Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9695853
    Abstract: Joints and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The joint may include a first component including an indentation formed therein having a width, a second component, an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second components, and a fastener extending through the indentation. The fastener may join the first and second components and have a head with a width greater than a minimum width of the indentation. The method may include forming an indentation having a width in a first component, applying an adhesive to one of multiple components, and stacking the components. The indentation may form a bond gap between two components. A fastener may be inserted having a head with a width greater than the width of the indentation into the indentation to join the components. The indentation may space the components apart to provide a larger bond gap for the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Norton, Amanda Kay Freis, Anthony J. Grima, Garret Sankey Huff
  • Patent number: 9695854
    Abstract: An adjustable and lockable turnbuckle may include an elongated body having internal threading within a first end thereof. The turnbuckle may include a first extension rod having external threading configured to mate with the internal threading at the first end of the elongated body. The turnbuckle may include a first jam nut having internal threading and a skirt. The internal threading of the first jam nut may be configured to mate with the external threading of the first extension rod to tighten the first jam nut against the first end of the elongated body so that the skirt of the first jam nut is positionable about the first end of the elongated body. A first aperture may extend through the elongated body, the first extension rod, and the skirt of the first jam nut. Moreover, a first pin may be positioned within the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael James Gutta, Mark Joseph Pombles, Harry McFarland Jarrett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9695855
    Abstract: A building block structure includes a joint adaptor unit and at least one connection bar. The joint adaptor unit includes one or multiple joint adaptors, each of which includes at least one screwing connection end that includes a right/left-hand combined threaded hole formed therein. The right/left-hand combined threaded hole includes multiple right-handed screw troughs and multiple left-handed screw troughs that are alternately arranged. The connection bar has one end having multiple spaced right-handed external threads and an opposite end having multiple spaced left-handed external threads. As such, when the connection bar is rotated in a given direction, the right-handed external threads and the left-handed external threads are simultaneously screwed into the right/left-hand combined threaded holes of two oppositely facing joint adaptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Fang Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 9695856
    Abstract: Composed element, wherein this composed element comprises at least two panel-shaped elements, which substantially are formed from a board material; wherein said panel-shaped elements are interconnected at an angle by means of coupling devices including a tongue and a groove, which coupling devices substantially are made as profiled parts in the board material; and wherein said coupling devices also include locking elements, which, in coupled condition, prevent the moving apart of the tongue and groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: UNILIN, BVBA
    Inventors: Luc Maertens, Mark Cappelle, Luc Vanhastel, Luc Deman, Guy Van Hooydonck
  • Patent number: 9695857
    Abstract: A system enabling the attachment of an object to an element (1) having attachment groove(s), having at least one grooved surface (2) including at least one attachment groove whose mouth (3) is defined longitudinally by two opposing edges (5) that each include an inner salient angle, the system includes an attachment device (6, 7), the element (1), and elements for coupling (8) with the object. The attachment device includes a clamping assembly and a locking element (7) capable of being at least partially inserted in the groove, directly in any of the attachment points along the latter, the assembly being at least partially resiliently or plastically deformable when exposed to a pressure bias exerted by the locking element in order to form, by deforming the material, an anchoring and clamping element capable of anchoring under the edges (5) and/or against the salient angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TARIFOLD (SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE)
    Inventor: Claude Dietrich
  • Patent number: 9695858
    Abstract: A rivet includes a sleeve, which has a flange, and a core member, which is inserted into the sleeve. The distal end of the sleeve is coupled to a plurality of pivoting pieces via thin hinges. By inserting the core member into the sleeve, each pivoting piece is pushed against the core member to pivot outward, and a laminated member, which is located between the flange and each pivoting piece, is fixed. A projection is arranged on the basal end surface of each pivoting piece. A hook portion is arranged on the head of the core member to project radially outward of the core member. When the core member is inserted into the sleeve, the hook portion of the core member moves past the projection of each pivoting piece in an outwardly pivoted state to fix the pivoting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kunimori Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Shiotani
  • Patent number: 9695859
    Abstract: A fastening bolt includes a shaft defining a central axis, a head, a drilling portion, and first threads alternating with second threads. The first threads and the second threads have different outer diameters. Each first thread has a trailing surface facing the head and inclined to a line perpendicular to the central axis by a trailing angle and a leading surface facing the drilling portion and inclined to the line by a leading angle. The trailing angle is smaller than the leading angle to build an asymmetrical form. Some threads near the drilling portion form respective cutting grooves and recesses thereon. Each cutting groove is formed by walls with different lengths and opened at an angle which does not exceed 90 degrees. The bolt breaks the workpiece quickly by the cutting grooves and recesses. The asymmetrical first threads help enter the workpiece quickly and attain a firm engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: King Point Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yen Wu
  • Patent number: 9695860
