Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
  • Patent number: 9605709
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical roller bearing for absorbing axial and radial forces. The roller bearing includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, which are arranged concentrically about an axis of rotation extending in an axial direction. The second bearing ring has a groove, which is open in a radial direction and in which a projection of the first bearing ring engages. The roller bearing further includes a first radial bearing row and two axial bearing rows spaced in the axial direction that are arranged between the projection and the groove, wherein the first radial bearing row supports the first bearing ring against the second bearing ring in a first radial direction. The roller bearing also includes a second radial bearing row that supports the first bearing ring against the second bearing ring in a second radial direction that is opposite to the first radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP ROTHE ERDE GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Kaesler, Thomas Malzer
  • Patent number: 9605710
    Abstract: A method for early detection of developing damage in a bearing caused by flow of a bearing current includes evaluating a long-term measurement of a measured variable representative of a bearing current amplitude of a bearing current during a bearing operation, representing—based on the evaluation—measurement results in form of a histogram which displays a number of bearing currents per time interval in each interval of the bearing current amplitude, and evaluating the histogram representation of the measurement results through pattern comparison. A device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jörg Hassel, Carsten Probol, Hans Tischmacher
  • Patent number: 9605711
    Abstract: A bearing assembly system adapted for use on a rock crusher having a main frame, a main shaft, an eccentric and a crushing head. The bearing assembly system comprises a first bearing ring which is disposed around the main shaft, a second bearing ring which is disposed adjacent to the first bearing ring, and a means for conveying fluid to at least one of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. In the preferred bearing assembly system at least one of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring comprises a fluid depression. The preferred method further comprises conveying fluid from the means for conveying fluid to at least one of the first bearing ring and second bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Telsmith, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Van Mullem, Matthew Haven, Chuck Dricken, Sean Neitzel
  • Patent number: 9605712
    Abstract: A journal bearing for supporting a rotor shaft extending along a rotor axis having a support element, and at least two pads for supporting the rotor shaft, wherein the pads are supported by the support element is provided herein. The pads may include a bearing surface, wherein the support element and pads include a support for each pad. The support for each pad may include structure to enable tilting for each pad around a tilt axis extending parallel to the rotor axis. The journal bearing may be assigned to a specific default rotation direction of the rotor shaft, wherein tilting of the pad into the rotation direction is positive tilting and tilting of the pad versus the rotation direction is negative tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Lennart Olausson
  • Patent number: 9605713
    Abstract: A half bearing for a sliding bearing may include a bearing substrate having at least one relief region provided in a surface of the half bearing, and a substrate adjacent respective end faces of the bearing substrate. The half bearing may further include a polymer in-fill having a non-uniform thickness provided in a filled region, wherein the thickness of the polymer in-fill in the filled region may be greater proximate the respective end face than remote from the respective end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Mahle International GmbH, Mahle Engine Systems UK Limited
    Inventors: Nathan Fisher, Natalie Phipps
  • Patent number: 9605714
    Abstract: A machining apparatus includes a transfer mechanism portion and a grinding wheel unit. The transfer mechanism portion transfers a tapered roller having a large end face directed outward in a radial direction by causing the tapered roller to revolve about a vertical line while causing the tapered roller to rotate. The grinding wheel unit is substantially C-shaped, and has a grinding wheel surface that comes in sliding contact with the large end face of the transferred tapered roller on an inner peripheral side thereof. The grinding wheel unit has a substantially C-shaped seat fixed to an apparatus main body, and a grinding wheel body that is separate from the seat and is detachably mounted to the seat. The grinding wheel body is substantially C-shaped, and has the grinding wheel surface on an inner peripheral side thereof. The grinding wheel body is constituted by segments disposed along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, MIZUHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Munesato Sakane, Takanori Murakami, Takao Ochi
  • Patent number: 9605715
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint includes forming cup and shaft members of medium carbon steel, forging the cup member to have integrally formed cylindrical and bottom portions, and machining a joining end surface on an outer surface of the bottom portion after the forging. The method also includes preparing the shaft member to have a joining end surface to be joined to the bottom portion of the cup member, which is formed by machining, bringing the joining end surfaces of the cup and shaft members into abutment against each other and welding the cup and shaft members by radiating a beam from an outer side of the cup member to an abutment portion between the cup and shaft members in a radial direction of the cup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Osugi, Masazumi Kobayashi, Morihiro Wada, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Tatsuro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9605716
