Patents Issued in May 1, 2018
  • Patent number: 9957968
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring displacement of a regulation system for a variable pitch axial fan. The system includes a hub having a plurality of adjustable pitch fan blades. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the hub. A piston is disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. The piston is coupled to a piston shaft that is axially movable with respect to the hub. The piston shaft is coupled to an actuation assembly for adjusting the pitch of the plurality of adjustable pitch fan blades in response to an axial movement of the piston. A rotating oil union includes a housing and an interior element, the interior element coupled to the hydraulic cylinder so that rotation of the cylinder and the hub causes rotation of the interior element. The rotating oil union includes a static housing and a central probe fixed to the static housing. The central probe extends through respective openings in the interior element, the hydraulic cylinder, and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Howden Axial Fans ApS
    Inventor: Jan Simonsen
  • Patent number: 9957969
    Abstract: A device for controlling a gas flow through a passage includes a plurality of pivotable gas flow control vanes. The pivot axes of a first and a second adjacent vane are spaced so that a trailing edge of the first vane overlaps a leading edge of the second vane when the first and second adjacent vanes are positioned in a first mutual end state for substantially restricting the gas flow through the passage. The second vane includes a recess with such a shape that the trailing edge of the first vane is at least partly received in the recess when the first and second adjacent vanes are positioned in the first mutual end state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Sebastian Krausche, Lars Sundin
  • Patent number: 9957970
    Abstract: To achieve energy saving in the cooling towers as a whole in a heat source system including a plurality of cooling towers connected in parallel to a common chiller. In a heat source system, a plurality of cooling towers are connected in parallel to a common chiller. The cooling towers cool cooling water used and thereby heated in the chiller, and supplies the cooled cooling water to the chiller. A cooling tower control device for controlling the cooling towers starts all the cooling towers at the start of the heat source system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Tateishi, Satoshi Nikaido, Minoru Matsuo, Toshiaki Ouchi
  • Patent number: 9957971
    Abstract: A method for preventing a fan from burning down includes steps of: using a central processing unit (CPU) to detect rotational speed of forward operation of a fan and defining as a highest backward rotational speed value; using the CPU to detect operation direction and rotational speed of backward operation of the fan; and using the CPU to activate the fan to operate forward or activate a rotation stop control signal to stop the fan when the fan impeller rotates forward or backward by return air, if the rotational speed of the rotation stop control signal is smaller or larger than the highest backward rotational speed value, the CPU activating the fan to operate forward or making the fan to generate a warning signal and keeping providing the rotation stop control signal. The method can prevent the fan from burning down and enhance the stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qing-Wu Hu, Dong-Qi Tian, Bao-Lin Yao
  • Patent number: 9957972
    Abstract: An airfoil according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a main body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge separated in a chordwise direction and extending between a tip and a root in a spanwise direction. The main body defines a suction side and a pressure side separated in a thickness direction and a plurality of channels extending inwardly from at least one of said suction and pressure sides. A composite cover is attached to the main body. The composite cover includes a plurality of stiffeners each received within one of the channels. A cover skin is adjacent the stiffeners, and an over-wrap surrounds the stiffeners and the cover skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Larry Foster
  • Patent number: 9957973
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a subsonic rotor and/or stator blade profile of an axial turbomachine compressor, such as a turbojet. The blade comprises a leading edge with an S-shaped lateral profile in its mid-plane. Specifically, the profile includes, from its inner end to the outer end, a first convex portion including the foremost point of the blade, and a second concave portion including the rearmost area of the blade. This profile enables the fluid flow between 20% and 80% of the blade's length to be redistributed. This so-called “sweep” profile increases the performance of the stage with such blades because it reduces blade tip vortex losses as well as secondary losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Safran Aero Boosters SA
    Inventor: Vasiliki Iliopoulou
  • Patent number: 9957974
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus for the partial reception of a flange which is or can be connected to a vacuum pump, and having at least one fastening section for fastening to a recipient, at least one support section on which the flange lies in an assembly state and at least one receiving opening bounded by the support section, wherein the flange can be inserted into the receiving opening and can be pulled out of the receiving opening from an access side of the receiving apparatus with a receiving apparatus fastened to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PFEIFFER VACUUM GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9957975