    Abstract: A screw for securing dense wood material has a head with a specially configured drive socket and an underside with an array of lobes. The lobes preferably have a left-handed orientation and have chamfered extremities. The shank is specially configured with an upper thread, an intermediate unthreaded portion and a lower thread which terminates with a half-point tip. In one embodiment, the upper thread major diameter is slightly smaller than the major diameter of the lower thread. The upper thread has a greater thread density than the lower thread. The upper to lower thread-per-inch density is preferably in the range of 1.3:1 to 1.7:1. The screw is specifically configured to assist in applications where there are wet fibers near the wood deck surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Handy & Harman
    Inventors: Joseph A. Pieciak, Jr., Richard L. Belinda, Michael W. Maziarz, Tad A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 9695861
    Abstract: A fastener system is provided. The fastener system includes a pair of nuts having a beveled end and opposed flats, a nut housing having a cavity, the cavity including an end wall with an aperture and a tapered interior portion to engage the beveled end, and opposing internal flats to engage the nut flats, a resilient member to urge the beveled ends against the tapered portion; and retaining element. The nuts may include tapered thread edges to accommodate damaged male threads, or cutting thread edges to repair damaged male threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: QwikLine Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Steffl
  • Patent number: 9695862
    Abstract: A thread-cleaning tool comprises a partially hollow nut for use with a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical nut-running power tool. The nut comprises a plurality of brushes mounted in alignment with the outside corners of the nut, and facing inward to the central orifice of the nut, such that the nut abrasively removes corrosion and particulates from the threads of a shaft. In an embodiment, the brushes of the nut are mounted upon brush assemblies comprising rotating cam members, located in recesses spaced to align with the outer corners of the nut, providing a mechanism for the brushes to move back and forth as the nut is rotated up and down the thread. The brush assemblies can be easily removed or substituted as wear and tear accumulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Don K. Clover
  • Patent number: 9695863
    Abstract: A retention clip is provided. The retention clip comprises a spring section, a first elbow section extending from the spring section, a handle section extending from the first elbow section, and a second elbow section opposite the first elbow section. The second elbow section may extend between the handle section and the spring section. A retention assembly is also provided. The retention assembly may comprise a mounting fitting and a housing disposed in the mounting fitting. The housing may define a perimeter of an opening. A retention clip may be disposed around the housing with an elbow section extending into the perimeter to obstruct the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: John Moule
  • Patent number: 9695864
    Abstract: A control cable assembly includes a yoke having a body and a first and second end. The yoke includes a first hinge at its first end and a second hinge at its second end. The first and second hinges may each comprise a pair of eyelets. The first eyelet on each hinge may form a closed loop, and the second eyelet on each hinge may form a partially open loop, having a gap. A first control cable may be connected to the first hinge. A second control cable may be connected to the second hinge. The control cables may be configured to pivot with respect to the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hi-Lex America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ed Leither
  • Patent number: 9695865
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting a cable that includes a locking sleeve and an adapter that is connected to the cable. The adapter includes male and female-threaded portions that are coupled together. The locking sleeve is configured to be displaced between engagement and disengagement positions. When in the engagement position, securing devices of the male and female-threaded portions engage inner sections of the locking sleeve in a manner that prevents the male and female-threaded portions from being rotated relative to each other, thereby preventing a change in the length of the adapter so as to prevent an adjustment of the cable. When the cable is to be adjusted, the locking sleeve is displaced to disengagement position such that the securing device of either the male or female-threaded portion is disengaged from the locking sleeve, thereby allowing rotation of the male or female-threaded portions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: John Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 9695866
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite double-metal fracture splitting connecting rod, comprising the steps of: providing a moveable spacer at a large end of a mold cavity of a connecting rod, to divide the mold cavity into two separate parts; casting a connecting rod body and a connecting rod cap with material for the main body of the connecting rod; removing the spacer from the mold cavity when the majority of the material is solidified, then injecting material for a fracture splitting region into an empty mold cavity obtained after the removal of the spacer, and metallurgically bonding the two types of material to form a composite double-metal casting; then, separating the connecting rod body from the connecting rod cap by a fracture splitting apparatus along preset fracture surfaces; and positioning and accurately assembling through engaged staggered structures on the two fracture surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wenfan Jiang, Yinfang Jiang
  • Patent number: 9695867
    Abstract: A resonance testing apparatus has a plurality of arms for supporting a workpiece. At least one of said arms incorporates an articulation assembly having: a strut, a joint element which is movable in response to movement of the strut, and a clamp arrangement for clamping the joint element. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is movable and a second condition in which the clamp arrangement acts on the joint element to damp or restrict movement of the strut. The assembly includes a seating for the joint element, and a biasing arrangement for the seating. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is arranged on the seating and is movable on the seating and a second condition in which the biasing arrangement acts on the seating to damp or restrict movement of the joint element on the seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Allen Ltd.