    Abstract: A propeller shaft has a first yoke having a fixing portion, a pair of first bifurcated yoke portions extending from one end portion of the fixing portion in an axial direction, and a first bearing hole formed at each first yoke portion and securing therein a first bearing that holds a cruciform shaft; a second yoke coupled to the first yoke through the cruciform shaft and secured to a predetermined member, and having a mounting flange, and a bolt insertion hole which is formed at the mounting flange and into which a bolt to secure the second yoke to the predetermined member is inserted; and a securing member securing the mounting flange of the second yoke to the predetermined member through the bolt by a fastening tool. Each first yoke portion is provided with a first concave portion that slides thereon an outer circumferential surface of the fastening tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Kyushu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ishikura, Hidekazu Aoki, Hiromichi Komai
  • Patent number: 9605717
    Abstract: A synchronizer ring for a synchronization unit of a manual transmission has a ring axis and is formed of a ring-shaped sheet-metal cone with a substantially constant sheet thickness. The ring-shaped sheet-metal cone has a cone-shaped radial outer side and an opposite radial inner side with a cone-shaped friction surface, wherein on its radial outer side the sheet-metal cone includes an integrally molded centering collar for radially centering the synchronizer ring relative to a synchronizer hub of the synchronization unit. The sheet-metal cone is deformed in the region of the centering collar and includes a first sheet portion with a residual thickness reduced as compared to the sheet thickness and axially adjacent a second sheet portion with a collar thickness which at least corresponds to the sheet thickness. The residual thickness of the sheet-metal cone is substantially constant in the first sheet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HOERBIGER Antriebstechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Berthold Negele
  • Patent number: 9605718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device that is always open for the pressure medium for reducing pressure pulsations and that can be switched between a pressure chamber of a slave cylinder and a pressure chamber of a master cylinder of a hydraulic force transmission system for motor vehicles. The device has an additional line section in the form of a channel having an opening on the slave cylinder side, an opening on the master cylinder side, and a channel length equaling a multiple of the direct distance between the two openings, and a volume receiver that can be elastically deformed under pressure, wherein the channel and the volume receiver are combined into an assembly in a housing. The result according to the invention is a device that not only has very good vibration dampening properties, but is also very compact and has a cost-effective design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FTE automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gebert, Egid Macht, Paul Marks, Robert Mueller, Juergen Ryba, Jochen Schneier, Wilfried Weibelzahl
  • Patent number: 9605719
    Abstract: A position offset compensation method of a clutch for controlling power that is transmitted from an engine to a wheel of a vehicle in accordance with one of exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include confirming whether an additional torque is transferred to the clutch, if a torque that is transferred to the clutch is larger than a predetermined torque, confirming whether a speed of the clutch is less than a predetermined speed for a predetermined time according to the confirming result, confirming whether the clutch is moved to an open direction according to the confirming result, and controlling the clutch position, by calculating a compensation value of the clutch position according to the confirming result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI AUTRON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-Won No
  • Patent number: 9605720
    Abstract: A friction brake device has a brake rotor that rotates around an axis of rotation, brake pads that can rotate around an axis of autorotation parallel to the axis of rotation, support members that support the brake pads respectively, and pressing devices that press the brake pads against the brake rotor respectively. In the friction brake device, when the brake pads are pressed against the brake rotor, the brake pads revolve around the axis of rotation relatively to the brake rotor while being frictionally engaged with lateral faces of the brake rotor respectively. The support members press the brake pads in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and frictionally engage outer peripheries of the brake pads with a cylindrical face of the brake rotor respectively. The brake pads auto-rotate around the axis of autorotation upon beginning to be pressed, but come to rest when the pressing force increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 9605721
