Patents Issued in May 2, 2017
  • Patent number: 9638294
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device for a belt drive comprises a base member that is firmly connectable to a stationary component; at least one tensioning arm, which is pivotably supported relative to the base member around a pivot axis; a spring element, with which the tensioning arm is supported elastically in circumferential direction, wherein the ratio of the nominal diameter to the axial length of the spring element is larger than 3.0 in the mounted condition; and a tensioning roller for tensioning the belt, which is rotatably supported on the tensioning arm around an axis of rotation; wherein the base member and the tensioning arm are each at least partially made from plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Thomas Buchen, Jan Diblik, Frederik Vollmer
  • Patent number: 9638295
    Abstract: A friction ring-type transmission includes two roller bodies which are arranged at a distance from each other about a gap, which correspond to each other via the friction ring and which rotate (5) on axial roller body axes. The friction ring is arranged in an adjusting bridge in such a manner that it can be axially displaced about an adjusting path along the gap and the adjusting bridge is mounted by an individual, axial guiding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 9638296
    Abstract: Variable transmissions and drivelines using such transmissions having a direct drive mode, a reverse mode, and a continuously variable mode of operation using a continuously variable variator in combination with a gearbox having a one or two speed forward gear, a reverse gear, and a direct drive clutch. The direct drive clutch transfers power from the input shaft directly to the gearbox by running the variator in a unitary (1) speed ratio configuration, or by bypassing the variator altogether by using a set of clutches that disconnect the variator from the input shaft. Additional gears may be provided in the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Thibaut E. Duchene
  • Patent number: 9638297
    Abstract: A rack bar supporting device is a device for supporting a rack bar of a steering apparatus of a vehicle toward a pinion shaft and includes a rack bearing and a biasing assembly. The biasing assembly includes an adjustment plug, an adjustment assembly and a support plate assembly. The adjustment assembly includes an adjustment member and a first biasing member. The support plate assembly includes a first support plate, a second support plate, a second biasing member which provides a force for pushing the first support plate along the biasing axis against the second support plate, and a connection structure which connects the first and the second support plates together so as to restrict movement of the second plate in a direction away from the rack bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ERAE AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Wook Son, Seong-Hun Bae, Min-Young Choi, Jin-Woong Lee, Je-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 9638298
    Abstract: The drive source of a feeder (111) is utilized to drive a feed error correction device for correcting error in feeding a moving body caused by extension of linear bodies (161A, 161B) of the feeder. With the feeder (111) running, when extension at or above a predetermined value occurs in the linear bodies (161A, 161B), a guide unit (171) including a driven rotating wheel (172) for the linear bodies tows (or displaces) through power received from the drive source of the feeder, bringing the linear bodies (161A, 161B) into a state of appropriate tension. The guide unit (171) receives transmission of power in one direction only and appropriately tows the linear bodies (161A, 161B), thereby cancelling extension of the linear bodies at or above the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SK MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sumio Sugahara
  • Patent number: 9638299
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for joint action upon at least two different elements of a motor vehicle door lock, with at least one sheathed cable having a core and sheath, wherein the sheathed cable is provided in the longitudinal extent thereof with at least two force transmission units which are designed for interaction with a first element at one end and with a second element at the other end upon action on the sheathed cable, and one of the two elements is designed as an actuating lever, wherein the other element is a closing/opening element operating on a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Nass, Christian Barmscheidt, Carsten Fuchs, Ludger Graute
  • Patent number: 9638300
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (EMA) is disclosed. The EMA may comprise an EMA housing, a ball nut extending axially within the EMA housing, a ball screw extending axially within the ball nut, and/or an actuator drive unit (ADU) housing extending axially within the ball screw, the ADU housing having a proximal stop that extends radially outward of the ADU housing. The ball nut may be configured to translate axially in a proximal direction in response to a rotation by the ball screw, and the ball nut may be configured to be halted in the axially proximal translation in response to contact with the proximal stop. The proximal stop may be coupled to the ADU housing. The proximal stop may comprise a continuous annular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 9638301
    Abstract: A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Thibaut E. Duchene, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 9638302
