Patents Issued in April 18, 2017
  • Patent number: 9624957
    Abstract: A clip includes a clip body, and a pin inserted into the clip body. The clip body includes a main body head portion having a through-hole for inserting the pin, a leg portion extending from the head, and an elastic engaging piece elastically deformable, and projecting outward from the leg portion. The pin includes a pin head portion provided with a tool-engaging portion engaging a tool for a rotational operation, and a pin shaft portion having small and large diameter portions. The main body head portion includes an inclined surface inclined from one end side toward another end side in an axial direction of the through-hole. The pin includes a guide portion slidingly contacting with the inclined surface. When the pin rotates inside the clip main body, the pin advances and retracts between a first position allowing an inward elastic deformation and a second position controlling an inward elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Fukumoto, Takeru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9624958
    Abstract: This invention comprises an adaptor device for connecting an electronic device having a camera to a range of optical devices, including but not limited to binoculars, monoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, telescopes, and microscopes. This adaptor device has a plurality of protrusion that provide a self-centering and fitted connection between the electronic and optical device, so that the optical axes are aligned so that the user may take images or video on their electronic device through the optical device. The structure of the adaptor device allows the adaptor to fit a range of differently sized optical device, denoted by the diameter of the eyepiece end of the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Carson Optical, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Hyers
  • Patent number: 9624959
    Abstract: In order to provide a connecting means for connecting a first component and a second component, in particular for connecting furniture parts or machine parts, by means of which the components may be connected to one another simply and reliably, it is proposed that the connecting means includes a first connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the first component, and a second connecting element which in the connected condition of the components is arranged on the second component, wherein, for connecting the first component and the second component, a spring element of the first connecting element is configured to come into engagement with a receiving element of the second connecting element, wherein the connecting means, in particular the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element, includes a reinforcing element for reinforcing a spring force of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Lamello AG
    Inventors: Franz Baur, Franz Haser, Patrick Jeker, Philipp Seiler
  • Patent number: 9624960
    Abstract: A first member having a first lock groove and a second member having a connection hole for insertion of the first member and a second lock groove opened to an inner periphery of the hole, are connected via a lock ring having a circular section and engaging with the grooves. An outer diameter of the ring under a load-free condition is set not less than a diameter of a groove bottom surface of the second lock groove. A reduced-diameter guide hole portion for guiding the ring to the second lock groove while reducing a diameter of the ring, is adjacently disposed short of the second lock groove in an insertion direction of the first member. A depth from an inner peripheral surface of the guide hole portion to a groove bottom surface of the second lock groove is set less than a radius of the circular section of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9624961
    Abstract: A screw includes a shank having an insertion tip and a head end which has an upper portion with a cutting portion and a lower portion from which a plurality of anti-screw-out teeth protrude. Each anti-screw-out tooth includes a guide face and a stop face intersecting a circumferential surface of the lower portion for development of a recessed channel. A first thread on the shank includes a plurality of asymmetrical thread convolutions each having a first cutting face facing onto the insertion tip and a second cutting face backing onto the insertion tip. The first cutting face and a horizontal axis form an included angle between 25 and 45 degrees. The second cutting face and the horizontal axis form an included angle between 3 and 23 degrees. The screw is in favor of surface flatness of a to-be-connected plank and pull-out as well as anti-screw-out properties of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Fushang Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Nan Lin
  • Nut
    Patent number: 9624962
    Abstract: In order to optimize a nut and a method for the production of a nut, comprising a nut body which is provided or can be provided with an internal thread and has a polygonal section with a polygonal outer contour which has, on the one hand, edge areas and, on the other hand, key faces which are located between the edge areas and extend in key face planes extending in a manner conforming to standards, in such a manner that it has mechanical properties which are as ideal as possible with as low a weight as possible, it is suggested that the nut body have a plurality of recesses which extend into the nut body in the direction of the bore proceeding from the respective key face planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HEWI G. Winker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Unseld, Guenther Meβmer
  • Patent number: 9624963
    Abstract: A suction cup, including a bowl-shaped framework, a cup body covering the framework, a connecting rod on a back surface of the framework and passing through the cup body, a bowl-shaped cup cover placed on the connection rod and covering the back surface of the cup body, and an annular protruding rib placed on the periphery of the back surface of the framework, which is in direct contact with the inner surface of the cup cover for effectively transfer the pressing force to make the suction cup less likely to fall off from the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN TAILI HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhengbing Shi