    Inventors: Jon Johnson, Graham Morley
  • Patent number: 9695868
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement (28) having at least one radial air bearing (1) and/or having an axial air bearing (15?). The radial air bearing (1) has an inner annular bearing plate (7) and a spring plate (10) which surrounds the bearing plate (7) at the outside. The bearing plate and spring plate being formed as a single-piece component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dietmar Metz, Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 9695869
    Abstract: A spherical plain bearing comprising an inner ring provided with a spherical outer surface and with lateral surfaces, an outer ring provided with a corresponding spherical inner surface mounted on the outer surface, and a sleeve mounted into a bore of the inner ring. The inner ring comprises at least three part rings which are mounted in contact in the circumferential direction one relative to another. At least one protrusion is provided on an outer surface of the sleeve and extends into a groove formed on the bore of the inner ring. The sleeve leaves the lateral surfaces free of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SKF AEROSPACE FRANCE S.A.S
    Inventors: Yvan Blachon, Arnaud Turmeau
  • Patent number: 9695870
    Abstract: A centering spring assembly of a turbomachine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a damper beam, a bearing support, and a spanner nut. At least a portion of the damper beam axially overlaps at least a portion of the spanner nut relative to a rotational axis of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Armando Amador, Sean McCutchan
  • Patent number: 9695871
    Abstract: An assembly that includes a rotating shaft supported with respect to a stationary housing by at least one active magnetic bearing presenting a mean radial air gap and at least one auxiliary bearing having a bushing fixed to the housing and a sleeve fixed on the rotating shaft. The bushing and the sleeve have opposite surfaces that define a clearance (E2) which is less than the mean radial air gap (E1). The bushing and the sleeve each exhibit symmetry around a longitudinal axis of the shaft and have different profiles in a longitudinal cross-section including the longitudinal axis to optimize the contact pressure distribution when the rotating shaft lands on the auxiliary bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SKF MAGNETIC MECHATRONICS, AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Philipp Krebs, Jens Anders, Eddy Herisse, Frederic Ponson
  • Patent number: 9695872
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: a rack shaft which moves steered portions based on steering by a steering portion; a cover portion covering the rack shaft; and a bearing member arranged inside the cover portion and supporting the rack shaft so that the rack shaft is movable in an axial direction of the rack shaft, and the bearing member has a reservoir portion reserving a lubricant at a contact spot with respect to the rack shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Higashi
  • Patent number: 9695873
    Abstract: A bearing comprising (a) an inner ring, (b) an outer ring, and (c) a bearing liner disposed therebetween, wherein the bearing liner comprises a resin and the bearing liner has at least one of: (a) a flexural modulus of from 20 to 35 GPa and (b) a flexural strength of from 500 to 700 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SKF AEROSPACE FRANCE S.A.S., AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Andrew Bell, Michael Colton, Camille Dayot, Noemie Peron
  • Patent number: 9695874
    Abstract: An injection-molded rolling-element bearing cage has a radially outer-lying surface, a radially inner-lying surface, first and second radial walls connecting the radially outer-lying surface and the radially inner-lying surface, and a plurality of receiving pockets configured to receive rolling elements. The receiving pockets are spaced from the first radial wall by a first annular band of the radially inner-lying surface and from the second radial wall by a second annular band of the radially inner-lying surface, and at least one projection extends radially inward from the radially inner-lying surface into a spaced defined by the radially inner-lying surface, at least part of the at least one projection being located in the first annular band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Joerg Assmann, Thomas Krause
  • Patent number: 9695875
    Abstract: A top drive thrust bearing configured for use in a heavy loaded top drive system. The top drive thrust bearing includes an upper plate; a lower plate; and a plurality of rollers disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate. The composition of the top drive thrust bearing comprising a non-vacuum arc remelted steel including, in weight percent (%), about 0.15% to about 0.18% carbon (C), about 0.15% to about 0.4% silicon (Si), about 0.4% to about 0.7% manganese (Mn), 0% to about 0.025% phosphorus (P), about 0.0005% to about 0.002% sulfur (S), about 0.0002% to about 0.0007% oxygen (O), about 0.001% to about 0.003% titanium (Ti), about 1.3% to about 1.6% chromium (Cr), about 3.25% to about 3.75% nickel (Ni), about 0.0005% to about 0.003% calcium (Ca), about 0.15% to about 0.25% molybdenum (Mo), balance iron (Fe).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Parkinson
  • Patent number: 9695876