    Abstract: Provided is an improved architecture for rotary kinetic fluid motors and pumps, in which working fluid gains or loses pressure by flowing through an alternating sequence of radial-flow impellers and radial-flow fluid vortices, the impellers and fluid vortices all rotating around a single axis and in a common direction at staggered speeds, each vortex being the product of rotating fluid that is flowing radially through a bladeless annular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Corey B. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 9957976
    Abstract: There is presented a casing arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The casing arrangement includes a plurality of tip treatment bars extending between a pair of spaced-apart annular supports, with each tip treatment bar being elongate and supported at each end by a respective support such that each end of the bar is received within an opening formed in the respective support. At least the ends of each tip treatment bar are tapered in transverse cross-section so as to have a wedge-shaped profile, and the openings in the supports have a complementary tapered shape for receipt and retention of the bar ends therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter Allford
  • Patent number: 9957977
    Abstract: A tool for installing a flexible impeller within a water pump includes a sleeve having a diameter smaller than an initial diameter of an impeller in a relaxed state, a support extending about an end of the sleeve, and a translation assembly engaged with the support and configured for translating a pushing surface of the translation assembly. In operation, an impeller is contracted into a constrained state and placed in the sleeve, the sleeve is then positioned proximal or in engagement with an opening of the water pump, and the translation assembly is translated such that the pushing surface pushes the impeller into the engine assembly as the translation assembly is translated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Global Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Alan Benford
  • Patent number: 9957978
    Abstract: A ventilation fan housing includes: a shield body having a receiving space, a maintenance opening and a wire-positioning opening adjacent to the maintenance opening, with the maintenance opening and wire-positioning opening penetrating a wall of the shield body and communicating with the receiving space, and with a lid connecting with the shield body detachably to cover the maintenance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hung Su, Chi-Hung Kuo, Tui-Lin Jen, Shih-Chieh Yen
  • Patent number: 9957979
    Abstract: The application is directed to non-destructive manipulation, removal and installation of a centrifugal pump impeller in a manner effective to maintain the original manufacture balanced condition of the impeller and other pump components. Tools are used at the drive end and the wet end of the centrifugal pump for manipulating, removal and installation of a pump impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Key
  • Patent number: 9957980
    Abstract: The present application relates to a stator of an axial turbomachine compressor. The stator includes a circular wall, such as an internal shroud, with a guiding surface in order to guide the primary flow of the turbomachine. The stator further includes a circular row of stator vanes, each of them including an airfoil which extends radially in the primary flow of the turbomachine, and a securing portion. The securing portion of the vane includes a lattice which has rods and which is secured and/or sealed in the shroud in order to fix the vanes to the shroud via the lattices. The stator includes a joint of abradable material which is arranged inside the internal shroud, and in which the lattice is secured in order to ensure retention, a fixing between the vane and the internal shroud. The vane is produced by means of additive production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Eric Englebert
  • Patent number: 9957981
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine wheel portion to receive exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger shaft coupled to and rotatable by the turbine wheel portion, the turbocharger shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, and a compressor wheel portion coupled to and rotatable by the turbocharger shaft. The compressor wheel portion includes a symmetrical leading edge region facing airflow and an imbalance correction region disposed longitudinally inboard from the symmetrical leading edge region and extending radially inward to correct an imbalance of the turbocharger shaft and to reduce aero-acoustic noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Paul Edmonds, Thomas Harris
  • Patent number: 9957982
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching valve, for which the maximum opening is set to be small, is disposed on piping between a lift cylinder and a hydraulic pump motor. A pilot check valve, for which the maximum opening is set to be larger than the electromagnetic switching valve, is disposed on piping, different from the piping, between the lift cylinder and the hydraulic pump motor. In addition, during lowering operations, first, the electromagnetic switching valve is opened, and then after the same is opened, the pilot check valve is opened after a prescribed time has passed. Thus, the shock generated when lowering an object to be raised/lowered is reduced and a fork is operated quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yuki Ueda, Tsutomu Matsuo, Hirohiko Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9957983