    Abstract: An axle drive system for a motor vehicle, having a dynamoelectric drive motor (1), a shiftable superimposing transmission having a first and a second gear stage (3, 4), a shift actuator system (5) for shifting the superimposing transmission, as well as a power divider (8) driving two output shafts (10, 12). The drive motor (1), power divider shafts (9, 11), output shafts (10, 12) and dynamoelectric drive motor (1) are arranged coaxially to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A particularly compact design is achieved for the axle drive system of the aforementioned type in that the shift actuator system (5) having an electric motor (14) provided for actuation purposes is in its entirety disposed in a space bounded by the first gear stage (3) on one side and the second gear stage (4) on the other side in the axial direction of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 9638303
    Abstract: A front differential double disconnect includes a front differential having a first side gear and a second side gear, a first shaft having a first gear configured to selectively engage the first side gear, a second shaft having a second gear, and a third shaft disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The third shaft includes a third gear configured to engage the second side gear and selectively engage the second gear. The first shaft is shiftable between a first position where the first gear does not engage the first side gear, and a second position where the first gear meshingly engages the first side gear to transmit rotational movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jess R. Peak
  • Patent number: 9638304
    Abstract: A spur differential gear, including a planet carrier having a rim gear carrier with a plurality of radially inward protruding segments circumferentially displaced from each other creating windows therebetween, and first and second hubs fixedly secured to opposite axial sides of the plurality of segments, wherein the components of the rim gear carrier are non-rotatably connected to each other, first and second output gears, a revolving planet arrangement contradirectionally rotatably coupling the first and second output gears via a plurality of circumferentially displaced planet pairs, each planet pair including first and second revolving planets configured to rotate around their own planet axes, wherein the first and second revolving planets revolve with the planet carrier around the axis of rotation and are rotatable opposite it around the first and second planet axes, respectively, wherein one of the plurality of planet pairs is accommodated in each of the plurality of window segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Biermann, Harald Martini, Inaki Fernandez, Simone Lombardo, Franz Kurth
  • Patent number: 9638305
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a differential housing, two side gears, at least one output hub, and at least one pinion gear assembly. When a torque input is provided to the first side gear, eccentric contact surfaces on the first side gear and the output hub contact under compression forces, and compression forces between the outer cylindrical surface of the first side gear and an inner cylindrical surface of the differential housing and between the outer cylindrical surface of the first output hub and the inner cylindrical surface of the differential housing cause frictional forces between the differential housing and the first side gear and between the differential housing and the first output hub to provide a torque bias to the differential assembly. In some embodiments, the differential housing includes a second output hub and eccentric contact surfaces on the second side gear and the second output hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MANA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Wrona, Qin Xu
  • Patent number: 9638306
    Abstract: A camshaft unit (1), having a first camshaft (2) which is phase-adjustable with respect to a crankshaft, having a second camshaft (3) which is arranged concentrically with respect to the first camshaft (2), and having a camshaft adjuster (5) by which both camshafts (2, 3) are phase-adjusted with respect to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Sebastian Zwahr
  • Patent number: 9638307
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a worm which is swingably connected to the rotation shaft of an electric motor through a joint. A first end portion and second end portion of the worm are supported by a first bearing and a second bearing, respectively. A pair of elastic members elastically urge the worm to an axial neutral position. An annular leaf spring which is held by a housing urges the second end portion toward a worm wheel through the second bearing. A synthetic resin member having a sliding contact surface which is in contact with the leaf spring is integrally disposed on the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arata Kikuchi, Hirotsugu Kusano, Yasutaka Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9638308
    Abstract: A drive pulley structure has a cylindrical pulley member, a hub structure that is provided inside the pulley member so as to rotate relative to the pulley member, a coil spring that is fixed to the hub structure, a tapering which has a conical round surface as of a cone whose axis is made up of a rotational axis J of the hub structure, and a frictional member that is inserted to be interposed between the conical round surface of the tapering and the pulley member, and the coil spring is inserted to be interposed in place while being compressed in the direction of the rotational axis of the hub structure, the tapering, the frictional member and the pulley member being brought into press contact with each other by virtue of a restoring force P of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBOSHI BELTING LTD.