  • Patent number: 9624964
    Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first distension, a constriction, and a second distension and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The constriction is formed between the first distension and the second distension and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan W. Laskey, Jeffrey A. Dutkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9624965
    Abstract: Actuator stem and rod end bearings having locking mechanisms are described. An example apparatus for use with a control valve actuator includes a rod end bearing having a bearing retainer and a shaft portion extending from the bearing retainer, where the shaft portion defines a first face. An actuator stem has a first end to be operatively coupled to a diaphragm plate of the control valve actuator and a second end to be coupled to the rod end bearing, where the second end defines a second face. The first face engages the second face to provide a lock that prevents rotation of the actuator stem relative to the rod end bearing when the actuator stem is rotated in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Quinn Leger
  • Patent number: 9624966
    Abstract: A mechanical joint is provided comprising a bracket having a first elongated opening formed therein. An alignment guide comprising a second elongated opening formed therein is configured to rotatably attach to the bracket and is moveable between a first, floating position, and a second, non-floating position. In the first position the first elongated opening of the bracket and the second elongated opening of the alignment guide are axially aligned with one another and define a single elongated opening. In the second position the first elongated opening of the bracket and the second elongated opening of the alignment guide are partially aligned with one another and define a generally circular opening. The alignment guide is configured to slideably attach to a moveable end of a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Obleman, Blake A. Carnahan, Michael James Avery, Todd Charles Gloo
  • Patent number: 9624967
    Abstract: A device is provided for positioning an object with respect to another object. The device includes a linkage having an extended condition and a collapsed condition, the linkage including at least one pair of links coupled to one another about a pivot rotation axis. The device also includes a friction element positioned at the pivot rotation axis of the at least one pair of links of the linkage. A spring of the device is positioned to apply bias to the links of the at least one pair of links of the linkage. The device is configured to resist unintended movement of the object from the user-adjusted position along the path and to facilitate intended movement of the object proximally toward or distally away from the other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventor: Richard E. Schlack
  • Patent number: 9624968
    Abstract: A swing arm latch for a wheel servicing machine provides at least one moveable locking member associated with a support column or a swing arm. The locking member may be selectively engaged with the other one of the support column and swing arm, or may be alternatively engaged with a corresponding structure attached to or defined on the other one of the support column and swing arm. When the locking member is engaged, the swing arm is fixed at a desired angular position relative to the support column. When the locking member is disengaged, the swing arm may freely move in at least one angular direction. In some embodiments, a first locking member is attached to a support column, and a second locking member is attached to the swing arm, wherein the first and second locking members are selectively engageable to lock the swing arm at a desired angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Story
  • Patent number: 9624969
    Abstract: A thrust sliding bearing 1 includes: a synthetic resin-made upper casing 3 which has a vehicle body-side seat surface 10 for a mounting member 8 on a vehicle body side and an annular lower surface 2; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 5 on which an annular upper surface 4 opposed to the annular lower surface 2 and a spring seat surface 25 for a suspension coil spring 7 are integrally formed, and which is superposed on the upper casing 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis O of the upper casing 3 in an R direction; and a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing piece 6 which is disposed in an annular gap 9 between the annular lower surface 2 and the annular upper surface 4, and has an annular thrust sliding bearing surface 51 which slidably abuts against at least one of the annular lower surface 2 and the annular upper surface 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryohei Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9624970
    Abstract: A tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring having an outer-ring raceway surface that increases in diameter from a first side toward a second side in an axial direction, an inner ring having an inner-ring raceway surface and having a cone large face rib that is located on the second side of the inner ring in the axial direction, a plurality of tapered rollers, an annular cage, and a holding member provided on the second side of the outer ring in the axial direction to enable a lubricant inside the bearing to be held. The holding member has a cylindrical portion provided adjacently to the outer ring and a protruding portion protruding inward from the cylindrical portion in the radial direction. A slit is formed in the cylindrical portion to separate a radially inner portion, on which the protruding portion is provided, from a radially outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Nagai, Akiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9624971