    Abstract: A method of assembling a bearing assembly includes fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft. A second ring is fed into a slot in the first ring. The second ring is driven through the slot in the first ring. The second ring is positioned within the first ring. The second ring is positioned about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Jeff A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9695877
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising a first end fitting. The first end fitting comprises a tube engagement portion. The tube engagement portion comprises an outer coupling surface. The outer coupling surface comprises a first virtual cross-section. The first virtual cross-section comprises a first transverse inflection point. Each point along the first virtual cross-section has a first virtual tangent line coplanar with the first virtual cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pradip K. Saha, Mark R. Meyer, Mark E. Bice
  • Patent number: 9695878
    Abstract: A plug-in constant velocity (CV) joint is assembled to a powertrain component using a power tool. The CV joint and powertrain component connect via a splined shaft coupling with a snap ring interlock. External bi-directional thrust features on the joint and component engage first and second arms of the power tool after the splined shaft coupling is partially inserted by hand. The arms are relatively movable along a longitudinal direction, and an actuator selectively applies a compression force to the bi-directional thrust features adapted to fully insert the splined shaft coupling and engage the snap ring interlock. The power tool monitors the compression force to detect the full insertion. The actuator automatically applies a predetermined expansion force to the bi-directional thrust features to verify engagement of the snap ring interlock, wherein the predetermined expansion force is less than a force sufficient to disengage the snap ring interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris P. Nicholas, Scott L. Wilson, Scott D. Denny, Martin Smets
  • Patent number: 9695879
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for a connecting component guides a second connecting component when connecting a first connecting component and the second connecting component to each other. The guide mechanism includes a guide member and an urging member. The urging member urges the guide member and continues to contract until the second connecting component reaches a connection complete position. The guide member includes rotational shafts, inner guide pieces, and outer guide pieces. The rotational shafts are provided on both sides of the second connecting component. The inner guide pieces are rotated about the rotational shafts from first initial positions to first regulating positions. The outer guide pieces are rotated about the rotational shafts from second initial positions to second regulating positions such that the rotation of the outer guide pieces is coupled with the rotation of the inner guide pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Sasaki, Koichi Kimura, Mizuki Sugino, Mitsutoshi Hongo
  • Patent number: 9695880
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a drive train of a vehicle is provided. The drive arrangement includes an outer hub, an inner hub and rolling elements. The outer hub includes a fixed section and a movable section which can be reversibly connected to one another. In the disconnected state, the movable section is freely rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the outer hub. The rolling elements are displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the outer hub between the fixed section and the movable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Amtek Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Karl
  • Patent number: 9695881
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a trunnion including an annular recess in an outer surface. A bearing cup is disposed on the trunnion and includes an inner diameter surface having a retention recess therein. A needle bearing assembly is disposed between an outer surface of the trunnion and the inner diameter surface of the bearing cup. A seal assembly is disposed at an open end of the bearing cup and includes a seal support insert including a radially outwardly protruding retention member engaged with the retention recess of the bearing cup. An elastomeric seal is molded to the seal support insert and includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending seal lips engaging the outer surface of the trunnion and a dust lip extending axially from the seal support insert and including a dust lip retention feature received in an annular recess of the trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: David Garner
  • Patent number: 9695882
    Abstract: A torque limiting device includes a handle; a drive shaft attached to the handle; a torque limiting assembly coupled to the drive shaft; the torque limiting assembly further including a shaft element; a first transmission member housing the shaft element; a second transmission member, the second transmission member being fixed to the shaft element and interacting with the first transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: JAKOUBEK MEDIZINTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Jakoubek
  • Patent number: 9695883