    Abstract: A linear actuator contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A hollow piston is positioned within the housing to slidably engage with an inner wall of the housing. A sealed gas chamber is formed within the hollow piston and contains stored gas for driving the piston upon activation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy M. Henck
  • Patent number: 9957984
    Abstract: A method for making a detection device (2) for detecting a position of a movable rod (4) of a pneumatic actuator (1) comprises a step of taking a first body (17) comprising a connecting portion (19), a supporting portion (20), an electrical connector (21), a detection sensor (15) for detecting a magnetic field and electrical connecting means (22). The method then comprises a step of taking a second body (18) comprising a housing (14) in which the supporting portion (20) can be inserted, a step of inserting the supporting portion (20) and the detection sensor (15) positioned on it in the housing (14) and a step of irremovably constraining the first body (17) to the second body (18). The first body (17) and the second body (18) comprise, one at least one projecting element (25) and the other at least one corresponding hole (26); during the insertion step the projecting element (25) is inserted in the hole (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FAIST COMPONENTI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Elena Lucchi, Stefano Benicchi
  • Patent number: 9957985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener (1) comprising a band (2) and a holding member (8). The band (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4), and an inwardly facing surface (5) and an outwardly facing surface (6) extending therebetween. Teeth (7) are provided on the inwardly facing surface (5) and outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first (3) and second (4) ends of the band (2). A holding member (8) for holding the band (2) in a closed loop such that the holding member (8) is arranged to engage the teeth (7) provided by the inwardly facing surface (5) or the outwardly facing surface (6) at least the first end (3) of the band (2) with the teeth (7) provided by the outwardly facing surface (6) or the inwardly facing surface (5) respectively at least the second end (4) of the band (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: HCL FASTENERS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Coles, Benjamin Beckett, Ashley Vearncombe
  • Patent number: 9957986
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an assembly having a first cardboard assembly member, a second cardboard assembly member and a connection arrangement. The connection arrangement can connect together the first and second cardboard assembly members, and can include a set of first connector elements and a set of second connector elements. Each of the first connector elements can have a first segment fixedly received within the first assembly member, and a second segment that projects from the first assembly member and received within the second assembly member, the second segment extending along a first longitudinal axis parallel to two parallel faces of the second assembly member. Each of the second connector elements can extend along a second longitudinal axis normal to the first longitudinal axis, and be received within the second assembly member and pass through the two parallel faces of the second assembly member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: I.G. CARDBOARD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Izhar Gafni
  • Patent number: 9957987
    Abstract: Trench drains are hollow or grid-like bodies which can be installed in the ground and are intended to receive precipitated surface water and slowly dissipate it into the ground or to store the water. These hollow or grid-like bodies are constructed from individual drainage bodies which must be firmly connected together. Drainage body connecting elements are proposed for connecting drainage bodies, which comprise two pegs which are connected via a web and can each be inserted in a receiving orifice of a drainage body so the two drainage bodies can be connected together via the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ACO SEVERIN AHLMANN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marco Wandkowski, Jan Mieze, Thorsten Wichmann
  • Patent number: 9957988
    Abstract: A clamp assembly (100), and a mounting assembly (150), that may be used for securing a device (160) (e.g. a solar panel, Roof Mounted Displays, Satellite Dishes, Conduit and Piping, Snow-Retention System, HVAC etc.) to a raised portion of a standing seam (103) of a metal roof, panel or tile (119) building surface. The clamp assembly (100) comprising a mounting body (101) of a general block shape having a slot (102) for receiving the standing seam (103) formed in a bottom surface (136) of the mounting body (101) and top surface (137) for securing thereon and attaching the device (160) thereto. The clamp assembly (100) is configured with one or more pins (105) that may be formed in a substantially elongated cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PMC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tamas Kovacs, Alan Wasley, Jim Bailey, Martin Taylor
  • Patent number: 9957989
    Abstract: A swivel nut assembly is configured to adaptively secure a first component to a second component. The swivel nut assembly includes a socket nut including a first portion having a first internal threading, and a second portion defining a swivel chamber. A swivel connector includes a ball having a first external threading. The swivel connector is moved into the swivel chamber via the first external threading threadably engaging the first internal threading to move the ball into the swivel chamber. The ball is rotationally captured within the swivel chamber after the ball is moved into the swivel chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Isaac C. Schevers, Ralph D. Czeschin