    Abstract: A brake pad for a disc brake with decreased wear characteristics is provided. The brake pad is configured with the distribution of brake pad friction material weighted toward the radially outer region of the brake pad, with the lateral sides of the pad material being generally aligned with radial lines originating at the rotation axis of the brake disc of the disc brake. The brake pad friction material distribution results in decreased brake application pressure between the brake pad and the brake disc while obtaining the same braking force provided by a comparable generally rectangular brake pad, resulting in lower brake pad wear at the same braking force levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventor: Manouchehr Sabeti
  • Patent number: 9605722
    Abstract: The electric brake actuator with a parking function is provided with: detection unit which is provided in a vehicle in which the electric brake actuator is provided and is capable of detecting movement of the vehicle from a stop state; and determination unit configured to determine whether or not a locking mechanism has shifted to a parking locking state, by using a detection signal outputted from the detection unit, when the locking mechanism is driven by an actuator so as to switch from an unlocking state to the parking locking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Saoyama, Makoto Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9605723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator assembly comprising a ballnut having a helical track, an actuator drive unit (“ADU”) housing having an ADU track, and a ballscrew. In various embodiments, the ballscrew comprises a first translation bearing track, wherein the helical track and the first translation bearing track form a first translation bearing raceway in which a plurality of first translation bearing balls having a first diameter are disposed, and a second translation bearing track, wherein the helical track and the second translation bearing track form a second translation bearing raceway in which a plurality of second translation bearing balls having a second diameter are disposed, wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are not equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David Drennen, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 9605724
    Abstract: A brake assembly that may have a camshaft sensor module. The camshaft sensor module may include a sensor that may generate a signal indicative of rotation of a camshaft. A sensor bracket may hold the sensor in a fixed position relative to a bracket assembly that may receive the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Ryo Okuma
  • Patent number: 9605725
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing having an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder coaxially disposed inside the outer cylinder, and a bottom plate closing one end side of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, to form an annular liquid chamber with a viscous fluid therein, and a rotor including a cylindrical blade portion rotatably received in the liquid chamber. An annular locking groove extends circumferentially in a first portion at an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, or a second portion facing the first portion on an inner peripheral surface of the blade portion. A locking convex portion projects from the other of the first portion or the second portion, and locked in the locking groove. An annular inside seal member is interposed between the inner cylinder and the blade portion, and an annular outside seal member is interposed between the outer cylinder and the blade portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: NIFCO INC., NIFCO KOREA INC.
    Inventors: Masatora Seto, Young Kook Lee
  • Patent number: 9605726
    Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed having a secondary dampening assembly for dampening movement of an inner assembly within the shock absorber. The secondary dampening assembly includes a hydraulic stop piston and a hydraulic stop sleeve. The hydraulic stop piston is carried by an extender with a gap defined radially between the hydraulic stop piston and the extender to allow radial movement. The hydraulic stop sleeve has an open end for receiving the hydraulic stop piston and a flow groove that extends longitudinally along an inner surface of the hydraulic stop sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Frederik Baldoni, Etienne Leruth
  • Patent number: 9605727
    Abstract: An active engine mount for a vehicle includes an upper body which has a main rubber and an upper liquid chamber, and a lower body which is coupled to a lower portion of the upper body. An orifice circular plate divides an interior of the upper and lower bodies into the upper liquid chamber and a lower liquid chamber inside the upper and lower bodies, and has an orifice through which a fluid flows between the upper and lower liquid chambers. A diaphragm is installed below the orifice circular plate inside the upper and lower bodies, and forms the lower liquid chamber. A semi-active mount is in contact with a central portion of the diaphragm by a plunger inside the lower body, and operates by an electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 9605728
    Abstract: A body mount includes a mounting bracket with a cup portion, an isolation portion, and a tube that extends through the cup portion of the mounting bracket. The isolation assembly that has a lower portion which extends between and interconnects the cup portion of the mounting bracket to the tube. The tube has a recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zhongli North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan McMullen
  • Patent number: 9605729
