Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
  • Patent number: 9856873
    Abstract: The vane pump includes a rotor, a plurality of slits, vanes that are respectively received in the slits, a cam ring that has an inner circumferential cam face with which tip portions of the vanes are brought into sliding contact, pump chambers that are defined by the rotor, the cam ring, and the adjacent vanes, a side member that has a sliding contact surface with which the side surface of the rotor is brought into sliding contact, a discharge port that is formed so as to open to the side member, the discharge port being configured to guide working fluid discharged from the pump chamber, and a notch that are provided on the side member so as to extend from the opening of the discharge port in direction opposite to rotating direction of the rotor. The notch is formed radially outside of the protruded portion of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Shimono, Tomoyuki Fujita, Masamichi Sugihara, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9856874
    Abstract: A scroll compressor that includes a housing and scroll compressor bodies disposed in the housing. The scroll bodies include a non-orbiting scroll body (also referred to as “fixed”) and a moveable body, where scroll bodies have respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases. The scroll ribs are configured to mutually engage, and the movable scroll body orbits relative to the fixed scroll body for compressing fluid. A pilot ring engages a perimeter surface of the fixed scroll body to limit movement of the fixed scroll body in the radial direction. A simplified holding plate prevents rotation between the pilot ring and the fixed scroll body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Johnathan P. Roof, Xianghong Wang, Carl F. Stephens, Christopher Allen Wyker
  • Patent number: 9856875
    Abstract: Air compressor systems, upgrade kits, computer readable medium, and methods for controlling an air compressor for improved performance. The methods may include receiving a working air requirement; determining an estimated air pressure of the air compressor to deliver the working air requirement; measuring a pressure of the air compressor; comparing the measured pressure with the calculated estimated air pressure; if the measured pressure of the air compressor is greater than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined greater amount, then decreasing an output control of the air compressor; and if the measured pressure of the air compressor is less than the calculated estimated air pressure by a predetermined lesser amount then increasing the output control of the air compressor. The air compressor may be controlled based on a measured pressure of delivered working air. An oil control system may shut off oil to parts of the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Grant Andrew Field, Simo Tanner, Karl Ingmarsson
  • Patent number: 9856876
    Abstract: A screw compressor utilizing radial and axial or thrust bearings to maintain the position of the rotors radially and axially and utilizing a damping fluid to dampen rotor vibrations. The damping fluid may conveniently be provided in the form of lubricant that is already used in the compressor to seal the clearances between the rotors and between the rotors and the cylinder during compression. The damping fluid is included in a squeeze film damper, arranged in a parallel arrangement with the radial or thrust bearings, which provides viscous damping to the rotor. The introduction of additional viscous damping such as may be provided by squeeze film dampers may result in significant reduction of compressor vibration regardless of the source of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pillis, Holger Tychsen, Richard W. Armentrout
  • Patent number: 9856877
    Abstract: To provide a failsafe drive coupling capable of high torque transmission in direct dog drive, a vacuum pump drive is disconnectable from a drive shaft upon movement of a piston against a return spring, under the action of oil pressure. The piston comprises a speed synchronizing clutch engageable with the input shaft to rotate the piston at the speed of the input shaft, and teeth to directly dog the piston and input shaft together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Warner, David Heaps
  • Patent number: 9856878
    Abstract: A positive displacement rotary compressor is designed for near isothermal compression, high pressure ratios, high revolutions per minute, high efficiency, mixed gas/liquid compression, a low temperature increase, a low outlet temperature, and/or a high outlet pressure. Liquid injectors provide cooling liquid that cools the working fluid and improves the efficiency of the compressor. A gate moves within the compression chamber to either make contact with or be proximate to the rotor as it turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hicor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Santos, Jeremy Pitts, Andrew Nelson, Johannes Santen, John Walton, Mitchell Westwood, Harrison O'Hanley