    Abstract: The motion guide device includes a track member in which a rolling member rolling surface is formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, a movable member which is reciprocally movable with a number of rolling members being interposed therebetween and which is provided with a loaded rolling member rolling surface constituting a loaded rolling member rolling path opposing to the rolling member rolling surface and a rolling member return path, and a lid member provided with a pair of direction changing paths for connecting both end portions of the loaded rolling member rolling path and the rolling member return path to thereby constitute an endless circulation path. Flange portions are formed to both end portions of the movable member in the reciprocally moving direction by means of insert molding, and the flange portions are provided with fitting portions formed to end portion sides of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ikegami, Fumiaki Morita, Yoshiaki Iwashige, Yasuhiro Suga, Mitsumasa Wada, Hiroyuki Kishi
  • Patent number: 9624972
    Abstract: End rings fit over the opposite ends of the retainer inserted in the outer sleeve to keep properly the retainer against either of rotational and axial directions. End rings fit over the opposite ends of the retainer extending out of the outer sleeve to make abutment against the outer sleeve to cover the outside peripheries of the retainer. The circular groove of the retainer is composed of the raceway groove having the raceway surface with the slit, the return passage lying in parallel with the raceway groove and a pair of turnaround passages to intercommunicate between the raceway groove and the return passage. The end rings are kept in angular location against rotation by means of engagement between the first projections at the opposite ends of outer circular groove of the retainer and the second projections in the inside circular grooves of the end rings. The outer sleeve is to keep the retainer in lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9624973
    Abstract: A friction preventing apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The apparatus includes: a first object; a second object spaced apart from the first object and facing the first object; and a plurality of charged nanoparticles provided on a surface of one of the first and second objects, such that the nanoparticles are disposed between the first object and the second object. A potential difference is formed between the first and second objects. The nanoparticles may be positively charged and may adhere to the first object, and the first object has a potential lower than a potential of the second object. The nanoparticles may be negatively charged and may adhere to the second object, and the second object has a potential higher than a potential of the first object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-nae Cho
  • Patent number: 9624974
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing device comprises a controller configured to obtain magnetic levitation information of the rotor shaft by AD sampling of current detection signals from the plurality of current sensors and a sum signal obtained by adding the pair of current detection signals relating to the pair of electromagnets, and perform PWM control of the excitation amplifiers based on the magnetic levitation information. The controller performs PWM control so that a length of one of an on-duty period and an off-duty period of the PWM carrier signal is always longer than a predetermined time period based on an attenuation characteristic of a spike noise produced in the electromagnetic current, and performs the AD sampling after the predetermined time period passes from starting timing of one of the on-duty period and the off-duty period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Junichiro Kozaki, Yoshihiro Nagano
  • Patent number: 9624975
    Abstract: The sliding member according to the present invention includes: a base material; and a sliding film that covers a surface of the base material and constitutes a sliding surface, and is used under a wet condition where lubricant oil exists. The sliding film according to the present invention is a laminated film that includes: an underlying layer formed on the surface of the base material; and an outermost layer formed at least on a part of the underlying layer. This outermost layer is characterized by including specific boron-containing amorphous carbon (specific B-DLC) that contains 4-50% B and 5-50% H when the outermost layer as a whole is 100 at %. This specific B-DLC itself wears away during the sliding to smooth the sliding surface, and an excellent low friction property is exhibited. The underlying layer of the specific B-DLC contributes to improvement in the wear resistance property of the sliding film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru Okuyama, Mamoru Tohyama, Hiroyuki Mori, Munehisa Matsui, Naoya Ikeda, Yoshio Fuwa, Takatoshi Shinyoshi
  • Patent number: 9624976
    Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a corrugated cage, an intermediate assembly 17a is configured by press-fitting each of press-fitting portions 24 and 24 respectively provided in base end portions of rod portions 13b and 13b of rivets 9b and 9b into each of through-holes 12a and 12a of a cage element 8a on one side, and nitriding treatment is performed on the intermediate assembly 17a. An axial dimension X of each of the press-fitting portions 24 and 24 is made smaller than an axial dimension Y of each of the through-holes 12a and 12a (X<Y). In this way, portions which do not come into close contact with each other are provided in axial portions of the inner peripheral surface of each of the through-holes 12a and 12a and the outer peripheral surface of each of the rod portions 13b and 13b, and thus a nitrided layer is formed on each of these portions which do not come into close contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Itagaki, Soutarou Gunjima
  • Patent number: 9624977