    Abstract: Occurrence of secondary resonance in a dynamic damper device of a lock-up device is inhibited to improve effectiveness of the dynamic damper device. The lock-up device includes a drive plate, a driven plate coupled to a turbine, an intermediate member, a plurality of outer peripheral side and inner peripheral side torsion springs, and a dynamic damper device. The intermediate member is disposed between the outer peripheral side torsion springs and the inner peripheral side torsion springs. The outer peripheral side torsion springs elastically couple the drive plate and the intermediate member in a rotational direction. The inner peripheral side torsion springs elastically couple the intermediate member and the driven plate in the rotational direction. The dynamic damper device includes an inertia ring coupled to the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 9605730
    Abstract: A device for splicing two belt ends together, the device having a first outer clamping plate, a second outer clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second outer clamping plates. Each of the first and second outer clamping plates includes inwardly facing surfaces oriented toward the central plate. Gripping surfaces of the devices are improved. A first gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates, the first gripping region having a plurality of rows of teeth. A second gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates and includes spaced apart elongated recesses positioned parallel to a long axis of the first and second outer clamping plates. A wedge member, to accommodate different sized and shaped belts, is removably coupled to an end of the central plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Maxi-Lift, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Phillips, Lars Mees Muller, Willem Bertus van der Wouden
  • Patent number: 9605731
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus may include a first input shaft having at least one input gear and selectively connected to a power source through a first clutch, a second input shaft having at least one input gear and selectively connected to the power source through a second clutch, a first speed output unit including a first output shaft and at least one speed gear engaged with the at least one input gear on the first and second input shafts, a second speed output unit including a second output shaft and at least one speed gear engaged with the at least one input gear on the first and second input shafts and rotatably disposed on the second output shaft, and an idle module including at least two idle gears on an idle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Suengho Lee, Jongsool Park, Seongwook Hwang, Byunghyun Lee, Kyeonghun Lee, Minjun Song, Jongmin Kim
  • Patent number: 9605732
    Abstract: A tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member can include the assembly of a plunger (12) operably engageable with an endless loop power transmission member, and a piston (14) guiding the plunger (12) for sliding coaxial movement in a direction of the endless loop power transmission member and defining an oil reservoir (26) for receiving hydraulic fluid. A bearing (28) can have bearing balls (30) located in a counter bore (32) coaxial with piston bore (34). The counter bore (32) can have a steep taper (36) on which the bearing balls (30) ride, such that as the plunger (12) moves in an extending direction, the bearing balls (30) move out of the counter bore (32) allowing free extending movement of the plunger (12), and as the plunger (12) moves in a retracting direction, the bearing balls (30) are driven down into the steep taper (36) preventing the plunger (12) from retracting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Dale N. Smith, Mark Wigsten
  • Patent number: 9605733
    Abstract: A tensioning or guide rail and a method of producing a tensioning or guide rail for an endless drive means are provided, in particular for a chain drive in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting body and a sliding body of plastic material arranged on the supporting body. The method comprises the steps of producing a sliding body profile strand and separating the individual sliding body from the sliding body profile strand. The sliding body of a tensioning or guide rail is a segment of such a sliding body profile strand, the plastic material being oriented in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: IWIS MOTORSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Henning Geibel, Renzo Perissinotto
  • Patent number: 9605734
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposing each other, a drive-transmission member and a detected body rotatable about a first axis and a second axis respectively parallel to a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The detected body having a detected portion is movable first in the first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first wall while irreversibly moving from a first position to a second position, a distance between the detected portion and the first wall in the first direction being longer at the second position than at the first position. The drive-transmission member includes a first engaging portion engageable with the detected body at the first position and positioned upstream of an abutment portion abuttable with a receiving portion of the detected body in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9605735
    Abstract: A drive device comprises a housing pipe, a protection pipe, and a linear drive. The housing pipe and the protection pipe can be moved axially relative to each other in a telescopic manner. The housing pipe is arranged with the closed end thereof facing away from the protection pipe on a fixed base member or a movable component, and the protection pipe is arranged with the closed end thereof facing away from the housing pipe on the movable component or the base member. The linear drive is arranged in at least one of the housing pipe and the protection pipe, and configured to drive the housing pipe and the protection pipe such that the housing pipe and the protection pipe are axially movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Stabilis GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Missler, Axel Knopp, Jan Bochen