    Abstract: The clutch device includes, a right pressure flange that brings clutch discs provided on a clutch outer and clutch plates provided on a clutch inner into pressure contact with one another. A pressure ring that moves the right pressure flange with an external force and a clutch spring transmits the force toward a clutch connected position, from the pressure ring to the right pressure flange. Further, a return spring between the clutch inner and the right pressure flange urges the right pressure flange toward a clutch disconnected position. The clutch spring and the return spring are disposed parallel to a clutch axial direction, their respective positions overlapping each other in the clutch axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Takeshi Sugano, Masaya Murao, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Junya Ono
  • Patent number: 9695884
    Abstract: A piston system comprises a housing (3) comprising a first recess (6) and a second recess (7). A first piston (1) comprises a first portion embedded in the first recess (6). A second piston (2) comprises a second portion embedded in the second recess (7). An actuator (10) has a first side (20) and a second side (21). The first piston (1) selectively presses against the first side (20) of the actuator, and the second piston (2) selectively presses against the second side (21) of the actuator. The actuator may be a synchronizer of a clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John Allen Grogg, Daniel Philip Fisher, Scott Michael Besemer, Gregory L. Heatwole
  • Patent number: 9695885
    Abstract: A movable sleeve of a second clutch is provided between a cylindrical ring gear and a cylindrical shaft of a differential case of a differential gear unit. In a disconnect mode in which a propeller shaft is disconnected from rear wheels, the cylindrical ring gear is disconnected from the differential case by the movable sleeve of the second clutch. Thus, in the disconnect mode, a fully differential state of the differential gear unit is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Tamoto, Takahiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9695886
    Abstract: A clutch housing for a clutch assembly of a vehicle, the clutch housing comprising a fluid pathway at least partially disposed within a wall of the clutch housing, the fluid pathway forming at least a portion of a fluid line between a clutch slave cylinder and a clutch master cylinder, the fluid line being configured to transfer hydraulic fluid between the clutch slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ashok Swaminathan, Martin J. Raper, Stephen K. Miles, Duncan Metcalfe, Burcu Guleryuz
  • Patent number: 9695887
    Abstract: Disclosed are dry clutch control method and apparatus for a vehicle. The method may include a reference speed generating step of generating a virtual target input shaft speed from a wheel speed, a vibration recognizing step of detecting a vibration component based on a difference between an actually measured input shaft speed and the virtual target input shaft speed, and a control input step of additionally applying an anti judder control input to a clutch control torque controlling a dry clutch connected to an input shaft. The anti judder control input may be applied to the vibration component recognized in the vibration recognizing step in a form of being continuously damped starting from an impulsive control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Jin Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 9695888
    Abstract: A method for preventing overheating of a clutch for a vehicle may include determining, by a controller, whether a state of the vehicle satisfies a hill hold condition; acquiring, by the controller, a temperature of a clutch between an engine and a transmission when the hill hold condition is satisfied; applying, by the controller, a first torque having a predetermined square wave shape to the clutch when the temperature of the clutch reaches a first temperature; and applying, by the controller, a second torque having a predetermined sine wave shape to the clutch when the temperature of the clutch reaches a second temperature higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woon Ki Cho
  • Patent number: 9695889
    Abstract: An intermesh engagement device includes an intermesh engagement mechanism, a moving member, an actuator configured to apply a thrust to a moving member in an engaging direction, a transmission spring configured to transmit the thrust of the actuator from the moving member to a sleeve, a return spring, a stopper, and an electronic control unit configured to control the actuator. The electronic control unit is configured to execute first control for setting the thrust of the actuator to a thrust in a first region, and, when a halfway stopped state has occurred through the first control, execute second control for setting a thrust larger than the thrust in the first control. The first region is a range in which the thrust is larger than an urging force of the return spring and is smaller than the sum of the urging force of the return spring and a maximum urging force of the transmission spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ebuchi, Makoto Funahashi, Yuji Iwase, Shotaro Kato, Hidekazu Nagai, Hiroto Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9695890