  • Patent number: 9957990
    Abstract: A coupling member includes a body including a first section, a second section, and a third section; a first screw part disposed along a first inner portion of the body corresponding to the first section; a second screw part disposed along a second inner portion of the body corresponding to the second section; and a non-screw part disposed in a third inner portion of the body corresponding to the third section, wherein the non-screw part is connected to at least one of the first screw part and the second screw part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghoon Jung, Kisoo Park
  • Patent number: 9957991
    Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for securing a panel or fairing to an I-beam, and comprises a pair of side blocks and a clamping block, together with a single bolt to secure them in place. Each of the side blocks as an inclined wedge surface, and the T-shaped clamping block has similarly sloped wedge surfaces along the sides of the leg of the T. When a bolt this passed through side legs of the side blocks, and through or under the clamping block, a sliding and wedging action between the inclined and sloped wedge surfaces occurs. Moreover, a clamping action between the top surface of the clamping block and the lower surface of the lower flanges of the I-beam is also induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Laydon Composites Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Mancina, James D. Haws, Miroslav Vukovic, Andriy N. Prokudin
  • Patent number: 9957992
    Abstract: A trailing end of a leading metal strip is joined to a leading end of a trailing metal strip by first overlapping the leading end of the trailing strip with the trailing end of the leading strip and then clinching the ends together at the overlap by pressing at least one punch of a joining tool into one of the strips at the overlap sufficiently to complementarily deform both of the strips. The thickness of the leading and trailing ends is measured and a depth of engagement of the punch into the strips is controlled in accordance with the measured thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BWG BERGWERK-UND WALZWERK-MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Noe, Jens Hoffmann, Friedhelm Ambaum
  • Patent number: 9957993
    Abstract: A screw recess and driver combination that comprises the use of varying frustums of differing cones to provide driver/recess contact faces that are elliptical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Research Engineering & Manufacturing INC
    Inventor: Alan Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9957994
    Abstract: A screw includes a shank, a first thread, and a second thread. The shank includes a screw-in portion, a head portion, and a straight rod portion between the screw-in portion and the head portion. The first thread surrounds the shank spirally and includes an upper thread portion formed around the straight rod portion, a lower thread portion formed around the screw-in portion, and a middle thread portion continuously connected between the upper and lower thread portions. A plurality of serrate cutting teeth is provided on the middle thread portion of the first thread. The second thread is helically formed around the screw-in portion of the shank and includes a plurality of thread convolutions spaced from thread convolutions of the lower thread portion of the first thread. The screw can be quickly driven into articles to be joined without degradation of binding capacity between the screw and the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Tai Hsu
  • Patent number: 9957995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power-operated tightening nut (1) for axially tightening a fastening bolt, using an adjusting system (1) for adjusting the tightening force acting on the fastening bolt (2). The invention further provides an integrated display (24) for displaying the tightening force acting on the fastening bolt (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LUDWIG EHRHARDT GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Kolb, Thomas Willingshofer
  • Patent number: 9957996
    Abstract: A fastener for use in connection with a tubular boss has a shaft with at least one rib along the length thereof and at least one thread segment extending at least partially around the shaft. The shaft is inserted into the boss in first position, and rotated to a second position wherein the at least one thread segment engages at least one column formed in the tubular boss. The shaft can be integrally formed with a first molded part to be fastened to a second molded part with an integrally formed tubular boss. Various locking features for locking the shaft in the boss are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 9957997
    Abstract: Fastening nut, of the type used in the automobile industry for fixing panels and accessories thereto, wherein said nut is formed by a surface or base having, extending downwardly therefrom, spring elements which are flexible and resilient in a direction lateral to said vertical direction of downward extension thereof, said spring elements working in combination with a fixing plate which has openings or slits for receiving said spring elements which interfere with them; having a cylindrical tube projecting from said base and provided with an internal thread for receiving a fixing screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Jaume Arisa Busquets
  • Patent number: 9957998
