprocket, such that the engagement defines a compensation curve to reduce the polygon effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Srb-Gaffron, Alexander Turek
  • Patent number: 9599202
    Abstract: An internal ball recirculation insert for a ball screw assembly. The ball screw assembly having a ball nut with at least one radial bore though it, a ball screw and load bearing balls. The ball screw and ball nut having complimental helical grooves, forming helical ball raceways when the ball screw and ball nut are assembled. The internal ball recirculation insert sized to fit into the radial bore of the ball nut, having a body portion, securing arms, a ball channel for channeling balls from one ball raceway to another and a friction or retention device around the circumference of the body portion. The friction device extending outwardly from a side wall of the recirculation insert, and contacting a wall of the radial bore in the ball nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mark Brown