  • Patent number: 9605736
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a planetary roller screw and at least two motor assemblies disposed on opposing sides of the roller screw. The planetary roller screw includes a shaft linearly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position, a nut rotatable about the shaft, and a plurality of rollers coupling the nut to the shaft. A spur gear is fixedly connected to the nut. Each motor assembly includes a DC motor having an output shaft, a planetary gear head coupled to the DC motor output shaft and having an output shaft, and a pinion gear coupled to the spur gear and fixedly connected to the planetary gear head output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: RCT Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald K. Foshage, Mark Bryant
  • Patent number: 9605737
    Abstract: An impeller for a motor vehicle torque converter is provided. The impeller includes an impeller shell including blade supporting portions and fluid flow receiving portions between the blade supporting portions, the blade supporting portions being thicker than the fluid flow receiving portions; and a plurality of impeller blades, each of the impeller blades being connected to one of the blade supporting portions at an inner surface of the impeller shell. A method for forming an impeller of a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kunding Wang, Larry Chad Boigegrain, Srinath Sistla, Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 9605738
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a torsional damper assembly. The torsional damper assembly includes a damper. The damper has an electromagnetic coil and a magnetorheological fluid. The electromagnetic coil is positioned such that a magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil adjusts a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid when a current flows through the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Odilo Raphael Nawratil, James Frederick Vorberger, II, Won Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 9605739
    Abstract: A power transmission system comprises a transmission device, and a power supply device which powers the transmission device, wherein the transmission device comprises a cavity having a body, covers, an inlet and an outlet; at least a pair of rotors and a gear set that are assembled in the cavity; and a transmission shaft pivotally connected with the pair of rotors and the gear set; the power supply device comprises a power equipment available for transmitting a working fluid; shaft adapters connected with the inlet and the outlet of the cavity; and a connecting pipe connected between the power equipment and the shaft adapter; the working fluid is transmitted by the connecting pipe from the power equipment to the inlet of the cavity to provide the pair of rotors with normal force for radial motion in a reverse rotation direction and make pressure in the cavity increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GPOUER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsang-Lin Hsu, Jung-Feng Yeh, Jau-Huai Lu, Tien-Tung Chung, Jian-Hung Lin, Chia-Chun Liu
  • Patent number: 9605740
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential of a motor vehicle includes locking the differential, if vehicle speed is less than a reference speed, and a wheel speed differential due to wheel slip is greater than a reference speed; and unlocking the differential and preventing its engagement, if vehicle speed is greater than the reference speed, and said wheel speed differential is less than a reference speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Brian J. Andonian, Joseph J. Torres, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Patent number: 9605741
    Abstract: A differential system for transmitting a driving power from an input shaft to a pair of output shafts includes a drive gear for receiving a rotational input from the input shaft and a driven gear driven by the drive gear. The driven gear defines multiple slots radially spaced about an axis of rotation of the driven gear. The differential system also includes a spider member having a central body portion with multiple legs partially received in the corresponding slots. The differential system includes at least one cover member coupled to the driven gear to retain the legs in the corresponding slots, a differential casing enclosing at least the driven gear and the spider member and a bearing disposed between the at least one cover member and the differential casing. The bearing supports a rotation of the cover member about the axis of rotation relative to the differential casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aron Varhegyi, Brian L. Bucciarelli
  • Patent number: 9605742
    Abstract: A strain wave gearing speed changing apparatus has a coaxial pair of circular splines including a first with tooth number TA and a second with TD. A coaxial pair of flex splines includes a first with tooth number TB and a second with TC. First flex spline meshes first circular spline and second flex spline meshes second circular spline at two, preferably more, meshing engagements. A wave generator is connected to one of the input and output shafts. Two flex splines are fixed together to operate flexingly on the wave generator with equal spline tooth engagement pitch circle circumference lengths. One circular spline is fixed to the apparatus frame and the other is connected to the other of the input and output shafts not connected to the wave generator. The four splines satisfy TA=TK+Ti, TB=TK, TC=TK?Tj and TD=TK+Ti?Tj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Panchien Lin