    Inventor: Tomokazu Ishida
  • Patent number: 9638309
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a V-pulley is disclosed. A metallic cylindrical pulley blank is integrally formed by removing material of a circumferential surface of the pulley blank to form a plurality of circumferential V-belt grooves. The pulley blank is subjected to precision machining and shot blasting to form a rough shot blasting layer on the side surfaces of the V-belt grooves. At least one through hole is axially drilled along a longitudinal central axis of the pulley blank from one axial end to opposite axial end of the shot blasted pulley blank to fluidly connect all of plurality of V-belt grooves followed by mounting and fastening a mold for casting tooth rings at the bottoms of the plurality of V-belt grooves and receiving a metal casting fluid into the plurality of V-belt grooves from one end portion of the through hole to form the tooth rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Jinfang Wang
  • Patent number: 9638310
    Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Darren J. Ziskovsky, Steven R. Fliearman, Jeffrey S. Turner, Kyle K. McKinzie, Austin B. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9638311
    Abstract: Hemispherical protrusions are protrudingly provided in end surfaces of a rotor gear and a tooth portion of a small gear having the smaller number of gear teeth between the rotor gear and a large gear of an intermediate gear, and between the small gear of the intermediate gear and an output gear, which are meshed with each other in a transmission gear train. Thus, in a case where the large gear rides on the rotor gear or the small gear rides on the output gear when the intermediate gear is accommodated in a housing after the rotor gear and the output gear are accommodated, it is possible to cancel the riding state thereof only by applying a slight vibration to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taisei Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9638312
    Abstract: A drive unit includes a speed reducer that includes a plurality of gears having helical teeth and rotatably supported by bearings, and transfers rotation of a drive motor to rear drive wheels of a vehicle. The maximum value of torque to be generated by the drive motor during rearward travel of the vehicle is set to be lower than that during forward travel. Under such a precondition, the size of a bearing that receives a load during rearward travel, among the bearings which constitute the speed reducer, is smaller than the size of a bearing that receives a load during forward travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryohei Shigeta, Yoshinao Iwase, Keita Nomura, Ryouichi Kubo
  • Patent number: 9638313
    Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FOrd Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steward, Jayesh Patel, Yanhua Li, Matthew S. Eiszler, Srinivas Venkata Arcota, David Aeschliman, Chintan Ved, William Riley, Jason Bardallis
  • Patent number: 9638314
    Abstract: A number of variations may comprise a method comprising: a lubrication system for a transfer case comprising: actively managing an oil level in a plurality of sumps in a transfer case by rotating at least one rotating element in the transfer case to transfer oil through the transfer case to lubricate the transfer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Cradit, Christopher J. Kowalsky, Kristoffer Nilsson, Daniel Kent Rosengren, John Rode
  • Patent number: 9638315
    Abstract: A transmission system (8) comprising at least one floating gear (14a, 16a, 18a) rotationally mounted upon a first shaft the system comprising a floating gear activation system for controlling torque transfer between the at least one floating gear (14a, 16a, 18a) and the first shaft (10), the gear activation system comprising a first device (28, 30) having a friction interface (28) for frictional engagement with a friction interface (30) disposed on a first side of the at least one floating gear (18a), and a second device (25, 26) having a locking interface (25) for an interpositional engagement with a locking interface (26) disposed on a second side, opposing the first side, of the at least one floating gear (18a), whereby the floating gear (18a) is rotationally coupleable to the first shaft (10) by the friction interface (28/30) and/or the locking interface (25/26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: David Kelly, Pedro Zabala, Andrew Harrison, Mark Findlay, Alex Tylee-Birdsall
  • Patent number: 9638317
    Abstract: A transmission device of a vehicle that can use a manual transmission. The transmission is provided with shift blocks for regulating shifting between gear positions so as to achieve automatic gear shifting. This vehicle transmission device includes the shift block for a reverse-1st speed, a 4th speed-5th speed, a 2nd speed-3rd speed, and a 6th speed arranged in this order in a selection operation direction. The vehicle transmission device also includes first through fourth shift levers that engage respectively with the shift blocks, a first select actuator that moves the first or second shift lever for a select operation, a first shift actuator that moves the first or second shift lever for a shift operation, a second select actuator that moves the third or fourth shift lever for the select operation, and a second shift actuator that moves the third or fourth shift lever for the shift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Enami
  • Patent number: 9638318