  • Patent number: 9856879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drawing off fluid of a centrifugation device, particularly for separating at least one fluid, with a disk (10) with channels (12, 12?). It is characterized by adjustable vanes. This allows to change the property of the disk and thus treat liquids with different properties without disassembling the separator. Therefore there is no dead time during working time and an easy adjustment of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Andritz Frautech S.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniele Casa
  • Patent number: 9856880
    Abstract: A motor includes a metal base plate and a resin holder extending upward from the base plate. The base plate includes a flat plate portion, a through hole passing through the flat plate portion, and a plurality of claw portions extending upward from an edge of the flat plate portion which includes the through hole. A portion of the holder is in the through hole. The holder covers a portion of each claw portion. The holder is thus engaged with each claw portion to prevent the holder from turning around a rotation axis and from coming off in an upward direction. The holder includes a gate mark near a lower surface of the flat plate portion and at a circumferential position between adjacent ones of the claw portions to make it easier for the resin to fill a cavity inside molds during a molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Honda, Tadaaki Fujinaga, Haruki Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 9856881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a damper-integrated blower having improved airtightness, which comprises a blower casing a having a suction port and a blower casing b fastened to the casing a from the opposite side; a vane stopper protrusion is formed on bottom surface of the exhaust port, and a vane contact housing part is formed above the exhaust port; damper motor screw fixing parts integrally protrude from the outer upper surface of the vane contact housing part of the blower casing a; a damper motor shaft hole is bored in a damper motor shaft hole protrusion part which is integrally formed on the outer upper side of the vane contact housing part of the blower casing a; a vane rotation shaft protrudes from the inner surface of a damper motor shaft hole protrusion part of the blower casing b facing the damper motor shaft hole protrusion part; an eccentric damper motor shaft of a damper motor is introduced into the damper motor shaft hole so as to connect with the blower casing a; a vane as a single member
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CENDORI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mun Su Park
  • Patent number: 9856882
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) with a housing (2), a shaft (3) mounted in the housing (2), a compressor wheel (5) arranged on the shaft (3) and a turbine wheel (4) arranged on the shaft (3), a control element (7), an actuator (8), and a regulating rod (9) which connects the actuator (8) to the control element (7), including an electromagnetic damping arrangement (10) having a magnetic-field-generating element (14), and a first coil (15) with a closed electrical circuit (17), with either the magnetic-field-generating element (14) or the first coil (15) being fastened on the regulating rod (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk Ellenberger
  • Patent number: 9856883
    Abstract: A system and related method are disclosed for controlling condensation in a space. The system includes a fan and a sensor for sensing an environmental condition, such as temperature, humidity, or both. For instance, the sensors may sense an air temperature that is used to estimate or predict a surface temperature of an object within the room. The system also includes a controller capable of receiving controlling the fan based on the surface temperature. The system may additionally include a heater and/or a damper for transferring outside air into the space, either of which may be controlled by the controller based on the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA T CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jon Olsen
  • Patent number: 9856884
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having an air injection system useful to supply a relatively pressurized air to a flow path of a compressor. The air injection system includes a port cover operable to open and close a port through which the air can flow to the compressor from a relatively pressurized source. The port cover extends circumferentially around the gas turbine engine and can include a portion that is anchored and an opposite portion coupled to an actuator. Movement of the actuator causes the port cover to open and close the port. Biasing members can be used to urge the port cover into one of an open and closed position against the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Daniel Kent Vetters
  • Patent number: 9856885
    Abstract: Provided is an oil tank of a turbo chiller compressor whose heater can be replaced or checked without removing oil from an oil tank and removing refrigerant from a turbo chiller, and a turbo chiller compressor. An oil tank (10) of a turbo chiller compressor (3A) includes a bottom plate (11) and side plates (12, 13) standing upright so as to extend upward from an outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate (11). The oil tank (10) forms a bottom portion of a casing (14) forming the turbo chiller compressor (3A), a through-hole (21) is formed so as to penetrate the side plate (12) in a plate thickness direction, a protective tube (22) closed at a tip end thereof is inserted into the through-hole (21), and a rod-shaped heater (26) configured to be able to be pulled out from the protective tube (22) and be inserted into the protective tube (22) is inserted into the protective tube (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Hasegawa, Kenji Ueda, Masataka Yanagita, Masayoshi Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 9856886