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a washer/nut member and a cap. The washer/nut member includes a plurality of outer surfaces disposed in a hexagonal shape, an inner cylindrical surface disposed radially internal to the plurality of outer surfaces, an intermediate cylindrical surface disposed radially between the plurality of outer surfaces and the inner cylindrical surface, and an annular surface disposed radially between the inner cylindrical surface and the intermediate cylindrical surface. The cap is disposed within the intermediate cylindrical surface, and the inner cylindrical surface is configured to contact a shaft portion of a bolt and the annular surface is configured to contact a head portion of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9957999
    Abstract: A piercing nut element having a strength in the range between 700 and 900 MPa which is designed to be pressed into the sheet metal part. The nut element is characterized in that the self-piercing attachment of the nut element into a sheet metal part of higher strength, or into a sheet metal part with a thickness greater than 3.5 mm, the nut element is designed in such a way that the piercing section has a peripheral extending groove below the sheet metal contact surface and in that the piercing section has a piercing edge at its free end face with the piercing edge being spaced from the boundary of the groove adjacent to the piercing section by a peripheral surface having an axial height which corresponds to at least 30% and preferably to at least 50% of the sheet metal thickness, wherein the radial wall thickness of the piercing section in the region of its free end face from the outer side of the piercing section up to the nominal diameter of the thread corresponds to a thickness between 1.2 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO, KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Christian Sowa, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 9958000
    Abstract: A fastener for a corrugated sheet includes a cylindrical assembly including elongated, plate shaped fastening members assembled as a hollow cylinder. Each fastening member is tapered to one end to form a hook at one end and having a curved groove on an outer surface, and a curved trough on the outer surface at the other end of the fastening member. The curved troughs are assembled to form an annular recess. A retainer ring is secured to the annular recess. A ring-shaped elastic member is secured to the curved groove. A first sealing member is put on the retainer ring. A threaded bolt driven through a washer, the retainer ring, and the fastening member. An expansion nut has a multi-sided outer surface and is moveably secured to the threaded bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: San-He Chang
  • Patent number: 9958001
    Abstract: An elastic press-lock structure has a ring-shaped member and a connection assembly. The ring-shaped member is defined an elongated hole. The connection assembly is passed through the elongated hole of the ring-shaped member and detachably connected with the ring-shaped member. The connection assembly is pressed with a pressing force to deflect toward a first direction with an axle which is a predetermined position of the elongated hole so that the connection assembly is limited by the ring-shaped member which is deformed and the then the connection assembly is reset toward a second direction opposite to the first direction by a restoring force generated by the connection assembly while the pressing force is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Yi-Rong Jam
  • Patent number: 9958002
    Abstract: A dust-proof safety hook contains: a body, a connection shaft, a returning element, a housing sleeve, a resilient element, a rotary sheath, and a positioning bolt. The body includes an accommodation space, an opening, a first segment, and a second segment. The connection shaft includes a first part and a second part, and the returning element is mounted between the body and the connection shaft. The housing sleeve includes a slot which has a limiting portion and two notches. The resilient element is fitted with the connection shaft, and the rotary sheath includes a through orifice and a cut. The positioning bolt is inserted into the through orifice of the rotary sheath and the limiting portion of the slot of the housing sleeve, such that the rotary sheath moves along the slot of the housing sleeve by way of the positioning bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Win Chance Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 9958003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid drive shaft using friction-stir welding and a fabrication method thereof, and more particularly to a drive shaft comprising a metal tube, a composite material layer formed inside the metal tube, and a metal yoke connected to both ends of the drive shaft by means of friction-stir welding so as to make the components simple and lightweight and to enhance the durability, and a fabrication method thereof. The fabrication method comprises the steps of: shaping a composite material sheet; bonding the cylindrical composite material layer to the inside of a metal tube; maintaining the inside of the metal tube in a vacuum state for a given duration; heating the metal tube maintained in the vacuum state in an autoclave; and adjoining a connection member for connecting other parts to the ends of the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: WOO SHIN EMC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9958004