    Abstract: There are provided a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in which a belt (7) is wound around a primary pulley (5) and a secondary pulley (6) to transmit power; a primary pulley rotational speed sensor (13) for detecting a rotational speed of the primary pulley (5); a vehicle stopped state determination means for determining whether a vehicle is in a stopped state; a belt slippage detection means for detecting belt slippage on the basis of a signal of the primary pulley rotational speed sensor (13); and a prohibition means for prohibiting detection of the belt slippage by the belt slippage detection means when a parking range or a neutral range is selected by a shift lever operation by a driver. In the vehicle stopped state during selection of the parking range or the neutral range, the rotational speed of the primary pulley (5) is not basically output, and the belt slippage does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Sasaki, Youji Itou
  • Patent number: 9638319
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle with a first clutch associated with a first set of gears and a second clutch associated with a second set of gears. The method includes the steps of a) engaging the first clutch to transmit the torque through one of the associated first set of gears, while the second clutch is not engaged, and b) thereafter engaging, before the first clutch is fully closed, the second clutch at least partially and releasing the first clutch assembly until the first clutch is completely disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TRANSMISIONES Y EQUIPOS MECANICOS, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventor: Nico de Visscher
  • Patent number: 9638320
    Abstract: A shift position detecting device where a shift position determining member is provided for determining a shift position based on a combination of switching modes of three switches corresponding to at least one of a plurality of projection rows each having a plurality of projection portions in a one-by-one basis, and “1, 1, 1” indicative of an ON state of each switch is allocated as a detection logic at a neutral position arranged between a first speed position and a second speed position, wherein a change in friction at the time of a shift operational to the neutral position is alleviated thus giving an operational feeling with no discomfort to a rider. Two projection rows that are objects to be detected by two specified switches among the three switches are formed so as to change switching modes of the specified switches from an OFF state to an ON state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hotei, Takashi Tetsuka, Dai Arai, Atsushi Chiba
  • Patent number: 9638321
    Abstract: An oil scraper piston ring and a method for producing it in which a base body is provided with a running surface profile by machining the radially outer circumferential surface thereof, the running surface profile including two running surface lands and an interposed groove, wherein the running surface profile corresponds to that of the finished oil scraper piston ring, and on the groove side, seen in the circumferential direction, drainage holes are introduced into the groove base, at least the running surface lands are provided with a wear-resistant PVD, DLC or TaC layer and, if needed, the wear-resistant layer is subjected to a polishing, honing or lapping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL BURSCHEID GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Meyer, Dirk Baerenreuter
  • Patent number: 9638322
    Abstract: Exemplary piston rings are disclosed, comprising a base portion formed of a metallic material, and an outer contact surface extending between opposing side faces of the piston ring. The piston ring may include a coating layer applied to the outer contact surface, with the coating layer including an inner layer and an outer layer. Exemplary methods of making a piston ring are also disclosed, comprising providing a base portion formed of a metallic material, applying an inner layer to an outer surface of the base portion, and applying an outer layer on top of the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Smith, Jason Bieneman
  • Patent number: 9638323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder housing (2) for a pressure cylinder (1) of light-weight/hybrid construction, having a support structure (4) comprising an inner tube (6) with ends (7, 8) that are spaced apart in the axial direction, and a first and a second end piece (10, 11) in the region of one of the ends (7, 8) of the inner tube (6). A composite structure (12) made of a fiber-reinforced plastics material is arranged on an outer surface (13) of the inner tube (6). Arranged on an outer surface (16) of the first and the second end piece (10, 11) in each case in a manner distributed over the circumference thereof are a plurality of rod-like winding aids (17) that protrude from the outer surface (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MARK Hydraulik GmbH
    Inventors: Gottfried Braun, Rudolf Mark, Martin Fiedler
  • Patent number: 9638324