    Abstract: An assembly can include a first radial compressor wheel that has a rotational axis and that includes a hub surface that includes an annular ridge disposed at a radius measured from the rotational axis; a second radial compressor wheel that includes a hub surface; and an annular baffle disposed at least in part between the hub surfaces where the annular baffle includes an outer surface and an inner edge that defines an opening having a central axis where the outer surface includes a surface portion to one side of the inner edge that faces the hub surface of the first radial compressor wheel, where the surface portion includes an annular channel over a radial width measured from the central axis and where the radial width spans the radius of the annular ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vaclav Kares, Vit Houst, Ondrej Lednicky, Michal Mokos, Milan Nejedly, Zbynek Oseljsek, Daniel Turecek
  • Patent number: 9856887
    Abstract: A rotor for a supercharging device may include an arrangement; the arrangement may include a compressor wheel operatively coupled to a turbine wheel. A cup-shaped bearing bush configured to receive a radial air bearing may be arranged on at least one longitudinal end of the arrangement. The bearing bush may define an interior including at least one hollow space and a plurality of stiffening ribs extending into the at least one hollow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michal Klusacek
  • Patent number: 9856888
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to attach a blade section (2) of a fan blade (1), in particular of a smoke extractor fan, to a fan hub, as well as a fan blade (1), which provides a high tensile strength even at high temperatures. The attaching part and fan blades (1) are to be produced so as to save as much weight as possible. The attaching part has a connecting section (5) embodied to produce a high-tensile connection to a blade section (2) of a fan blade (1). The connecting section can be arranged essentially in the interior of the blade section (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: W & S Management GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Henrik Witt
  • Patent number: 9856889
    Abstract: A subsea accumulator comprising: an outer wall; a top surface; a bottom surface; and a piston disposed within the subsea accumulator, wherein a first chamber is defined by the top surface, the outer wall, and a top portion of the piston; a second chamber is defined by the bottom surface; the outer wall, and a bottom portion of the piston; and a solid oxidant is disposed within the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Curtis Len Wilie
  • Patent number: 9856890
    Abstract: A pump apparatus includes: a pump that ejects a hydraulic fluid; and a selector valve that switches a direction of a flow of the hydraulic fluid to be supplied to one of a first chamber and a second chamber of a cylinder apparatus, which is internally partitioned by a piston into the first chamber extending during an extending stroke of the cylinder apparatus, and the second chamber extending during a shortening stroke of the cylinder apparatus, and the selective valve has, at a channel connected to the second chamber, an orifice that is narrower than a channel connected to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Tsutsui, Kazuhiko Sadakata, Atsushi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 9856891
    Abstract: The travel end expansion valve (1) for a piston type pressure converter (2) whose master cylinder (3) and slave cylinder (4) define a master chamber (9) and a slave chamber (10), respectively, includes an expansion master cylinder (12) which communicates with the slave chamber (10) and in which there can move an expansion main master piston (14) which is mechanically connected by a lever type transmission (11) with progressive effect to an expansion slave pump piston (15) which can move in an expansion slave cylinder (13), the transmission (11) being provided in such a manner that, when the expansion main master piston (14) is at the top dead center, the expansion slave pump piston (15) is at the bottom dead center, and vice versa, while an expansion release actuator (30) can cause the transmission (11) to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Vianney Rabhi
  • Patent number: 9856892
    Abstract: An actuator has: a rod having a socket portion at one distal end of the rod; and a swivel cap including: a base portion having an inner surface and an outer surface having an origin of the radius at the center of the plane that defines the outer surface; a raised domed portion disposed on the inner surface of the base portion and mounted in the socket portion of the rod; a raised region located on at least one of the raised domed portion or the socket portion; wherein the swivel cap tilts relative to the rod in response to angular misalignment with a load to a tilt angle; a housing having an interior elongated hole wherein the rod is dimensioned to fit in the elongated hole; a piston dimensioned to fit in and move along the elongated hole while connected to the rod; and mating structure located on at least one of the piston and rod, the mating structure configured to allow the rod to attach to the piston in a manner to create clearance between the rod and the piston to allow the rod and piston to move with re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SPX FLOW, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Cooper, Weijiang Chen, Bruce E. Knuth