    Abstract: A variable length connecting rod which can change the effective length comprises a connecting rod body, an eccentric member which is attached at the small end to the connecting rod body to be able to swivel and which changes the effective length of a variable length connecting rod when swiveled, one piston mechanism which has one hydraulic cylinder which is provided in the connecting rod body and one hydraulic piston which slides in the hydraulic cylinder, a direction switching mechanism which switches between supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic fluid supply source which supplies the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid. The piston mechanism is configured so that the eccentric member swivels in one direction if hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and so that the eccentric member swivels in the other direction if hydraulic fluid is discharged from the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Akio Kidooka, Yoshiro Kamo
  • Patent number: 9958005
    Abstract: An oil-lubricated bearing device comprises: a rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling bodies, and a holder; a tapered member; a lubricant storage disposed on a side provided with the tapered member with respect to the inner ring; and a contact portion. The holder includes pockets each formed with outer and inner ring side openings and configured to hold a corresponding one of the rolling bodies, a lubricant scraping portion formed at an inner peripheral surface of each of the pockets and configured to scrape lubricant adhering to a surface of each of the rolling body, and a second inclined surface formed at an outer peripheral surface portion of the holder adjacent to the outer ring side opening and rising with a slope toward the lubricant storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Manabe, Hidefumi Saito
  • Patent number: 9958006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a split bearing arrangement (1) with a bearing block (2) comprising counter clamping surfaces (5) and a bearing cover (3) comprising clamping surfaces (4), wherein the bearing cover (2) is connected to the bearing block (3) by means of bolt-like connecting elements mounted in bores (8) in the clamping surfaces (4) and/or comprising at least one projection (13) per clamping surface (4), which can be pushed into the counter clamping surface (5) of the bearing block (2), wherein the clamping surfaces (4) of the bearing cover (2) or the counter clamping surfaces (5) of the bearing block (2) are oriented obliquely at an angle not equal to 90° to the longitudinal extension of the connecting elements and/or the projections (13) are arranged respectively at a distance (16) of at least 150% of a maximum height (17) of the projections (19) over the clamping surfaces (4) from the bore (8) and/or a side wall of the bearing cover (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Siessl, Alexander Mueller, Martin Karlsberger, Karl Dickinger
  • Patent number: 9958007
    Abstract: A slide bearing, in which halved members, made by dividing a cylinder parallel to the axial direction are disposed vertically, includes a groove circumferentially provided at the axial end of a lower halved member and a recess provided on an axially outer periphery of the groove, where a circumferential length of the recess is formed to be shorter than a length of the groove. The recess is formed such that its upstream end in the axial rotation direction aligns with an upstream end in the rotation direction of the groove. The recess is formed such that its downstream end in the rotation direction is located upstream relative to the circumferential center of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TAIHO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ashihara, Yuichiro Kajiki, Hiroki Takata
  • Patent number: 9958008
    Abstract: A bearing may include a substrate and a metallic layer disposed in contact with the substrate. An adhesive layer may be disposed in contact with the metallic layer. A supporting layer may be disposed in contact with the adhesive layer. According to an example, a polymer layer may be disposed in contact with the adhesive layer. According to another example, a polymer layer may be disposed in contact with the supporting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: Mahle Metal Leve S/A, Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Paulo R. Vieira De Morais, Sandra Matos Cordeiro
  • Patent number: 9958009
    Abstract: A roller bearing includes an inner ring having an inner-ring raceway surface on an outer periphery of the inner ring, an outer ring arranged concentric with and peripherally outside the inner ring and having, on an inner periphery of the outer ring, an outer-ring raceway surface that faces the inner-ring raceway surface, a plurality of rollers interposed between the inner-ring raceway surface and the outer-ring raceway surface in a rollable manner, and a cage that holds the rollers at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction. Opposite end portions of the outer-ring raceway surface in an axial direction serve as guide surfaces or which rotation of the cage is guided. Or an outer periphery of the cage, slidable contact surfaces are formed which slidably contact the guide surfaces and which are arranged to face the respective guide surfaces across a labyrinth clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Shishihara, Shigeo Kamamoto, Junji Murata
  • Patent number: 9958010
    Abstract: A sliding component, which can seal and lubricate at the same time by reducing the amount of leakage of sealed fluid further while preventing torque increase and local wear, is characterized in that an extremely shallow step of circular shape is provided on a sealing face of one of a pair of sliding parts that slide against each other in such a way that the step is positioned on the low-pressure fluid side (atmosphere side) of this sealing face and also set lower than the sealing face, and that pumping grooves acting to push back toward the high-pressure fluid side (sealed fluid side) the fluid that tends to leak from the sealing face toward the low-pressure fluid side (atmosphere side) are provided on the surface of the extremely shallow step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Itadani