    Abstract: A method for determining a draining behavior of a hydraulically actuated transmission shifting element. By applying actuating pressure, the shifting element is changed from a completely drained, open operating condition to a completely filled closed operating condition, and the reference filling time, until the closed condition has been reached, is determined. Upon recognition of the closed condition, then by adjusting the actuating pressure for a predefined draining time, the shifting element is changed to its open condition and, thereafter, again completely filled and closed. Upon recognition of the closed condition, the shifting element is actuated direction toward the open condition by reducing the actuating pressure. Then, before completely opening, the shifting element is again returned to its closed operating condition and the filling time, until the partially drained shifting element has reached the completely filled and closed operating condition, is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Sven Bieber, Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Marcus Hiemer, Stephan Schinacher, Mario Brugger, Markus Lukassek
  • Patent number: 9695891
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disk damping core for a disk brake assembly comprising at least two disk leaves comprising mating sloped contact surfaces configured to provide additional energy damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher T. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 9695892
    Abstract: A compressible filler piece for a brake calliper of a railway vehicle is adapted to at least partially fill out a space needed by a component (409) of the brake calliper for its operation. The filler piece can be applied to the protection of wheel brakes of low floor passenger trains against ice and snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTROM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Ulrich Meyer, Holger Kaufmann, Michael Kulp
  • Patent number: 9695893
    Abstract: A fast-positioning brake slave cylinder adjuster includes a driving rod, an operation grip, a positioning mechanism, and a baffle. Therein, the driving rod engages a driving disk for being coupled with a brake slave cylinder, while the driving rod has a first thread section and a second thread section with different rotation directions. The operation grip drives the driving rod. The positioning mechanism is mounted around the driving rod, and capable of generating a clutching movement. When being de-clutched with the driving rod, the positioning mechanism is allowed to fast move axially along the driving rod; when being clutched with the driving rod, the positioning mechanism is allowed to be screwed to the first or second thread sections. The baffle is mounted around the outer periphery of the positioning mechanism. Therefore, with a fast adjusting function achieved, the adjusting operation is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: POUL CHANG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9695894
    Abstract: A caliper disc brake of a vehicle, in particular of a commercial vehicle, a brake disc, a brake caliper, a brake support plate, a force transmission element, such as, for example, a pad support and/or a pressure plate, which is guided and supported in a well of the brake caliper or of the brake anchor plate, a holding-down spring (32) for holding down the force transmission element, and a holding-down device (36). The holding-down device is held by a holding device, pretensions the holding-down spring radially against the force transmission element and pretensions the holding-down spring tangentially in the direction of rotation against the force transmission element during forwards travel. The holding-down spring has two identical spring legs that enclose an angle of more than 95° with the base in the relaxed state and an angle of less than 85° with the respectively adjacent spring leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO Europe BVBA
    Inventors: Wolfgang Falter, Oliver Friebus, Hellmut Jäger, Hans-Christian Jungmann
  • Patent number: 9695895
    Abstract: A brake band (2) is in a first material suitable for the braking action and has at least one extension (8) for coupling to a bell (3), suitable for coupling the disc (1) to a hub of a vehicle; said coupling extension being a single piece with said brake band and forming a geometric coupling with said bell to transmit the braking action; said geometric coupling being obtained by fusion preferably of the bell on the brake band, said bell being in a second material, the first and second material having a different melting point; said geometric coupling having, circumferentially spaced, first teeth, that axially extend to be tightly received in first axial seats (11) of the bell; wherein said geometric coupling has circumferentially spaced eighth teeth of the band that radially extend circumferentially offset with respect to said first axial teeth (10) and are suitable for being tightly received in eighth radial seats (13) present in the bell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FRENI BREMBO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Tironi, Simone Biondo, Stefano Medici, Michele Donati
  • Patent number: 9695896