  • Patent number: 9856893
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device is provided. The fluid pressure reduction device includes a body and a diffuser. The body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. The body is made of a first material having a first hardness. A seating area is defined within the body. The diffuser is removably coupled to the seating area and disposed within the fluid passageway of the body. The diffuser defines at least one flowpath for reducing a pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid passageway. The diffuser includes a second material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Justin Paul Goodwin, Shane M. Johnson, Jonathan W. Richardson, Theodore Paul Geelhart, Nathan John Hamblin
  • Patent number: 9856894
    Abstract: A novel clipboard clip comprises a bottom plate, torsion springs and a hook frame pivoted with the bottom plate through the torsion springs, wherein a clamping regulator is disposed between two end portions of the hook frame and includes a rotary shaft provided with a push block, a handle and an elastic member; the rotary shaft is fixedly connected with the hook frame which drives the rotary shaft to rotate; the handle is movably mounted on the bottom plate; the rotary shaft and the handle are adjacent to each other; both ends of the elastic member support the handle and the bottom plate respectively; in the process of opening the hook frame, the rotary shaft rotates and the push block pushes the handle until the push block is clamped below the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Ming Fuk Leung
  • Patent number: 9856895
    Abstract: The present invention comprises generally a friction hinge to hoist a display unit above a base and suspend it in the air to a unique cantilevered viewing position. The universal support has the shape of the base in an “H” or “I” configuration with angled feet to maximize stability when resting on the chest. The “H” shape is designed to fit well around the user's breasts. The base is reversible around the cantilever arm such that the top surface of the base may either face up or down such that the base may rest against an uneven surface with the top surface of the base facing up and may rest against a flat surface with the top surface of the base facing down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Sean Kieley
  • Patent number: 9856896
    Abstract: A cable lock and seal device with features preventing the locking mechanism from engaging the cable fibers too tightly to cut or fray is disclosed. A conventional device is made up of a body (10) and a cover (20) halves to complementarily form a block enclosing therewithin a passage (30) and a chamber (50). The body (10) is integrally formed with an anchor block (12) in which one end of a cable (14) is anchored. The other free end of the cable (14) may be inserted into the passage (30) which is preferably curved upward in traversing the assembled body-and-cover block. The chamber (50) is adapted with a ramp (52) rising towards the passage (30), a slot (54) for retaining a spring (56) which second end is disposed to urge a locking wheel (53) up the ramp (52) against the passage (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MEGA FORTRIS (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Yuen Kam Chua
  • Patent number: 9856897
    Abstract: An expansion anchor with a bolt as a first element and with an expansion sleeve, which at least partially surrounds the bolt, as a second element, is disclosed. The bolt has an expansion region for widening the expansion sleeve. One of the two elements has a groove running in the longitudinal direction of the expansion anchor and the other element has a projection, which engages at least sectionally in the groove. The groove has a narrowing, which inhibits an axial movement of the expansion sleeve relative to the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marc Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 9856898
    Abstract: A fastener includes a pin member, a swage collar, and an insert. The pin member includes an elongated shank portion, a head, a threaded portion having an external thread and a plurality of lock grooves, and a pull portion. The swage collar includes a shank having a flange and a through bore with a first interior portion extending from a first end of the collar to a stepped portion and forming a first inner wall having a first inner diameter, and a second interior portion extending from the stepped portion to a second end of the collar and forming a second inner wall having a second inner diameter. The insert includes a through bore forming an inner wall that has an internal thread adapted to engage the external thread of the pin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ARCONIC INC.