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealing device constructed by combination of a slinger and a lip member, the sealing device being capable of improving a sealing performance, particularly a sealing performance against external dusts. In order to achieve the object, in a sealing device having a slinger which is installed to one member among relatively rotating two members, a lip member which is installed to the other member, and structured such that the slinger integrally has a tubular portion which is fitted to the one member and a flange portion which extends in a diametrical direction, and the lip member having an end face lip which slidably comes into close contact with the flange portion, a bent portion protruding in an axial direction toward the lip member is provided in the flange portion, and a labyrinth structure having a minute gap is provided between the bent portion and the lip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsui, Shiho Sato
  • Patent number: 9638325
    Abstract: A material for a gasket, wherein a chromate or non-chromate film, a phenol resin primer layer and a polyol-crosslinkable fluororubber layer are formed on one or both surfaces of a steel plate in this sequence from the side of the steel plate; the polyol-crosslinkable fluororubber layer is a rubber layer obtained by applying a fluororubber composition that comprises fluororubber, a polyol-based cross-linking agent, an amine-based cross-linking accelerator and silica to the phenol resin primer layer, followed by heating; and the amine-based cross-linking accelerator is a tertiary amine or a salt of a tertiary amine obtained by a reaction between a tertiary amine and an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi Arisawa, Hideharu Aoyagi, Kenichiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9638326
    Abstract: A ring seal for a shaft includes a plurality of arc-shaped ring segments, each of the plurality of ring segments having a radially outer face, a radially inner face, a first axial side face, a second axial side face, a first end and a second end, a spring holding the plurality of arc-shaped segments in an arch-bound configuration, and at least one circumferential ramp in the radially inner face of each of the plurality of ring segments configured to generate an air cushion when a shaft rotates inside the ring seal. Also a ring sealing system including the ring seal and a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KAYDON RING & SEAL, INC.
    Inventor: George Perry Haynes
  • Patent number: 9638327
    Abstract: Radial shaft seal includes an outer diameter member, a primary sealing lip, and a lip energizer. The primary sealing lip is spaced radially from the outer diameter member. The lip energizer is positioned radially between the outer diameter member and the primary sealing lip. The lip energizer moves to an engaging position with the outer diameter member forming a section of material between the outer diameter member and the primary sealing lip. The outer diameter member, the primary sealing lip, and the lip energizer can be formed from a single piece of material, and in one embodiment, an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Engineered Seal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Banowetz, Andrew Rommann, Mark Reimer, Dale Schumann
  • Patent number: 9638328
    Abstract: A rotating pumping apparatus is provided which may be employed in an automotive brake system. The rotating pumping apparatus includes a sealing member and an oil seal which are disposed around a pump drive shaft, and lubricating grease disposed between the oil seal and the pump drive shaft. The sealing member is made up of a resinous ring and a rubber cup. The sealing member has formed therein a labyrinthine flow path which extends from the resinous ring to the rubber cup. The labyrinthine flow path is designed to permit fluid to flow therethrough and create the resistance to flow of the lubricating grease to avoid leakage of the grease outside the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitake Hisada, Takeshi Fuchida
  • Patent number: 9638329
    Abstract: In an engine rear seal installed to an engine rear portion having an end plate arranged in a motor exterior side of a housing, and a flywheel arranged in a motor exterior side of the end plate, the engine rear seal has an oil seal and a muddy water preventing seal. The muddy water preventing seal integrally has an attaching portion, and a seal lip directed to a diametrically outer side from the attaching portion and slidably coming into close contact with an end surface in the motor exterior side of the end plate. The seal lip has an inclined lip end back surface portion, and is structured such that a lip end comes into contact with the end surface at the low-speed rotating time and the lip end moves away from the end plate on the basis of an action of a centrifugal force at the high-speed rotating time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Yarimizu, Tomoaki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9638330
    Abstract: An ultrahigh-pressure sealing device improves sealing performance under ultrahigh pressures and improves durability. The ultrahigh-pressure sealing device is arranged to seal an annular space between an outer member and an inner member and separates between a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber. A bottom ring includes a first inner periphery, a first large-diameter outer periphery, a first small-diameter outer periphery, and a first middle outer periphery. A back-up ring includes a second inner periphery, a second engagement portion, and a second outer periphery. A packing ring includes a third low-pressure-chamber end, a third inner periphery, a third large-diameter outer periphery, a third the small-diameter outer periphery, and a third middle outer periphery. An elastic ring includes a fourth inner periphery, a fourth the engagement portion, and a fourth outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouichi Itou