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle has a plurality of left wheels and right wheels. The vehicle includes a first motor adapted for powering at least two of the plurality of left wheels and a second motor adapted for powering at least two of the plurality of right wheels. The vehicle also includes a first power transferring device for transferring power from the first motor to a left wheel, a second power transferring device for transferring power from the second motor to a right wheel, a third power transferring device for transferring power from the first left wheel to a second left wheel, and a fourth power transferring device for transferring power from the first right wheel to a second right wheel. The vehicle also includes a first braking mechanism for the first of the left wheels and a second braking mechanism for the second of the left wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leslie Brandemuehl, Scott Ernest Filzen, Sarah Josephine Weir
  • Patent number: 9695897
    Abstract: A brake disc for a vehicle has a wear indicator disposed in a braking surface of the brake disc and embodied such that its appearance in a top view of the braking surface changes across a reducing level of wear. The brake disc further has a reference indicator disposed in the braking surface of the brake disc and is embodied such that its appearance in a top view of the braking surface does not change across the reducing level of wear or changes differently in a specified manner relative to the change in the wear indicator so that wear progression can be discerned from the appearance of the wear indicator in relation to the appearance of the reference indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Matthias Butz, Florian Orgler
  • Patent number: 9695898
    Abstract: A damping force generating apparatus of a shock absorber includes a main flow path through which a working fluid flows, a main valve which generates a damping force by controlling the flow of the working fluid by opening and closing the main flow path, a pilot chamber into which the working fluid branched from the main flow path flows and which applies an internal pressure in a valve closing direction to the main valve by a pressure of the working fluid, and a pilot flow path to which the working fluid flows out from the pilot chamber. In addition, a jet stream which is generated in a flow path narrowed by the main valve in the main flow path joins the flow of the working fluid which flows out from the pilot chamber via the pilot flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Murakami, Kazuhiro Miwa
  • Patent number: 9695899
    Abstract: A jounce control damping system with an elongated housing containing a damping medium, a primary piston assembly, a moveable outer piston assembly, and a movable inner piston assembly disposed at least partially within the outer piston assembly. The primary piston assembly provides a first compression damping force. The inner piston engages the primary piston assembly and provides a second compression damping force when moved in a compression direction. After the inner piston assembly moves a given distance, the outer piston assembly is moved in the compressive direction and provides a third compression damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin D. Smith, Austin Z. Dvorak, Terrence J. Kane
  • Patent number: 9695900
    Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed which has a base valve assembly for controlling a flow of a working fluid between a reservoir chamber and a working chamber of the shock absorber. The base valve makes use of at least one digital valve assembly. The digital valve assembly communicates with an intermediate chamber formed between an intermediate tube and a pressure tube of the shock absorber. The digital valve assembly controls flow of the working fluid between the intermediate chamber and the reservoir chamber, to help control a damping action provided by the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Thomas P. Mallin, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9695901
    Abstract: A gas spring system includes: a gas spring assembly including at least one gas damping passage; a reservoir member connected to the gas spring assembly, the gas spring assembly being in fluid communication with the reservoir member by way of the at least one gas damping passage; and a guide member coupled with the gas spring assembly, the guide member at least partially enclosing the reservoir member and being configured for sliding axially relative to the reservoir member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9695902
    Abstract: A liquid sealed vibration isolating device is integrally provided with an elastic movable diaphragm and a relief valve. A pair of parallel straight line sections is on opposite sides of a circular elastic partition member. The elastic movable diaphragm includes a center of the elastic partition member and is surrounded by a pair of opposed circular arc sections and a pair of straight line sections formed by cutting an outer circumferential part of the elastic partition member. The relief valve is radially outward of the straight line section of the elastic partition member. A part of the elastic movable diaphragm reaches the circular arc section corresponding to the outer circumferential part of the elastic partition member so as to be increased in area as much as possible to absorb an internal pressure of a primary liquid chamber and to achieve low dynamic spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: YAMASHITA RUBBER KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HONDA MOTO CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kadowaki, Nobuo Kubo