    Inventor: Robert Brown
  • Patent number: 9856899
    Abstract: A fastening element for fastening lining parts has a fastening section for attachment of a lining part thereto, and a locking section adapted to lock with a carrier for the fastening element. The locking section includes at least one locking tab. The locking tab has a release tab provided thereon for engagement by a tool for shifting the locking lab to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ITW FASTENER PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Patent number: 9856900
    Abstract: A step bolt connector and bolt assembly creates steps on a structure for accommodating a worker's boot. A first threaded bore is formed in a cylindrical end of a step bolt connector and this first threaded bore is threaded onto an exposed bolt on a structure. A sight hole extends from the exterior of the connector to the inward end of the first threaded bore for visually checking to see if the bolt is adequately attached in the first bore. A recess is formed in the cylindrical end and the recess is dimensioned to fit over fastening nut on the exposed bolt on the structure. When the first threaded bore is screwed onto the exposed bolts on the structure, the recess at least partially surrounds shields and protects the fastening nut on the exposed end of the bolt. A second threaded bore is formed in a second end (a truncated conical end) of the connector, and a step bolt is secured in the second threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Allfasteners USA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Strange, Bruce A. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 9856901
    Abstract: A fastener includes an elongated shank body having one or more helical threads and a head connected with the body. The head can include a drive design indentation extending into a first side of the head that is configured to be engaged with a drive tool. The head also includes radially projecting saw teeth extending around an outer perimeter of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 9856902
    Abstract: A metal insert having a body at a base diameter, a plurality of retention regions spaced apart and extending radially from the body, and an end effector at one end, for engaging a mating member. Each retention region consists of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses. The insert is manufactured by selecting or processing a solid raw bar to produce an engineered rod having a plurality of axially continuous protrusions at a protrusion diameter alternating circumferentially with a plurality of axially continuous channels at a channel diameter. At axial intervals, the diameter of the engineered rod is decreased with a form tool to a base diameter smaller than the channel diameter, thereby producing a featured rod having a series of axially alternating spacer regions at the base diameter and radially outwardly extending feature regions consisting of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Spirol International Corporation
    Inventor: Miles H. Mushlin
  • Patent number: 9856903
    Abstract: A device for attaching an object on a rail of a support is provided. The device includes a base designed to bear on the rail, and a device for tightening the base on the rail. The tightening device includes a threaded rod and a nut. A first end of the tightening device includes a tightening heel designed to be placed below the rail to tighten the rail between the heel and the base. A second end of the tightening device includes an element for maneuvering by an operator to tighten/loosen the device. The device can further include a detachable non-return device to prevent any involuntary loosening of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ATTAX
    Inventor: Marc Bouchenoire
  • Patent number: 9856904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shielding device with a shielding element and at least one fastening eyelet for fastening the shielding device to a counterpart fastening piece and for receiving a fastening element. The fastening eyelet is movably supported in a fastening opening of the shielding device. The fastening eyelet is supported by a resiliently embodied coupling device so that the fastening eyelet is resiliently supported relative to the shielding element in an axial direction and is movable in the fastening opening relative to the shielding element in at least one radial direction when acted on with friction force. To produce friction force, radially outer regions of the coupling device cooperate in a resiliently prestressed fashion with sliding zones of opposing outsides of the shielding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventors: Thomas Friedow, Bob Bell
  • Patent number: 9856905
    Abstract: A shackle with a low-load release mechanism adaptable for remote actuation to releasably connect two entities typically one of which being a rope or a line and the other being an entity controlled or positioned by the rope or line. The shackle consists of a body, a bail, a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm configured to hold the first pivot arm in a closed position, a release cam, and an activation lanyard. The lanyard connects to the release cam such that the release cam moves the second pivot arm when tension is applied to the lanyard thereby releasing the first pivot arm into an open position. The shackle may be configured to allow a tool to open the shackle, a finger release lever, and a release lever shield. The lanyard may pass through the second pivot arm, the release cam, and a pivot boss for attaching the bail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: David Soderberg Servais
  • Patent number: 9856906
    Abstract: A hollow shaft, which is usable with a constant velocity universal joint, has an increased static torsional strength and torsional fatigue strength of a small diameter portion (small diameter portion having a smooth outer peripheral surface) formed near a spline at an end portion of the hollow shaft, and has a reduced manufacturing cost. The hollow shaft is molded by plastic working from a tubular blank, and subjected to quench hardening treatment. The quench hardening treatment includes carburizing and quenching treatment. The hollow shaft includes a softened section formed in a part of the hollow shaft by local heating treatment after carrying out the carburizing and quenching treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshida, Hiroki Mukai, Hirokazu Ooba