    Abstract: A cylindrical roller bearing includes a flanged outer race having two inwardly extending flanges. One of the flanges is a flange ring separate from the outer race and fixed to the outer race. Cylindrical rollers are mounted between the outer race and a flangeless inner race, and retained by a retainer which are located radially inwardly of the pitch circle of the cylindrical rollers. With this arrangement, it is not necessary to reduce the widths of pillars of the retainer even if the load capacity is increased by increasing the size or the number of the cylindrical rollers, so that it is possible to increase the load capacity while ensuring strength of the retainer. Also, even if the inner race is separated from the bearing, it is possible to prevent separation of the cylindrical rollers as well as the retainer, which retains the cylindrical rollers, from the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Terada, Takeshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 9624978
    Abstract: A bearing device is constituted by a rolling bearing and a lubricant supply device combined with each other. The lubricant supply device includes a lubrication oil tank which stores pressurized lubrication oil and has a lubrication oil discharge spout; an open/close valve which opens/closes the lubrication oil discharge spout of the lubrication oil tank; a driving section which operates the open/close valve; and an electric power source section which generates electric energy for operation of the driving section. The lubricant supply device is attached to the rolling bearing or to a spacer adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Ito, Kaoru Oomoto
  • Patent number: 9624979
    Abstract: A turbocharger has a turbocharger housing having at least one section divided along a longitudinal axis into at least two housing halves. A bearing block device is provided in the turbocharger housing and receives a shaft and impellers of the turbocharger. The shaft with the impellers can be preassembled in the bearing block device and then inserted into the turbocharger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Boening, Ralph Maurice Koempel, Holger Faeth
  • Patent number: 9624980
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a bearing member provided with a circumferentially extending sliding surface and a housing holding the bearing member on an inner circumferential surface thereof. The bearing member is provided with a bearing outer peripheral surface on one side thereof facing the housing. The bearing outer peripheral surface is surface roughened. The housing is provided with a housing inner peripheral surface on one side thereof facing the bearing member. The housing inner peripheral surface is surface roughened. When a mean height Rc of a roughness curve element of either of the bearing outer peripheral surface and the housing inner peripheral surface is X ?m, the remaining other of the bearing outer peripheral surface and the housing inner peripheral surface has a material ratio Rmr (X ?m) of roughness curve being equal to or less than 10% in at least one measurement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DAIDO METAL COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromi Sonobe, Yuta Nakano
  • Patent number: 9624981
    Abstract: A gas pressure bearing element including a housing element with recesses, wherein the housing element is closed by a cover, wherein the recesses are defined by rib shaped intermediary walls and/or other island shaped protrusions and define first intermediary spaces between the intermediary walls and/or the island shaped protrusions, wherein the cover is formed in sections by a cured encasement compound provided with an open pore reinforcement mat, wherein the encasement compound has a flat surface that is processed after curing and forms a bearing surface for the gas pressure bearing element, wherein the bearing surface includes a plurality of gas outlet nozzles which are formed by micro holes penetrating the cover, and wherein the micro holes are provided at locations under which the first intermediary spaces are arranged below the cover, which first intermediary spaces form channels for a pressurized gas supply for the gas outlet nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AeroLas GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Ebi, Michael Muth
  • Patent number: 9624982
    Abstract: A hollow shaft coupling for connecting a shaft to a hollow shaft, where the hollow shaft coupling can be arranged completely in the hollow shaft and can effect clamping both radially inwardly as well as radially outwardly. The coupling enables a first clamping unit to clamp the hollow shaft coupling radially inwardly against the shaft and a second clamping unit which is separate from the first clamping unit to clamp the hollow shaft coupling radially outwardly against the inner circumferential surface of the hollow shaft, with the two clamping units spaced apart from one another axially, and the two clamping units connected to one another via a play-free and rotationally stable coupling which is arranged between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: RINGFEDER POWER-TRANSMISSION GMBH
    Inventor: Gerd Schussler
  • Patent number: 9624983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction assembly (1) comprising a first component (5) and a second component (8) and a plurality of inner discs (2) and a plurality of outer discs (3), wherein the inner discs (2) are arranged on the first component (5) and the outer disc (3) are arranged on the second component (8) and the inner discs (2) and the outer discs (3) are arranged alternately in axial direction (4), and wherein between the inner discs (2) and the outer discs (3) respectively at least one freely rotational friction ring (11) is arranged which has an opening (29) with an inner diameter (14), and wherein the inner disc (2) and/or the outer disc (3) can be adjusted relative to one another to form a friction connection with the friction rings (11) in axial direction (4). The freely rotating friction rings (11) are guided in the region of the inner diameter (14) on the first component (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Nickel, Andreas Promberger
  • Patent number: 9624984