  • Patent number: 9605743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoupler with free wheel system and comprising a vibration damping pulley, a shaft actionable by the pulley, hub pieces having a first hub piece and a second hub piece, hub pieces being mounted between the inner race of the pulley and the outer surface of the shaft, at least one journal element between the shaft and pulley, along with a torsion spring, and a clutch spring, with the first hub piece being mounted on the shaft and the second hub piece being mounted around the shaft and can rotate relative to it, the torsion spring being disposed between the outer race of the huh pieces and the inner race of pulley, having a first end operatively attachable to the pulley and a second end operatively attachable to the second hub piece and the clutch spring being disposed internally in relation to the torsion spring and which is frictionally engaged with the hub pieces for transmission of torque to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZEN S/A INDUSTRIA METALURGICA
    Inventor: Alvaro Canto Michelotti
  • Patent number: 9605744
    Abstract: An assembly comprising: a powder metal outer part (22) having a radially inward facing cylindrical surface (54) with a plurality of facets (52) formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal outer part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal outer part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal outer part; a powder metal inner part (20) having a radially outward facing cylindrical surface with a plurality of facets formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal inner part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal inner part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal inner part; and an intermediate component (26) disposed between the cylindrical surfaces of the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part that connects the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Mandel, Donald D. Cooper, John P. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9605745
    Abstract: A removable protective cover for engines and/or transmissions includes a central portion and a flexible peripheral flange that extends transversely from the central portion. The peripheral flange includes an engagement surface formed by a groove or other suitable feature on an inner side of the peripheral flange. A plurality of teardrop shaped washers or retainers have protruding portions that engage the groove to removably retain the cover on the engine. At least a portion of the peripheral flange comprises an elastomeric material such that the removable cover can be installed and removed by flexing the peripheral flange to cause the teardrop shaped washers to engage and disengage the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Andre Kevin Burns
  • Patent number: 9605746
    Abstract: A vent for a motor vehicle transmission includes a housing attached to a bell housing of the transmission and a plate mounted in the housing. The housing has an opening, and the plate has an open position to enable heat to dissipate from the interior of the bell hosing through the opening of the housing and a closed position to prevent debris or water from entering through the opening of the housing into the interior of the bell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Greg Alan Weeter, Nilesh Patil
  • Patent number: 9605747
    Abstract: An assembly includes a one-way transmission control element including first and second races, first discs secured to the first race, and second discs interleaved with the first discs and secured to the second race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Jeffrey E. Maurer
  • Patent number: 9605748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a planetary hollow rotating platform structure including a force output shaft installed at a cross bearing and a deceleration mechanical device with a single bearing. The structure has the effects of reducing the number of required components and the volume of the structure to simplify the structural complexity and reduce the occupied space and volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GUMPTIOUS TECHNOLOGY CO.
    Inventor: Terry Wang
  • Patent number: 9605749
    Abstract: A planetary gear reducer has a planetary carrier supported by an input-side main bearing and an output-side main bearing. An angular contact ball bearing or a deep groove ball bearing which requires less installation space and is inexpensive is used for the input-side main bearing. A tapered roller bearing having a large capacity is used for the output-side main bearing. A compact, flat and inexpensive planetary gear reducer can be realized in comparison with a case in which the both main bearings are tapered roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Norio Shirokoshi
  • Patent number: 9605750
    Abstract: A control device 11 of a power transmission device 1 sets an allowable range of a temporal change rate of an inter-element driving force transmitted between a driving element 4 (elastic member) and a driven element 5 such that the allowable range changes in accordance with an observed value of the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic member (driving element 4), and controls the inter-element driving force, via an actuator 2, in such a way as to restrict the temporal change rate of the inter-element driving force to be within the allowable range thus set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuo Orita
  • Patent number: 9605751