  • Patent number: 9856907
    Abstract: An opening on one end side of a pin-boss oil passage opens to the inner circumferential surface of a pin boss part of an upper link, while an opening on the other end side thereof opens to the outer circumferential surface of the pin boss part of the upper link. A lower-link oil passage has a one-end-side opening structured to open to a pin-boss-facing surface of the lower link facing the outer circumferential surface of the pin boss part of the upper link and its other-end-side opening structured to open to a crankpin bearing surface. The lower-link oil passage is configured to point, at a prescribed crankangle, to a specified end edge of end edges of the other-end-side opening of the pin-boss oil passage, the specified end edge facing one end side of the upper link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Tanabe, Makoto Kobayashi, Katsuya Moteki
  • Patent number: 9856908
    Abstract: A thrust bearing for receiving an axial force of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The thrust bearing includes a pair of half thrust bearings having a semi-annular shape that form an annular shape by abutting their circumferential end surfaces. Each half thrust bearing include thrust reliefs formed adjacent to both circumferential end portions of a sliding surface receiving the axial force so that a wall thickness is thinner toward the circumferential end surface. A thrust relief length L2 at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a rear side of one of the half thrust beings in a rotational direction is larger than a thrust relief length L1 at an inner end portion of the thrust relief positioned on a front side of the other of the half thrust bearing in the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DAIDO METAL COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shiho Tanaka, Yoshihiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9856909
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a mounting seat and a linkage unit in the mounting seat. A connection member is connected between first and second movable portions of the linkage unit by a linkage spindle. The linkage unit is able to rotate by a resilient unit to a spring-out state from a folded state. When the linkage unit reaches the spring-out state, further rotation of the linkage unit is stopped by a limiting unit. A torque spindle provides torsional resistance only when the linkage unit is rotated further from the spring-out state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: First Dome Corporation
    Inventors: An-Szu Hsu, Hsu-Hong Yao
  • Patent number: 9856910
    Abstract: A bearing for a hinge in a hinged raked aircraft wing tip includes an outer member that has a concave inner surface and an inner member that has first and second inner segments. Each of the first and second inner segments has a base that has a bearing section extending therefrom. The bearing sections together form a convex outer surface that is complementary in shape to the concave inner surface. A preload feature is positioned between and engages a portion of the bearing sections. A lubricous liner is positioned between the concave inner surface and the convex outer surface. The bearing sections are positioned in the outer member to compress the preload feature to limit axial movement between the outer and inner members to a predetermined magnitude. The preload feature flexes outward as a result of wear to the liner to maintain the axial movement to the predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Tyler, Ryan Peaslee, Michael Heligman, David Coombe, Matthias Duenner, Philippe Charmillot
  • Patent number: 9856911
    Abstract: A center supporting device for a propeller shaft of a vehicle may include an inner bearing device configured to axially movably support a stub shaft, the stub shaft being connected between a front shaft and a rear shaft of the propeller shaft, an outer bearing device mounted outside the inner bearing device to axially rotatably support the stub shaft, and an insulator mounted in an elastically deformable manner between the outside of the outer bearing device and a bracket fixed to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Su Yoo, Won Jun Choi, Dong Jin Hwang
  • Patent number: 9856912
    Abstract: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first engagement element, and a second engagement element. The first rail includes a first blocking part. The second rail is movably connected to the first rail. The first and second engagement elements are connected to the second rail. When the second rail moves relative to the first rail toward a first position, the first engagement element abuts against the blocking part of the first rail. When the first engagement element is operatively detached from the blocking part of the first rail, the second rail to is able to move relative to the first rail toward a second position from the first position. When the second rail is located at the second position, at least part of the second engagement element is adjacent to the blocking part of the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD., KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Chi-Wei Wu, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9856913