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured to engage and disengage a first shaft from a second shaft includes a controlled and predetermined cooling flow to cool the clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, friction plates, and reaction plates optimized to manage fluid flow through the clutch assembly. A plurality of fluid flow outlets is provided to move fluid from an interior of a clutch housing of the clutch assembly to an exterior of the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dick, John Murdock
  • Patent number: 9624985
    Abstract: A coupling device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The coupling device has a friction-locking unit and a form-locking unit which is connected in parallel with the friction-locking unit and has at least two form-locking elements which can be connected to one another by form-locking, are disposed so as to be movable along a direction of actuation relative to one another, and in each case have at least one claw, where at least some of the claws in each case have a top surface which is oriented obliquely with respect to the direction of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Emmanuel Chrisofakis, Tobias Haerter, Thomas Kull, Frank Scheffel, Joachim Schroeder, Nils Tonius
  • Patent number: 9624986
    Abstract: In friction engagement device having forward clutch 5 and clutch operation pack 6 controlling engagement/disengagement operation of the forward clutch 5, the clutch operation pack 6 has hydraulic piston 61, engagement pressure piston chamber 62, snap ring 64, diaphragm spring 65 and ball lock mechanism BL. The diaphragm spring 65 provides biasing engagement force to the forward clutch 5 at a clutch side of the hydraulic piston 61. The ball lock mechanism BL restrains movement, in a disengagement direction, of the hydraulic piston 61 at a position where the forward clutch 5 is in an engagement state by the biasing engagement force by exerting ON pressure on the engagement pressure piston chamber 62, and after restraining the movement of the hydraulic piston 61, maintains the restraint of the disengagement direction movement of the hydraulic piston 61 even when the ON pressure of the engagement pressure piston chamber 62 is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakano, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9624987
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the operating temperature of a torque converter during torque converter stall conditions. The torque converter has a pump rotatably driven by an internal combustion engine and a rotatable turbine fluidly coupled to the pump. The system first determines whether the torque converter is currently in a torque converter stall condition, and, if so, determines a slip speed as a difference in rotational speeds between the pump and the turbine, determines an engine output torque limit as a function of the slip speed and a desired slip speed, and controls the operating temperature of the torque converter by limiting output torque produced by the engine based on the engine output torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Merrion, Brett Caldwell, John Kresse
  • Patent number: 9624988
    Abstract: A viscous clutch (20) includes a housing assembly (28), a rotor assembly (26), a reservoir (38) to hold a supply of a shear fluid, a working chamber (40) operatively positioned between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly, and a fluid return bore (26-1B) that optionally extends radially through at least an outer diameter portion of the rotor assembly to the working chamber. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly. The fluid return bore can form at least a portion of a fluid return path (50) from the working chamber to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Horton, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Bastian Brand, Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 9624989
    Abstract: A freewheel (4) having a first running ring (28), a second running ring (30), a clamping gap (32) formed between the first and second running rings (28, 30), and at least one clamping element (34) in the clamping gap (32), the clamping gap (32) being assigned a side wall (40; 52) on which the at least one clamping element (34) can be or is supported. A side (60; 64) of the clamping element (34) which faces toward the side wall (40; 52) and/or that side (68; 72) of the side wall (40; 52) which faces toward the clamping element (34) is provided with a friction-reducing, wear-reducing and/or corrosion-reducing coating (62, 66; 70, 74) or surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Baeumler, Erwin Josef Lipp, Dirk Achim Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9624990
    Abstract: Actuator arrangement for a drive train, which has at least one friction clutch for transmitting drive torque and has a transmission. The friction clutch can be actuated by means of a hydraulic clutch cylinder, which is connected directly to a pump port of a pump driven by an electric motor in order to actuate the friction clutch, such that the friction clutch can be actuated by varying the speed of the pump. The actuator arrangement has a parking lock actuator device for actuating a parking lock arrangement of the drive train. The parking lock actuator device has at least one hydraulic parking lock cylinder, which can be connected to the pump, such that the parking lock arrangement can be actuated by varying at least one of the direction of rotation or the speed of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GETRAG GETRIEBE- UND ZAHNRADFABRIK HERMANN HAGENMEYER GMBH & CIE KG
    Inventors: Guenter Ruehle, Alexander Kiehlneker
  • Patent number: 9624991
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing chatter vibrations in a motor vehicle drivetrain having a drive unit, a vehicle transmission and an automated friction clutch, wherein a vibration absorber is emulated by an appropriate operation of the friction clutch in order to improve the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Neuberth, Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 9624992