  • Patent number: 9638331
    Abstract: A flow path insert for a fluid control assembly includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion integral with the upstream portion. The upstream portion includes an upstream peripheral surface and the downstream portion includes a downstream peripheral surface. The upstream portion and the downstream portion cooperate to define an inlet passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The inlet passage defines a first axis and the outlet passage defines a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. When the flow path insert is positioned within a body of a fluid control assembly, the upstream peripheral surface is in contacting engagement with the body and the downstream peripheral surface is spaced from the body. At least the downstream portion of the flow path insert and the body cooperate to define an annular passage in fluid communication with the outlet passage. Fluid control assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Western Enterprises/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Bryan D. Eyring, Gregory B. Eytchison, Ryan M. Pereira, William C. Wido
  • Patent number: 9638332
    Abstract: A valve for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes a housing which contains a passage for conducting exhaust gases. In the passage is arranged a closing body with which the passage can be closed. The closing body is fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft, which is mounted rotatably in the housing, and can be pivoted together with the shaft about the rotation axis of the shaft. The closing body has a partition, which runs perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the shaft, and has a circular outer contour which is sealed off from the housing and divides the passage into a first duct and a second duct. When the closing body is in the closed position both the first and second ducts are closed. When the closing body is in an open position the exhaust gasses can pass through the first and second ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Esslingen GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Gross, Dirk Michael Strubel
  • Patent number: 9638333
    Abstract: A choke valve comprising: a body having an axial through hole and a radial entry port; a valve seat coaxially housed in the body axial through hole on a first side of the radial entry port; a pressure balanced valving member axially reciprocable within the body axial through hole between a first sealing position bearing against the valve seat and a second position spaced away from the seat; an actuator housing operably connected to the valving member; and a detachably connected reinforcement member detachably connected to the actuator housing and increasing the axial load that the actuator housing can take before failure of the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Cortec, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Bobby Corte
  • Patent number: 9638334
    Abstract: The flow control gate for detention ponds includes a movable gate that discharges fluid at a constant flow despite the depth of the fluid for a given depth range. The gate is moved by a lever that supports a float on the opposite end of the lever than the gate. As the fluid level around the flow control gate changes, the float tracks the changes, therefore raising and lowering the gate. Since the fluid head to discharge area relationship is not linear in the orifice equation, the curved track that the lever rests on is shaped in such a way so that the gate is moved non linearly to match the orifice equation. The flow control gate for detention ponds does not use electricity and can vastly reduce the required size of detention ponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander William Ewers
  • Patent number: 9638335
    Abstract: A double sealing valve includes a power cylinder having a driving axle, a valve body formed of a first and a second valve members, and a seal plate assembly within the valve body. Therein, the first valve member has an axle bore for the driving axle to pass through, and the second valve member has two valve holes oppositely disposed. The seal plate assembly has a driving frame connected to the driving axle, with plural roller assemblies disposed around the driving frame. The seal plate assembly has two seal plates disposed between two faces of the driving frame and the valve body, respectively. Each seal plate has plural driving grooves corresponding to the roller assemblies. The driving axle drives the seal plate assembly to seal the valve holes, with a sealing force produced therebetween by use of the roller assembly and the driving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: King Lai Hygienic Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Mei Huang
  • Patent number: 9638336
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for valve insertion and linestopping. In one embodiment, the system comprises a sealing housing having a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion that are each dimensioned to partially surround an exterior surface of an existing pipe in an airtight state. In one embodiment, an integral valve assembly is disposed at least partially within an integral valve housing section of the upper housing portion. The integral valve assembly comprises a valve movable between an open position in which the valve provides an open pathway through an opening in the upper housing portion, and a closed position in which the valve provides a seal adjacent to the opening. The upper housing portion may be adapted to selectively receive each of an adapter plate for a cutting machine, a valve bonnet, and a blind flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Valve Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Murphy, Michael S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9638337