  • Patent number: 9958011
    Abstract: A bearing assembly has an outer race, which has an arcuate inner surface and an inner member that is partially disposed in the outer member and which has an arcuate outer surface. The inner member has one or more hubs that extend axially from the inner member. The one or more hubs each have one or more circumferentially extending surface depression that is positioned proximate the arcuate outer surface. The one or more hubs each have one or more circumferentially extending surface protrusion that is positioned axially outward beyond the at least one circumferentially extending surface depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Moises Polanco
  • Patent number: 9958012
    Abstract: The second lip has an annular protrusion formed at one end portion in a thickness direction of a lip tip portion configured to be in sliding contact with the slinger and protruding in the thickness direction, and a thickness of the lip tip portion is formed thicker than a thickness of a lip part except for the protrusion. The protrusion is formed to be reduced in width toward the tip-side in the thickness direction and configures a sliding contact part configured to be in linearly sliding contact with the slinger. The circular plate part of the slinger is formed tilted toward the seal member in the axial direction, and the slinger has an annular flange part integrally formed therewith by bending a tip of the circular plate part so as to axially cover an area above the sliding contact part of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Takahisa Nakata
  • Patent number: 9958013
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a component and a spherical bearing mounted in a bore of the component. The spherical bearing comprises an outer race received within the component bore, an inner spherical member mounted for rotation within the outer race and a releasable retaining element for releasably retaining the outer race in the component bore. The outer race and the component comprise interengaging indexing formations whereby said outer race may be mounted within said component bore in a plurality of angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the component bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Arnauld R. E. Hervieux, Gregory Y. Meignat
  • Patent number: 9958014
    Abstract: A coupling (1) for a shaft-end (2) having a square cross-section includes a front plate (6), a locking plate (7) and a rear plate (8) provided with square openings (9, 10, 11), in which the square shaft-end can be inserted. The locking plate can be rotated back and forth between an unlocked position (I), in which the square openings in the front plate, the rear plate and the locking plate coincide, and a locked position (II), in which the openings do not coincide. In the unlocked position the square shaft-end can be inserted through the coinciding square openings. Subsequently, the locking plate is rotated so that the shaft-end cannot be pulled out until the locking plate is returned into the unlocked position. The coupling can be used for easily interconnecting different types of parts, for example, applicable with exercise bicycles, bicycles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Theodorus Cornelius Antonius Smets
    Inventor: Theodorus Cornelius Antonius Smets
  • Patent number: 9958015
    Abstract: A rolling-element telescoping shaft assembly for connecting a driveshaft and transmitting a torque includes an outer shaft member extending along a longitudinal axis and defines an interior bore and inner surface. An inner shaft member is at least partially disposed within the bore and telescopically moveable relative thereto along the axis and defines an outer surface. Rolling-element outer grooves are arranged in the inner surface, distributed around the axis, and functional (i.e., used for transmitting a torque). Outer recesses are defined between the outer grooves and define a shorter distance between adjacent torque-transmitting outer grooves. Rolling-element inner grooves are defined on the outer surface and distributed around the axis. Rolling elements are rollingly arranged in the outer and inner grooves and rollingly engage the outer and inner shaft members during telescoping movement of the shaft assembly to reduce friction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eduardo Mondragon, William P. Skvarla
  • Patent number: 9958017
    Abstract: A metering device for controlling an oil delivery rate for a wet-running clutch. The wet-running clutch has at least one pair of interacting friction surfaces and an actuation unit for actuating the wet-running clutch. The actuation unit has an axially supported support disk and an axially displaceable thrust disk, wherein the thrust disk and the support disk are rotatable relative to one another. The metering device has a first component which is connected fixedly with respect to a housing, and a second component which is connected to the thrust disk in a rotationally conjoint and axially relatively displaceable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Stefan Leitgeb
  • Patent number: 9958018
    Abstract: A transmission device that includes a first clutch that includes a first clutch drum, a first piston, and a first engagement oil chamber; and a second clutch that includes a second clutch drum fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the first clutch drum, a second piston, and a second engagement oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Azumai, Mitsunari Ishida