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a rotary electric machine is provided in a power transfer path that connects between an internal combustion engine and wheels. Engagement of a second engagement device is started when a change in shift range from a stop range to a running range is detected when output torque of the rotary electric machine is zero with the internal combustion engine rotating and with both the first engagement device and the second engagement device disengaged. Engagement of a first engagement device is started after engagement of the second engagement device is started, and the output torque of the rotary electric machine is increased from zero at the same time as engagement of the first engagement device is started or before engagement of the first engagement device is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Masashi Kito, Shigeru Sugisaka, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 9624993
    Abstract: A hand-held work implement having a tool has a braking device for the tool that includes a brake band which wraps around a brake drum. The brake band and the brake drum undergo friction as they move relative to one another during braking. At least one of the band or drum comprises an austenitic steel, a duplex steel, super duplex steel, a nickel-base alloy or a cobalt-base alloy and has a base body and a marginal layer. The hardness of the marginal layer is approximately 150% to approximately 600% of the hardness of the base body and the carbide proportion in the marginal layer is less than approximately 0.5% by weight. A process for production of the foregoing includes diffusing carbon and/or nitrogen into a marginal layer at a temperature of less than 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Apfel, Manfred Schumacher, Ralf Cornelsen
  • Patent number: 9624994
    Abstract: An electric linear motion actuator includes a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the rotor shaft of an electric motor. The locking mechanism includes circumferentially arranged locking holes provided in a gear of a reduction gear mechanism, a locking pin moved toward and away from the locking holes, and engaged in one locking hole to lock the gear when the locking pin is moved toward the gear, and a linear solenoid for moving the locking pin toward and away from the gear. The plunger of the linear solenoid and the locking pin are formed as separate parts, and disposed coaxial with each other with their end faces axially facing each other. This prevents the moment load applied from the gear to the locking pin from acting on the plunger, thereby preventing damage to a bobbin slidably supporting the radially inner surface of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Yasui, Makoto Muramatsu, Yuki Saoyama
  • Patent number: 9624995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal spray powder on a tungsten carbide basis, as well as to a method for the manufacture of such a spray powder for the thermal coating of a substrate, in particular for the thermal coating of a brake disc for a vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the spray powder includes, apart from impurities, WC in the range of 60% to 75% by weight, Cr3C2 in the range of 14% to 22% by weight and Ni in the range of 11% to 23% by weight. The invention further relates to a sub-strate, in particular for a brake disc having a thermal spray layer on a tungsten carbide basis, as well as to a method for the manufacture of a thermal spray layer on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: OERLIKON METCO WOKA GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Reisel, Manfred Oechsle
  • Patent number: 9624996
    Abstract: A bumper spring assembly having a one piece mandrel including an integral head piece is further configured with a cage assembly retained on the mandrel with a cage nut locked to the mandrel to obviate the need for pins, set screws, and the like, to provide a more robust assembly. In two embodiments the cage nut is locked to the mandrel in a swaging operation. Improved flow of fluids through and around the bumper spring assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Flowco Production Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Boyd, Garrett S. Boyd
  • Patent number: 9624997
    Abstract: Provided is a pool spring cover having an elongate tubular member with openings on first and second sides, respectively. The first and second sides span a longitudinal axis. An attachment member extends generally along the longitudinal axis from a first portion of the second side to a free end. A fastener comprised of a first fastener element and a second fastener element is provided. The first fastener element is associated with the attachment member at the free end and the second fastener element is associated with the tubular member at a second portion of the second side. The first and second fastener elements are adapted to fasten to each other such that the attachment member forms a loop. The first fastener element and the second fastener element may form a one-time use fastener. Also provided are related systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MX4 Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Dean Marelli
  • Patent number: 9624998
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic rotary shock absorber for damping a wheel suspension component associated with a motor vehicle. The electromagnetic rotary shock absorber has a flywheel and at least one damper. The damper has a first element operably associated with the flywheel for driving the flywheel rotationally, and a second element operably associated with the wheel suspension component. The damper operates to dampen relative movement of the wheel suspension component using an inertia of the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Miguel Dhaens
  • Patent number: 9624999
    Abstract: A floor portion (34) is formed to be inflected to a radial direction inner side from a lower end portion of a channel outer tube portion (32), and is disposed apart from and opposing a flange portion (24) at an outer periphery side of a tube portion (22) of a dividing member (20). The floor portion (34) is disposed within the tube portion (22) in an axial direction S, that is, so as to overlap with the tube portion (22) when viewed from a radial direction. A diaphragm (50) in the form of an elastic film is adhered by vulcanization to a restriction channel member (30) so as to cover an aperture in a lower side of the restriction channel member (30). A seal portion (56) is vulcanization-formed integrally with the diaphragm (50), so as to cover an inner periphery face of a channel inner tube portion (36) of the restriction channel member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9625000
    Abstract: A spring-damper system for use in bearings or as a damper, in particular as a spring-damper system in active engine bearings includes a coupling device which can be coupled to a load and to a supporting device at a bearing or damping point, in order to mount the load in such a way that it can vibrate on the supporting device. The coupling device is designed to transmit a load input generated by the load substantially without loss to a spring-damper device and to absorb a reaction thereto by the spring-damper device and to feed said reaction back to the load, in order to counteract the load input in a vibration-damping fashion. In this context, the spring-damper device can be arranged and/or is arranged spatially separate from the bearing or damping point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Joerg Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9625001
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a drive plate; an output flange; and a spring retainer plate including a first side facing in a first axial direction, a second side facing in a second axial direction, and a plurality of spring stops formed of a same material forming the spring retainer plate. Each spring stop: extends from the first side at least partially in the first axial direction; and includes first and second circumferentially separated end surfaces separated, in the first axial direction, from the first side by first and second gaps, and a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first circumferential end engaged with a respective first end surface and a second circumferential end engaged with a respective second end surface. The spring retainer plate partially surrounds the plurality of springs and retains the plurality of springs in a radially outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alfredo Jimenez Perez Mitre, Brian C. Zaugg, Victor Norwich, Joshua David Cerreta, Frank Wolf
  • Patent number: 9625002
    Abstract: A power transmission belt includes a transparent or semitransparent sheet material covering a portion of a surface of a belt body including a mark. At least a portion of the belt body covered with the sheet material is made of a rubber composition vulcanized with sulfur. The sheet material is made of a rubber material containing a diene rubber. The sheet material is vulcanized with sulfur together with the rubber composition forming the portion of the belt body covered with the sheet material such that the sheet material is connected to the belt body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yamaji, Kenji Hirakuni
  • Patent number: 9625003
    Abstract: A securement apparatus including a securing body and an engaging member is provided. The securing body may include a first passage therethrough for receiving one or more retention members in a looped configuration with first and second legs of the loop extending through the first passage, wherein a first side of the first passage has a generally uniform surface generally configured to conform to a periphery of at least one of the one or more retention members; and a second passage meeting the first passage. The engaging member may be securable within said second passage and positionable within the second passage to retain the one or more retention members within the first passage by encouraging a position of the one or more retention members to rest within the surface and by pinching both the first and second legs of the loop between the surface and the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BVA SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Mahmood Hooti, Sami Elkhazin, Sarper Arun, Ronald Guenter Giessmann, Karl Lucas Peterman
  • Patent number: 9625004
    Abstract: A connecting link pin retaining device has main frame with a lead screw threadably engaged with the main frame. The main frame has opposing upper and lower sections, and is sized and shaped to fit around a connecting link, typically used in connecting sections of mooring lines in subsea mooring applications. The retaining device is positioned around a connecting link, subsea, by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (“ROV”), and the main frame engages the connecting link and positions the lead screw in alignment with the connecting link pin of the connecting link. The lead screw is then rotated by an operating arm of the ROV, advancing the end of the lead screw against the connecting link pin and retaining it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DELMAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Smith, Michael Arnaud
  • Patent number: 9625005
    Abstract: A speed reducer includes a first transmission shaft, an eccentric wheel, a first roller assembly, a rotating wheel, a second roller assembly and a second transmission shaft. The rotating wheel includes a main body and an axle hole. The main body includes a convex structure and a concave structure. The convex structure is protruded from an outer periphery of the main body and has outer teeth. The outer teeth are contacted with the corresponding first rollers. The concave structure is concavely formed in a surface of the main body and includes inner teeth. The inner teeth are contacted with plural second rollers of the second roller assembly. Since the speed reducer is designed to have four operating situations, the speed reducer can have various reduction ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9625006
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second interconnecting members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mikael B. Mohlin, Tejinder Singh, Patrick S. Portell, David M. Zini