    Abstract: A plug valve including a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and a central chamber extending between the inlet port and the outlet port. The valve also includes an inlet seal segment within the central chamber and includes a bore extending therethrough and aligned with the inlet port. An outlet seal segment is disposed within the central chamber having a bore extending therethrough and aligned with the outlet port. A plug member is disposed in the central chamber and is moveable between an open position, to facilitate fluid flow through the plug valve, and a closed position, to block fluid flow through the plug valve. First and second side segments are disposed between and interlocked to the inlet and outlet seal segments to encircle the plug member. The side segments are tensioned to preload the seal segments against the plug member to prevent the flow of fluid between the seal segments and the plug member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Witkowski, Nuder Said
  • Patent number: 9638338
    Abstract: Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: RHEONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Peng Zhou, Lincoln C. Young
  • Patent number: 9638339
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve comprises at least one valve body which has at least one inlet, at least one outlet, at least one flow channel and at least one shutoff web dividing the flow channel into channel portions. The diaphragm valve furthermore comprises a diaphragm which rests on a circumferential sealing seat of the valve body, and a drive having a drive housing, the drive being coupled to the diaphragm to press the diaphragm against the shutoff web for closing the valve. The diaphragm valve furthermore comprises a fastening unit for detachably locking the drive to the valve body, the fasting unit having a bayonet cap and an additional central retightening unit by means of which an axial tightening force is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Schwetz, Marcel Konstandin, Jan Westermann
  • Patent number: 9638340
    Abstract: A multiway control valve is provided having a housing that has an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, a rotatably mounted ceramic valve disc, which is arranged with a first through-flow opening and rotatably mounted in the housing to fluidically connect and disconnect from each other the connections depending on its rotational position. The valve disc rests flatly on a ceramic sealing disc, arranged in a torque-proof manner and having two second through-flow openings, and a sealing element, which is arranged between the sealing disc and an intermediate floor of the housing and is elastically deformable. The sealing element has a disc shape and has third through-flow openings that are aligned with the second through-flow openings. The intermediate floor has at least one retaining projection that engages in one of the three through-flow openings for positively locking anti-twist protection of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MACK & SCHNEIDER GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Bachofer
  • Patent number: 9638341
    Abstract: A loop flushing valve assembly for use in a hydraulic circuit has a pair of valve subassemblies cooperating with a respective valve seat between a port and an outlet passage. Each subassembly has a main port plug and a fluid passage plug with a fluid passage extending therethrough. A valve body is engaged to the fluid passage plug and is axially moveable from a closed position where its seat end is in contact with its respective valve seat to prevent fluid flow from the respective fluid side to the outlet passage to an open position and the valve body is biased to the closed position. A poppet extends out the seat end of the each valve body. When pressure in one fluid side exceeds pressure in the other side, the valve subassembly poppet axially moves towards the other poppet to open the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnersip
    Inventor: John Tyler Hibbard
  • Patent number: 9638342
    Abstract: A valve comprising a valve body with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, an inner cavity and an outer cavity at least partly surrounding the inner cavity. The outer cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and with the inner cavity and the inner cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A flow splitter is provided, forming at least two flow passages in the outer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Lorenzo Bergamini, Vincenzo Pietanza
  • Patent number: 9638343
    Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes a negative-differential spring applied to the shape memory alloy element, thereby reducing the threshold amount of temperature change needed to cause movement of the valve between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Eric Wright Gilbertson, Franz Hover, Donald Bryan Freeman, Jose Arellano
  • Patent number: 9638344
    Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Nieters, Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Harold Randall Smart