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a park mode in a motor vehicle that includes a powertrain with a powerplant. The method includes identifying whether the vehicle is stopped. The method also includes identifying whether the powerplant is operating or is turned off. The method additionally includes identifying whether an operator of the vehicle is present inside or has vacated the vehicle. The method also includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the powerplant is turned off. Furthermore, the method includes commanding automatic selection of the park mode if the operator has vacated the vehicle, whether the powerplant is turned on and operating, or is turned off. The powertrain may include an automatic transmission operatively connected to the powerplant, and the park mode can be affected inside the transmission. A system for controlling such a powertrain via a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Bertollini, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Patent number: 9605752
    Abstract: A control method for an automatic transmission and a two-way clutch includes determining whether a current speed stage is a forward speed stage, comparing a rotation speed of the two-way clutch with a predetermined minimum rotation speed if a current speed stage is a forward speed stage, deciding that the two-way clutch has failed when a rotation speed of the two-way clutch is lower than the predetermined minimum rotation speed, and performing a fail-safe mode if the two-way clutch has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 9605753
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Earl David Ray
  • Patent number: 9605754
    Abstract: A dog clutch for an automatic transmission includes a shape-memory alloy shifter. The shape-memory alloy shifter is configured for moving a sliding clutch along an axial direction between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. A plurality of splines of a mating clutch meshes with a plurality of splines of the sliding clutch in the engaged configuration. A related automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: David Edward Drosback
  • Patent number: 9605755
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling movement of an actuator fork of a transmission through a pre-synchronization phase of a synchronization event at a pre-synchronization fork velocity includes adjusting the level of fluid pressure applied to an actuator operatively attached to the actuator fork to control the pre-synchronization fork velocity within a predetermined range of a velocity target. The method determines, via a controller, the fork velocity during the pre-synchronization phase of a current synchronization event, compares the determined fork velocity to a velocity target, and adjusts the pressure level of fluid applied to an actuator piston of the actuator to control the velocity of the actuator fork within a predetermined range defined by the velocity target during a subsequent pre-synchronization phase. The velocity target may be defined for a shift type, such as a fast or slow shift, where the shift type is determined by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn W. Hoefflin, Minh Q. Truong, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Patent number: 9605756
    Abstract: A hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission configured to transmit power from a power source to a power output of a machine operating at low, intermediate, and high speed ranges is described. The hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission may comprise a hydrostatic transmission portion including a first hydrostatic driveline having a first hydrostatic motor, and a second hydrostatic driveline having a second hydrostatic motor. The hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission may further comprise a direct drive transmission. The hydrostatic transmission portion may operate alone to transmit power from the power source to the power output at the low speed range, and the direct drive transmission portion may operate alone to transmit power from the power source to the power output at the high speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sudarshan Maiyur, Paul Dvorak
  • Patent number: 9605757
    Abstract: A method for estimating torque transmitted to a structure located downstream of a transmission system of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises an engine for generating torque, a transmission system configured to transmit a fraction of the torque generated by the engine to a plurality of wheels of the vehicle, and a further fraction of the torque generated by the engine to the structure. The transmission system includes a shaft arrangement interposed between the engine and the structure, a planetary gearing supported by the shaft arrangement, and a transmission unit arranged in parallel to the shaft arrangement. The torque transmitted to the structure is estimated on the basis of a group of parameters which comprise torque upstream of the transmission system, twist of the shaft arrangement, and a parameter which is indicative of the ratio between an output rotational speed at an output of the transmission unit and an input rotational speed at an input of the transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Mancarella, Matteo Venturelli, Gabriele Morandi
  • Patent number: 9605758
    Abstract: A stroke piston for a stroke piston compressor for generating compressed air for a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, includes a piston body with a piston floor, a piston skirt with piston skirt walls and pin hubs for receiving a piston pin, and at least two piston rings, which can be inserted into circumferential ring grooves of the piston body. Ridges of the piston body are provided between each two ring grooves and between the piston floor and the first ring groove arranged closest to the piston floor and the ring groove arranged closest to the piston skirt facing away from the other ring groove or grooves. At least one of the ridges is recessed at least over a partial section of its ridge height, which is measured parallel to the axis of the piston body, with at least one recess relative to the diameter of the piston body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Gniesmer, Folkhard Holzel, Christian Schwarze, Christoph Wilken