    Abstract: A pressure inside a chamber in which a bearing is arranged is reduced. Thus, a pressure inside an oil tank and the pressure inside the chamber are made lower than atmospheric pressure, and are placed in a minimal or no pressure difference condition. Next, a lubricating oil is supplied from the oil tank into the chamber through power of a liquid transfer pump. The lubricating oil is thus injected into the bearing inside the chamber. Thus, the lubricating oil can be supplied from the oil tank into the chamber while maintaining the pressure at substantially the same level lower than that of the atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, gas can be prevented from dissolving into the lubricating oil which has once been deaerated by a pressure reduction inside the oil tank. In addition, because a driving force of the liquid transfer pump is used for supply of the lubricating oil, it is easy to control the amount of the lubricating oil to be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kojima, Yuya Tamura, Keita Hasegawa, Kazuya Sato, Yuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 9856914
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed having a wearing surface formed from an alloying including tin, a wear material configured to be contacted by the wearing material during use, and the wear material having a smoothed surface. A method of providing superlubricious performance of a bearing assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Kane
  • Patent number: 9856915
    Abstract: A radial cage for receiving and guiding cylindrical rolling elements includes first and second axially spaced side rings and a plurality of axial bridges therebetween, the axial bridges defining a plurality of pockets for receiving the cylindrical rolling elements. Each of the plurality of axial bridges includes a first axial side section connected to the first side ring and a second axial side section connected to the second side ring and a center axial section, and the center axial section is connected to the first side section via a first oblique intermediate section and to the second side section via a second oblique intermediate section, and the first axial side section includes a first region having a first material thickness and a second region having a second material thickness greater than the first material thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Dieter Steblau
  • Patent number: 9856916
    Abstract: A seal having a substantially H-shaped sealing profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Roland Fietz, Andreas Palmer
  • Patent number: 9856917
    Abstract: A strut bearing has an upper carrier having a first outer rim and a first inner rim, the first inner rim having a first circumferential connector, and a lower carrier having a second outer rim and a second inner rim, the second inner rim having a second circumferential connector. The first inner rim is held to the second inner rim through an overlapping connection of the first circumferential connector to the second circumferential connector. The strut bearing also has a bearing arranged between the upper carrier and the lower carrier, and a first sealing ring positioned between and in contact with the first circumferential connector and the second circumferential connector. The sealing ring is formed from a material that is softer and more elastic than a material from which the first circumferential connector and the second circumferential connector are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kunal Vidyasagar, Emily Bygrave
  • Patent number: 9856918
    Abstract: A bearing and housing support including a bearing outer ring overmolded with a thermoplastic bearing housing. The support arranged to support and engage with an intermediate drive shaft of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Shakeel Shaikh, Bogyu Kang
  • Patent number: 9856919
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing limiting system. The limiting system comprises a limiting bulge formed integrally with a shaft, a bearing inner race, and an acting force conduction part, wherein the acting force conduction part is arranged between the limiting bulge and the bearing inner race, and the inner diameter of the bearing inner race is larger than the outer diameter of the limiting bulge. The bearing limiting system is convenient in installation, can realize the effective limiting of a bearing inner race while not affecting either the strength of the shaft or the assembly and disassembly of the bearing, and is especially suitable for a bearing with a long shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Hongkui Shi, Yongjun Guo, Jianqiu Yang
  • Patent number: 9856920
    Abstract: By combining shaping and milling actions, or smilling, the cutting tool can move through the entire usable portion of the spline and machine a tool relief into the face of the adjacent feature such as a shoulder before retracting, reversing direction, and repeating the cycle. The smilling apparatus and manufacturing method eliminates the need for an annular spline relief and the full length of spline engagement can be utilized for strength. The effective width of the spline connection apparatus manufactured by the smilling process conserves space and increases the load carrying capability of the spline connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Dan E. Phebus, William H. Hayward
  • Patent number: 9856921
    Abstract: A damping pulley assembly is disclosed including a pulley with an outer flange and a fixed pulley plate. A floating pulley clutch plate is located within and engaged with the outer flange. Circumferentially spaced apart leaf springs are connected to a pulley hub. Second ends of the leaf springs are connected to a driven hub that includes a fixed hub plate. Floating clutch plates are located between the fixed pulley plate and the fixed hub plate, which are biased toward the fixed pulley plate by the leaf springs so that the clutch plates contact one another and/or the fixed hub or pulley plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9856922
    Abstract: A frictional shift element for a motor vehicle transmission includes a first frictional element allocated to a first carrier; and a second frictional element allocated to a second carrier. One of the first frictional element or the second frictional element has an annular frictional surface, and the other of the first frictional element or the second frictional element has a corresponding frictional surface with at least one frictional surface that protrudes along a radial direction in an overlapping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla